NCERT Solutions for Class 9th Social Science Chapter 6 Democracy
Updated on 2026-09-19
About this chapter
Democracy is a form of government in which the source of power and authority lies with the citizens , who elect their representatives through free and fair elections. The chapter's larger point is that it is not merely a system of government but a continuous process shaped by institutions and by active citizenship, and that it is not limited to elections alone . The chapter traces democratic ideas in India from early times: the Vedic assemblies Sabha, Samiti and Vidhata ; the early republican states ( gaṇas or saṁghas ); the verse from the Aikyamatya Sūktam of the Ṛigveda (10.191.3) on shared counsel and shared mind; and the Bauddha Saṁgha , where members debated, chose their leader and decided by voting. Foreign rule limited participation, the freedom struggle revived democratic ideas, an
- Chapter opening
- Popular Sovereignty
- Fundamental Rights
- Separation of Powers
- Features of Democracy
- Fig. 6.5
- Comparing India's neighbouring countries
- Case Study: Democracy at the Grassroots in India
- The village as a unit of grassroots democracy
- Challenges to Democratic Practices in India
Quick revision
| Term | What it means | Where it appears in the chapter | What the chapter says about it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democracy | A form of government in which the source of power and authority lies with the citizens of the country, who elect their representatives through free and fair elections. | Page 137, LET'S RECALL | Founded on the principles of freedom, equality, justice, rights and duties; citizens have the right to vote, to express their opinions and to participate in decision-making |
| Popular sovereignty | The idea that the ultimate source of power lies with the people, so the State derives its authority from the people. | Page 140 | Given effect through Universal Adult Franchise — every citizen 18 years of age and above has the right to vote by secret ballot |
| Universal Adult Franchise | The right of every citizen aged 18 and above to vote, without discrimination. | Pages 140, 153 | Extended to all citizens — men and women alike — when the Constitution came into force in 1950 |
| Rule of Law | The principle that everyone is equal before the law, that no one is above the law, and that disputes are settled in a court of law by procedures established by law, not by force or personal influence. | Page 141 | Prevents misuse of power, protects rights, and promotes justice, accountability and trust in the democratic system |
| Equality before law | Every individual, irrespective of status, identity or rank, is treated equally by the law. | Page 141 margin | One of the two halves of the rule of law in the chapter |
| Equal protection of law | All persons in similar circumstances shall be treated equally by law without arbitrary discrimination. | Page 141 margin | The other half — equality is not only formal, it applies to people in like situations |
| Procedure established by law | A legal principle that stresses strict adherence to duly enacted and valid laws. | Page 141 margin | Enshrined in Article 21: “no persons shall be deprived of life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law” |
| Fundamental Rights | The six rights the Constitution guarantees, enforceable in courts of law, indivisible and inalienable, subject to reasonable restrictions. | Page 141 | Right to Equality (Arts 14–18); Right to Freedom (19–22); Right Against Exploitation (23–24); Right to Freedom of Religion (25–28); Cultural and Educational Rights (29–30); Right to Constitutional Remedies (Art 32). Remedies lie under Articles 32 and 226 |
| Article 21A | The Right to Education, added in 2009. | Page 141, LET'S EXPLORE | Ensures free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14 |
| Article 368 | The Constitution's own provision for amendment. | Page 140 | Keeps the Constitution flexible and responsive to changing socio-political needs — a dynamic document, not a rigid legal code |
| Separation of powers | The division of work among legislature, executive and judiciary, each with distinct responsibilities. | Page 142 | The legislature makes laws, the executive implements them, the judiciary interprets them — preventing the concentration of power and maintaining checks and balances |
| Public Interest Litigation (PIL) | A legal action initiated in a court of law for the enforcement of public interest. | Page 142 margin | An initiative taken by the judiciary to ensure access to justice for all |
| Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 | A law that allows citizens to seek information from government agencies. | Pages 143, 154 | Enacted through democratic processes — reviewed by expert groups, debated in Parliament, refined through consultation, with safeguards for national security and administrative efficiency |
| Question Hour | The first hour of a parliamentary session when members ask questions to the government. | Page 145 margin | Helps check the government's work and hold it accountable |
| Multi-party system | A system in which several political parties contest elections, representing diverse voices and interests. | Page 143 | The party or coalition securing more than 50 per cent of the seats forms the government; the largest opposing group becomes the opposition. Parties work under the Representation of the People Act, 1951 |
| Article 46 | The Directive Principle on the weaker sections. | Page 143 | “the State shall promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, and, in particular, of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, and shall protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation” |
| Civil Society | The voluntary groups, NGOs and community associations that function interdependently within society. | Page 144 margin | Paired with the media under Participatory Processes, promoting debate and discussion and freedom of expression |
| Federalism | A system of government in which power and responsibilities are shared between the union and the state governments as expressed in the union, state and concurrent lists of the Constitution of India, the residual power remaining with the union government. | Page 148 margin | Its democratic value is the devolution of power; guaranteed through a written constitution |
| Sovereignty | From the Latin superanus, meaning ‘supreme’ — the supreme, final and independent legal authority of a State over its territory and citizens. | Page 148 margin | Listed among the key features of the United Kingdom as parliamentary sovereignty |
| Quorum | The presence of the minimum number of members in the meetings of an assembly to make the proceedings valid. | Page 152 margin | Jethipura Gram Panchayat ensured adequate quorum in Gram Sabhas, with participation from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women |
| Cooperatives | Groups formed by people to work together for a common benefit; members share profits and responsibilities equally. | Page 152 margin | One of the non-government bodies that adopt democratic decision-making methods |
| PESA Act, 1996 | The Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas Act. | Page 151 | Applies to tribal areas outside the north-east, empowering the Gram Sabha as the primary decision-making body |
| Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) | Councils established in specific north-eastern regions. | Page 151 | Granted legislative and judicial authority to preserve tribal customs |
| Article 243(d) and Article 243(t) | Reservation for women in local bodies. | Page 153 | 243(d): not less than one-third of directly elected Panchayat seats — 21 States and 2 UTs have made it 50%. 243(t): the same for every Municipality — as of 2023, 17 States and 1 UT have made it 50% |
| Legislation | Laws made by the government; these laws help maintain order and regulate society. | Page 154 margin | Used to describe how the RTI Act was shaped by elected representatives |
| Emergency | Articles 352, 356 and 360 of the Constitution deal with the declaration of National Emergency, President's Rule and Financial Emergency respectively. | Page 155 margin | A National Emergency was imposed in June 1975 on the grounds of internal disturbance and lifted in 1977 |
| Civic responsibility | Respecting others' rights, using social media responsibly, abiding by laws and rules, appreciating the country's diversity, and participating in activities that strengthen unity. | Page 156 margin | Instilled through programmes like the NSS and the NCC |
Exercises
- Chapter opening — The Big Questions Page 137
- Popular Sovereignty — THINK ABOUT IT Page 140
- Fundamental Rights — LET'S EXPLORE Page 141
- Separation of Powers — THINK ABOUT IT Page 142
- Features of Democracy — LET'S EXPLORE Page 145
- Fig. 6.5 — LET'S EXPLORE Page 148
- Comparing India's neighbouring countries — LET'S EXPLORE Page 149
- DON'T MISS OUT: India's Living Democracy, and Fig. 6.6 Unique Polling Stations — In-text Questions Page 150
- Case Study: Democracy at the Grassroots in India — LET'S EXPLORE Page 152
- Women and the Right to Vote; Women's Reservation in Local Bodies — LET'S EXPLORE Page 153
- The village as a unit of grassroots democracy — THINK ABOUT IT Page 154
- Challenges to Democratic Practices in India — LET'S EXPLORE Page 155
- Fig. 6.9, Youth and Democracy — LET'S EXPLORE Page 156
- Democracy and You — THINK, DISCUSS, ACT Page 157
- The chapter's recap points, explained with the evidence behind each — Before we move on… Page 157–158
- End-of-chapter exercise — Questions and activities Page 158–159