Democracy Class 9 PPT & Notes Free Download | USP

• How the idea of democracy grew in India from the earliest times
• The principles that hold a democracy together
• The different types of democracy in India and around the world
• How India’s living democracy works, from Parliament to the Gram Sabha
• The challenges Indian democracy faces and your role as a citizen

• How has the idea of democracy evolved over time?
• What are the different forms of democracy, and how are they practised?
• What are the essential features of a democracy?
• How do these features extend beyond government institutions?
• What are the challenges faced by Indian democracy?

• Democracy is a government in which power and authority lie with the people
• Citizens elect their representatives through free and fair elections
• It is founded on freedom, equality, justice, rights and duties
• Citizens can vote, express opinions and take part in decision-making

• A population of over 140 crore people, and a voter base of over 96.8 crore in 2024
• People choose their government by electing representatives
• The Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950
• It protects Fundamental Rights and forbids discrimination

• Vedic assemblies, the Sabha, Samiti and Vidhata, took collective decisions
• Early republican states were called ganas or samghas
• From the earliest times the king was not an independent ruler; he worked in consultation with assemblies, ministers and officers
• Democratic ideas have deep roots in India’s intellectual traditions

• A verse from the Aikyamatya Suktam of the Rig Veda praises common counsel: their assembly is one and their minds are united
• It shows consultation, consensus and shared responsibility as ancient Indian values
• The Bauddha Samghas were monastic communities established by Gautama Buddha
• The Samgha encouraged debate and discussion, and its members chose their leader and made decisions by voting

• By the 19th century the British had colonised most of the Indian subcontinent, and foreign rule limited people’s participation in governance
• The long freedom struggle revived and strengthened democratic ideas
• The Constituent Assembly was formed in 1946 to draft the Constitution
• Dr B. R. Ambedkar chaired the Drafting Committee
• It took 2 years, 11 months and 18 days to draft

• Global democratic values also influenced the Constituent Assembly Debates
• The Constitution is not a rigid legal code but a dynamic document
• It can evolve through lawful amendments without losing its fundamental values; Article 368 provides for amendments
• It upholds liberty, equality, justice and fraternity, which keeps it flexible and responsive to changing needs

• In a democracy the ultimate source of power lies with the people, and the state derives its authority from them
• A government elected through free and fair elections makes and implements laws
• Every citizen aged 18 and above can vote through a secret ballot
• This right is known as the Universal Adult Franchise

• The Rule of Law ensures equality before the law and equal protection of the law
• No one is above the law
• Disputes are resolved in a court through procedure established by law
• No citizen can be punished without due process, and everyone gets a fair opportunity to defend their rights
• It promotes justice, accountability and trust in the democratic system

• Fundamental Rights are enforceable in courts and are indivisible and inalienable
• Citizens can seek remedies under Articles 32 and 226 if their rights are violated
• Rights are subject to reasonable restrictions under procedure established by law
• The Constitution also outlines Fundamental Duties for citizens
• Directive Principles of State Policy guide the government while making policy
• Article 21A gives children aged 6 to 14 the Right to Education (the Right to Education Act was passed in 2009)

• The legislature makes laws, the executive implements them and the judiciary interprets them
• This prevents the concentration of power in any one organ
• Parliament can amend the Constitution, and the judiciary can review those amendments
• If a law is inconsistent with the Constitution, the judiciary can declare it unconstitutional

• The judiciary upholds the Constitution and protects the rights of all sections of society
• It ensures that laws made by Parliament and State Assemblies follow the Constitution
• It is an impartial and independent institution
• Public Interest Litigation (PIL) is a legal action filed in court for the enforcement of public interest, and it has been used to ensure access to justice for all

• Democratic governments are accountable to their citizens
• Through elections, public debates and civil society, citizens evaluate the government
• The Right to Information Act, 2005 allows citizens to seek information from government agencies
• Question Hour is the first hour of a parliamentary session, when members question the government
• Auditing of government accounts also ensures accountability, and this builds trust between the government and the people

1. Citizens, journalists and civil society groups raised concerns about transparency
2. Parliamentary committees examined these concerns
3. The discussions showed the need for a law to access information held by public authorities
4. The proposal was reviewed by expert groups and debated in Parliament
5. Elected representatives added safeguards for national security and administrative efficiency
6. After being passed by Parliament, the RTI Act came into force in 2005

• Several political parties contest elections, representing diverse voices and interests
• The party or coalition that secures more than 50 per cent of the seats forms the government, and those with fewer seats constitute the opposition
• Parties reflect socio-cultural, political, ideological and regional interests
• They function under the Representation of the People Act, 1951

• It is the duty of the government to protect all communities, whatever their caste, gender, religion or region
• Historical factors led to an unequal distribution of opportunities and resources, so resources must be distributed equitably to the most vulnerable sections without discrimination
• Article 46 says the State shall promote the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections, with special care for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes
• It protects them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation

• Media has become an integral part of our lives
• It keeps people informed and serves as a voice of the masses
• Newspapers, news channels and social media raise issues concerning the public, and help resolve them through appropriate mechanisms
• Media is often called the fourth pillar of democracy

• Youth for Democracy festival: Team A, all students elect a president with very limited powers and vote by ballot on major decisions. Team B, every class elects a representative, who helps elect the Council President. Team C, students directly vote for the President, who is the chief decision-maker. Team D, only selected candidates may contest and opposition voices are discouraged. Select your ideal team and give reasons
• Democracy in our neighbourhood: choose any two of India’s neighbouring countries and find out whether it holds regular elections, who chooses the Head of the Government, whether there is more than one political party, and how much freedom citizens have to express opinions and criticise the government. Then decide: democratic, partially democratic or non-democratic

• In 2024, India had over 96.8 crore registered voters
• On average a Member of Parliament represents about 25 lakh people
• Elections are conducted in 22 scheduled languages, along with several other languages
• Election symbols are used so that even those who cannot read can vote independently
• More than one million polling stations are set up, including in mountains, forests, deserts and islands
• India has over 2,800 registered political parties

• India’s constitutional framework works through three tiers: Union, State and Local governments, which facilitates administrative efficiency and democratic participation
• Beyond Panchayati Raj and Municipalities, the Constitution protects tribal heritage
• Autonomous District Councils in specific north-eastern regions have legislative and judicial authority
• The PESA Act of 1996 empowers the Gram Sabha as the primary decision-making body in tribal areas (PESA stands for Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas)
• The Constitution provides a unified national framework that draws strength from every community

• In Block Idar, Sabarkantha, development through people’s participation
• Awarded the Nanaji Deshmukh Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Puraskar in 2019
• Ensured the effective conduct of Gram Sabhas and proper maintenance of records
• Went further by organising Special Gram Sabhas and Mahila Sabhas
• Took timely action on education, sanitation and the welfare of women and children
• Ensured adequate quorum with the participation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women

• In Rupaichari Block, Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council
• An active local government focused on improving people’s lives, especially those of women
• It promotes women’s participation in decision-making and provides facilities for health, sanitation and livelihoods
• It supports self-help groups and implements government schemes for village development
• Recognised as a women-friendly panchayat at the national level by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj

• Democracy is not limited to the formal institutions of the government; the spirit of democratic functioning extends into everyday social life
• Civil society means voluntary groups, NGOs and community associations
• Cooperatives are groups formed to work for a common benefit, sharing profits and responsibilities equally
• Socio-religious institutions and trade unions also adopt democratic decision-making methods
• Civil society acts as a bridge between citizens and the State

The village is a unit of grassroots democracy in India, and it empowers rural communities to take part in decision-making. Chaudhary Charan Singh emerged from a rural background, and Babu Jagjivan Ram advocated for the rights of marginalised sections of society. Both worked for the rights of the rural poor.

• In Britain women received full voting rights only in 1928, and in the United States of America in 1920, after decades of protests and movements
• In India, Universal Adult Franchise was extended to all citizens when the Constitution came into force in 1950, and Indian women did not have to engage in prolonged legal battles to secure voting rights
• The right to vote does not automatically ensure equal participation, and social prejudices still affect women’s representation in politics

• Empowerment of women starts with active participation in institutions of decision-making
• Article 243(d) provides not less than one-third reservation for women in every Panchayat; 21 States and 2 Union Territories have made provisions for 50 per cent reservation in Panchayati Raj Institutions
• Article 243(t) provides not less than one-third reservation for women in every Municipality; as of 2023, 17 States and 1 Union Territory have given 50 per cent reservation in Urban Local Bodies

• India continues to face challenges such as illiteracy, misinformation and inequality
• Fake news on social media can influence opinion, create confusion and even lead to conflict
• Poverty, regionalism, gender inequality and social discrimination create barriers to equal participation
• Gaps in the effective implementation of laws and policies may reduce public trust
• Damaging public property, spreading misinformation or violating public rules weaken democratic values
• Indifference towards public issues also harms the health of a democracy

In small groups, identify two or three examples of information shared on social media that may be misleading. Discuss what made you question their reliability, how such information can influence people’s opinions, and why access to accurate and authentic information is important in a democracy. Always check the source before you believe or share.

• In the early 1970s, rising unemployment, inflation and allegations of misgovernance led to widespread protests
• In June 1975 a National Emergency was imposed on the grounds of internal disturbance
• A majority of Fundamental Rights were suspended and the press was censored, and numerous political leaders and activists were arrested
• Mass movements were led by Jayaprakash Narayan, popularly known as Lok Nayak, especially in Bihar and Gujarat
• The Emergency was lifted in 1977 and general elections were held

• Articles 352, 356 and 360 deal with National Emergency, President’s Rule and Financial Emergency
• Democratic institutions came under severe strain and citizens’ freedom was restricted
• The defeat of the ruling government in 1977 demonstrated the strength of Indian democracy
• It highlighted the importance of constitutional safeguards and civil liberties, and showed the value of active citizen participation in protecting democratic values

• Being well-informed is one of the vital responsibilities of a young citizen
• Reading newspapers, watching news and using the internet responsibly keeps you aware, and access to authentic information helps you form informed opinions on public issues
• The NSS and the NCC are designed to instil civic responsibility and social awareness
• Community service, teamwork and organised activities teach participation and service to the nation
• Civic responsibility also means respecting others’ rights, abiding by laws and appreciating our diversity

• Think: how do your actions as a student contribute to your school community and to democracy?
• Discuss: talk to your classmates about a social or community issue that you care about
• Act: choose one activity to fulfil your civic responsibility this month
• Conduct a model parliament session or Gram Sabha in class on a local issue

• Democracy is a system of self-governance through institutions, rules and practices, not elections alone
• It is guided by transparency, participation, inclusion, fairness, equality and accountability
• Democratic ideas in India have deep roots in the Sabha and Samiti of the Vedic texts
• India’s democracy rests on its Constitution: popular sovereignty, universal adult franchise, rights, rule of law and separation of powers
• Democracies across the world follow different systems but share common democratic values
• The strength of a democracy depends on informed and responsible citizens

Tap an option to check it at once. Open Check answer for the reason.