Class 6 Social Science Chapter 10 Grassroots Democracy — Part 1: Governance Practice Paper 3

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. What does 'dēmos' mean in Greek?
(a) Rule
(b) Power
(c) People
(d) Government

Q2. Which of the following is the highest court in India?
(a) High Court
(b) District Court
(c) Supreme Court
(d) Sessions Court

Q3. Who is the executive head of the Central Government?
(a) President
(b) Prime Minister
(c) Governor
(d) Chief Justice

Q4. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam served as the President of India during:
(a) 1997-2002
(b) 2002-2007
(c) 2007-2012
(d) 2012-2017

Q5. What does MP stand for?
(a) Member of Police
(b) Member of Parliament
(c) Minister of Parliament
(d) Master of Power

Q6. Which level of government handles local issues like water supply and sanitation?
(a) Central Government
(b) State Government
(c) Local Government
(d) International Government

Q7. The organ that implements or 'executes' the laws is called:
(a) Legislature
(b) Executive
(c) Judiciary
(d) Parliament

Q8. Which of the following is a function of the Central Government?
(a) Police and Law & Order
(b) Public Health
(c) Irrigation
(d) Atomic Energy

Q9. At the State level, the judiciary is represented by:
(a) Supreme Court
(b) High Court
(c) Local Court
(d) Panchayat

Q10. What is the State legislature called in most states?
(a) Lok Sabha
(b) Rajya Sabha
(c) Vidhan Sabha
(d) Gram Sabha

SECTION B - Short Answer Questions (2 marks each)

Q11. What is the role of the Executive in the government?

Q12. Explain the term 'representative democracy' with an example.

Q13. Why is the President of India called a 'nominal head'?

Q14. What is the role of the Judiciary in government?

SECTION C - Short Answer Questions (3 marks each)

Q15. List any six functions of the State Government.

Q16. Explain the process of voting in a democracy. Why is it important?

Q17. Compare the roles of the President and the Prime Minister in India's governance.

SECTION D - Long Answer Question (5 marks)

Q18. Describe the three levels of government in India. Explain how they work together using the example of a natural disaster like a flood.

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

Q19. Read the following passage and answer the questions: Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was born in a humble family in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, in 1931. He was a renowned scientist, nicknamed the 'Missile Man of India' for his crucial role in the development of India's space programme, missile programme and nuclear capabilities. Dr. Abdul Kalam served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007. Despite his high status, he remained deeply connected to the people, and the youth in particular, through his passion for good education and innovation.

(a) Where was Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam born? (1 mark)
(b) Why was he called the 'Missile Man of India'? (1 mark)
(c) Which President of India was Dr. Kalam (by number)? (1 mark)
(d) What was special about Dr. Kalam's relationship with the youth? (1 mark)

Q20. Read the following passage and answer the questions: In a good system of governance, the three organs (Legislature, Executive, Judiciary) must be kept separate, although they interact with each other and work together. This separation is called the 'separation of powers'. It is intended to provide a system of checks and balances. This means that each organ of the government can check what the other is doing and restore balance if one organ acts beyond its expected role.
(a) Name the three organs of government. (1 mark)
(b) What is 'separation of powers'? (1 mark)
(c) What is the purpose of 'checks and balances'? (1 mark)
(d) Why is it important to keep the three organs separate? (1 mark) DETAILED ANSWER KEY - PAPER 03

SECTION A - Answers to MCQs

Ans 1.
(c) People In Greek, 'dēmos' means 'people'. Combined with 'kratos' (rule/power), it forms 'democracy' meaning 'rule of the people'. Ans 2.
(c) Supreme Court The Supreme Court of India is the highest court in the country and represents the Judiciary at the national level. Ans 3.
(b) Prime Minister The Prime Minister is the executive head of the Central Government, while the President is the nominal head. Ans 4.
(b) 2002-2007 Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007.

Ans 5.
(b) Member of Parliament MP stands for Member of Parliament, who are elected representatives at the national level. Ans 6.
(c) Local Government Local Government handles local issues like water supply, sanitation, local roads, and street lighting at the town or village level. Ans 7.
(b) Executive The Executive is the organ that implements or 'executes' the laws. It includes the head of state, ministers, and agencies responsible for enforcing law and order. Ans 8.
(d) Atomic Energy Atomic Energy is a function of the Central Government. Police, Public Health, and Irrigation are State Government functions.

Ans 9.
(b) High Court At the State level, the Judiciary is represented by the High Court. Ans 10.
(c) Vidhan Sabha In most states, the State legislature is called Vidhan Sabha (State Legislative Assembly). A few states have two houses.

SECTION B - Answers to Short Answer Questions

Ans 11. Role of the Executive: The Executive is the organ that implements (or 'executes') the laws made by the Legislature. It includes: • The head of state (President at Central level, Governor at State level) • The head of government (Prime Minister at Central level, Chief Minister at State level) • Ministers and any agency responsible for enforcing 'law and order' (like police) The Executive ensures that laws are properly enforced and the government functions smoothly. Ans 12. Representative Democracy:

Representative democracy is a system where people vote for representatives who will make decisions on their behalf. Since all people cannot directly participate in governance, they elect representatives to speak for them in assemblies. Example: In India, citizens vote for MPs (Member of Parliament) at the national level and MLAs (Member of Legislative Assembly) at the State level. These elected representatives discuss laws, problems, and

solutions in their respective assemblies on behalf of the people who elected them.

Ans 13. President as 'Nominal Head': The President of India is called a 'nominal head' because: • 'Nominal' means 'in name only' • The President is not the actual executive head who runs day-to-day governance • The real executive power lies with the Prime Minister • The President does have certain powers under special circumstances • But normally, the President does not interfere in the affairs of the Central Government The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers actually run the government. Ans 14. Role of the Judiciary:

The Judiciary is the system of courts which performs the following roles: • Decides whether someone has broken the law • Determines what course of action should be taken, including punishment if necessary • Examines whether a decision taken by the Executive is right • Checks whether a law passed by the Legislature is well conceived and fair to all The Judiciary protects the rights of citizens and ensures justice is delivered.

SECTION C - Answers to Short Answer Questions

Ans 15. Six Functions of the State Government: The State Government handles the following functions:

1. Police, Law and Order: Maintaining peace and security within the state

2. Public Health: Managing hospitals, healthcare services, and disease control

3. Education: Running schools and implementing education policies

4. Agriculture: Supporting farmers and agricultural development

5. Irrigation: Managing water resources for farming

6. Local Government: Overseeing and supporting local governance bodies Additional functions include: Implementation of Central government laws at State level. Ans 16. Process and Importance of Voting: Process of Voting:

1. Citizens who are 18 years or older are eligible to vote

2. They register their names in the electoral rolls

3. On election day, they go to polling stations

4. They cast their vote for their preferred candidate

5. The candidate with the most votes wins

6. This process is called voting, where the decision is taken by the option that gets more votes Importance of Voting:

1. It gives citizens the power to choose their leaders

2. It is the foundation of democracy

3. It ensures that the government represents the will of the people

4. It holds the government accountable to the people

5. It allows for peaceful transfer of power Ans 17. President vs Prime Minister: President of India: • Nominal head of the country • Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces • Does not run day-to-day governance • Has certain powers under special circumstances • Normally does not interfere in government affairs • Elected by an electoral college (not directly by people) Prime Minister of India: • Executive head of the Central Government • Actually runs the government • Makes important policy decisions • Leads the Council of Ministers • Is the leader of the majority party in Lok Sabha • Elected as MP by the people, then chosen as PM by the party

SECTION D - Answer to Long Answer Question

Ans 18. Three Levels of Government and Natural Disaster Management: Three Levels of Government in India:

1. Central (Union) Government - National Level: • Led by the President (nominal) and Prime Minister (executive) • Parliament has two houses: Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha • Functions: Defence, Foreign Affairs, Atomic Energy, Currency, Communications, Interstate Commerce, and National Policies

2. State Government - State Level: • Led by the Governor (nominal) and Chief Minister (executive) • State Assembly or Vidhan Sabha makes state laws • Functions: Police, Public Health, Education, Agriculture, Irrigation, and Local Government

3. Local Government - Town/Village Level: • Panchayats in villages, Municipalities in towns • Handles day-to-day local issues • Functions: Water supply, sanitation, local roads, street lighting Example: Flood Management When a flood occurs, the three levels work together: • Minor Flood (not too severe): Local authorities (Local Government) handle it - they manage local drainage, provide immediate help to affected people, and coordinate local relief efforts. • Moderate Flood (affecting several towns and villages): State Government steps in - sends rescue teams, provides relief materials, coordinates evacuation, and manages the situation across the affected district.

• Massive Flood (affecting vast areas): Central Government also comes to help - sends relief supplies, deploys the army for rescue operations, provides additional funds, and coordinates national resources. This example shows how each level deals with different scales of problems, and how they work together for effective governance.

SECTION E - Answers to Case Study Based Questions

Ans 19. Case Study - Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam:
(a) Birthplace of Dr. Kalam: Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was born in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu in 1931.
(b) Why called 'Missile Man of India': He was called the 'Missile Man of India' because of his crucial role in the development of India's space programme, missile programme, and nuclear capabilities.
(c) President number: Dr. Kalam was the 11th President of India, serving from 2002 to 2007.
(d) Relationship with youth: Despite his high status, Dr. Kalam remained deeply connected to the youth through his passion for good education and innovation. He inspired millions of young Indians to dream big and work hard to achieve their goals.

Ans 20. Case Study - Separation of Powers:
(a) Three organs of government:

1. Legislature

2. Executive

3. Judiciary
(b) Separation of powers: Separation of powers means keeping the three organs of government separate from each other, even though they interact and work together. Each organ has distinct functions and responsibilities.
(c) Purpose of checks and balances: The purpose of checks and balances is to ensure that each organ of the government can check what the other is doing and restore balance if one organ acts beyond its expected role. It prevents misuse of power.
(d) Importance of keeping organs separate:

Keeping the three organs separate is important because: • It prevents any one group from having too much power • It ensures that laws are made, implemented, and interpreted fairly • It protects citizens' rights from government overreach • It maintains balance in governance