StudyOSStudyOS CBSE Study Material, Class 5–12

The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive

NCERT Class 8 · Social Science Based on NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook · Free CBSE study kit

Everything you need to ace this chapter, in one place.
Notes · Mind Map · Quiz · Assertion-Reason · Case Studies · Question Bank · Past Papers

Get Full Study Kit →
Studying with friends? Send them this chapter.

Chapter Notes

Overview
This chapter explains how India's parliamentary democracy works, focusing on the two key organs of government: the Legislature (which makes laws) and the Executive (which implements them). It describes the structure of Parliament at the Union level and State Assemblies at the state level, the process of lawmaking, and how the Executive is held accountable to the Legislature. The one big idea a student must walk away with is that in India's system, the government functions with the people's consent, and power is shared, debated, and checked to protect democratic values.
Key Concepts (29)
Parliament
The supreme legislative body of the government that makes laws for the country. It comprises all elected representatives of the people and controls and guides the work of the government.
e.g. When the Lok Sabha passes the Right to Education Act, it is the Parliament making a law for all children in India.
Universal Adult Franchise
The right to vote guaranteed to all adult citizens of the country irrespective of their social or economic background, gender, race, or religion.
e.g. A 18-year-old daily wage worker in a village has the same right to vote as a wealthy businessperson in a city.
Lok Sabha
The House of the People, also called the Lower House of Parliament. Members are directly elected by the people through universal adult suffrage. Maximum strength is 550 members.
e.g. In the 2024 elections, citizens voted for their preferred candidate to represent their constituency in the Lok Sabha.
Rajya Sabha
The Council of States, also called the Upper House of Parliament. Members are elected indirectly by the electoral college of elected members of state legislative assemblies.
e.g. A member of the Rajya Sabha represents the interests of their state at the national level, not a specific constituency.
Bicameral System
A system of having two houses or chambers in the legislature. 'Bi' means two, 'cameral' means chamber/house.
e.g. India's Parliament has two houses: Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, making it a bicameral system.
Speaker
The presiding officer of the Lok Sabha, elected by its members. The Speaker conducts sessions, allows members to speak, maintains discipline, and ensures rules are followed.
e.g. When MPs speak out of turn during a debate, the Speaker calls them to order and asks them to follow the rules.
Union Executive
The branch of government responsible for implementing and enforcing laws. It consists of the President, the Vice President, and the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.
e.g. When the government decides to build new schools under the RTE Act, the Union Executive ensures the plan is carried out.
Council of Ministers
A group of ministers chosen from among the MPs of both houses of Parliament, headed by the Prime Minister. They are collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
e.g. The Minister of Education is a member of the Council of Ministers and is answerable to the Lok Sabha for policies on schools.
Bill
A draft of a proposed law that needs to be approved by the Parliament before it can be enacted into law.
e.g. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Bill, 2008 was a draft that later became the RTE Act, 2009.
Act
A law that has been passed by Parliament and received the President's assent. It is the final enforceable form of a bill.
e.g. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 is an act that guarantees free education to children aged 6-14.
Question Hour
A select period, typically the first hour of a Parliamentary session, where MPs can ask ministers questions about government policies and activities. It holds the Executive accountable.
e.g. An MP asks the Health Minister during Question Hour why a particular district hospital lacks medicines.
Standing Committee
A permanent committee consisting of MPs that scrutinises government activities, makes recommendations, and asks questions on actions taken by the government.
e.g. The Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare reviews the Ministry of Health's performance and suggests improvements.
Money Bill
A draft law concerned with financial matters including taxation and government borrowing. It can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha, with the prior recommendation of the President.
e.g. The annual Union Budget is presented as a Money Bill in the Lok Sabha.
President
The Head of State and the nominal head of the Executive. The President appoints the Prime Minister and other ministers, summons Parliament, and gives assent to bills.
e.g. After the Lok Sabha passes a bill, it is sent to the President for assent before it becomes an act.
Prime Minister
The de facto executive authority in India's Parliamentary system. The President appoints the leader of the majority party or coalition in the Lok Sabha as the Prime Minister.
e.g. After the 2024 general elections, the leader of the party with the majority of seats was appointed Prime Minister.
Federalism
A form of government where power is distributed between the centre, states, and local governments. It helps maintain balance between national unity and local interests.
e.g. While defence is a Union subject, agriculture is a State subject, showing how power is shared in India's federal system.
Union List
A list of subjects on which only the Union government can make laws.
e.g. Defence, foreign affairs, and currency are subjects on the Union List.
State List
A list of subjects on which only the State government can make laws.
e.g. Police, agriculture, and local government are subjects on the State List.
Concurrent List
A list of subjects on which both the Union and State governments can legislate. However, if the Union government legislates on a subject in this list, the state government is bound to follow it.
e.g. Education is on the Concurrent List, so both the central and state governments can make laws about schools, but the RTE Act passed by Parliament applies to all states.
Vidhan Sabha
The Legislative Assembly, which is the lower house of a state legislature. Members are directly elected by the people of the state.
e.g. In Karnataka, the Vidhan Sabha meets at the Vidhana Soudha to pass state laws.
Vidhan Parishad
The Legislative Council, which is the upper house of a state legislature. It exists only in some states like Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh.
e.g. The Vidhan Parishad in Maharashtra reviews bills passed by the Vidhan Sabha before they become law.
Unicameral
A legislature having only one house. Most Indian states have a unicameral legislature, meaning only a Vidhan Sabha.
e.g. The state of Kerala has a unicameral legislature with only a Vidhan Sabha and no Vidhan Parishad.
Sengol
A gold-plated, silver sceptre symbolising righteous and just rule. It was handed to Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru on 14 August 1947 as a symbol of transfer of power. It is now placed near the Speaker's chair in the new Lok Sabha.
e.g. The Sengol, with Nandi at its top symbolising justice, reminds MPs that power must be guided by dharma.
Civil Servants
A permanent group of officials who help in implementing laws and policies. They work under the direction of ministers and ensure government departments function smoothly.
e.g. An IAS officer in a district ensures that the government's scheme for free textbooks reaches all government schools.
Judiciary
The branch of government responsible for interpreting and applying the laws of the land. It acts as the custodian of the Constitution, ensuring all branches operate within constitutional principles.
e.g. If a law violates Fundamental Rights, the Supreme Court can strike it down as unconstitutional.
Separation of Powers
The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches — Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary — to prevent any one organ from becoming too powerful.
e.g. The Legislature makes laws, the Executive implements them, and the Judiciary checks that both follow the Constitution.
Checks and Balances
A system where each branch of government can limit the powers of the other branches to ensure no single branch becomes too powerful.
e.g. The Judiciary can declare a law passed by Parliament unconstitutional, and Parliament can amend the Constitution (within limits) to override a judicial interpretation.
Session
A meeting period of Parliament. The Parliament typically meets three times a year: Budget Session, Monsoon Session, and Winter Session.
e.g. The Monsoon Session of Parliament usually takes place in July-August each year.
Productivity (in Parliament)
The number of hours either the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha actually functioned against the time it was scheduled to function.
e.g. If the Rajya Sabha was scheduled to sit for 100 hours but only functioned for 65 hours, its productivity is 65%.
How It Works
How a Bill Becomes an Act (Lawmaking Process)
  1. Step 1: A bill is introduced in either House of Parliament (Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha).
  2. Step 2: The bill is read in the House (first reading).
  3. Step 3: The bill is referred to a Standing Committee for detailed scrutiny and recommendations.
  4. Step 4: The bill is taken up for consideration and passing, with clause-by-clause discussion and amendments voted upon.
  5. Step 5: A vote is taken on the bill in the House where it was introduced.
  6. Step 6: The process is repeated in the other House of Parliament.
  7. Step 7: After both Houses pass the bill, it is sent to the President for assent.
  8. Step 8: After Presidential assent, the bill becomes an act and is notified in the Gazette.
  9. Step 9: The act is then implemented as law.
💡 A bill is only a draft; it becomes an act only after both Houses pass it AND the President gives assent. Money Bills can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha, not the Rajya Sabha.
How the Executive is Held Accountable to the Legislature
  1. Step 1: The Prime Minister and Council of Ministers are chosen from among MPs of both Houses.
  2. Step 2: The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
  3. Step 3: During Question Hour (first hour of a session), MPs ask ministers questions about government policies and activities.
  4. Step 4: Ministers must justify their actions and decisions in response to questions.
  5. Step 5: Standing Committees hold meetings where ministries explain and answer questions about their policies.
  6. Step 6: The Parliament approves and monitors government expenditure through the annual budget.
💡 The Executive is part of the Legislature (ministers are MPs), yet they are accountable to the Lok Sabha. This is the core of the parliamentary system — the government functions with the people's consent.
Election of the Prime Minister
  1. Step 1: General elections are held for the Lok Sabha.
  2. Step 2: The people directly elect their representatives (MPs) to the Lok Sabha.
  3. Step 3: The party or coalition that wins a majority of seats in the Lok Sabha forms the government.
  4. Step 4: The President appoints the leader of the majority party or coalition as the Prime Minister.
  5. Step 5: The Prime Minister serves with the support of the majority of MPs in the Lok Sabha.
💡 The Prime Minister is not directly elected by the people. The people elect MPs, and the leader of the majority party among those MPs becomes Prime Minister.
How the Judiciary Checks the Legislature and Executive
  1. Step 1: The Judiciary interprets the laws passed by the Legislature.
  2. Step 2: If a law violates the Constitution, the Judiciary can declare it unconstitutional and strike it down.
  3. Step 3: If the Executive implements a law in a way that violates the Constitution, the Judiciary can step in and correct it.
  4. Step 4: The Judiciary acts as the custodian of the Constitution, ensuring all branches operate within constitutional principles.
💡 The Judiciary does not make laws or implement them — it checks that both the Legislature and Executive follow the Constitution. This is the system of checks and balances.
Structure of State Government (Parallel to Union)
  1. Step 1: At the state level, the Governor is the constitutional head (appointed by the President), similar to the President at the Union level.
  2. Step 2: The Chief Minister is the de facto executive authority, similar to the Prime Minister at the Union level.
  3. Step 3: The Council of Ministers at the state level is selected by the Chief Minister and is collectively responsible to the Vidhan Sabha.
  4. Step 4: The state legislature can be unicameral (only Vidhan Sabha) or bicameral (Vidhan Sabha and Vidhan Parishad).
  5. Step 5: The state government makes laws on subjects in the State List and Concurrent List.
💡 The structure at the state level imitates the one at the Union level. The Governor is like the President, the Chief Minister is like the Prime Minister, and the Vidhan Sabha is like the Lok Sabha.
Exam Traps — Don't Make These Mistakes
⚠ Confusing 'Bill' with 'Act'
✗ The Parliament passed a bill, so it became a law immediately.
→ A bill is only a draft of a proposed law. It becomes an act (and thus a law) only after it is passed by both Houses of Parliament AND receives the President's assent.
✓ A bill is a draft of a proposed law. After it is passed by both Houses of Parliament and receives the President's assent, it becomes an act and is enforceable as law.
⚠ Thinking the Prime Minister is Directly Elected
✗ The people of India directly elect the Prime Minister.
→ The people directly elect only the Members of Parliament (MPs) to the Lok Sabha. The President then appoints the leader of the majority party or coalition among those MPs as the Prime Minister.
✓ The Prime Minister is not directly elected by the people. The people elect MPs to the Lok Sabha, and the leader of the majority party or coalition is appointed as Prime Minister by the President.
⚠ Confusing the Roles of President and Prime Minister
✗ The President is the real head of the government and runs the country.
→ The President is the nominal (ceremonial) head of the Executive, while the Prime Minister is the de facto (real) executive authority. The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers are responsible for running the government.
✓ The President is the Head of State and the nominal head of the Executive. The Prime Minister is the de facto executive authority who, along with the Council of Ministers, runs the government.
⚠ Thinking All States Have Two Houses
✗ Every state in India has a Vidhan Sabha and a Vidhan Parishad.
→ Only six states have a bicameral legislature (Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh). The remaining states have a unicameral legislature with only a Vidhan Sabha.
✓ Most Indian states have a unicameral legislature (only Vidhan Sabha). Only six states — Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh — have a bicameral legislature with both Vidhan Sabha and Vidhan Parishad.
⚠ Confusing the Union List, State List, and Concurrent List
✗ The Union government can make laws on any subject, including state subjects.
→ The Constitution clearly divides subjects into three lists: Union List (only Union can legislate), State List (only State can legislate), and Concurrent List (both can legislate, but Union law prevails if there is a conflict).
✓ The Union government makes laws on subjects in the Union List and Concurrent List. State governments make laws on subjects in the State List and Concurrent List. If both legislate on a Concurrent List subject, the Union law prevails.
⚠ Thinking the Judiciary Makes Laws
✗ The Judiciary makes laws for the country.
→ The Judiciary does not make laws. Its role is to interpret and apply the laws made by the Legislature, and to check that laws and government actions respect the Constitution.
✓ The Legislature makes laws, the Executive implements them, and the Judiciary interprets and applies them, ensuring they follow the Constitution.
Compare & Contrast
Composition and election
Lok Sabha
Rajya Sabha
Lok Sabha members are directly elected by the people through universal adult suffrage. Rajya Sabha members are elected indirectly by the electoral college of elected members of state legislative assemblies.
Executive authority
President
Prime Minister
The President is the nominal (ceremonial) head of the Executive, while the Prime Minister is the de facto (real) executive authority who runs the government with the Council of Ministers.
Legislative jurisdiction
Union List
State List
The Union List contains subjects on which only the Union government can make laws (e.g., defence, foreign affairs). The State List contains subjects on which only the State government can make laws (e.g., police, agriculture).
Legal status
Bill
Act
A bill is a draft of a proposed law that has not yet been approved. An act is a law that has been passed by both Houses of Parliament and received the President's assent, making it enforceable.
Exam Focus
Marks pattern: 2 MCQs (1 mark each), 1 Very Short Answer (1 mark), 1 Short Answer (3 marks), 1 Long Answer (5 marks)
Most asked: Composition of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) · How a bill becomes an act (lawmaking process) · Roles of the President and Prime Minister · Difference between Legislature and Executive · Separation of powers and checks and balances · Union List, State List, and Concurrent List · Structure of state government (Governor, Chief Minister, Vidhan Sabha)
Don't skip: Describe the process of how a bill becomes an act in the Indian Parliament (5 marks); Explain the difference between the Legislature and the Executive with examples (3 marks); What is the system of checks and balances? How does the Judiciary check the Legislature and Executive? (5 marks)
One-Line Revision (read aloud before the exam)
  1. India has a bicameral Parliament consisting of the President, Lok Sabha (House of the People), and Rajya Sabha (Council of States).
  2. Lok Sabha members are directly elected by the people through universal adult franchise; maximum strength is 550.
  3. Rajya Sabha members are elected indirectly by the electoral college of state legislative assembly members.
  4. A bill is a draft of a proposed law; it becomes an act only after both Houses pass it and the President gives assent.
  5. The Union Executive consists of the President, Vice President, and Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.
  6. The Prime Minister is the de facto executive authority, appointed by the President as leader of the majority party in Lok Sabha.
  7. The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
  8. Question Hour is the first hour of a Parliamentary session where MPs hold the Executive accountable by asking questions.
  9. The Judiciary acts as the custodian of the Constitution and can strike down laws that violate it.
  10. Separation of powers divides government into Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary to prevent any one organ from becoming too powerful.
  11. The Union List contains subjects only the Union can legislate on; the State List contains subjects only states can legislate on.
  12. The Concurrent List contains subjects both can legislate on, but Union law prevails in case of conflict.
  13. At the state level, the Governor is the constitutional head, and the Chief Minister is the de facto executive authority.
  14. Most states have a unicameral legislature (only Vidhan Sabha); six states have a bicameral legislature with Vidhan Parishad as well.
  15. A Money Bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha and requires the President's prior recommendation.
  16. The Sengol, placed near the Speaker's chair, symbolises righteous and just rule guided by dharma.
  17. Parliament typically meets three times a year: Budget Session, Monsoon Session, and Winter Session.
  18. Productivity of Parliament is measured by actual functioning hours against scheduled hours.

MCQs — 10 Questions with Answers

Q1. What is the name of India's lower house of Parliament?

  • A. Lok Sabha ✓
  • B. Rajya Sabha
  • C. Vidhan Sabha
  • D. Gram Sabha

Answer: A — The Lok Sabha is the House of the People and the lower house of the Indian Parliament, directly elected by citizens.

Q2. How many houses does the Indian Parliament have?

  • A. One unicameral system
  • B. Two houses in a bicameral system ✓
  • C. Three houses in a tricameral system
  • D. Four houses in a multicameral system

Answer: B — India has a bicameral Parliament with two houses: the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, as designed by Constitution makers for federal balance.

Q3. Who has the right to vote in Lok Sabha elections according to Universal Adult Franchise?

  • A. Only educated citizens
  • B. Only landowners
  • C. All adult citizens regardless of social or economic background, gender, race, or religion ✓
  • D. Only government employees

Answer: C — Universal Adult Franchise guarantees all adult citizens the right to vote without any discrimination based on class, gender, caste, or religion.

Q4. Who presides over the Lok Sabha?

  • A. The Prime Minister
  • B. The President
  • C. The Speaker elected by Lok Sabha members ✓
  • D. The Vice President

Answer: C — The Speaker is elected by Lok Sabha members to conduct sessions, maintain discipline, and ensure parliamentary rules are followed.

Q5. If your state has a population of 10 crore people, what determines how many Lok Sabha representatives it gets?

  • A. The literacy rate of the state
  • B. The number of cities in the state
  • C. The population of the state ✓
  • D. The area of the state

Answer: C — Both Lok Sabha seats and Rajya Sabha representation are based on each state's population as per the Constitution.

Q6. The Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE) 2009 took nearly 60 years to become law. Which constitutional article finally made education a fundamental right?

  • A. Article 19 on freedom of speech
  • B. Article 21A on right to education after the 86th Constitutional Amendment 2002 ✓
  • C. Article 14 on equality
  • D. Article 32 on constitutional remedies

Answer: B — The 86th Constitutional Amendment Act 2002 added Article 21A, making free and compulsory education for children 6-14 years a fundamental right.

Q7. Why did Constitution makers choose a bicameral Parliament instead of a single house?

  • A. To make Parliament more expensive
  • B. To increase the number of politicians
  • C. In the spirit of federalism, they felt a Council of States was needed to meet challenges independent India would face and balance state interests with national unity ✓
  • D. Because Britain told them to do so

Answer: C — The bicameral system was designed to practice federalism effectively by having both a directly elected house and a state-representatives house for balanced governance.

Q8. Imagine a new law about protecting forests is proposed in Parliament. Which sequence correctly shows how it would become law?

  • A. Bill → voting → act → President's assent → becomes law
  • B. Bill → committee study → debate → voting → President's assent → becomes law ✓
  • C. Act → bill → debate → voting → becomes law
  • D. President proposes → Parliament votes → becomes law immediately

Answer: B — Bills go through a rigorous process: introduction, committee review, debate, voting in both houses, and finally President's assent to become law.

Q9. In India's federalism, power is distributed among the centre, states, and local governments. How does this help India?

  • A. It allows only the centre to make all decisions quickly
  • B. It weakens local governance completely
  • C. It balances national unity with local interests, allowing states and localities to address their specific needs while maintaining national cohesion ✓
  • D. It eliminates the need for Parliament to make laws

Answer: C — Federalism distributes power to prevent concentration of authority and allows different levels of government to serve their communities effectively while maintaining unity.

Q10. The new Parliament building's three-sided design and green construction reflect India's modern values. Which ancient Indian symbol is also placed in the new Lok Sabha?

  • A. The Ashoka Chakra
  • B. The Sengol, a symbol of righteous rule handed to the first PM, now placed near the Speaker's chair ✓
  • C. The national flag
  • D. The emblem of the Mauryan Empire

Answer: B — The Sengol, dating to the Chola period with Nandi symbolizing justice at its top, was given to Pandit Nehru on Independence Day as a reminder that power must be guided by dharma.

Flashcards

What is Universal Adult Franchise?

It guarantees all adult citizens the right to vote regardless of social, economic background, gender, race, or religion.

How many houses does the Indian Parliament have?

Indian Parliament has two houses: Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, making it a bicameral system.

What is the maximum number of Lok Sabha members?

The Constitution envisages a maximum of 550 members in the Lok Sabha.

How are Lok Sabha members elected?

Lok Sabha members are directly elected by the people through universal adult suffrage based on population.

Who presides over the Lok Sabha?

The Speaker, who is elected by Lok Sabha members, presides over the house and maintains discipline.

Who presides over the Rajya Sabha?

The Vice President of India acts as the chairperson of the Rajya Sabha.

What is the difference between a bill and an act?

A bill is a draft of a proposed law, while an act is a bill that has been passed by Parliament and received the President's assent.

Name the three parts of the Union Executive.

The Union Executive consists of the President, Vice President, and Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.

What does federalism mean in India's context?

Federalism means power is distributed between the centre, states, and local governments to balance national unity with local interests.

In how many languages are Parliamentary discussions now interpreted?

Parliamentary discussions are now available in 18 languages: the original 12 plus Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Manipuri, Urdu, and Sanskrit.

Important Board Questions

What is Universal Adult Franchise? [1 mark]

Define as the right to vote granted to all adult citizens regardless of social, economic, gender, race, or religious background — it is a core principle of Indian democracy.

Explain the difference between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha in terms of composition and representation. [2 marks]

Lok Sabha: directly elected by people based on universal adult suffrage; Rajya Sabha: indirectly elected by state legislative assemblies. Both seats are allocated based on state population.

Describe the main steps a bill goes through before becoming a law in the Indian Parliament, using the example of the RTE Act 2009. [3 marks]

Steps: bill introduction → committee study and suggestions → debate in both houses → voting → passage → President's assent → becomes an act and law. Use RTE example: started from Directive Principles, introduced in Rajya Sabha, debated about funding, passed in 2009 after elections.

Explain how the principle of federalism is reflected in India's bicameral parliamentary system. Why did the Constitution makers choose two houses instead of one? [5 marks]

Federalism distributes power among centre, states, and local governments. Bicameral system: Lok Sabha (directly elected, people's voice) + Rajya Sabha (state representatives, state interests). Constitution makers felt one house was inadequate for independent India's challenges; two houses balance national unity with state autonomy, ensuring states have representation in law-making. This reflects India's diversity and federal structure, allowing both direct democracy and state participation.

Assertion-Reason Questions for The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive

Q1. Assertion (A):

The Union Executive and Parliament are separate entities in India's government

Reason (R):

The Council of Ministers is chosen from MPs of both houses of Parliament and is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha

Answer: B — Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A — Both statements are true, but the reason does NOT explain why they are separate entities. Rather, the overlapping membership (ministers being MPs) shows they are interlinked, not strictly separated. This demonstrates the Parliamentary system's nature where executive and legislature are interconnected, not completely independent.

Q2. Assertion (A):

The Sengol placed in the new Lok Sabha represents a connection between ancient Indian governance traditions and modern democracy

Reason (R):

The Sengol symbolizes righteous rule and was given to Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru on August 14, 1947

Answer: A — Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A — Both statements are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion. The Sengol dating to the Chola period represents ancient traditions, and its symbolic transfer during independence marks the bridge between India's democratic present and its historical past of just rule (dharma).

Q3. Assertion (A):

Translation services in 18 languages were provided from the beginning of India's Parliament

Reason (R):

The Constitution makers wanted to make Parliamentary discussions accessible to all citizens across diverse regions

Answer: D — A is false but R is true — The assertion is false; initially only 12 languages were used for simultaneous interpretation, with six more added recently. The reason is true as it reflects the constitutional intent of inclusivity. The discrepancy shows that while the intention existed, the implementation evolved over time.

Unlock more Assertion-Reason questions in Premium — unlock →

Case-Based Questions (CBQ) for The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive

Case Study:

Usha, a Grade 8 student, was fascinated by the new Parliament building during a school trip. She noticed the three-sided design and asked her teacher why this shape was chosen. Her teacher explained that the design symbolizes balance, inclusivity, and purpose. The building also features green construction that cuts electricity use by 30 percent. Inside, walls display carvings of peacocks, lotuses, tribal art, temple patterns, and symbols of freedom fighters. The Sengol, a symbol of righteous rule from the Chola period, is now placed near the Speaker's chair in the new Lok Sabha.

Q1. What does the three-sided design of the new Parliament building symbolize?

  • A. The three religions of India
  • B. Balance, inclusivity, and purpose in governance ✓
  • C. The three branches of government
  • D. The three major political parties

Answer: B

Q2. What aspect of sustainable governance is reflected by the new Parliament building?

  • A. It uses 70% more electricity than the old building
  • B. It employs green construction practices reducing electricity use by 30 percent ✓
  • C. It completely relies on solar power
  • D. It has no air conditioning to save energy

Answer: B

Q3. What does the placement of the Sengol near the Speaker's chair represent?

  • A. Colonial power and authority
  • B. The wealth and status of the government
  • C. Righteous, just rule guided by dharma, connecting ancient traditions with modern democracy ✓
  • D. The military strength of the nation

Answer: C

Q4. The decorations inside the Parliament building with peacocks, lotuses, tribal art, and freedom fighter symbols reflect:

  • A. Only historical events of India
  • B. The architectural styles of Britain
  • C. The preference of the architect
  • D. The diverse cultural heritage and values India cherishes in its democratic governance ✓

Answer: D

Unlock more case studies in Premium — unlock →

Next chapterFactors of Production →
Found this useful? Share it with your class group.

You've seen the free preview. Open the full interactive study kit — mind map, instant-graded quiz, progress tracking — free, no sign-in required.

Open Full Study Kit — Free →

Premium unlocks the full Question Bank, Daily Practice Papers, Chapter Quiz and Full Mock Papers for every chapter.