Grassroots Democracy – Part 1: Governance

✅ 40 MCQs with answers
✅ 20 Short-answer questions with answers
✅ 20 Long-answer questions with answers


🧩 A. Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)

(Each question carries one mark.)

  1. The process of making rules and ensuring they are followed is called —
     a) Government b) Governance c) Democracy d) Judiciary
    Ans: b) Governance

  2. The group that makes and enforces rules is called —
     a) Parliament b) Government c) Police d) Court
    Ans: b) Government

  3. Important rules that apply to all are called —
     a) Customs b) Orders c) Laws d) Notices
    Ans: c) Laws

  4. The organ that makes laws is the —
     a) Judiciary b) Executive c) Legislature d) Police
    Ans: c) Legislature

  5. The organ that carries out laws is the —
     a) Executive b) Legislature c) Judiciary d) Citizen
    Ans: a) Executive

  6. The organ that interprets laws is the —
     a) Executive b) Judiciary c) Legislature d) Bureaucracy
    Ans: b) Judiciary

  7. Separation of powers helps to maintain —
     a) Unity b) Checks and balances c) Elections d) Taxes
    Ans: b) Checks and balances

  8. The three levels of government are —
     a) Local, State, Central b) District, City, Colony c) Gram, Block, Country d) None
    Ans: a) Local, State, Central

  9. The Central Government is led by the —
     a) Governor b) Prime Minister c) Collector d) Mayor
    Ans: b) Prime Minister

  10. The nominal head of India is the —
     a) Prime Minister b) President c) Chief Minister d) Speaker
    Ans: b) President

  11. The nominal head of a State is the —
     a) Chief Minister b) Governor c) Speaker d) Collector
    Ans: b) Governor

  12. Who is the executive head of a State?
     a) President b) Chief Minister c) Prime Minister d) Judge
    Ans: b) Chief Minister

  13. Who is the executive head of India?
     a) President b) Prime Minister c) Chief Justice d) Speaker
    Ans: b) Prime Minister

  14. The Supreme Court belongs to which organ?
     a) Legislature b) Executive c) Judiciary d) Local Body
    Ans: c) Judiciary

  15. The Indian Parliament consists of —
     a) Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha b) PM & President c) MLA & CM d) Governor & CM
    Ans: a) Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha

  16. A State Legislature is called —
     a) Parliament b) Vidhan Sabha c) Rajya Sabha d) Panchayat
    Ans: b) Vidhan Sabha

  17. The High Court functions at the —
     a) Local level b) District level c) State level d) National level
    Ans: c) State level

  18. “Satyameva Jayate” means —
     a) God is Truth b) Truth alone triumphs c) Always be honest d) Work hard
    Ans: b) Truth alone triumphs

  19. Democracy means —
     a) Rule by King b) Rule by People c) Rule by Army d) Rule by Wealthy
    Ans: b) Rule by People

  20. The term demo-kratia comes from —
     a) Greek b) Latin c) Sanskrit d) Persian
    Ans: a) Greek

  21. “Demos” means —
     a) Power b) People c) Rule d) Law
    Ans: b) People

  22. “Kratos” means —
     a) Justice b) Rule or Power c) Law d) Duty
    Ans: b) Rule or Power

  23. India is the world’s —
     a) Smallest democracy b) Oldest democracy c) Largest democracy d) Weakest democracy
    Ans: c) Largest democracy

  24. Voting to choose a class picnic spot is an example of —
     a) Representative democracy b) Direct democracy c) Dictatorship d) Monarchy
    Ans: b) Direct democracy

  25. Electing MPs and MLAs shows —
     a) Direct democracy b) Representative democracy c) Absolute monarchy d) Autocracy
    Ans: b) Representative democracy

  26. Minimum voting age in India is —
     a) 16 years b) 18 years c) 20 years d) 21 years
    Ans: b) 18 years

  27. The motto of the Supreme Court of India is —
     a) Satyameva Jayate b) Yato Dharmastato Jayah c) Ahimsa Paramo Dharmah d) Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah
    Ans: b) Yato Dharmastato Jayah

  28. Who said “Dream is not that which you see while sleeping”?
     a) Mahatma Gandhi b) Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam c) Jawaharlal Nehru d) Swami Vivekananda
    Ans: b) Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

  29. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was popularly known as —
     a) Iron Man b) Missile Man c) Flying Man d) Rocket Guru
    Ans: b) Missile Man

  30. Which level handles village problems?
     a) State b) Central c) Local d) International
    Ans: c) Local

  31. Which level handles national defence?
     a) Local b) State c) Central d) District
    Ans: c) Central

  32. Police and law & order come under —
     a) Central b) State c) Local d) None
    Ans: b) State

  33. Currency and foreign affairs come under —
     a) Central b) State c) Local d) Municipal
    Ans: a) Central

  34. Agriculture and irrigation are managed by —
     a) Central b) State c) Local d) Private
    Ans: b) State

  35. The motto of Government of India is taken from —
     a) Rig Veda b) Upanishad c) Mahabharata d) Ramayana
    Ans: a) Rig Veda

  36. Citizens can change laws through —
     a) Wars b) Protests and elections c) Violence d) Court orders
    Ans: b) Protests and elections

  37. The highest court of India is —
     a) District Court b) High Court c) Supreme Court d) Civil Court
    Ans: c) Supreme Court

  38. Who enforces cybercrime laws?
     a) Traffic police b) Cyber police c) Municipality d) Army
    Ans: b) Cyber police

  39. Governance ensures —
     a) Disorder b) Peace and harmony c) No rules d) Chaos
    Ans: b) Peace and harmony

  40. Grassroots democracy means participation of —
     a) Only leaders b) Common people c) Judges d) Foreigners
    Ans: b) Common people


✏️ B. Short-Answer Questions (2–3 marks each)

  1. Define governance.
    Ans: Governance is the process of making decisions, forming rules, and ensuring that people follow them to maintain order in society.

  2. What is a government?
    Ans: Government is the system or group of people that makes, implements, and enforces laws.

  3. Name the three organs of government.
    Ans: Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary.

  4. What is the function of the Legislature?
    Ans: It makes, changes, and removes laws.

  5. What is the function of the Executive?
    Ans: It implements and enforces the laws made by the legislature.

  6. What is the function of the Judiciary?
    Ans: It interprets laws, settles disputes, and delivers justice.

  7. What do you mean by separation of powers?
    Ans: It means dividing power among the three organs so that no single organ becomes too powerful.

  8. List the three levels of government in India.
    Ans: Local, State, and Central.

  9. Who is the nominal head of India?
    Ans: The President of India.

  10. Who is the nominal head of a State?
    Ans: The Governor.

  11. Who is the executive head of India?
    Ans: The Prime Minister.

  12. Who is the executive head of a State?
    Ans: The Chief Minister.

  13. What is democracy?
    Ans: Democracy is a form of government where people rule through elected representatives.

  14. What is direct democracy?
    Ans: A system where people directly take part in decision-making.

  15. What is representative democracy?
    Ans: A system where people elect representatives who make decisions on their behalf.

  16. What does “Satyameva Jayate” mean?
    Ans: It means “Truth alone triumphs.”

  17. Name the two Houses of Parliament.
    Ans: Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

  18. Who said “Dream is not that which you see while sleeping”?
    Ans: Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

  19. What is grassroots democracy?
    Ans: A system that allows ordinary citizens at the local level to participate in decision-making.

  20. Why are rules important in society?
    Ans: Rules maintain peace, order, and harmony among people.


📖 C. Long-Answer Questions (5 marks each)

  1. Explain why governance is important for society.
    Ans: Governance maintains peace and order by creating rules. Without governance, there would be confusion and conflicts. It ensures justice, fairness, and proper functioning of institutions.

  2. Differentiate between governance and government.
    Ans: Governance is the process of managing and making decisions, while government is the body that performs governance. Governance is the act; government is the actor.

  3. Describe the three organs of government with examples.
    Ans: Legislature makes laws (Parliament), Executive implements laws (Ministers, Police), Judiciary interprets laws (Courts). They work together but remain separate for checks and balances.

  4. Explain the concept of separation of powers.
    Ans: It divides power among Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary so that each checks the other, preventing misuse of power.

  5. What are the three levels of government in India? Describe with examples.
    Ans: Local (village panchayat, municipality), State (Chief Minister, Vidhan Sabha), Central (Prime Minister, Parliament). Each handles issues suited to its level.

  6. How do the three levels of government cooperate during a disaster?
    Ans: Local bodies manage first response, State sends relief teams, and Central provides funds, army, and national support. Cooperation ensures quick help to citizens.

  7. Write a short note on Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
    Ans: Born in 1931, he was a great scientist and 11th President of India. Known as the Missile Man, he inspired youth with his simplicity and belief in education and hard work.

  8. What is democracy? Why is it important?
    Ans: Democracy means rule by the people. It ensures equality, freedom, and participation of citizens in government decisions.

  9. Explain the difference between direct and representative democracy with examples.
    Ans: Direct – people make decisions directly (class voting).
     Representative – people elect leaders to decide (elections for MPs/MLAs).
     Representative democracy is practical for large countries like India.

  10. What is the role of citizens in a democracy?
    Ans: Citizens vote, follow laws, express opinions peacefully, and hold leaders accountable.

  11. Describe the functions of the Central and State Governments.
    Ans: Central – Defence, Foreign Affairs, Currency, National Policies.
     State – Law & Order, Education, Health, Agriculture, Irrigation.

  12. Why do we need three levels of government?
    Ans: Because India is vast and diverse. Local needs differ, so dividing power ensures efficient governance and faster solutions.

  13. Explain with example how all three organs work together in a cybercrime case.
    Ans: Legislature makes cyber laws, Executive (police) catches criminals, Judiciary punishes them — showing teamwork among organs.

  14. What is the significance of mottos like “Satyameva Jayate”?
    Ans: Such mottos remind institutions to uphold truth, justice, and moral values in governance.

  15. What is the importance of the Judiciary in democracy?
    Ans: It protects citizens’ rights, checks misuse of power, and ensures justice under the law.

  16. Describe how voting strengthens democracy.
    Ans: Voting lets citizens choose leaders, express opinions, and ensure that the government represents people’s will.

  17. What values did Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam teach the youth?
    Ans: He taught hard work, honesty, positive thinking, and to dream big and never give up.

  18. How does grassroots democracy empower people?
    Ans: It gives local citizens a direct role in decision-making, ensuring their needs are heard and democracy becomes stronger from the bottom up.

  19. Explain how laws are made and enforced in India.
    Ans: Legislature drafts and passes laws, Executive implements them through departments, and Judiciary ensures fairness and punishes violations.

  20. Summarize the main ideas of the chapter “Grassroots Democracy – Part 1: Governance.”
    Ans: Governance organizes society through laws; government works via three organs and three levels; democracy lets people rule through representatives; and grassroots participation keeps democracy alive.