CBSE Class 6 Social Science Study Materials Based on NCERT

Core Concepts

1. What is a Gram Panchayat?

Answer:

The elected local council that governs a village or group of villages.

2. Define Gram Sabha.

Answer:

A meeting of all adult residents of a village for discussing and approving plans.

3. Who is a Sarpanch?

Answer:

The elected head of a Gram Panchayat.

4. What is Panchayati Raj?

Answer:

The system of rural local self-government in India based on panchayats.

5. What is decentralisation?

Answer:

Moving powers and responsibilities from higher to local levels of government.

6. What is a Panchayat Samiti?

Answer:

A block-level council that coordinates several Gram Panchayats.

7. What is Zila Parishad?

Answer:

The district-level council that oversees and coordinates local plans.

8. Give one example of a local public service.

Answer:

Clean drinking water, street lighting, waste collection or road maintenance.

9. What does reservation in panchayats mean?

Answer:

Seats set aside for women or marginalised groups to ensure representation.

10. Why is local government important?

Answer:

It makes decisions closer to people so services match local needs and problems are solved quickly.

Structure & Elections

11. How often are panchayat elections held?

Answer:

Normally every five years.

12. Who votes in panchayat elections?

Answer:

All registered adult residents of the village who are eligible to vote.

13. What is a ward member?

Answer:

A representative elected from a specific ward or area of the village to the panchayat.

14. Can women become Sarpanch?

Answer:

Yes — women can be elected as Sarpanch and many seats are reserved for women.

15. What is the role of Zila Parishad?

Answer:

To integrate plans across Panchayat Samitis and coordinate district-level development.

16. Who supervises work at the block level?

Answer:

Panchayat Samiti supervises and supports Gram Panchayats in the block.

17. What is a Gram Sabha quorum?

Answer:

The minimum number of members required to hold a valid Gram Sabha meeting (varies by state).

18. Who compiles the district plan?

Answer:

Zila Parishad compiles plans from lower levels into a district plan.

19. How are vacancies in panchayat filled?

Answer:

By holding by-elections or following rules set by state election authorities.

20. What is the benefit of reserving seats?

Answer:

Ensures representation and gives voice to women and marginalised communities in governance.

Functions & Services

21. How do panchayats help education?

Answer:

By maintaining school buildings, monitoring attendance and supporting mid-day meals.

22. Name a health role of panchayats.

Answer:

Organising health camps and coordinating with health workers for basic services.

23. What do panchayats do for water supply?

Answer:

They maintain wells, pumps and ensure safe drinking water for the village.

24. How do panchayats support livelihoods?

Answer:

By promoting self-help groups, training and small local employment projects.

25. What is a small infrastructure project by panchayats?

Answer:

Repairing a village road, building a drain or installing a handpump.

26. How do panchayats help during emergencies?

Answer:

They coordinate relief, arrange shelters and help distribute aid locally.

27. What is public distribution monitoring?

Answer:

Checking that ration shops and benefits reach entitled families.

28. How do panchayats manage sanitation?

Answer:

By organising cleanliness drives and arranging waste disposal systems.

29. What role do panchayats play in local planning?

Answer:

They identify local needs, prepare project lists and propose budgets for approval.

30. How do panchayats use local funds?

Answer:

Funds are used for approved village projects and services as decided in the Gram Sabha.

Participation & Monitoring

31. How can villagers raise issues in Gram Sabha?

Answer:

By speaking at meetings, adding items to the agenda or submitting written requests.

32. What is citizen monitoring?

Answer:

When community members check projects and services to ensure quality and fairness.

33. Why are meeting minutes important?

Answer:

They record decisions and responsibilities so actions can be followed up later.

34. How do villagers approve budgets?

Answer:

The panchayat presents the budget and Gram Sabha members discuss and approve priorities.

35. Give one way to monitor a project.

Answer:

Form a local committee to inspect work and report progress in meetings.

36. How can youth be involved locally?

Answer:

Through youth committees, volunteering, and participation in Gram Sabha discussions.

37. What role do women's groups play?

Answer:

They organise savings, livelihoods and push for local issues like sanitation and education.

38. What is a public expenditure register?

Answer:

A simple public record listing monthly income and spending for villagers to check.

39. How do notice boards help?

Answer:

They share meeting dates, budgets and project updates with the community.

40. Why report project completion publicly?

Answer:

To show results, confirm funds used and plan for maintenance and follow-up.

Accountability, Challenges & Reforms

41. What is transparency?

Answer:

Making information about decisions and spending open and accessible to everyone.

42. Name one challenge for panchayats.

Answer:

Delayed funds, limited staff or lack of training for members.

43. How does record-keeping prevent misuse?

Answer:

Clear records show where money went and help detect irregularities.

44. What is citizen feedback?

Answer:

People's opinions about services used to improve and correct local work.

45. Suggest one reform to strengthen panchayats.

Answer:

Provide training in planning, budgeting and record-keeping for elected members.

46. Why include marginalised groups?

Answer:

To ensure fairness and that development reaches everyone in the community.

47. How can technology help panchayats?

Answer:

By storing records digitally, sharing notices and collecting citizen feedback online.

48. What role can NGOs play?

Answer:

NGOs provide training, organise communities and support implementation of projects.

49. What is the purpose of audits?

Answer:

To check accounts and ensure money has been spent properly and as intended.

50. How can citizens strengthen local government?

Answer:

By participating in Gram Sabha, monitoring projects and asking questions about spending.

Social Science — Theme D: Governance and Democracy

CBSE Short Answer Practice (50 Questions)

Core Concepts

Structure & Elections

Functions & Services

Participation & Monitoring

Accountability, Challenges & Reforms

Grassroots Democracy – Part 2: Local Government in Rural Area – Short Answer Type Questions

Social Science — Theme D: Governance and Democracy

CBSE Short Answer Practice (50 Questions)

Core Concepts

Structure & Elections

Functions & Services

Participation & Monitoring

Accountability, Challenges & Reforms

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