Class8 Social Studies Chapter5 and 6 QA

Class 8 NCERT – Exploring Society: India and Beyond

✔ Chapter 5 & Chapter 6

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CHAPTER 5: Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System

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1-Mark Questions

Q1. What is universal franchise?
Ans: Universal franchise means the right of all adult citizens to vote.

Q2. What is the minimum voting age in India?
Ans: 18 years.

Q3. Name the body that conducts elections in India.
Ans: Election Commission of India.

Q4. What is an election?
Ans: A process through which people choose their representatives.

Q5. What does EVM stand for?
Ans: Electronic Voting Machine.

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2-Mark Questions

Q1. Why is universal franchise important in a democracy?
Ans:

1. It gives equal political rights to all citizens.
2. It ensures people’s participation in government.

Q2. Write two functions of the Election Commission.
Ans:

1. Conducts free and fair elections
2. Prepares and updates voters’ lists

Q3. What is a constituency?
Ans: A constituency is an area from which a representative is elected.

Q4. Name two types of elections in India.
Ans:

1. General elections
2. State elections

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5-Mark Questions

Q1. Explain the meaning and importance of universal franchise.
Ans:
Universal franchise means that every adult citizen has the right to vote without discrimination.
It ensures equality and participation of people in democracy.
It strengthens democratic government.
It allows citizens to choose their leaders.
It makes the government accountable to the people.

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Q2. Describe the role of the Election Commission of India.
Ans:
The Election Commission conducts free and fair elections.
It prepares voters’ lists.
It supervises election procedures.
It ensures the Model Code of Conduct is followed.
It declares election results.

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Q3. Describe the main steps in the electoral process of India.
Ans:
Preparation of voters’ list
Filing of nominations
Election campaign
Voting
Counting of votes and declaration of results

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CHAPTER 6: The Parliamentary System – Legislature and Executive

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1-Mark Questions

Q1. What is Parliament?
Ans: Parliament is the supreme law-making body of India.

Q2. Name the two houses of the Indian Parliament.
Ans: Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

Q3. Who is the head of the executive in India?
Ans: The Prime Minister.

Q4. Who presides over the Lok Sabha?
Ans: The Speaker.

Q5. What is the tenure of Lok Sabha?
Ans: Five years.

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2-Mark Questions

Q1. Write two functions of Parliament.
Ans:

1. Makes laws
2. Controls the executive

Q2. What is the executive?
Ans: The executive is the body that implements laws and policies.

Q3. Name two parts of the executive.
Ans:

1. Political executive
2. Permanent executive

Q4. What is collective responsibility?
Ans: The Council of Ministers is jointly responsible to the Lok Sabha.

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5-Mark Questions

Q1. Explain the structure of the Indian Parliament.
Ans:
The Indian Parliament has three parts:
The President
The Lok Sabha (Lower House)
The Rajya Sabha (Upper House)
Lok Sabha members are directly elected.
Rajya Sabha members are indirectly elected.

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Q2. Describe the powers and functions of the Lok Sabha.
Ans:
Makes laws
Controls the executive
Passes the budget
Can remove the government through a no-confidence motion
Represents the people directly

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Q3. Differentiate between the legislature and the executive.

Legislature	Executive
Makes laws	Implements laws
Parliament	Prime Minister & Council of Ministers
Controls executive	Responsible to legislature

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