Class 6 Social Science Chapter 10 Grassroots Democracy — Part 1: Governance Practice Paper 1

Class: VI Subject: Social Science Session: 2025-26 Chapter: 10 - Grassroots Democracy Part 1: Governance Time: 1½ Hours Max. Marks: 40

General Instructions:

1. All questions are compulsory.

2. This question paper contains 20 questions divided into five sections A, B, C, D and E.

3. Section A contains 10 MCQs of 1 mark each.

4. Section B contains 4 questions of 2 marks each.

5. Section C contains 3 questions of 3 marks each.

6. Section D contains 1 question of 5 marks.

7. Section E contains 2 Case Study Based questions of 4 marks each.

SECTION A - Multiple Choice Questions (1 mark each)

Q1. The word 'democracy' comes from which language?
(a) Latin
(b) Greek
(c) Sanskrit
(d) Persian

Q2. Which organ of the government makes new laws?
(a) Executive
(b) Judiciary
(c) Legislature
(d) Police

Q3. The motto of the Government of India is:
(a) Yato Dharmastato Jayah
(b) Satyameva Jayate
(c) Jai Hind
(d) Unity in Diversity

Q4. Who is the executive head of a State Government?
(a) Governor
(b) Chief Minister
(c) President
(d) Prime Minister

Q5. How many levels of government function in India?
(a) One
(b) Two
(c) Three
(d) Four

Q6. What is the full form of MLA?
(a) Member of Legal Assembly
(b) Member of Legislative Assembly
(c) Minister of Legislative Assembly
(d) Member of Local Authority

Q7. The process of taking decisions, organising society's life with rules, and ensuring they are followed is called:
(a) Democracy
(b) Governance
(c) Legislature
(d) Judiciary

Q8. The Supreme Court's motto "Yato Dharmastato Jayah" means:
(a) Truth alone triumphs
(b) Where there is dharma, there is victory
(c) Justice for all
(d) Unity is strength

Q9. In which year did India have approximately 970 million voters?
(a) 2019
(b) 2020
(c) 2024
(d) 2014

Q10. Which of the following is NOT a function of the Central Government?
(a) Defence
(b) Foreign Affairs
(c) Police and Law & Order
(d) Currency

SECTION B - Short Answer Questions (2 marks each)

Q11. What is the meaning of 'nominal head'? Give an example.

Q12. Explain the term 'separation of powers' in one or two sentences.

Q13. Why are rules necessary when a large number of people live together?

Q14. What is the difference between 'governance' and 'government'?

SECTION C - Short Answer Questions (3 marks each)

Q15. Describe the three organs of government and mention one function of each.

Q16. What is the difference between direct democracy and representative democracy? Give an example of each.

Q17. Explain the three levels of government in India with their main functions.

SECTION D - Long Answer Question (5 marks)

Q18. "India is the world's largest democracy." Explain this statement. Also, discuss why democracy is important and how citizens participate in the democratic process.

SECTION E - Case Study Based Questions (4 marks each)

Q19. Read the following passage and answer the questions: All over the world, digital technologies have been transforming the way societies function. In India, till about 30 years ago, people who wanted to transfer money to a distant relative would have to queue up at the Post Office to send a money order. However, this has also created a new class of criminals who find digital ways of stealing people's money. This has led many governments to pass new laws in order to fight such criminal activities (called 'cybercrime'). Some of those criminals have been arrested and convicted in court.

(a) What positive change has digital technology brought in transferring money? (1 mark)
(b) What is 'cybercrime'? (1 mark)
(c) Which organ of government makes new laws to fight cybercrime? (1 mark)
(d) Which organ of government convicts criminals in court? (1 mark)

Q20. Read the following passage and answer the questions: Imagine that following heavy rain for a few days, there is a flood in a part of a district. If it is not too severe, the local authorities may be able to deal with it. If it involves several towns and many villages, the State Government will step in and send rescue teams to help affected people. But if it's a massive flood affecting vast areas, the Central Government may also come to help by sending relief supplies, the army, etc.
(a) Who handles a minor flood that is not too severe? (1 mark)
(b) When does the State Government step in during floods? (1 mark)
(c) What kind of help does the Central Government provide during massive floods? (1 mark)
(d) What does this example teach us about the three levels of government? (1 mark) DETAILED ANSWER KEY - PAPER 01

SECTION A - Answers to MCQs

Ans 1.
(b) Greek The word 'democracy' comes from two Greek words — dēmos meaning 'people', and kratos meaning 'rule' or 'power'. Ans 2.
(c) Legislature The legislature is the organ that makes new laws (or 'legislates'). It sometimes also updates or removes existing laws. Ans 3.
(b) Satyameva Jayate The Government of India's motto is "Satyameva Jayate" which means "Truth alone triumphs". Ans 4.
(b) Chief Minister The Chief Minister is the executive head of a State Government, while the Governor is the nominal head.

Ans 5.
(c) Three In India, the government functions at three levels or tiers — local, state/regional, and national (Central). Ans 6.
(b) Member of Legislative Assembly MLA stands for Member of Legislative Assembly, who are elected representatives at the State level. Ans 7.
(b) Governance Governance is the process of taking decisions, organising the society's life with different sets of rules, and ensuring that they are followed. Ans 8.
(b) Where there is dharma, there is victory The Supreme Court's motto "Yato Dharmastato Jayah" means "Where there is dharma, there is victory." Ans 9.
(c) 2024 India had approximately 970 million voters in 2024, making it the world's largest democracy.

Ans 10.
(c) Police and Law & Order Police and Law & Order is a State Government function, not a Central Government function.

SECTION B - Answers to Short Answer Questions

Ans 11. Meaning of 'Nominal Head': 'Nominal' means 'in name only'. In the context of government, it means that the President of India and the Governor of a State are not the actual executive heads. They do have certain powers under special circumstances, but normally do not interfere in the affairs of the Central or State government. Example: The President of India is the nominal head of the Central Government, while the Prime Minister is the actual executive head. Ans 12. Separation of Powers: 'Separation of powers' means keeping the three organs of government (Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary) separate from each other. This is intended to provide a system of checks and balances, where each organ can check what the other is doing and restore balance if one organ acts beyond its expected role.

Ans 13. Necessity of Rules: When a large number of people live together, there can be disagreements and disorder. Rules become necessary to maintain order and harmony in the society. Without rules, society would not be able to function properly. Rules help ensure that everyone follows certain standards and that there is fairness and justice in daily life. Ans 14. Difference between Governance and Government: Governance: It is the process of taking decisions, organising the society's life with different sets of rules, and ensuring that they are followed.

Government: It is the group of individuals or the system that makes the rules and ensures that they are followed.

SECTION C - Answers to Short Answer Questions

Ans 15. Three Organs of Government:

1. Legislature: The organ that makes new laws (or 'legislates'). It sometimes also updates or removes existing laws. This is done by an assembly of representatives of the people. Function: Making laws

2. Executive: The organ that implements (or 'executes') the laws. This includes the head of state, ministers and agencies responsible for enforcing law and order. Function: Implementing laws

3. Judiciary: The system of courts which decides whether someone has broken the law and, if so, what course of action should be taken, including punishment if necessary. Function: Interpreting laws and delivering justice Ans 16. Direct Democracy vs Representative Democracy: Direct Democracy: A system where every citizen's opinion is directly taken to make decisions. All people participate directly in the decision-making process. Example: When a class votes by raising hands to decide between two places for a picnic, every student's opinion is counted directly.

Representative Democracy: A system where people vote for representatives who then make decisions on their behalf in assemblies. Citizens elect MPs and MLAs to represent them. Example: India is a representative democracy where citizens elect Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) to make laws on their behalf. Ans 17. Three Levels of Government in India:

1. Central/Union Government (National Level): Functions: Defence, Foreign Affairs, Atomic Energy, Communications, Currency, Interstate Commerce, Education, Formulation of National Policies.

2. State Government (State Level): Functions: Police and Law & Order, Implementation of Central laws at State level, Public Health, Education, Agriculture, Irrigation, Local Government.

3. Local Government (Town or Village Level): Functions: Managing local issues like water supply, sanitation, local roads, street lighting, and other day- to-day matters affecting the local community.

SECTION D - Answer to Long Answer Question

Ans 18. India as the World's Largest Democracy: India as the Largest Democracy: India is called the world's largest democracy because it has the highest number of voters in the world. In 2024, India had approximately 970 million voters! All Indian citizens above the age of 18 have the right to participate in elections, making it a truly massive democratic exercise. Importance of Democracy:

1. Democracy gives power to the people - they can choose their representatives

2. It ensures that the government is accountable to the people

3. It protects the rights and freedoms of citizens

4. It allows for peaceful transfer of power through elections

5. It gives equal voting rights to all citizens regardless of their background How Citizens Participate:

1. Voting: Citizens above 18 years participate in elections to elect their representatives

2. Electing Representatives: People vote for MLAs at the State level and MPs at the national level

3. Grassroots Democracy: Citizens participate in local governance through Panchayats and Municipalities

4. Having a Say: Just as students can discuss rules with school management, citizens can have a say in the laws and rules governing the society through their elected representatives

SECTION E - Answers to Case Study Based Questions

Ans 19. Case Study - Digital Technology and Cybercrime:
(a) Positive change in transferring money: Digital technology has enabled instant money transfers. People no longer need to queue up at Post Offices to send money orders or at banks to obtain demand drafts. Money can now be sent across instantly through digital means.
(b) Cybercrime: Cybercrime refers to criminal activities conducted through digital means, such as criminals who find digital ways of stealing people's money without even leaving their desks.

(c) Organ that makes new laws: The Legislature is the organ of government that makes new laws to fight cybercrime.
(d) Organ that convicts criminals: The Judiciary (system of courts) is the organ that convicts criminals and decides what punishment they should receive. Ans 20. Case Study - Flood Management:
(a) Who handles minor floods: The local authorities handle minor floods that are not too severe.
(b) When State Government steps in: The State Government steps in when the flood involves several towns and many villages. It sends rescue teams to help affected people.

(c) Central Government's help: During massive floods affecting vast areas, the Central Government helps by sending relief supplies, the army, and other resources.
(d) Lesson about three levels of government: This example teaches us that the three levels of government (Local, State, and Central) work together to handle problems of different scales. Each level deals with issues according to its capacity - local issues are handled locally, bigger issues by the State, and the largest issues require Central Government intervention. This division ensures efficient governance and proper response to emergencies.