Rules, governance and the three organs of government
A class without rules is chaotic; a country too needs rules and a system to run them.
Governance is running society through rules. The three organs of government: the legislature (makes laws), the executive (carries them out) and the judiciary (gives justice under the law).
In the figure : The three organs and three levels of government.
Rule 1: Three organs — The legislature makes laws (e.g. Parliament), the executive (ministers and officials) enforces them and the judiciary (courts) settles disputes. Separate roles reduce misuse of power. Digital change brings new problems such as cybercrime that need new laws.
- Easy : Parliament makes laws.
- Medium : Courts settle disputes.
- Exam-type : What is the executive's job? Answer: to carry out the laws.
Rule 2: Three levels — Government works at three levels: local (panchayat or municipality), State and Central. In a flood the local body rescues, the State gives aid and the Centre provides large resources. "Satyameva Jayate" is the national motto and "Yato Dharmastato Jayah" the motto of the Supreme Court.
- Easy : The gram panchayat is at the local level.
- Medium : A State government makes laws for the State.
- Exam-type : How do all three levels help in a flood? Answer: local rescue, State aid and Central resources.
"Satyameva Jayate" — national motto; "Yato Dharmastato Jayah" — the Supreme Court's.
Thinking all three organs do the same work. Each has a separate role.
Makes — enforces — judges. Memory clue : "L-E-J".
Spot the difference
| Term | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Legislature | Body that makes laws | Parliament, Assembly |
| Executive | Implements laws | Ministers, officials |
| Judiciary | System that gives justice | Courts |
| Governance | Running society by rules | Work of government |
Practice questions
- 1Name the three organs of government.
- 2Who makes laws?
- 3Name the three levels of government.
- 4What is the national motto?
- 5What does the judiciary do?
- 6Why must laws change due to cybercrime?
- 7Why are the roles of the three organs kept separate?
- 8Describe how three levels would help in a flood.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Legislature, executive, judiciary.
- 2The legislature (Parliament/Assembly).
- 3Local, State, Central.
- 4Satyameva Jayate.
- 5Gives justice under the law.
- 6New technology creates new crimes for which old laws are not enough.
- 7If all power lay with one body it could be misused.
- 8Local body rescues, State gives aid and shelter, Centre supplies large resources and funds.
Democracy and voting
All vote to choose a class monitor; that is democracy in miniature.
Democracy (dēmos = people + kratos = power) means rule of the people. India has representative democracy: people choose representatives (MLAs, MPs) by voting. Every citizen of 18 or older may vote. In 2024 there were about 970 million voters.
In the figure : Meaning of democracy and voting in India.
Rule 1: Direct and representative democracy — When the whole class decides a picnic by raising hands, that is direct democracy. With crores of citizens everyone cannot decide together, so people choose representatives: representative democracy.
- Easy : Choosing a class monitor is a democratic process.
- Medium : MLAs represent the State.
- Exam-type : Which democracy does India have? Answer: representative.
Rule 2: Voting and grassroots democracy — Voting is a citizen's important right and duty. Representatives are chosen from village to nation. Democracy at the lowest level, in the village or ward, is grassroots democracy, where people take part directly.
- Easy : An 18-year-old citizen can vote.
- Medium : The gram sabha is an example of grassroots democracy.
- Exam-type : What is grassroots democracy? Answer: democracy at village or ward level.
Democracy = rule by the people; voting = right + duty.
Thinking the voting age is 21. It is 18 today.
18 + vote = democracy. Memory clue : "Dēmos = people".
Spot the difference
| Term | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Democracy | Rule by the people | India |
| Representative | Elected representatives decide | MLA, MP |
| Direct | All decide directly | Class vote |
| Grassroots democracy | Democracy at village level | Gram sabha |
Practice questions
- 1What is democracy?
- 2What does "dēmos" mean?
- 3Minimum voting age in India?
- 4How many voters were there in 2024?
- 5Give a classroom example of direct democracy.
- 6Why is representative democracy needed?
- 7Why is voting called a duty?
- 8How would you apply grassroots democracy in your school?
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Rule by the people.
- 2People.
- 318 years.
- 4About 970 million.
- 5Choosing a picnic spot by raising hands.
- 6Because crores of people cannot decide together.
- 7Because everyone has a share in deciding who runs the government.
- 8Student council elections, a suggestion box and making rules together.
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam: leadership in a democracy
Becoming a teacher, scientist or head of state takes hard work and opportunity; Kalam's life shows this.
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was born in 1931 at Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu). A scientist, he served as India's 11th President from 2002 to 2007. In a democracy a person from an ordinary family can reach the highest office.
In the figure : Kalam's life journey.
Rule 1: Kalam's journey — Kalam was born in an ordinary family in Rameswaram. Through hard work and learning he became a scientist and was elected President in 2002, holding office until 2007.
- Easy : Kalam was the 11th President.
- Medium : He was President from 2002 to 2007 (5 years).
- Exam-type : For how many years was Kalam President? Answer: 2007 − 2002 = 5 years.
Rule 2: The lesson for democracy — In a democracy merit and service matter more than birth or wealth. Leadership means working for people, continuing to learn and taking responsibility.
- Easy : Kalam was also admired as a teacher.
- Medium : A boy or girl from an ordinary home can become President.
- Exam-type : Pick one quality from Kalam's life. Answer: hard work, eagerness to learn or service.
Kalam: born 1931, Rameswaram; President 2002–07.
Thinking the presidency is inherited. It is elected.
1931 — 2002 — 2007. Memory clue : "Born 31, office 02–07".
Spot the difference
| Term | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| President | Constitutional head of India | Kalam (11th) |
| Rameswaram | Kalam's birthplace | Tamil Nadu |
| Scientist | Person doing scientific research | Kalam |
| Term | Period in office | 2002–2007 |
Practice questions
- 1Where was Kalam born?
- 2Which number of President was he?
- 3In which year was he born?
- 4State Kalam's term as President.
- 5Compute 2007 − 2002.
- 6Which quality of Kalam do you like and why?
- 7How can a person from an ordinary family reach the top post in a democracy?
- 8What is leadership? Write in one sentence.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu.
- 211th.
- 31931.
- 42002 to 2007.
- 55 years.
- 6E.g. eagerness to learn, because it teaches me to work hard.
- 7People elect on merit, learning and service; birth or wealth is not decisive.
- 8Working responsibly for others and guiding them in the right direction.