Working of Institutions – MCQs with Answers and Explanations
Class 9 • Social Science
Political Science — Democratic Politics I: Chapter 4 — Working of Institutions
30 MCQs with answers & explanations — How major policy decisions are taken; Parliament; Political executive; Judiciary
NCERT-aligned • CBSE exam standard
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CBSE Board Examinations (Systematic order):
- Use these MCQs for quick concept checks and revision
- Refer to explanations for deeper understanding
- Practice topic-wise to strengthen weak areas
Topic A — How is a major policy decision taken? (Q1–Q10)
1. Which stage comes first in the policy-making process?
Answer: B
Explanation: Agenda setting is when an issue is recognised and placed on the government's decision-making list.
Explanation: Agenda setting is when an issue is recognised and placed on the government's decision-making list.
2. Who normally drafts the detailed policy proposals?
Answer: C
Explanation: Ministries and civil servants prepare draft proposals, background papers and options for ministers.
Explanation: Ministries and civil servants prepare draft proposals, background papers and options for ministers.
3. What is the primary function of Cabinet in policy-making?
Answer: B
Explanation: Cabinet debates options and gives political backing to decisions; this is collective responsibility in action.
Explanation: Cabinet debates options and gives political backing to decisions; this is collective responsibility in action.
4. What is 'delegated legislation'?
Answer: B
Explanation: Delegated legislation refers to rules and regulations framed by the executive under an Act to implement law.
Explanation: Delegated legislation refers to rules and regulations framed by the executive under an Act to implement law.
5. Which of the following is an immediate tool the executive may use in urgent situations when Parliament is not sitting?
Answer: A
Explanation: Ordinances are temporary laws promulgated by the President on the cabinet's advice when Parliament is not in session.
Explanation: Ordinances are temporary laws promulgated by the President on the cabinet's advice when Parliament is not in session.
6. Public consultation in policy making helps to:
Answer: C
Explanation: Consulting stakeholders and citizens improves policy quality and legitimacy.
Explanation: Consulting stakeholders and citizens improves policy quality and legitimacy.
7. Which body usually implements policies?
Answer: B
Explanation: Bureaucrats execute policies, run schemes and manage administration on the ground.
Explanation: Bureaucrats execute policies, run schemes and manage administration on the ground.
8. Judicial review is exercised by:
Answer: C
Explanation: Courts examine the constitutionality of laws and executive actions and can invalidate them.
Explanation: Courts examine the constitutionality of laws and executive actions and can invalidate them.
9. Which of these steps increases government accountability?
Answer: B
Explanation: Question Hour, debates and committee scrutiny allow Parliament to hold the executive accountable.
Explanation: Question Hour, debates and committee scrutiny allow Parliament to hold the executive accountable.
10. Which is NOT part of the policy-making process?
Answer: C
Explanation: Judicial adjudication may review policies later but is not the initial step in policy-making.
Explanation: Judicial adjudication may review policies later but is not the initial step in policy-making.
Topic B — Parliament (Q11–Q20)
11. The two houses of Parliament are:
Answer: B
Explanation: Parliament is bicameral with Lok Sabha (House of People) and Rajya Sabha (Council of States).
Explanation: Parliament is bicameral with Lok Sabha (House of People) and Rajya Sabha (Council of States).
12. Which house has greater power over money bills?
Answer: B
Explanation: Money Bills must originate in Lok Sabha; Rajya Sabha can only recommend changes within a limited time.
Explanation: Money Bills must originate in Lok Sabha; Rajya Sabha can only recommend changes within a limited time.
13. What is Question Hour used for?
Answer: A
Explanation: Question Hour helps MPs question ministers and examine administrative actions, enhancing accountability.
Explanation: Question Hour helps MPs question ministers and examine administrative actions, enhancing accountability.
14. A Bill introduced by a non-minister is called:
Answer: B
Explanation: A Private Member's Bill is introduced by MPs who are not ministers to propose legislation.
Explanation: A Private Member's Bill is introduced by MPs who are not ministers to propose legislation.
15. Which committee examines government expenditure?
Answer: A
Explanation: Public Accounts Committee reviews government expenditure and audit reports to ensure proper use of public funds.
Explanation: Public Accounts Committee reviews government expenditure and audit reports to ensure proper use of public funds.
16. What happens if a no-confidence motion is passed in Lok Sabha?
Answer: A
Explanation: Passage of a no-confidence motion shows the government lacks majority support and must resign.
Explanation: Passage of a no-confidence motion shows the government lacks majority support and must resign.
17. What is the purpose of standing committees?
Answer: B
Explanation: Standing Committees provide continuous scrutiny of legislation, budgets, and executive actions.
Explanation: Standing Committees provide continuous scrutiny of legislation, budgets, and executive actions.
18. The session when the government presents its financial statement is called:
Answer: B
Explanation: The Budget Session is when the government presents its annual financial statement and seeks parliamentary approval for expenditure.
Explanation: The Budget Session is when the government presents its annual financial statement and seeks parliamentary approval for expenditure.
19. Which of these is a privilege of Parliamentarians?
Answer: B
Explanation: MPs enjoy freedom of speech in Parliament to debate and discuss matters without external interference, within certain limits.
Explanation: MPs enjoy freedom of speech in Parliament to debate and discuss matters without external interference, within certain limits.
20. Who presides over the Lok Sabha sessions?
Answer: C
Explanation: The Speaker presides over the Lok Sabha and ensures orderly conduct of business.
Explanation: The Speaker presides over the Lok Sabha and ensures orderly conduct of business.
Topic C — Political Executive & Judiciary (Q21–Q30)
21. Who is the head of the government at the Centre?
Answer: B
Explanation: The Prime Minister is head of the government, chairs the Cabinet and provides political leadership.
Explanation: The Prime Minister is head of the government, chairs the Cabinet and provides political leadership.
22. What does 'collective responsibility' mean?
Answer: B
Explanation: Collective responsibility means all ministers stand together for Cabinet decisions and are accountable to Lok Sabha.
Explanation: Collective responsibility means all ministers stand together for Cabinet decisions and are accountable to Lok Sabha.
23. Who appoints the ministers in the Central government?
Answer: B
Explanation: Ministers are appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.
Explanation: Ministers are appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.
24. What is administrative discretion?
Answer: B
Explanation: Administrative discretion allows officials to make choices where rules permit judgement, enabling flexibility in implementation.
Explanation: Administrative discretion allows officials to make choices where rules permit judgement, enabling flexibility in implementation.
25. What does judicial review protect?
Answer: B
Explanation: Judicial review allows courts to invalidate laws or actions that violate the Constitution or fundamental rights.
Explanation: Judicial review allows courts to invalidate laws or actions that violate the Constitution or fundamental rights.
26. What is a Public Interest Litigation (PIL)?
Answer: B
Explanation: PILs let citizens approach courts for public causes, expanding access to justice and accountability.
Explanation: PILs let citizens approach courts for public causes, expanding access to justice and accountability.
27. Which court is the highest appellate court in India?
Answer: C
Explanation: The Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority and final court of appeal in India.
Explanation: The Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority and final court of appeal in India.
28. What is one major challenge faced by the judiciary?
Answer: B
Explanation: Delays and backlog impede timely justice; reforms aim to increase judges and use ADR mechanisms.
Explanation: Delays and backlog impede timely justice; reforms aim to increase judges and use ADR mechanisms.
29. How can Parliament check the judiciary?
Answer: B
Explanation: Parliament can amend laws or the Constitution (subject to basic structure limitations) to address judicial interpretations.
Explanation: Parliament can amend laws or the Constitution (subject to basic structure limitations) to address judicial interpretations.
30. Which principle ensures that no branch of government becomes too powerful?
Answer: B
Explanation: Checks and balances ensure mutual oversight among legislature, executive and judiciary to prevent abuse of power.
Explanation: Checks and balances ensure mutual oversight among legislature, executive and judiciary to prevent abuse of power.
