Question Bank — Democracy

NCERT Class 9 Social Science · Chapter 6 · CBSE Board Pattern

Class 9 Social Science Chapter 6 Question Bank CBSE Board Pattern

QUESTION BANK

CBSE Class 09 – Social Science

Chapter: Democracy (NCERT)

Section A — MCQs (1 mark each)

  1. Which of the following is an example of collective decision-making mentioned in the chapter from the Vedic period?
    a) Gram Sabha
    b) Sabha and Samiti
    c) Lok Sabha
    d) Rajya Sabha

  2. The Constituent Assembly of India took how much time to draft the Constitution?
    a) 1 year, 11 months
    b) 2 years, 11 months, 18 days
    c) 3 years
    d) 4 years

  3. Universal Adult Franchise in India grants voting rights to all citizens aged:
    a) 16 and above
    b) 18 and above
    c) 21 and above
    d) 25 and above

  4. Which principle ensures that no one is above the law in a democracy?
    a) Popular sovereignty
    b) Rule of Law
    c) Federalism
    d) Multi-party system

  5. The Right to Information Act was enacted in which year?
    a) 1950
    b) 1975
    c) 2005
    d) 2019

  6. In a Parliamentary Democracy like India, the head of the government is the:
    a) President
    b) Prime Minister
    c) Governor-General
    d) Monarch

  7. Article 243(d) of the Constitution provides reservation for women in Panchayats to the extent of:
    a) One-fourth
    b) One-third
    c) One-half
    d) Two-thirds

  8. Which of the following is referred to as the ‘fourth pillar of democracy’ in the chapter?
    a) Judiciary
    b) Media
    c) Election Commission
    d) Civil society

Assertion-Reason Questions

  1. Assertion (A): The Bauddha Samghas reflected India’s democratic traditions.
    Reason (R): Members of the Samghas could choose their leader and make decisions through voting.
    a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
    b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
    c) A is true but R is false.
    d) A is false but R is true.

  2. Assertion (A): The Constitution of India provides for amendments under Article 368.
    Reason (R): The Constitution is meant to be a rigid legal code that cannot change with time.
    a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
    b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
    c) A is true but R is false.
    d) A is false but R is true.

Section B — Very Short Answer (2 marks each)

  1. Define popular sovereignty as mentioned in the chapter.
  2. State any two features of Direct Democracy.
  3. Identify the six Fundamental Rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution.
  4. What is the role of the Election Commission of India?
  5. Mention any two features of India’s multi-party system.
  6. State the significance of the RTI Act, 2005.

Section C — Short Answer (3 marks each)

  1. Explain how democratic traditions existed in ancient India with examples from the Vedic period and Bauddha Samghas.
  2. Compare Parliamentary Democracy and Presidential Democracy with one example of each.
  3. Give reasons why the separation of powers is essential in a democracy.
  4. How does the Constitution ensure the protection of vulnerable groups? Explain with reference to Article 46.
  5. Describe the scale of India’s democracy using the figures given in the chapter (voters, polling stations, languages).

Section D — Long Answer (5 marks each)

  1. Analyse the causes and consequences of the National Emergency of 1975–77. How did it demonstrate both the vulnerability and resilience of Indian democracy?
  2. Examine the significance of Fundamental Rights, Rule of Law, and Accountability and Transparency as essential principles of democracy. How do they reinforce each other?
  3. “Democracy in India is not limited to elections but extends to grassroots institutions.” Justify the statement with reference to Panchayati Raj, women’s reservation, and case studies mentioned in the chapter.

Section E — Source-Based (4 marks each)

Source 1

“The idea of democracy has been a part of the Indian ethos since early times… Assemblies of the Vedic period such as Sabha, Samiti, and Vidhata… The functioning of the Bauddha Samghas… encouraged debate and discussion, and its members could choose their leader and make decisions through voting.”

Answer the following:
a. Name two Vedic assemblies that involved collective decision-making.
b. How did the Bauddha Samghas practise democratic principles?
c. What values from the Rigvedic verse support the idea of democracy?
d. How did foreign rule affect people’s participation in governance?

Source 2

“India is the world’s largest democracy. With a population of over 140 crore and a voter base of over 96.8 crore (in 2024)… Elections in India are conducted in 22 scheduled languages… More than one million polling stations… India has over 2,800 registered political parties.”

Answer the following:
a. What makes India the world’s largest democracy according to the source?
b. Why are election symbols used in Indian elections?
c. How many registered political parties exist in India?
d. What does the large number of polling stations indicate about Indian democracy?

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Section A

  1. b 2. b 3. b 4. b 5. c 6. b 7. b 8. b
  2. a (Both true; R explains how Samghas practised voting)
  3. c (A true; R false — Constitution is flexible, not rigid)

Section B (any two relevant points, 1 mark each)
1. Ultimate source of power lies with the people; state derives authority from citizens.
2. Citizens directly participate in decision-making; difficult in large countries (e.g., Switzerland).
3. Right to Equality, Right to Freedom, Right against Exploitation, Right to Freedom of Religion, Cultural & Educational Rights, Right to Constitutional Remedies.
4. Conducts free and fair elections; ensures participation and equality.
5. Multiple parties contest; coalition governments possible; reflects socio-cultural diversity.
6. Empowers citizens to seek information from government; promotes transparency and accountability.

Section C (any three points, 1 mark each)
1. Sabha, Samiti, Vidhata; Bauddha Samghas allowed voting and debate.
2. Parliamentary: Executive from legislature (India); Presidential: Executive independent (USA).
3. Prevents concentration of power; maintains checks and balances; judiciary can review laws.
4. Article 46 promotes educational/economic interests of SCs/STs; protects from exploitation.
5. 96.8 crore voters; 22 languages; >1 million polling stations; 2,800+ parties.

Section D (any five relevant points, 1 mark each)
1. Causes: protests, inflation; Consequences: rights suspended, press censored; showed resilience via 1977 elections.
2. Rights protect dignity; Rule of Law ensures equality; RTI ensures accountability — together strengthen democracy.
3. Three-tier system; women’s reservation (1/3 or 50%); Gram Sabha examples from Gujarat & Tripura.

Section E

Source 1

a. Sabha, Samiti (or Vidhata) — directly from text.
b. Members chose leader and voted on decisions.
c. Collective thinking, shared discussion, unity of purpose (Aikyamatya Sūktam).
d. Limited people’s participation in governance.

Source 2

a. Largest voter base (96.8 crore) and participatory scale.
b. So that illiterate citizens can vote independently.
c. Over 2,800.
d. Enormous organisational capacity and reach to remote areas.

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All questions are answerable from the NCERT chapter text. Reviewed by GFIS faculty.