Law and Social Justice – MCQs with Answers and Explanations
Class 8 • Social Science
Chapter 8 — Law and Social Justice
30 topic-wise MCQs with 'Show Answer & Explanation' — NCERT-aligned for CBSE revision
CBSE Board Examinations
Assessment Components (systematic order)
- Formative Assessments
- Summative Assessments
- Project Work & Enrichment
- Sample Papers & Revision Tests
- Final Board Examination
Content Bank — Topics covered
Meaning of law & social justice; how laws help the weak; remedies; courts & police; legal aid; protection of marginalised groups; case examples and rights.
Meaning & Basics (Q1–Q6)
1. Which of the following best defines 'social justice'?
Answer: B
Social justice refers to fairness and equal opportunities for everyone, with special attention to those who are disadvantaged. It is not merely equal distribution of wealth but ensuring equitable access and protection.
2. What is a legal remedy?
Answer: B
A legal remedy is the relief a court orders to correct a wrong — such as compensation, restitution or an injunction. Informal actions or opinions don't count as legal remedies.
3. Which institution primarily enforces criminal laws?
Answer: B
The police are primarily responsible for investigating crimes, arresting suspects and enforcing criminal laws. Parliament makes laws while courts interpret and apply them.
4. 'Equality before law' means:
Answer: B
Equality before law means every person is treated equally by the legal system regardless of social or economic status; it does not concern income distribution.
5. Which of these is NOT a common legal remedy?
Answer: C
Petitioning on social media can raise awareness but is not a legal remedy enforceable by courts. Compensation, restitution and injunctions are standard legal remedies.
6. Legal aid primarily aims to:
Answer: A
Legal aid ensures access to justice by offering free or low-cost legal services to poor and marginalised people so they can effectively use the legal system.
How Laws Help the Weak (Q7–Q12)
7. Which measure is an example of affirmative action?
Answer: A
Reservation in education and jobs is an affirmative action to improve access for historically disadvantaged groups, promoting social justice by reducing inequality.
8. Which of the following helps prevent child labour?
Answer: A
Child labour laws make employment of children illegal, while education drives provide alternatives; together they reduce child exploitation.
9. When courts order compensation, the primary aim is to:
Answer: B
Compensation is meant to make the injured person whole by covering loss or harm caused by the offence; it’s restorative, not punitive.
10. Which of the following is an outcome of anti‑discrimination laws?
Answer: A
Anti‑discrimination laws aim to prevent unfair treatment and ensure equal access to opportunities, protecting marginalised groups in key areas.
11. Laws that ensure minimum wages primarily help to:
Answer: B
Minimum wage laws set a floor for earnings, protecting workers from exploitative pay and contributing to social justice by ensuring a basic income.
12. Which organisation often helps poor people to approach courts and fight cases?
Answer: B
NGOs and legal aid services assist poor people by providing advice, representation and help in filing cases, improving access to justice.
Courts, Police & Remedies (Q13–Q18)
13. The Supreme Court's role includes:
Answer: B
The Supreme Court interprets the Constitution, safeguards fundamental rights and decides major legal controversies; it does not make laws (Parliament does) or run schools.
14. What is an injunction?
Answer: B
An injunction is a court direction to prevent an act (e.g., stop eviction), often used to avoid irreparable harm while a case is decided.
15. Which remedy would a court most likely order to return property taken unlawfully?
Answer: B
Restitution restores the victim's prior position by returning property; courts may also award compensation for losses suffered.
16. Public Interest Litigation (PIL) enables:
Answer: B
PILs allow courts to be approached for issues affecting the community or public interest; they expand access to justice for collective grievances.
17. Which is a major concern about police functioning in protecting rights?
Answer: A
Concerns include misuse of power, custodial violence and lack of accountability, which can undermine justice and victims' confidence in the system.
18. If a victim cannot afford a lawyer, which option helps them at court?
Answer: A
Legal aid provides free or affordable legal representation so those without means can pursue or defend cases and access justice.
Case Examples & Protection (Q19–Q24)
19. A court stopping an illegal eviction by ordering temporary stay is an example of:
Answer: B
Ordering a stay to halt eviction is an injunction — a court order preventing certain actions until the case is fully decided, protecting rights in the meantime.
20. Which measure helps rehabilitate children rescued from child labour?
Answer: B
Rehabilitation includes education, counselling and social support to restore children's development opportunities; punitive steps against employers are also taken.
21. Filing a PIL to improve public health services is an example of using law to:
Answer: B
PILs enable citizens to seek judicial intervention for public interest issues, compelling authorities to improve services and protect community rights.
22. Which is a likely judicial response to environmental pollution harming nearby villages?
Answer: A
Courts often order remediation, compensation to affected people and directions for monitoring and preventing further pollution to protect public health and environment.
23. If an employer refuses to hire someone because of caste, the worker can seek remedy under:
Answer: B
Discrimination in employment on caste grounds is prohibited; victims can file complaints under anti‑discrimination and labour laws seeking compensation or orders against the employer.
24. Which of the following best shows the preventive role of law?
Answer: B
Laws deter harmful acts by prescribing penalties and regulations; this preventive aspect helps protect vulnerable people from exploitation and injustice.
Practical Rights & Application (Q25–Q30)
25. Which helps most in improving access to justice in rural areas?
Answer: A
Mobile legal clinics, outreach programmes and better legal aid services bring legal help closer to remote communities, improving access to justice.
26. Schools teaching basic legal rights helps students by:
Answer: B
Legal education empowers students to understand rights, seek help when needed and contribute to a culture of lawfulness and accountability.
27. Which is true about court precedents?
Answer: B
Precedents from higher courts guide lower courts ensuring consistency in legal interpretation; they do not make laws but interpret them.
28. Which of the following best helps victims secure quick relief in urgent situations?
Answer: A
Interim orders like injunctions provide urgent protection until the full case is decided, preventing irreparable harm to victims.
29. Civil society organisations (NGOs) help by:
Answer: A
NGOs provide vital services such as legal assistance, advocacy, and support to vulnerable groups, bridging gaps between people and formal justice systems.
30. To write a good exam answer on 'law and social justice', students should:
Answer: B
Good answers are structured: define terms, explain concepts and provide short examples showing how laws produce justice — this demonstrates understanding and application.
