Unit Test (Solutions): The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive | Social Science Class 8 - New NCERT PDF Download

Time: 1 Hour
M.M.: 30
Attempt all questions.
Question numbers 1 to 4 carry 1 mark each.
Question numbers 5 and 6 carry 2 marks each.
Question numbers 7 to 9 carry 3 marks each.
Question numbers 10 to 12 carry 5 marks each.

Q1. The Parliament of India is composed of which of the following?
(a) Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and the Prime Minister
(b) Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and the President
(c) Rajya Sabha, President, and Supreme Court
(d) Lok Sabha, Supreme Court, and Cabinet

Ans: (b) Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and the President
The Indian Parliament comprises the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and the President, forming a bicameral system to balance national and state interests.

Q2. Who presides over the Rajya Sabha?
(a) President of India
(b) Prime Minister
(c) Vice President of India
(d) Speaker of Lok Sabha

Ans: (c) Vice President of India
The Vice President of India acts as the chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, ensuring fair and orderly debates.  
Vice President of India

Q3. Is it true or false that the Lok Sabha is also called the House of the People?

Ans: True
The Lok Sabha is officially known as the House of the People, representing the lower house of Parliament.  

Q4. The election to the Lok Sabha is based on which system?
(a) Proportional Representation
(b) Single Transferable Vote
(c) First-Past-the-Post
(d) Electoral College

Ans: (c) First-Past-the-Post
The Lok Sabha elections use the First-Past-the-Post system, where the candidate with the most votes in each constituency wins.  

Q5. Explain the job of the Parliament?

Ans: The Parliament’s job is to make laws, ensure they are enforced, oversee the government’s actions, and manage the country’s finances, maintaining a balance between legislative, executive, and financial responsibilities.  

Q6. Name two key legislative functions of the Indian Parliament.

Ans: Making laws and protecting constitutional principles like federalism and Fundamental Rights.  

Q7. Describe the process by which a bill becomes a law in the Indian Parliament.

Ans: The process of turning a bill into a law in the Indian Parliament involves multiple stages to ensure thorough review and democratic consensus.  

• Introduction: A bill, a draft law, is introduced in either the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha, often by a minister or MP.  
• Debate and Committee Review: The bill is debated, and a parliamentary committee examines its clauses, suggesting amendments.  
• Voting: After discussions, both houses vote on the bill; it must pass in the originating house and then the other.  
• Presidential Assent: Once both houses approve, the bill goes to the President, who signs it to become an act, as seen with the Right to Education Act, 2009.  
• Gazette Publication: The law is published in the official gazette, making it enforceable.

Q8. What are the Executive functions of the Parliament, and how is the Council of Ministers related to it?

Ans: The Parliament’s executive functions involve overseeing the government’s operations, with the Council of Ministers playing a key role in implementing its decisions.  

• Oversight: The Parliament ensures the Union Executive, led by the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, enforces laws effectively.  
• Question Hour: MPs question ministers during Question Hour to hold the government accountable.  
• Committee Reviews: Special committees investigate ministry policies and decisions.  
• Council of Ministers’ Role: Chosen from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members, they advise the President, run the government, and are collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.

Q9. What is Financial and Executive Accountability?

Ans: Financial and executive accountability ensure the government uses public funds and exercises power responsibly, with the Parliament playing a central role.  

• Financial Accountability: The Parliament approves the annual budget, examines spending by ministries, and ensures funds are used wisely and fairly.  
• Executive Accountability: The Prime Minister and Council of Ministers must answer to the Lok Sabha through Question Hour and committee reviews, ensuring transparency in governance.  
• Importance: This dual accountability prevents misuse of power and resources, maintaining democratic integrity.

Q10. Explain the functions of the Judiciary in India and its role in maintaining checks and balances in the government.

Ans: The Judiciary in India serves as a guardian of justice and the Constitution, playing a vital role in maintaining checks and balances across government branches.  

• Functions: Interprets and applies laws, resolves disputes, protects Fundamental Rights, and ensures legislative and executive actions align with the Constitution.  
• Checks and Balances: Reviews Parliament’s laws and the Executive’s actions to prevent overreach, using judicial review to strike down unconstitutional measures.  
• Independence: Operates separately from the Legislature and Executive, ensuring impartiality in upholding democratic principles.  
• Dispute Resolution: Settles conflicts between individuals, groups, or government entities, maintaining societal fairness.

Q11. Describe the parallel structure of the Union and State Governments in India?

Ans: The Union and State Governments in India share a parallel structure, mirroring each other to manage national and regional governance effectively under federalism.  

• Legislative Bodies: The Union has the Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha), while states have State Assemblies (Vidhan Sabha, with Vidhan Parishad in six states like Uttar Pradesh).  
• Executive Leadership: The Union has the President and Council of Ministers led by the Prime Minister; states have the Governor and Council of Ministers led by the Chief Minister.  
• Legislative Powers: The Union handles the Union List (e.g., defense), states manage the State List (e.g., police), and both share the Concurrent List (e.g., education), with Union law prevailing in conflicts.  
• Judiciary: Both levels are supported by a unified judicial system, with the Supreme Court at the apex and High Courts at the state level.  
• Federal Balance: This structure ensures power sharing, with states addressing local issues and the Union maintaining national unity.

Q12. What are the major challenges faced by the Indian Parliament and State Legislatures in effectively performing their functions?

Ans: The Indian Parliament and State Legislatures face significant challenges that hinder their legislative, executive, and financial roles, requiring public and systemic solutions.  

• Attendance and Disruption: Irregular member attendance and disrupted sessions, like Question Hour, limit accountability and debate quality.  
• Criminal Records: Some MPs and MLAs with criminal cases undermine trust and representation.  
• Inefficient Debates: Angry or biased discussions often fail to address public issues, delaying bills like those on key reforms.  
• Session Schedules: Limited meeting times (e.g., three annual Parliament sessions) and disruptions shorten productive work.  
• Solutions: Citizens can stay informed, engage via digital platforms, and vote for diverse leaders; the media can highlight issues, and stricter rules can curb disruptions and criminal participation.