NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Social Science Chapter 10 Grassroots Democracy ??Part 1 Governance

THE BIG QUESTIONS?

1. What is the meaning of ‘governance’?

Ans: Governance refers to the process of decision-making and the implementation of these decisions within a system. It involves managing and directing the activities and policies of a group or organisation, such as a country or community.

2. Why do we need a government?

Ans: We need a government to maintain order, ensure the safety of citizens, protect rights, and provide public services. A government creates laws, manages resources, and resolves conflicts to promote stability and fairness in society.

3. What is the meaning of ‘democracy’? Why is it important?

Ans: Democracy is a system of government where citizens have the power to participate in decision-making, either directly or through elected representatives. It is important because it allows people to have a voice in how they are governed, promotes equality, and ensures accountability of leaders to the public.

LET’S EXPLORE 

1. Describe the two pictures given in Fig. 10.1 on page 151 — what differences do you see between them?

Ans: The picture likely shows contrasting traffic scenarios, one with orderly movement and another with a chaotic setup. In the orderly image, vehicles and people follow designated paths (lanes, crosswalks), while in the chaotic picture, there may be disorder with vehicles and pedestrians moving haphazardly, potentially leading to confusion and accidents.

2. How do you connect this with our discussion on rules?  

Ans: This illustration connects with the idea that rules and regulations help maintain order in society. In the case of traffic, rules such as following signals, using pedestrian crossings, and keeping lanes help prevent accidents and ensure smooth movement. Without rules, as seen in the chaotic version, there could be confusion, delays, and safety risks.

3. What are some of the rules in your school? Who made them?

Ans: Common school rules include wearing the proper uniform, attending classes on time, maintaining discipline during classes, and showing respect to teachers and peers. These rules are typically created by school authorities such as the principal, teachers, and school board, ensuring a structured and conducive environment for learning.

LET’S EXPLORE 

1. Can you identify the categories of public service or other activities that are represented in the ten pictures in Fig. 10.2 on page 152? 

Ans: 

• Road construction and maintenance

• Railway transportation

• Border security and military

• Healthcare services

• Disaster management and rescue operations

• Traffic regulation

• Judicial system (Supreme Court)

• Education (classroom teaching)

• Postal services

• Office work or public administration

2. What role do you think the government plays in each of these activities?  

Ans:

• Road construction and railway transportation: The government is responsible for building and maintaining infrastructure like roads and railways for public use.

• Border security and military: The government provides national security and defence services to protect the country’s borders and maintain internal security.

• Healthcare services: The government runs public hospitals and healthcare centres, ensuring citizens have access to medical services.

• Disaster management: The government coordinates and deploys rescue teams during natural disasters, providing relief and recovery services.

• Traffic regulation: Traffic police enforce traffic laws and ensure the smooth flow of vehicles, ensuring road safety.

• Judicial system: The government runs the judiciary, upholding laws and ensuring justice through courts.

• Education: The government provides education through public schools, ensuring children have access to learning and growth.

• Postal services: The government runs postal services, facilitating communication and delivery of mail across the country.

• Public administration: Government offices manage various administrative tasks that ensure the functioning of the public sector and other governmental services.

3. Can you think of other aspects of your daily life where the government plays an important role?

Ans:

• Water supply and sanitation services

• Electricity and power distribution

• Public transport systems like buses and metro services

• Waste management and cleanliness programs

• Public libraries and recreational facilities

LET’S EXPLORE 

1. Explain how the three government organs are at work in the case of the cybercriminals described above. How do they intervene?

Ans: In the context of dealing with cybercriminals, the three branches or organs of the government—Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary—work together to ensure justice and maintain law and order. Here’s how each branch plays its role:

• Legislature: The Legislature is responsible for making laws related to cybercrimes. It drafts and enacts regulations like the Information Technology Act and other laws that govern the use of technology and punish illegal cyber activities. By defining what constitutes cybercrime and laying down the legal consequences, the Legislature ensures that there are clear rules for protecting individuals and institutions from cyber threats.

• Executive: The Executive branch, including law enforcement agencies such as cybercrime police units and investigative agencies, is responsible for enforcing these laws. They track down cyber criminals, collect evidence, and carry out arrests. The Executive also oversees cybersecurity policies, sets up task forces to prevent cyberattacks, and works to keep networks safe.

• Judiciary: The Judiciary steps in when cybercriminals are caught and brought to trial. Courts interpret the laws created by the Legislature and decide whether the accused is guilty based on the evidence. Judges impose penalties such as fines or imprisonment according to the laws on cybercrime. The Judiciary also ensures that the accused has a fair trial and that justice is delivered according to the legal framework.

LET’S EXPLORE 

1. As a class activity, can you imagine the sort of disorder we might witness if all three organs were under the control of the same group of people? Can you describe any such real-life situation you may have heard of?

Ans: If all three organs of the government—Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary—were under the control of the same group of people, we might witness several forms of disorder and abuse of power. Here are some examples of what could happen:

1. Loss of Checks and Balances: Normally, the three branches work independently to keep each other in check, preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful. If one group controls all branches, there would be no checks on their power, leading to potential corruption and misuse of authority.

2. Unfair Laws: The group in power could create laws that benefit only themselves or suppress others. With the Legislature under their control, they could pass unfair laws without public input or debate.

3. Arbitrary Law Enforcement: The Executive, responsible for enforcing laws, could target individuals or groups they don’t like or fear. Without independent oversight, the police and government agencies could act unfairly, discriminating against certain communities or punishing people without valid reasons.

4. No Fair Trials: If the Judiciary is controlled by the same group, there would be no impartial judgement. People accused of crimes might not get a fair trial, and innocent individuals could be imprisoned or punished without proper evidence.

1. Observe the table (Fig. 10.5). Highlight the functions and responsibilities that affect your life the most. 

Ans: From the table provided (Fig. 10.5), several functions and responsibilities of both the Central Government and State Government directly affect our daily lives. Here are the key areas:

• Education: Both the Central and State Governments are involved in shaping the education system. Schools follow the curriculum set by these governments, and policies regarding exams, school infrastructure, and learning resources are decided at these levels.

• Public Health: State Governments manage public health services like hospitals, vaccination drives, and healthcare infrastructure, which have a direct impact on the health and well-being of the community.

• Police, Law, and Order: The State Government ensures the maintenance of law and order through the police force. This impacts safety and security in our daily lives.

• Local Government: Local governments manage civic services like water supply, sanitation, garbage collection, and local infrastructure, directly impacting our quality of life.

• Communication and Transportation: The Central Government oversees communication systems like postal services and railways, affecting how we communicate and travel across the country.

2. Ask two or three adults about their connection or interaction with the government ̶ at what levels does it take place and for what purpose?

Ans: 

• Education: One adult shared that they interact with the State Government for their child’s schooling, especially for matters related to admissions, exams, and school policies.

• Health Services: Another adult mentioned they had interactions with local health departments for COVID-19 vaccinations and public health advisories issued by the State Government during the pandemic.

• Taxation and Legal Documents: A third adult shared that they interact with the Central Government through tax filings and services like applying for passports, which are handled by central agencies.

In all these interactions, both State and Central Governments play vital roles in ensuring services are provided efficiently, which impacts everyday life in different ways.

Questions, activities and projects

1. Test yourself — What is the meaning of democracy? What is the difference between direct democracy and representative democracy?

Ans: 

• Democracy is a system of government where the citizens have the power to make decisions either directly or through elected representatives.

• Direct Democracy: In direct democracy, all citizens directly participate in decision-making and vote on every issue or law (e.g., Switzerland’s local referendums).

• Representative Democracy: In a representative democracy, citizens elect representatives who make decisions and pass laws on their behalf (e.g., India, USA).

2. Recall the three organs of government. What are their different roles?

Ans:

• Legislature: The role of the legislature is to make laws and create policies for the governance of the country.

• Executive: The executive is responsible for implementing and enforcing the laws created by the legislature. It includes the President, Prime Minister, and various government officials.

• Judiciary: The judiciary interprets the laws, resolves disputes, and ensures justice is served. It acts as an impartial body to check the actions of the executive and legislature.

3. Why do we need three tiers of government?

Ans: We need three tiers of government—Central, State, and Local—to ensure that governance is efficient and accessible at all levels. Each tier handles specific issues, with the Central Government addressing national matters, State Governments dealing with regional issues, and Local Governments managing community-level concerns. This division of responsibilities ensures that local needs are addressed appropriately and quickly.

Project: Many of you will remember the lockdown that took place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Make a list of all the actions that were taken at that time. Which tiers of government were involved in managing the situation? What was the role of each of the organs of government?

Ans: 

• Actions during the COVID-19 lockdown:

• Imposition of lockdown restrictions.

• Closure of schools, colleges, and public spaces.

• Implementation of social distancing measures.

• Nationwide vaccination drives.

• Provision of essential services (medical, food supplies).

• Curfews and travel restrictions.

• Financial relief packages for vulnerable populations.

• Awareness campaigns and public health advisories.

• Quarantine measures for affected individuals.

• Establishment of COVID-19 testing centres.

• Tiers of Government Involved:

• Central Government: Implemented nationwide policies, set health guidelines, provided financial aid, and managed international relations (vaccine imports, etc.).

• State Government: Enforced lockdowns regionally, managed hospitals, testing centres, and vaccination drives at the state level, and ensured the distribution of essential goods.

• Local Government: Managed community-level issues like ensuring people followed safety protocols, distributing food and healthcare services, and managing local containment zones.

• Role of each organ:

• Legislature: Passed laws and policies for lockdown implementation, financial aid, and public health safety measures.

• Executive: Implemented lockdown measures, managed healthcare systems, vaccination drives, law enforcement, and relief distribution.

• Judiciary: Ensured that government actions were lawful, heard cases related to lockdown violations, and protected citizens' rights during the pandemic.

Benefits of NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Social Science Chapter 10 Grassroots Democracy — Part 1: Governance

• NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Social Science Chapter 1 provide simple explanations of grassroots democracy and governance, helping students grasp key concepts easily.

• All topics and subtopics are explained in detail, ensuring that students cover the entire chapter effectively.

• The solutions are structured to help students answer textbook questions, improving their confidence for exams.

• The answers are presented in a step-by-step format, making it easy for students to follow and learn.

• Through questions and answers, students are encouraged to think critically about democratic systems and governance at the local level.

• The solutions provide ready-made answers, saving students time and effort in preparing for their exams.

Important Study Material Links for Social Science Chapter 10 Class 6 

Conclusion

The NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Social Science Chapter 10 Grassroots Democracy — Part 1: Governance provides a clear and simple understanding of the roles and importance of local government and democracy. These solutions help students easily grasp the concepts of governance and prepare effectively for exams. With step-by-step explanations, students can confidently answer questions and build a strong foundation in social science. Using these solutions ensures a thorough understanding of the chapter, supporting both learning and exam preparation.

Chapter-wise NCERT Solutions Class 6 Social Science

Related Important Links for Class 6 Social Science 

Along with this, students can also download additional study materials provided by Vedantu for Social Science Class 6-