CBSE Class 8 Social Science Chapter 06 The Parliamentary System Legislature And Executive MCQs Set 01

Answer: (A) Universal Adult Franchise

Explanation:
The chapter explicitly states that Universal Adult Franchise guarantees all adult citizens of the country the right to vote irrespective of their social or economic background, gender, race, or religion. This is a foundational principle laid out in the Constitution of independent India.

Answer: (B) It reflects balance, inclusivity, and purpose in democratic governance

Explanation:
According to the chapter, the three-sided design reflects balance, inclusivity, and purpose in the context of India's democracy. The building also incorporates green construction practices, cutting electricity use by 30 per cent.

Answer: (C) It was felt that a single directly elected House would be inadequate to meet the challenges independent India would face, and a Council of States was needed to reflect federalism

Explanation:
• Extensive discussions occurred during Constitution-making about this choice
• A single directly elected House was deemed insufficient for independent India's challenges
• In the spirit of federalism, the Rajya Sabha was designed to represent state interests
• This system helps maintain balance between national unity and local interests.

Answer: (C) The Vice President of India

Explanation:
The Vice President of India acts as the chairperson of the Rajya Sabha. In contrast, the Lok Sabha has a Speaker elected by its members to conduct sessions and maintain discipline.

Answer: (B) 17 Lok Sabhas, with the 18th constituted in June 2024

Explanation:
The chapter states that there have been 17 Lok Sabhas since the first one in 1952, and the 18th Lok Sabha was constituted in June 2024.

Answer: (B) To scrutinise government activities, make recommendations, and ask questions on actions taken by the government

Explanation:
Standing Committees are permanent committees consisting of MPs that scrutinise government activities, make recommendations, and ask questions on actions taken by the government. They help ensure executive accountability.

Answer: (B) The Prime Minister is the actual chief executive who runs the government in practice, though the President is the nominal head

Explanation:
The Prime Minister is the de facto executive authority, meaning the actual, practical executive power rests with the Prime Minister while the President serves as the nominal or ceremonial head of state.

Answer: (C) Appointing state governors without any consultation

Explanation:
The chapter lists constitutional functions as electing the President and Vice President, amending the Constitution, and upholding Fundamental Rights. Governors are appointed by the President, not directly by Parliament, and this is done through a formal constitutional process, not unilaterally.

Answer: (B) The Question Hour, where ministers must answer questions about government policies and activities

Explanation:
The Question Hour in the Lok Sabha is a select period, typically the first hour of a Parliamentary session, where MPs can ask ministers questions about government policies and activities. This is the primary accountability mechanism described in the chapter.

Answer: (C) Rajya Sabha members are elected indirectly by an electoral college while Lok Sabha members are elected directly by citizens

Explanation:
The chapter clearly states that people of India choose their representatives for the Lok Sabha through direct election based on universal adult suffrage, while Members of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha are elected indirectly by the electoral college.

Answer: (B) Both union and state governments can legislate on Concurrent List subjects, but if there is a conflict, the union law prevails

Explanation:
The chapter explains that subjects on the Concurrent List can be legislated upon by both the Union and State governments. However, in case of conflict, the union government's law is binding on the state government. The example of the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act demonstrates this principle.

Answer: (B) It symbolises the transfer of power from British rule and serves as a reminder that power must be guided by dharma and righteousness

Explanation:
The Sengol, a gold-plated silver sceptre, was symbolically handed to Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru on 14 August 1947 and is now placed near the Speaker's chair. Dating back to the Chola period, it served as a symbol of righteous and just rule, reminding rulers that power must be guided by dharma and righteousness.

Answer: (B) It allows Parliament to monitor government expenditure and ensure funds are distributed appropriately to different ministries, as the government spends public money

Explanation:
Parliament approves and monitors government expenditure through the annual budget by examining the distribution of funds to different ministries. Since the government spends public money collected through taxes, Parliament must ensure this is done appropriately. This is financial accountability.

Answer: (A) The Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary each have distinct responsibilities and can function independently within their respective domains, with checks and balances to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful

Explanation:
Separation of powers in India's system means the Legislature makes laws, the Executive implements them, and the Judiciary ensures constitutional compliance. Each has distinct roles with checks and balances — the Legislature questions the Executive, the Executive implements laws, and the Judiciary can strike down unconstitutional laws or actions.

Answer: (B) States can choose either structure based on their needs, while the union Parliament requires a bicameral system to represent both national and federal interests effectively

Explanation:
Unlike the Centre, state legislatures can be unicameral or bicameral. Some states like Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh have bicameral systems while others are unicameral. The union Parliament is bicameral to balance representation and ensure federalism principles are upheld.

Answer: (B) It conducts a thorough examination of the bill and suggests modifications before it moves forward for broader discussion

Explanation:
The chapter describes the lawmaking process in detail. When a bill is introduced, it is often referred to a Standing Committee, which scrutinises government activities, makes recommendations, and can suggest modifications. The committee examines the bill thoroughly before it is taken up for broader consideration and passing in Parliament.

Answer: (B) The court system enables the Judiciary to interpret laws, resolve disputes, and safeguard fundamental rights while checking that laws respect the Constitution

Explanation:
The chapter explains that the Judiciary acts as custodian of the Constitution through its court system. Courts interpret laws, resolve disputes, and safeguard fundamental rights. Critically, the Judiciary ensures that laws passed by Parliament do not violate the Constitutional framework, and it can step in if the Executive violates the Constitution during implementation.

Answer: (B) It mandated education as a fundamental right through Article 21A, laying the constitutional groundwork that eventually led to the RTE Act seven years later

Explanation:
According to the RTE narrative in the chapter, the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act in 2002 was crucial—it mandated in Article 21A that the state shall provide free and compulsory education to children between 6 and 14 years. This constitutional mandate came first; the actual RTE Act followed six years later after further debate and was passed in 2009, showing how constitutional amendments can set the stage for later legislation.

Answer: (B) Although the President is the constitutional Head of State, the Prime Minister actually exercises the real executive power to run the government and take key decisions

Explanation:
The chapter clarifies that while the President is the 'nominal' head of the Executive, the Prime Minister is the 'de facto' executive authority. This distinction means the President holds the title and formal position, but the Prime Minister actually wields the real power to run the government, take decisions, lead the Council of Ministers, shape national policies, and coordinate different ministries. The Prime Minister serves with the support of the majority in the Lok Sabha.

Answer: (B) It reflects India's commitment to ensuring that all citizens, regardless of the language they speak, can meaningfully participate in and understand parliamentary discussions

Explanation:
The chapter describes how Parliament started with simultaneous interpretation in 12 Indian languages and recently added six more, including Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Manipuri, Urdu, and Sanskrit. This expansion demonstrates a deliberate effort to make parliamentary discussions accessible to speakers of diverse Indian languages. It reflects the principle of inclusion and the recognition that linguistic diversity is part of India's democratic fabric, ensuring citizens in their own languages can engage with governance.

Answer: (B) • A minister chose to resign because he believed moral responsibility comes with the position • The incident shows that accountability involves ethics beyond legal fault • It demonstrates personal commitment to responsibility in parliamentary democracy

Explanation:
• Shastri was not legally blamed for the train accident
• Yet he insisted on resigning, believing a minister must take moral responsibility for what occurs in their ministry
• This illustrates a principle of accountability that goes beyond legal liability
• It shows the ethical foundation on which the executive's responsibility to Parliament is built, not just formal procedures

Answer: (B) It traces how a principle in the Directive Principles of State Policy eventually became a constitutional right through amendment, and then a detailed law—showing multiple steps of democracy at work

Explanation:
The RTE narrative illustrates the layers of democratic lawmaking: the principle began in the Directive Principles of State Policy; it evolved into a Fundamental Right through the 86th Amendment; and finally became detailed legislation as the RTE Act. This journey shows how constitutional values translate into concrete legal protections, how different branches and processes of democracy work together, and how what starts as an idea takes years of debate and deliberation before becoming enforceable law.

Answer: (B) Because India is federal, a Council of States was needed to represent state interests and balance national unity with local concerns, which is why the bicameral system was chosen

Explanation:
The chapter's 'Don't Miss Out' section explains that during Constitution-making, there were extensive discussions about whether India should have a bicameral system. It was felt that a single directly elected House would be inadequate for the challenges independent India would face. 'In the spirit of federalism,' a Council of States—the Rajya Sabha—was needed. Federalism distributes power between centre, states, and local governments, and the Rajya Sabha's composition and indirect election method reflect this federal design, helping balance national unity with local interests.

Answer: (B) Parliamentary democracy in India can be formal and serious while also allowing creative expression and wit, showing flexibility and cultural engagement in serious discourse

Explanation:
The chapter provides two vivid examples: the Finance Minister reciting a verse from Tirukkural during the budget speech, and Sushma Swaraj quoting poetry to criticise the government with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh responding in kind. These anecdotes show that democratic institutions can maintain gravity and seriousness while incorporating cultural expression, wit, and eloquence. This flexibility reflects India's democratic maturity—the ability to address critical issues through debate that is both substantive and creative, engaging both reason and culture.

Answer: (B) Money Bills can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha with prior presidential recommendation, reflecting Parliament's critical control over taxation and government spending

Explanation:
The chapter specifies that 'Money Bills'—concerned with financial matters including taxation and government borrowing—can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha and require prior presidential recommendation. This special procedure reflects Parliament's gatekeeping role in financial accountability. Since the Lok Sabha is directly elected by the people, restricting money bills to it ensures that taxation and government spending decisions ultimately rest with representatives chosen by the people, strengthening democratic control over public finances.