CBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 3: Election and Representation NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 11 PDF

CBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 3, Election and Representation, explores the vital connection between democratic governance and how citizens choose their representatives. This chapter examines various electoral systems, like First Past the Post and Proportional Representation, discussing their strengths and weaknesses. It also highlights the crucial role of the Election Commission of India in conducting free and fair elections. Students will learn about the differences between direct and indirect democracy and the importance of ensuring that all segments of society are represented. The chapter touches upon issues like reserved constituencies and the challenges women face in political participation. These solutions offer clear explanations to help students understand the mechanics of elections, analyze different systems, and grasp the constitutional framework governing them, making it a key resource for mastering this topic.

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Board	CBSE
Class	Class 11
Subject	Political Science
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	3. Election and Representation

Chapter summary

Chapter 3, "Election and Representation," of the Class 11 Political Science NCERT Solutions focuses on the mechanics and principles of electoral systems. It clarifies the distinction between direct and indirect democracy, the functions of the Election Commission, and the nuances of the First Past the Post (FPTP) and Proportional Representation (PR) systems. The solutions also address critical issues like reservations, separate electorates, and the underrepresentation of women, offering insights into constitutional choices and potential improvements for a more inclusive electoral process.

Learning outcomes

Understand the difference between direct and indirect democracy.
Identify the functions performed and not performed by the Election Commission of India.
Compare the electoral systems of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha elections.
Explain the First Past the Post (FPTP) electoral system.
Differentiate between reservation of constituencies and separate electorates.
Analyze the reasons for rejecting separate electorates in India.
Evaluate measures to improve women's representation in legislatures.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Direct vs. Indirect Democracy
Role of the Election Commission of India
Electoral Systems (FPTP, Proportional Representation)
Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha Elections
Reservation of Constituencies
Separate Electorates
Rejection of Separate Electorates
Women's Representation in Legislatures
Measures to Improve Representation
Constitutional Provisions for Elections

Important topics

First Past the Post (FPTP) System
Proportional Representation (PR) System
Functions of the Election Commission
Reservation of Constituencies vs. Separate Electorates
Challenges in Women's Political Representation

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Which of the following options most closely resembles a direct democracy?

Discussions in a family meeting
Election of the class monitor
Choice of a candidate by a political party
Decisions taken by the Gram Sabha
Opinion polls conducted by the media

Solution: Decisions taken by the Gram Sabha and the election of a class monitor most closely resemble direct democracy. In a direct democracy, citizens participate directly in decision-making. The Gram Sabha, where villagers assemble to discuss and decide on local issues, is a prime example of direct participation. Similarly, an election for a class monitor, where students directly vote for their representative, also reflects this principle.

Question 2

Which of the following tasks are not performed by the Election Commission of India?

Preparing the Electoral Rolls
Nominating the candidates
Setting up polling booths
Implementing the model code of conduct
Supervising the Panchayat elections

Solution: The tasks not performed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) from the given options are nominating the candidates and supervising the Panchayat elections. The ECI is responsible for preparing electoral rolls, setting up polling booths, and implementing the model code of conduct. However, the nomination of candidates is primarily done by political parties and the candidates themselves. Panchayat elections, along with Municipal elections, are supervised by the respective State Election Commissions, not the ECI.

Question 3

What is common to the method of election of the members of the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha?

Every citizen above the age of 18 is an eligible voter
Voter can give preference order for different candidates
Every vote has equal value
The winner must get more than half the votes

Solution: The common aspect between the election of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha members is that every vote has equal value. While the Lok Sabha is elected through direct elections based on universal adult suffrage, and the Rajya Sabha through indirect elections by state legislators, the principle of 'one person, one vote' ensures that each vote carries equal weight in the electoral process. Option (a) is not entirely true for Rajya Sabha elections as only elected MLAs vote. Option (b) is specific to the Proportional Representation system with a single transferable vote, used for Rajya Sabha but not directly applicable to Lok Sabha general elections. Option (d) is not a requirement for winning in either house; a candidate only needs a plurality in FPTP for Lok Sabha, and a certain quota in PR for Rajya Sabha.

Question 4

In the First Past the Post (FPTP) system, that candidate is declared the winner who:

Secures the largest number of postal ballots
Belongs to the party that has the highest number of votes in the country
Has more votes than any other candidate in the constituency
Attains first position by securing more than 50% votes

Solution: In the First Past the Post (FPTP) system, the candidate who has more votes than any other candidate in the specific constituency is declared the winner. This is also known as a plurality system. It does not require the winner to secure an absolute majority (more than 50% of the votes) or the largest number of postal ballots. The party's national vote share is also irrelevant for determining the winner in a single constituency.

Question 5

What is the difference between the system of reservation of constituencies and the system of separate electorate? Why did the Constitution makers reject the latter?

Solution: The system of reservation of constituencies and the system of separate electorate are distinct approaches to ensuring representation for specific communities. In the system of reservation of constituencies, a certain number of constituencies are reserved for candidates belonging to specific social sections or communities. All voters within that constituency, regardless of their community, are eligible to vote. However, only candidates from the designated community can contest from these reserved seats. In the system of separate electorate, not only are the constituencies reserved for a particular community, but only voters from that specific community are allowed to vote for the candidates of that community. This effectively segregates the electorate. The Constitution makers rejected the system of separate electorate primarily because it was considered detrimental to the goal of fostering national unity and secularism. They believed that separate electorates would deepen social divisions, promote communal politics, and hinder the integration of different communities into a single national fabric. Instead, they opted for the system of reservation of constituencies, combined with other affirmative action measures, to uplift socially disadvantaged groups while maintaining the principle of a unified electorate and a secular state.

Question 6

Which of the following statements are incorrect? Identify and correct them by substituting, adding or rearranging only one word or phrase.

FPTP system is followed for all the elections in India.

Solution: The statement "FPTP system is followed for all the elections in India" is incorrect. Correction: FPTP system is followed for Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly elections in India. (Note: While FPTP is used for Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, Panchayats and Municipalities also often use variations of FPTP, but the original statement implies universality which is not strictly true for all types of elections, especially presidential or vice-presidential elections which use different systems. However, focusing on the most common interpretation and the likely intent of the question, the correction clarifies its application.)

Question 7

Election Commission does not supervise Panchayat and Municipal elections.

Solution: The statement "Election Commission does not supervise Panchayat and Municipal elections" is correct. The Election Commission of India (ECI) is responsible for conducting elections to the Parliament and State Legislatures. The supervision of elections for Panchayats and Municipalities falls under the purview of the respective State Election Commissions.

Question 8

President of India cannot remove an Election Commissioner.

Solution: The statement "President of India cannot remove an Election Commissioner" is incorrect. An Election Commissioner (and the Chief Election Commissioner) can be removed by the President, but only under specific conditions. The process requires a recommendation from both houses of Parliament, passed by a special majority, on grounds of proven misbehaviour or incapacity, similar to the removal of a Supreme Court judge.

Question 9

Appointment of more than one Election Commissioners in the Election Commission is mandatory.

Solution: The statement "Appointment of more than one Election Commissioners in the Election Commission is mandatory" is incorrect. The Constitution originally provided for the Election Commission to be a multi-member body, but it could also function as a single-member body. Initially, it was a single-member body, and later it was made a multi-member body. Currently, it consists of the Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners. However, the Constitution does not mandate it to be multi-member at all times; it allows for flexibility, though a multi-member commission is generally considered more robust.

Question 10

Indian electoral system aims at ensuring representation of socially disadvantaged sections. However, we are yet to have even 10 percent women members in our legislatures. What measures would you suggest to improve the situation?

Solution: Despite the aim of ensuring representation for socially disadvantaged sections, the low percentage of women in Indian legislatures is a significant concern. To improve this situation, the following measures can be suggested:

Proportional Representation System: Adopting a system of proportional representation, where seats are allocated to parties based on the proportion of votes they receive, could ensure better representation of women in line with their population percentage.
Reserved Constituencies for Women: Similar to reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, specific constituencies could be reserved exclusively for women candidates. This would guarantee a minimum number of women legislators.
Political Party Quotas: Implementing voluntary or mandatory quotas within political parties, requiring them to nominate a certain percentage of women candidates for elections, has been successful in several European countries and could be adopted in India. This encourages parties to actively promote women's participation.
Strengthening Women's Political Participation: Initiatives aimed at empowering women politically through education, training, and support networks can also contribute to increasing their presence and effectiveness in legislative bodies.

Question 11

Here are some wishes expressed in a conference to discuss a constitution for a new country. Write against each of these whether FPTP or Proportional Representation would be more appropriate.

Solution: To determine whether the First Past the Post (FPTP) or Proportional Representation (PR) system would be more appropriate for a new country's constitution, we need to consider the specific wishes expressed. Since the wishes are not provided in the source text, a general explanation of when each system is preferred can be given: First Past the Post (FPTP) System is generally more appropriate when:

The primary goal is to ensure stable government with clear accountability.
The country has a well-established party system and a desire for strong single-party majorities.
Simplicity in voting and counting is prioritized.
There is a focus on geographical representation and local accountability.

Proportional Representation (PR) System is generally more appropriate when:

The main objective is to ensure representation that accurately reflects the diversity of political opinions and social groups in society.
There is a desire to avoid the "wasted votes" problem inherent in FPTP.
The country has a multi-party system and aims for coalition governments that represent a broader spectrum of views.
Fair representation for smaller parties and minority groups is a key priority.

Without the specific wishes from the conference, a definitive choice cannot be made. However, the decision would hinge on whether the new country prioritizes governmental stability and clear accountability (FPTP) or diverse representation and inclusivity (PR).

Common mistakes

Confusing the roles of the Election Commission of India and State Election Commissions.
Misunderstanding the conditions under which an Election Commissioner can be removed.
Assuming the FPTP system is universally applied for all elections in India.
Overlooking the constitutional rationale for rejecting separate electorates.

Revision tips

Focus on the key differences between FPTP and Proportional Representation systems.
Memorize the specific functions of the Election Commission and State Election Commissions.
Understand the historical context behind the rejection of separate electorates.
Consider the proposed solutions for increasing women's representation in legislatures.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Which of the following best exemplifies direct democracy?

Q2. Which task is NOT performed by the Election Commission of India?

Q3. What is a common feature in the election of members to both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha?

Q4. In the First Past the Post (FPTP) system, a candidate wins by:

Q5. The system of separate electorate was rejected by the Constitution makers primarily because:

Frequently asked questions

What is the main difference between direct democracy and indirect democracy?

In direct democracy, citizens directly participate in decision-making, like in a Gram Sabha meeting. In indirect democracy, citizens elect representatives who then make decisions on their behalf, such as in parliamentary elections.

Which body is responsible for conducting elections in India?

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is responsible for conducting elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and the offices of the President and Vice-President. Panchayat and Municipal elections are supervised by State Election Commissions.

What is the First Past the Post (FPTP) system?

In the FPTP system, the candidate who secures the largest number of votes in a constituency is declared the winner, even if they do not obtain an absolute majority of the votes cast.

Why did India's Constitution makers reject the system of separate electorates?

The system of separate electorates was rejected because it was seen as divisive, potentially undermining national unity, secularism, and the principle of a non-discriminatory state.

What are some suggested measures to increase women's representation in legislatures?

Suggestions include using proportional representation, reserving constituencies for women, and implementing voluntary political party quotas to encourage women's participation.

Does every vote have equal value in Indian elections?

Yes, the principle of 'one person, one vote' is fundamental. While the method of election differs (e.g., Lok Sabha vs. Rajya Sabha), the value of each vote in determining the outcome is intended to be equal.

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