๐ Class 8 Social Science
๐️ Chapter 6: The Parliamentary System – Legislature & Executive
๐ The Big Questions
1. What is India’s parliamentary system, and how is it structured?
๐ Answer:
๐ฎ๐ณ India’s parliamentary system means:
- ๐ง๐ค๐ง People elect representatives
- ๐️ These representatives run the country
๐ Structure:
- ๐ President
- ๐️ Lok Sabha (Lower House)
- ๐️ Rajya Sabha (Upper House)
๐ ✔️ Bicameral system = 2 Houses
2. What are the key functions of the Parliament?
๐ Answer:
๐ Main Functions:
1. ๐งพ Law making
2. ๐ฐ Financial control (Budget)
3. ❓ Questioning government
4. ๐ Constitutional work
๐ ✔️ Ensures proper governance
3. What are the roles of the legislature and the executive in India’s Parliamentary democracy?
๐ Answer:
๐️ Legislature:
- ๐ Makes laws
- ❓ Checks government
⚙️ Executive:
- ๐ ️ Implements laws
- ๐จ๐ผ Includes PM & Ministers
๐ ✔️ Legislature controls Executive
4. How are the legislature and the executive organised at the union and state levels?
๐ Answer:
๐ฎ๐ณ Union Level:
- ๐️ Parliament
- ๐ President
- ๐จ๐ผ Prime Minister
๐️ State Level:
- ๐️ Vidhan Sabha
- ๐ค Governor
- ๐จ๐ผ Chief Minister
๐ ✔️ Same system at both levels
๐ Questions and Activities
1. Find out how many representatives from your state are in each House of the Parliament.
๐ Answer:
๐ Example: Delhi
- ๐️ Lok Sabha → 7 MPs
- ๐️ Rajya Sabha → 3 MPs
๐ ✔️ Total = 10 MPs
2. What makes the Indian Parliament the “voice of the people”? How does it ensure that different opinions are heard?
๐ Answer:
๐ง๐ค๐ง Why voice of people:
- MPs are directly elected
๐ข How opinions are heard:
- ๐ฃ️ Debates
- ❓ Question Hour
- ๐️ Two Houses
- ๐ Committees
๐ ✔️ Everyone’s voice matters
3. Why do you think the Constitution made the Executive responsible to the Legislature?
๐ Answer:
⚖️ Reasons:
- ✔️ Accountability
- ✔️ Prevent misuse of power
- ✔️ Government works for people
๐ ✔️ Keeps democracy strong
4. Why do you think we have chosen the system of bicameral legislature at the Union level?
๐ Answer:
๐️ Reasons:
- ๐ง๐ค๐ง Better representation
- ⚖️ Balance between states & people
- ๐ Better law discussion
๐ ✔️ Improves decision-making
5. Try to track the journey of a recent bill passed by the Parliament...
๐ Answer:
๐ Example: Public Examinations Bill 2024
๐
Timeline:
- Feb 5 → Introduced
- Feb 6 → Passed Lok Sabha
- Feb 9 → Passed Rajya Sabha
- ✔️ Became law in 4 days
๐ ✔️ Fast decision due to importance
6. Choose a recent law… role-play (model Parliament).
๐ Answer:
๐ญ Scenes include:
- ๐️ Lok Sabha debate
- ๐ณ️ Voting
- ๐️ Rajya Sabha approval
- ๐ President assent
๐ ✔️ Bill → Law process
7. Why might it have taken over 25 years for Women’s Reservation Bill to pass?
๐ Answer:
⏳ Reasons:
- ⚖️ Political disagreements
- ๐ฃ️ Long debates
- ๐ Committee discussions
๐ ✔️ Laws take time
8. What impact do disruptions in Parliament have?
๐ Answer:
❌ Effects:
- ๐ Poor law quality
- ๐ Loss of public trust
๐ ✔️ Parliament must function properly
9. Create interest groups and questions for MP / MLA
๐ Answer:
๐จ๐ Example Groups:
๐ Education Group
- MLA → School issues
- MP → National policy
๐ฑ Environment Group
- MLA → Local pollution
- MP → National laws
๐ ✔️ Different roles
10. What is the role of Judiciary? What if it was not independent?
๐ Answer:
⚖️ Judiciary Role:
- ๐ Protect Constitution
- ⚖️ Solve disputes
- ๐ก️ Protect rights
❌ Without it:
- ๐ซ No justice
- ๐ซ Power misuse
๐ ✔️ Very important for democracy
⚡ Very Short Answer Questions
✏️ Short Answer Type Questions
1. What is the structure of India’s parliamentary system?
๐ Answer:
๐ฎ๐ณ India’s parliamentary system has:
- ๐️ Bicameral Parliament (2 Houses)
- ๐ง๐ค๐ง Lok Sabha → directly elected
- ๐️ Rajya Sabha → indirectly elected
- ๐ President → constitutional head
๐ ✔️ Together form Legislature + Executive
2. How does the lawmaking process work in Parliament?
๐ Answer:
๐ Process:
- ๐ Bill introduced (any house)
- ๐ Readings & discussion
- ๐ฅ Committee review
- ๐ฃ️ Debate
- ๐ณ️ Voting in both houses
- ๐ President’s assent
๐ ✔️ Becomes law after approval
3. What are the key functions of Parliament?
๐ Answer:
⚡ Functions:
- ๐ Makes laws
- ❓ Holds government accountable
- ๐ฐ Controls finances
- ๐ Amends Constitution
- ๐ง๐ค๐ง Represents people
๐ ✔️ Platform for national debate
4. What is the difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?
๐ Answer:
๐️ Lok Sabha:
- ๐ง๐ค๐ง Represents people
- ๐ณ️ Direct election
- ⏳ 5 years
- ๐ฅ 543 members
๐️ Rajya Sabha:
- ๐ Represents states
- ๐ Indirect election
- ⏳ 6 years
- ๐ฅ 245 members
๐ ✔️ Both have different roles
5. How does Parliament hold government accountable?
๐ Answer:
๐ Methods:
- ❓ Question Hour
- ๐ฃ️ Debates
- ๐ Committees
- ๐ซ No-confidence motion
- ๐ฐ Budget discussion
๐ ✔️ Ensures transparency
6. What is the role of the President in Parliament?
๐ Answer:
๐ President:
- ๐
Summons Parliament
- ⏸️ Prorogues sessions
- ✍️ Gives assent to bills
- ๐️ Addresses joint session
- เคจिเคฏुเค्เคค PM & ministers
๐ ✔️ Constitutional head
7. How do state legislatures compare to Parliament?
๐ Answer:
๐️ State system:
- ๐️ Vidhan Sabha (like Lok Sabha)
- ๐️ Vidhan Parishad (like Rajya Sabha)
- ๐ค Governor = head
๐ ✔️ Makes laws for state
8. What are the challenges facing Indian legislatures?
๐ Answer:
❌ Problems:
- ๐ Disruptions
- ⚖️ Criminalization
- ⏳ Delay in laws
- ๐ฅ Poor attendance
- ๐ฃ️ Weak debates
๐ ✔️ Affects governance
9. What is the significance of the Sengol in Parliament?
๐ Answer:
๐️ Sengol means:
- ๐ Symbol of power transfer (1947)
- ⚖️ Represents justice & dharma
- ๐ฎ๐ณ Cultural heritage
๐ ✔️ Sign of righteous governance
10. How does Judiciary balance Parliament’s power?
๐ Answer:
⚖️ Judiciary:
- ๐ Checks laws
- ❌ Stops unconstitutional acts
- ๐ก️ Protects rights
๐ ✔️ Maintains balance of power
๐ Long Answer Type Questions
1. Explain the composition and functions of the Indian Parliament
๐ Answer:
๐️ Composition:
- ๐ President
- ๐ง๐ค๐ง Lok Sabha (543 members)
- ๐ Rajya Sabha (245 members)
⚡ Functions:
- ๐ Lawmaking
- ❓ Control Executive
- ๐ฐ Approve budget
- ๐ Check spending
๐ ✔️ Ensures governance
2. Describe the lawmaking process in the Indian Parliament
๐ Answer:
๐ Steps:
- ๐ Bill introduced
- ๐ First reading
- ๐ง Committee review
- ๐ฃ️ Debate
- ๐ณ️ Voting
- ๐ Other house
- ๐ President assent
- ๐ข Gazette notification
๐ ✔️ Law comes into force
3. Compare and contrast the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
๐ Answer:
๐ Comparison:
- ๐ง๐ค๐ง Lok Sabha → People
- ๐ Rajya Sabha → States
- ⏳ 5 years vs 6 years
- ๐ฐ Money bill → only Lok Sabha
- ๐ Rajya Sabha permanent
๐ ✔️ Both important
4. Explain the system of checks and balances between legislature executive and judiciary
๐ Answer:
⚖️ System:
- ๐️ Legislature → makes laws
- ⚙️ Executive → implements
- ⚖️ Judiciary → checks
๐ Balance:
- Judiciary reviews laws
- Legislature controls executive
- Executive executes decisions
๐ ✔️ No one becomes too powerful
5. Discuss the challenges faced by Indian legislatures today
๐ Answer:
❌ Challenges:
- ๐ Frequent disruptions
- ⚖️ Criminalization
- ⏳ Delay in laws
- ๐ฅ Poor attendance
- ๐ฃ️ Weak debates
- ๐ Need transparency
๐ ✔️ Improvement needed
