Look at some key highlights of the class 9 civics chapter 4, “Working of Institutions”, from the NCERT book. The chapter covers topics on key democratic institutions in India, their roles, functions, and the interplay between them. Please go through it closely.
- Office Memorandum 1990: Introduced 27% reservation for SEBCs.
- Mandal Commission: Recommended reservations for backward classes.
- President’s Role: Formal head of state, ceremonial duties.
- Prime Minister’s Role: Real executive power, leads government.
- Parliament’s Functions: Law making, controls government and budget.
- Cabinet’s Significance: Core executive decision-making body.
- Coalition Government: Formed by multiple parties’ alliance.
- Judicial Review: Courts can invalidate unconstitutional laws.
- Public Interest Litigation: Allows public to seek legal remedy.
- Reservation Policy: Quota system for disadvantaged groups.
- Political Executive: Elected officials making policy decisions.
- Permanent Executive: Career civil servants executing decisions.
- Legislature’s Power: Supreme authority in law-making.
- Supreme Court’s Authority: Apex court, final legal arbitrator.
- Independence of Judiciary: Free from legislative/executive influence.
Complete your preparation with MCQ Questions for Class 9 Social Science with Answers, designed for the latest pattern.
MCQ Questions and Answers for Class 9 Civics Chapter 4 Working of Institutions
Question 1: What was the primary recommendation of the Mandal Commission?
a) Reservation of jobs for women
b) Reservation of jobs for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
c) Reservation of jobs for Other Backward Classes (OBCs)
d) Abolition of reservation in government jobs
Answer:
c) Reservation of jobs for Other Backward Classes (OBCs)
Question 2: Who was the Prime Minister of India when the Mandal Commission report was implemented?
a) Indira Gandhi
b) Rajiv Gandhi
c) V.P. Singh
d) P.V. Narasimha Rao
Answer:
c) V.P. Singh
Question 3: Which institution decides the implementation of major policy decisions in India?
a) The Supreme Court
b) The President
c) The Union Cabinet
d) The Election Commission
Answer:
c) The Union Cabinet
Question 4: How can citizens participate in the decision-making process in a democracy?
a) By electing representatives
b) By directly implementing policies
c) By appointing judges
d) By drafting laws
Answer:
a) By electing representatives
Question 5: What role does the Parliament play in the decision-making process?
a) It enforces laws
b) It supervises and approves major policies and decisions
c) It executes laws
d) It organizes elections
Answer:
b) It supervises and approves major policies and decisions
Question 6: What does the term ‘deliberation’ in the context of democratic decision-making mean?
a) Enforcing rules
b) Public and parliamentary discussions
c) Holding elections
d) Implementing laws
Answer:
b) Public and parliamentary discussions
Question 7: Who has the authority to resolve disputes over major policies in India?
a) The President
b) The Supreme Court
c) The Election Commission
d) The Prime Minister
Answer:
b) The Supreme Court
Question 8: What does the implementation of the Mandal Commission highlight about democracy?
a) Speedy decision-making
b) Deliberation and debate over critical issues
c) Avoidance of controversial policies
d) Strict enforcement by the executive
Answer:
b) Deliberation and debate over critical issues
Question 9: What is the importance of rules and procedures in decision-making by institutions?
a) To give absolute power to the ruling party
b) To ensure fairness and accountability
c) To limit citizen participation
d) To prioritize government control
Answer:
b) To ensure fairness and accountability
Question 10: Why is decision-making through institutions considered democratic?
a) It avoids public scrutiny
b) It centralizes power in one person
c) It involves discussions and representation
d) It eliminates minority views
Answer:
c) It involves discussions and representation
Question 11: Which institution is responsible for making laws in India?
a) The President
b) The Supreme Court
c) The Parliament
d) The Prime Minister
Answer:
c) The Parliament
Question 12: What ensures the credibility of institutions in a democracy?
a) Following rules and norms
b) Granting absolute power to the executive
c) Limiting the power of the judiciary
d) Avoiding public discussions
Answer:
a) Following rules and norms
Question 13: What are the two Houses of the Indian Parliament?
a) Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha
b) Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
c) Rajya Sabha and Vidhan Parishad
d) Lok Sabha and Supreme Court
Answer:
b) Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
Question 14: Who presides over the sessions of the Lok Sabha?
a) The President of India
b) The Prime Minister
c) The Speaker
d) The Vice President
Answer:
c) The Speaker
Question 15: What is the maximum strength of the Lok Sabha?
a) 452
b) 500
c) 552
d) 560
Answer:
c) 552
Question 16: What is the tenure of the members of the Lok Sabha?
a) 4 years
b) 5 years
c) 6 years
d) Until the President dissolves it
Answer:
b) 5 years
Question 17: How are members of the Rajya Sabha elected?
a) By direct vote of citizens
b) By the State Legislative Assemblies
c) By the Lok Sabha members
d) Appointed by the President
Answer:
b) By the State Legislative Assemblies
Question 18: What is the primary function of the Indian Parliament?
a) Interpreting laws
b) Making laws
c) Implementing laws
d) Resolving disputes
Answer:
b) Making laws
Question 19: What is the tenure of a member of the Rajya Sabha?
a) 4 years
b) 5 years
c) 6 years
d) Indefinite
Answer:
c) 6 years
Question 20: Who nominates the 12 members of the Rajya Sabha?
a) The Prime Minister
b) The President
c) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
d) The Chief Justice of India
Answer:
b) The President
Question 21: What is the role of the ‘Question Hour’ in Parliament?
a) To announce government policies
b) To vote on bills
c) To allow Members of Parliament to question government ministers
d) To draft laws
Answer:
c) To allow Members of Parliament to question government ministers
Question 22: What is required for a bill to become a law in India?
a) Approval by the Supreme Court
b) Majority approval in both Houses of Parliament
c) Consent of the Speaker
d) Approval of the Election Commission
Answer:
b) Majority approval in both Houses of Parliament
Question 23: Who has the power to summon and prorogue Parliament sessions?
a) The Prime Minister
b) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
c) The President
d) The Chief Justice
Answer:
c) The President
Question 24: What is the role of a joint session of Parliament?
a) To celebrate national events
b) To resolve deadlocks on bills
c) To appoint new ministers
d) To approve financial policies
Answer:
b) To resolve deadlocks on bills
Question 25: What is the primary responsibility of the Public Accounts Committee in Parliament?
a) Making laws
b) Reviewing government expenditure
c) Appointing judges
d) Conducting elections
Answer:
b) Reviewing government expenditure
Question 26: What is the primary role of the President of India?
a) Head of the State
b) Head of the Government
c) Head of the Judiciary
d) Head of the Military
Answer:
a) Head of the State
Question 27: Who appoints the Prime Minister of India?
a) The Parliament
b) The Chief Justice
c) The President
d) The Election Commission
Answer:
c) The President
Question 28: What is the role of the Prime Minister in the Council of Ministers?
a) A ceremonial leader
b) The chief decision-maker and coordinator of policies
c) A member with equal powers as others
d) An advisor to the President
Answer:
b) The chief decision-maker and coordinator of policies
Question 29: How is the Council of Ministers formed?
a) Elected directly by citizens
b) Appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister
c) Nominated by the Lok Sabha
d) Elected by the Rajya Sabha
Answer:
b) Appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister
Question 30: Who has the authority to declare a national emergency in India?
a) The Prime Minister
b) The President
c) The Chief Justice of India
d) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
Answer:
b) The President
Question 31: What is the tenure of the Prime Minister in India?
a) Fixed for 5 years
b) As long as they enjoy the majority in the Lok Sabha
c) Fixed for 6 years
d) Determined by the President
Answer:
b) As long as they enjoy the majority in the Lok Sabha
Question 32: What is the primary responsibility of the Cabinet in India?
a) Supervising the Election Commission
b) Making key policy decisions
c) Interpreting the Constitution
d) Overseeing the judiciary
Answer:
b) Making key policy decisions
Question 33: What is the process of impeachment for the President of India?
a) Simple majority in Parliament
b) Two-thirds majority in both Houses of Parliament
c) Approval by the Supreme Court
d) Nomination by the Prime Minister
Answer:
b) Two-thirds majority in both Houses of Parliament
Question 34: What is the function of the Vice President of India?
a) Head of the Lok Sabha
b) Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha
c) Chief Advisor to the Prime Minister
d) Head of the Supreme Court
Answer:
b) Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha
Question 35: Who acts as the President of India when the position is vacant?
a) The Vice President
b) The Chief Justice of India
c) The Prime Minister
d) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
Answer:
a) The Vice President
Question 36: What is the role of the Attorney General of India?
a) Chief legal advisor to the government
b) Head of the Rajya Sabha
c) Chairman of the Election Commission
d) Chief executive of the country
Answer:
a) Chief legal advisor to the government
Question 37: What is the significance of collective responsibility in the Council of Ministers?
a) Ministers can act independently
b) All ministers share responsibility for government policies and decisions
c) Only the Prime Minister is held accountable
d) Ministers are not answerable to the Parliament
Answer:
b) All ministers share responsibility for government policies and decisions
Question 38: What is the role of the Cabinet Secretary in India?
a) Leader of the Opposition
b) Chief legal advisor to the President
c) Head of the civil services and advisor to the Prime Minister
d) Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha
Answer:
c) Head of the civil services and advisor to the Prime Minister
Question 39: What is the primary role of the judiciary in India?
a) Making laws
b) Enforcing laws
c) Interpreting and applying laws
d) Formulating government policies
Answer:
c) Interpreting and applying laws
Question 40: How is the Chief Justice of India appointed?
a) Elected by the Lok Sabha
b) Appointed by the President
c) Selected by the Rajya Sabha
d) Chosen by other Supreme Court judges
Answer:
b) Appointed by the President
Question 41: What is the significance of ‘Judicial Review’ in India?
a) Reviewing past judgments
b) Supervising government employees
c) Ensuring laws are consistent with the Constitution
d) Monitoring elections
Answer:
c) Ensuring laws are consistent with the Constitution
Question 42: Which institution resolves disputes between the Union and State governments in India?
a) The Parliament
b) The President
c) The Supreme Court
d) The Election Commission
Answer:
c) The Supreme Court
Question 43: What ensures the independence of the judiciary in India?
a) Judges are elected by the public
b) Judges are independent of the executive and legislature
c) Judges report directly to the Prime Minister
d) Judges are nominated by the Parliament
Answer:
b) Judges are independent of the executive and legislature
Question 44: What is the role of the High Court in the Indian judiciary?
a) To oversee local elections
b) To supervise the functioning of lower courts
c) To draft new laws
d) To implement policies
Answer:
b) To supervise the functioning of lower courts
Question 45: What is the maximum age for a Supreme Court judge in India?
a) 60 years
b) 65 years
c) 70 years
d) 75 years
Answer:
b) 65 years
Question 46: How can a Supreme Court judge be removed from office?
a) By the President’s decision
b) By impeachment in Parliament
c) By the Chief Justice of India
d) By the Prime Minister’s recommendation
Answer:
b) By impeachment in Parliament
Question 47: What does the term ‘Public Interest Litigation’ (PIL) mean?
a) Cases filed by individuals for personal grievances
b) Cases filed in the interest of the public or disadvantaged groups
c) Lawsuits initiated by government officials
d) Legal disputes between political parties
Answer:
b) Cases filed in the interest of the public or disadvantaged groups
Question 48: What is the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in India?
a) Only civil cases
b) Only criminal cases
c) Original, appellate, and advisory jurisdiction
d) Overseeing Parliament sessions
Answer:
c) Original, appellate, and advisory jurisdiction
Question 49: Why is the judiciary considered the guardian of the Constitution?
a) It enforces laws
b) It ensures that all laws and actions comply with the Constitution
c) It drafts constitutional amendments
d) It supervises elections
Answer:
b) It ensures that all laws and actions comply with the Constitution
Question 50: What does the term ‘separation of powers’ signify in the context of the judiciary?
a) The judiciary controls the executive
b) Clear division of responsibilities between the executive, legislature, and judiciary
c) Judges share power with the legislature
d) The judiciary makes laws
Answer:
b) Clear division of responsibilities between the executive, legislature, and judiciary
Question 51: What is the role of the District Courts in India?
a) They oversee national elections
b) They handle disputes at the local level
c) They appoint judges to higher courts
d) They formulate policies for rural areas
Answer:
b) They handle disputes at the local level
Question 52: How does the judiciary uphold the rights of citizens in India?
a) By enforcing unconstitutional laws
b) By interpreting the Constitution and protecting fundamental rights
c) By amending the Constitution
d) By supervising the legislature
Answer:
b) By interpreting the Constitution and protecting fundamental rights
