UP Board Solutions for Class 9 Social Science Civics Chapter 4 Electoral Politics

UP Board Solutions for Class 9 Social Science Civics Chapter 4 Electoral Politics

UP Board Solutions for Class 9 Social Science Civics Chapter 4 Electoral Politics Textbook Questions and Answers, Additional Important Questions

UP Board Class 9 Civics Chapter 4 Electoral Politics InText Questions and Answers

Activity and In-text Questions

In-text Question (Page No. 58)

Question 1.
Is every Office Memorandum a major political decision ? if not, what made this one different?
Answer:
(1) No, every Office Memorandum is not a major political decision.
(2) The Office Memorandum No. 36012/31/90 dated 13-8-1990 made a major difference because this was awaited since long and it had effects that were both positive for OBC and negative for the forward classes.

Read the Image (Page No. 59)

Reservation debate was such an important issue during 1990-91 that advertisers used this theme to sell their products.

Question 1.
Can you spot some references to political events and debates in these Amul Butter hoardings ?
Answer:
The political event hinted at by the hoarding—‘Amul the riot taste’ is that the government declared 27 per cent reservation for OBC which had the taste of riot. It took the lives of hundreds of students.

Check Your Progress (Page No. 60)

Question 1.
Who did what in this case of reservations for backward classes ?
Answer:

In-text Question (Page No. 60)

Question 1.
Which institutions are at work in the running of your school ? Would it be better if one person alone took all the decisions regarding management of your school?
Answer:
(1) School .Management Committee and Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) are at work in the running of my school.
(2) No, one person cannot always take the right decision. There must be a discussion between different members of the School Management Committee and PTA on major decisions.

In-text Question (Page No. 62)

Question 1.
What is the point in having so much debate and discussion in the Parliament when we know that the view of the ruling party is going to prevail ?
Answer:
The advantages of debate and discussion are as follows:
(i) A conclusion reached after debate and discussion has considered many points of merits and demerits involved in an issue.
(ii) To give the information to the public regarding the topic for a particular decision which is going to be taken by the ruling party. So that the public can give their responses.

Activity (Page No. 62)

Question 1.
When the Parliament is in session, there is a special programme every day on Doordarshan about the proceedings in the Lok Sabha and Rajya
Sabha. Watch the proceedings or read about it in the newspapers and note the following: — Powers of the two Houses of Parliament.
– Role of the Speaker.
– Role of the Opposition.
Answer:
1. Powers of the two Houses of Parliament – One of the Houses is directly elected by the people and exercises the real power on behalf of the people. The second house is indirectly elected and looks after the interests of various states, regions or federal units.

2. Role of the Speaker – There are various roles of the Speaker as follows :
(i) To regulate the proceeding of the Lok Sabha.
(ii) To maintain discipline in the House.
(iii) To perform some administrative functions like receiving all documents and petitions addressed to the House, etc.
(iv) To supervise the parliamentary committees.
(v) To exercise powers under the Anti-Defection Law.
(vi) To fast his vote in favour or against a decision in the Lok Sabha if there is an equality of votes.

3. Role of the Opposition-r-The various roles of the opposition in a democratic system of governance are as under:
(i) It provides an opportunity to the people to choose from among alternatives.
(ii) It acts as a check on those who are in power. It exposes the faults of the government.
(in) It educates the citizen regarding the functions of the government.
(iv) It forms a shadow cabinet and is always ready to replace the government in power if the citizens so decide.

Read the Cartoon (Page No. 65)

The race to become minister is not new. Here is a cartoon depicting ministerial aspirants waiting to get a berth in Nehru’s Cabinet after the 1962 elections.

Question 1.
Why do you think political leaders are so keen to become ministers ?
Answer:
(1) When they contest an election and face the electorate, they make some promises to the people. They want to become ministers to fulfil these promises.
(2) When they enter politics they havfe a goal set before them and to achieve that they want to become ministers.
(3) They want to serve the country and take some decisions on their own to fulfil a need and solve the problems of the people.

In-text Question (Page No. 67)

Question 1.
Why does this book refer to the President as ‘she’? Have we ever had woman President in our country ?
Answer:
(1) This book refers to the President as ‘she’ because in our society ‘she’ represents a woman who is inferior to man. Here, ‘she’ refers to the President who has less powpr or, say, nominal power and the real power is exercised by the Prime Minister.
(2) Yes, from 2007-12 we had a woman President in our country.

Question 2.
Did you protest when the book referred to the Prime Minister as Tie’ ? Have we not had a woman Prime Minister ? Why should we assume that all the important positions are held by men ?
Answer:
(1) No, we did not protest when the book referred to the Prime Minister as lie’ because in our society he represents man a who has more power than woman. So in India, the Prime Minister has more power and exercises all the executive powers.
(2) No, we have had a woman^rime Minister, Indira Gandhi.
(3) We assume that all the important positions are held by men because in Indian politics, men are dominant and more active.

Read the Image (Page No. 68)

Question 1.
What is better for a democracy: A Prime Minister who can do whatever he wishes or a Prime Minister who needs to consult other leaders and parties ?
Answer:
It is better for a democracy to have a Prime Minister who needs to consult other leaders and parties.

Check Your Progress (Page No. 68)

Eliamma, Annakutti and Marymol read the section on the President. Each of them had a question. Can you help them in answering these questions ?
1. Eliamma: What happens if the President and the Prime Minister disagree about some policy? Does the view of the Prime Minister always prevail ?
Answer:
(1) When the President and the Prime Minister disagree about some policy, the view of the Prime Minister prevails if he enjoys the majority support in the Parliament.
(2) If the Prime Minister has lost the majority support in the Parliament then the President is free to decide the case on his own.

Question 2.
Annakutti : I find it funny that the President is the Supreme Commander of Armed Forces. I doubt if the President can even lift a heavy gun. What is the point in making the President the Commander ?
Answer:
(1) The Commander who has more strength, wins the war. Here, the Supreme Commander, the President, l^as the power of the pen to give orders and directions, whereas the heads of the three wings of the armed forces have swords, which have less strength than the pen.
(2) The President, advised by the Council of Ministers, has a broader outlook about the security of the country. So, he is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

Question 3.
Marymol: I would say, what is the point in having a President at all if all the real powers are with the Prime Minister ?
Answer:
(1) The President is the,’symbolic power of the country.
(2) Many a times, in a critical situation, the President has to exercise the real powers and to take decisions on his own, e.g., when the Prime Minister lost the majority support in the Lok Sabha.

In-text Question (Page No. 69)

It is quite common in the US forjudges to be nominated on the basis of well-known political opinions and affiliations. The shown fictitious advertisement appeared in the US in 2005 when President Bush was considering various candidates for nomination to the US Supreme Court.

Question 1.
What does this cartoon say about the independence of the judiciary ?
Answer:
The cartoon shown in the fictitious advertisement works at the appointment of the judges of the US Supreme Court on the basis of their well-known political opinions and the party affiliation. If a judge is linked with the President, he/she doesn’t need to be well qualified or experienced for appointment. That is why, the judiciary is not independent in USA.

Question 2.
Why do such cartoons not appear in our country?
Answer:
Such cartoons don’t appear in our country because :
(1) Indian judiciary is one of the most independent judiciaries in the world.
(2) Judges of the Indian judiciary or the Supreme Court or the High Courts never say anything in praise of the political leaders or the President or the Prime Minister.

Question 3.
Does this demonstrate the independence of our judiciary ?
Answer:
Yes, this demonstrates the independence of our judiciary.

In-text Question (Page No. 70)

Question 1.
Why are people allowed to go to courts against the government’s decisions ?
Answer:
In a democracy, all political institutions are formed for the welfare of the people. The courts are constituted to judge the decisions of the government whether they are for the welfare of the people or against them. Therefore, people are allowed to go to courts against the government’s decisions, if their rights and interests are affected by these decisions. The, courts intervene to prevent the misuse of powers by the government.

Check Your Progress (Page No. 70)

Question 1.
Give one reason each to argue that Indian judiciary is independent with respect to :
– Appointment of judges
– Removal of judges
– Powers of the judiciary
Answer:
Appointment of Judges :
(1) The judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister and in consultation with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. In practice, the senior judges of the Supreme Court select the new judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts. The Chief Justice is the senior most judge of the Supreme Court.

(2) Seniority and merit are the real considerations for their appointment. There is very little scope for the political executive’s interference.

Removal of Judges :
(1) Once a person is appointed as the judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court, his/her removal is as difficult as that of the President of India.
(2) A judge can be removed only by an impeachment motion passed separately by two-thirds of the members of the two Houses of the Parliament.

Powers of the Judiciary :
(1) The Supreme Court can declare any law passed by the legislature ultravires, i.e., unconstitutional if it violates or encroaches on the fundamental rights.
(2) The Judiciary can critically examine any action of the executive when it is challenged before the court.

UP Board Class 9 Civics Chapter 4 Electoral Politics Textbook Questions and Answers

Exercises Of Ncert (.Page No. 71-73)

Question 1.
If you are elected as the President of India, which of the following decisions can you take on your own ?
(a) Select the person you like as Prime Minister.
(b) Dismiss a Prime Minister who has a majority in Lok Sabha.
(c) Ask for reconsideration of a bill passed by both the Houses.
(d) Nominate the leaders of your choice to the Council of Ministers.
Answer:
(c) Ask for reconsideration of a bill passed by both the Houses.

Question 2.
Who among the following is a part of the political executive ?
(a) District Collector.
(b) Secretary of the Mini.try of Home Affairs.
(c) Home Minister.
(d) Director General of Police.
Answer:
(c) Home Minister.

Question 3.
Which of the following -statements about the judiciary is false ?
(a) Every law passed by the Parliament needs approval of the Supreme Court.
(b) Judiciary can strike down a law if it goes against the spirit of the Constitution.
(c) Judiciary is independent of the Executive.
(d) Any citizen can approach the courts if her rights are violated.
Answer:
(a) Every law passed by the Parliament needs approval of the Supreme Court.

Question 4.
Which of the following institutions can make changes to an existing law of the country ?
(a) The Supreme Court
(b) The President
(c) The Prime Minister
(d) The Parliament
Answer:
(d) The Parliament.

Question 5.
Match the ministry with the news that the ministry may have released:
(a) A new policy is being made to increase the jute exports from the country. – (i) Ministry of Defence
(b) Telephone services will be made more accessible to rural areas. – (ii) Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Public Distribution
(c) The price of rice and wheat sold under the Public Distribution System will go down. – (iii) Ministry of Health
(d) A pulse polio campaign will be launched. – (iv) Ministry of Commerce and Industry
(e) The allowances of the soldiers posted on high altitudes will be increased. – (v) Ministry of Communications and Information Technology
Answer:
(a)-(iv)
(b)-(v)
(c)-(ii)
(d)-(iii)
(e)-(i)

Question 6.
Of all the institutions, that we have studied in this chapter, name the one that exercises the powers on each of the following matters.
(a) Decision on allocation of money for developing infrastructure like roads, irrigationj etc. and different welfare activities for the citizens.
(b) Considers the recommendation of a committee on a law to regulate the stock exchange.
(c) Decides on a legal dispute between two state governments.
(d) Implements the decision to provide relief for the victims of an earthquake.
Answer:
(a) Political Executive
(b) Legislature (Parliament)
(c) The Supreme Court
(d) Permanent Executive (Civil Services)

Question 7.
Why is the Prime Minister in India not directly elected by the people ? Choose the most appropriate answer and give reasons for your choice.
(a) In a parliamentary democracy, only the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha can become the Prime Minister.
(b) Lok Sabha can remove the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers even before the expiry of their term.
(c) Since the Prime Minister is appointed by the President there is no need for it.
(d) Direct election of the Prime Minister will involve a lot of expenditure on election.
Answer:
(a) In a parliamentary democracy, only the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha can become the Prime Minister.
Reasons :
(1) In parliamentary democracy, it is the popular House, i.e., the Lok Sabha, which has the power to remove the Prime Minister along with his/her Council of Ministers. So, its leader is appointed as the Prime Minister.
(2) If the Prime Minister is directly elected” by the people, he cannot be responsible and accountable to the Parliament, because he would be a direct representative of the people and not of the Lok Sabha.

Question 8.
Three friends went to watch a film that showed the hero becoming Chief Minister for a day and making big
changes In the state. Imran said this is what the country needs. Rizwan said this kind of a persona rule without institutions is dangerous. Shankar said all this is a fantasy. No minister can do anything in one day. What would be your reaction to such a film ?
Answer:
The film is based on both idealism and realism. The problems shown in the film are real but many solutions are based on idealism. In reality, Rizwan and Shankar are more or less close to the truth. This is because,
(1) the personal rule without institutions leads towards dictatorship.
(2) one man even with all the authority cannot do’ much. So, all this is a day-dream.

Question 9.
A teacher was making preparations for a mock parliament. She called two students to act as leaders of two political parties. She gave them an option: Each one could choose to have a majority either in the mock Lok Sabha or in the mock Rajya Sabha. If this choice was given to you, which one would you choose and why ?
Answer:
(i) If this choice was given to me, I would choose a majority in the Lok Sabha.
(2) This is because the majority in the Lok Sabha elects the leader of the House who is appointed as the Prime Minister of India and forms the government at the Centre.
(3) Lok Sabha is more powerful than the Rajya Sabha.
(4) All financial bills are decided by the Lok Sabha
(5) It is only the Lok Sabha which can pass a vote of no-confidence against the government.

Question 10.
After reading the example of the reservation order, three students had different reactions about the role of the judiciary. Which view, according to you, is a correct reading of tiie role of judiciary ?
(a) Srinivas argues that since the Supremp Court agreed J with the government, it is not independent. ^
(b) Anjaiah says that judiciary is independent because it could have given a verdict against the government order. The Supreme Court did direct the government to modify it.
(c) Vijay thinks that the judiciary is neither independent nor conformist, but acts as a mediator between opposing
parties. The court struck a good balance between those who supported and those who opposed the order.
Answer:
(b) Reason : The reservation order of the government was judged valid by the Supreme Court but it asked the government to modify the original order so that \jffell-to-do persons (i.e., the creamy layer) among the backward classes could be excluded from getting the benefit of reservation.
I think it is a correct reading of the role of judiciary.

Topicwise Questions

4.1 How Is A Major Policy Decision Taken ?

3/5-Marks Questions

Question 1.
Explain the role of political institutions in decision¬making process in democracy. (2016-Y8E5VTO; Most Imp.)
Or
Describe the different institutions which are involved in the decision-making process in the Indian democracy? (2015-QNp9EF; 2014-40WFBY7, 4FKSM18)
Answer:
(1) In all modern democracies, several arrangements are made to attend to all these tasks. Such arrangements are called institutions. Political institution refers to a set of procedures for regulating the conduct of government and political life in the country.
(2) In democracy, three institutions – Legislature, Executive and Judiciary play a key role in the decision-making process.
(3) A democracy works well when these institutions perform functions assigned to them. The constitution of any country lays down basic rules on the powers and functions of each institution.
(i) The Prime Minister and the Cabinet are the institutions that take all important policy decisions.
(ii) The civil servants, working together, are responsible for taking steps to implement the ministers’ decisions.
(iii) Supreme Court is an institution where disputes between citizens and the government are finally settled.

Question 2.
Describe the importance of the political institution in a democracy. (2016-J9J1XV4; 2014-FVQKQ6M, M9IJJ26T)
Or
Describe the need of political institutions. (2016-5G7486T; 2015-1DF7NW0)
Answer:
(1) The institution takes decision and makes rules and regulations for proper administration.
(2) They provide an opportunity for a wider set of people to be consulted in any decision.
(3) They are responsible to solve the dispute that may arise.
(4) There should be someone to determine what is right or wrong.
(5) The institutions not only take decisions but also implement them to get the desired purposes.

3/5 Marks Questions

Question 1.
Describe the role of the Parliament. (2016-9AGOTXP; 2015-JODZZ6U; 2014-DD2RXNA)
Or
Describe any three major functions that are performed by the Parliament. (2016-NSQFAl)
Or
Describe the powers and functions of the Parliament of India. (2016-HYHY9BF; 2012-48038, 39, 40; 2011-25/A1)
Answer:
(1) Parliament is the final authority for making laws in any democratic country. All over the world, Parliaments make laws, change existing laws or abolish existing laws and replace them by new ones. .
(2) Parliaments all over the world exercise some control over those who run the government. In this act, the leaders of opposing parties play an important role.
(3) The governmental budget is passed in the Parliament. So, Parliament controls all the money that governments have.
(4) Parliament can seek information from and ask questions to the government and its ministers on any matter.
(5) It is the highest forum of discussion and debate on public issues and national policies.
(6) Parliament exercises many residuary powers. It can remove the President, Army Chiefs, the Supreme Court and High Court Judges, etc. from their offices.

Question 2.
Explain the need and importance of the Parliament. (2016-9AGOTXP)
Or
Why do we need a Parliament ? Explain. (2016-6JJ4ZVP; 2012-48018; 2011-21/A1)
Answer:
(1) It is the final law making authority at the national level. Its laws are equally applicable to any part of the national territory.
(2) No state can make laws against the spirit of the laws passed by the Parliament. In case of any clash between state laws and the laws passed by the Parliament, the later will prevail.
(3) Parliament establishes control over the functioning of the executives.
(4) It controls and regulates the financial issues.
(5) Parliament is the highest forum of discussion and debate on public issues and national policy in any country.

Question 3.
Write any three main differences between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. (2015-N3MZ1TF; 2014-TPXJ8CY)
Or
Describe the importance of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. (2016-63JO0MP)
Or
Compare the powers of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. (2016-S91BP1X; 2015-HEUWPLZ; 2014-F03IKZ6, EPDBG5GA, RSY8S5J; 2011-06/A1)
Answer:
(1) The Lok Sabha members are elected directly, whereas the Rajya Sabha members are elected indirectly.
(2) The Rajya Sabha has strength of two hundred fifty members, whereas the Lok Sabha has five hundred forty three members.
(3) The Rajya Sabha can initiate only ordinary bill, whereas Lok j Sabha can initiate both ordinary bill and money bill.
(4) Regarding to any bill, the Rajya Sabha has only recommending power. Its suggestion is not binding on the Lok Sabha. .
(5) The Rajya Sabha has no control over the Council of Ministers, whereas the Lok Sabha controls the Council of Ministers by exercising ‘no confidence motion’.
(6) In case of any joint meeting of both the Houses, it is the speaker of the Lok Sabha who Presides over the meeting.

Question 4.
Which house of the Parliament is more powerful in India ? Give any three reasons, (2017-ZZDR095)
Or
In what ways does the Lok Sabha exercise more powers than the Rajya Sabha ?
Or
Which of the two Houses of Parliament exercises more powers and how ? Explain. (2016-HGOZ4G7)
Or
Our Constitution does give the Rajya Sabha some special powers over the states, but the Lok Sabha exercises supreme power. How ? Explain. (2012-1079)
Answer:
(1) Any ordinary law needs to be passed by both the Houses, but if there is a dispute between the two Houses, the final decision is taken in a joint session, in which members of both the Houses sit together. As the Lok Sabha consists of a large number of members, its views prevail in such a meeting.
(2) Once the Lok Sabha passes the budget of the government or any other money related law, the Rajya Sabha cannot reject it. The Rajya Sabha can delay it for a maximum of 14 days or suggest some changes in it which may or may not be accepted by the Lok Sabha.
(3) The Lok Sabha controls the Council of Ministers. If the majority of the Lok Sabha members say that they have no confidence V in the Council of Ministers then, all the ministers including the \ Prime Minister have to resign.

4.3 Political Executive

3 /5 Marks Questions

Question 1.
In our political system the head of the State exercises only hominal powers. Evaluator’the statement and mention any three situations in which President only uses his discretion. (Most Imp.)
Or
Mention any three discretionary powers of the Indian President. (2016-2KMVXAR)
Answer:
(1) The President, the head of the State, exercises only nominal powers :
(i) All governmental activities take place in the name of the President while the real executive power is exercised by the Council of Ministers.
(ii) The President is bound to act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers.

(2) The President exercises certain powers on his discretion :
When no party or coalition gets a majority in the Lok Sabha, the President exercises his/her discretion.
(i) The President appoints a leader who in his/her opinion can muster majority support in the Lok Sabha.
(ii) The President can ask the newly appointed Prime Minister to prove majority support in the Lok Sabha within a specified time.
(iii) He can send messages to the Parliament and can ask the Council of Ministers to reconsider the advice tendered to him.

Question 2.
Mention any three powers of the Prime Minister of India. (2016-15NXJEP)
Or
“The Prime Minister is the head of the government.” Justify the statement. (2014-FVQKQ6M, OHFEKWR, KX67CWT)
Or
Describe the powers and functions of the Prime Minister of India. (2016-HXY66CZ; 2012-48031, 13; 2011-21/Al, 04/A1, 08/Cl)
Answer:
(1) Position of the Prime Minister in the Government :
Prime Minister is the most important political figure of the country. He is the head of the government. All the important decisions regarding the country are taken by him. He is the real executive head.
(2) Powers and functions of the Prime Minister of India are ;
(1) He is the leader of the nation.
(ii) All ministers work under his leadership.
(iii) He chairs the Cabinet meetings and co-ordinates the work of different ministrial departments!.
(iv) He exercises general supervision of different ministries.
(v) He allocates departments to the ministers.
(vi) He acts as a link between the President and the Cabinet.
(vii) He has the power to dismiss ministers.
(viii) His decisions are final in case of disagreement between the departments.
(ix) When the Prime Minister quits, the entire ministry quits.

Question 3.
Explain the composition of the Council of Ministers. (2012-48037; 2011-1-2/BI)
Or
Discuss the Council of Ministers as mentioned in Indian Constitution. …
Answer:
(1) The Council of Ministers is the team of ministers that run the government under the leadership of the Prime Minister.
(2) It comprises three categories of ministers as follows :
(i) The Cabinet Ministers :
(a) They constitute the inner ring of the Council of Ministers.
(b) These are the top level leaders of the ruling party/parties who are incharge of the important ministries.
(c) They usually meet to take decisions in the name of the Council of Ministers.

(ii) The Ministers of State with Independent Charge :
(a) They are usually incharge of smaller ministries.
(b) They participate in the Cabinet meetings only when invited.

(iii) The Ministers of State : They are attached to and are required to assist the Cabinet Ministers.

Question 4.
What is coalition government ? Why the Prime Minister of a coalition government cannot take decisions as he likes ? (2011-08/A1)
Or .
Write any three constraints on the powers of the Prime Minister of a coalition government. (2016-T08AYGY; 2015-SMCfeMLK; 2014-TPXJ8CY, F16DZAW, S6HZZSR)
What is a coalition government ? Mention any two limitations of a coalition government. (2011-25/BI)
Answer:
(1) Coalition Government: After election results, when there is no single party which enjoys the majority support of the members in the legislature, two or more parties come together to form and run the government. Such a government is called coalition government.
(2) Following are the limitations of a coalition government:
(1) The Prime Minister has to accommodate different groups and factibns in his party as well as his alliance partners.
(ii) He also has to pay heed to the views and positions of coalition partners and other parties, on whose support the survival of the government depends.
(iii) The agenda and the policies of the government are usually decided as common minimum programmes. This includes only those policies which are common to all coalition partners.

4.4 The Judiciary

3/5 Marks Questions

Question 1.
Why is the Indian judiciary considered one of the most powerful in the world ? Give any three reasons. (2015-TPK98CB; 2014-DD2RXNA, 4KPVC07, QLXLUD4)
Or
Describe the powers of the Supreme Court. (2015-ZR2FYVG)
Answer:
(1) The Supreme Court and the High Courts have the power to interpret the Constitution of the country. They can declare invalid any law of the legislature or the actions of the executive, whether at the union level or at the state level, if they find such a law or action against the Constitution,
(2) It determines the constitutional validity of any legislation or action of the executive in the country.
(3) The powers and the independence of the Indian judiciary allow it to act as the guardian of the Fundamental Rights.
(4) The courts intervene to prevent the misuse of the governments power to make decisions.
(5) They check malpractices on the part of public officials. That is why, the judiciary enjoys a high level of confidence among the people.

Question 2.
What is meant by judicial review ? Who has the power to interpret the Constitution of India ? (2016-7LA1MBY; 2015-1DF7NW0; 2014-RSY8S5J)
Or
“Judicial review is one of the major roles played by ‘judiciary.” Support the statement. (2016-DG5NMSJ; 2015-0OBR6ZQ)
Answer:
(1) The judicial review refers to the power of judiciary to declare invalid any law of the? legislature or the actions of the executive, whether at the union level or at the state level, if they find such a law or action against the Constitution.
(2) Judiciary can determine the constitutional validity of any legislation or action of the executive in the country, when it is challenged before them.
(3) The Supreme Court of India has also ruled that the core or basic principles of the Constitution cannot be changed by the Parliament.
(4) The Supreme Court and the High Courts have the power to interpret the Constitution of the country and have the power of judicial review.

Question 3.
Why is an independent judiciary considered essential for democracies ? Explain any three functions of the ‘Supreme Court’ of India. (2014-SS-A-A1)
Or
“Independent judiciary is essential to democracy.” Support the statement with three arguments. (2016-K98RXRX; 2015-ORM48D2; 2014-V86WYD9)
Answer:
(1) It determines the constitutional validity of any legislation or action of the executive in the country.
(2) The powers and the independence of the Indian judiciary allow it to act as the guardian of the Fundamental Rights.
(3) The courts intervene to prevent the misuse of the government’s power to make decisions. They check malpractices on the part of public officials and enjoys a High level of confidence among the people.