CBSE Class 7 Social Science: How the State Government Works - NCERT Solutions

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

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 7 PDF

This chapter delves into the functioning of the State Government in India, focusing on the roles and responsibilities of elected representatives. It explains the concept of a constituency and how Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are elected. The solutions detail the process of government formation, the roles of the Chief Minister and ministers, and the importance of debates in the Legislative Assembly. It also covers how government departments operate and the public's role in holding the government accountable through various means like public meetings and press conferences. These NCERT Solutions are designed to provide clear, step-by-step explanations for all questions, aiding students in understanding the intricacies of state governance and preparing effectively for their examinations.

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Board	CBSE
Class	Class 7
Subject	Social Science
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 3 – How the State Government Works

Chapter summary

Chapter 3 of the Class 7 Social Science curriculum, 'How the State Government Works,' explains the structure and functions of state governments. It covers the election of MLAs, the formation of government, the roles of the Chief Minister and ministers, and the significance of the Legislative Assembly. The solutions also touch upon government departments, public grievances, and democratic participation. This chapter is crucial for understanding the democratic process at the state level.

Learning outcomes

Understand the concept of a constituency and the role of an MLA.
Explain the process of electing MLAs and forming a state government.
Describe the functions of the Chief Minister and other ministers.
Recognize the importance of the Legislative Assembly in debating government decisions.
Differentiate between the work of MLAs in the Assembly and government departments.
Identify various ways citizens can interact with and influence the government.

Topics covered

Paper topics

State Government
Legislative Assembly
Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA)
Constituency
Elections
Government Formation
Chief Minister
Ministers
Government Departments
Public Debate
Citizen Participation
Levels of Government

Important topics

Role of MLA
How the State Government is Formed
Functions of the Chief Minister and Ministers
Importance of the Legislative Assembly
Citizen's Role in Democracy

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Use the terms 'constituency' and 'represent' to explain who an MLA is and how is the person elected?

Solution: A state is divided into several geographical areas called constituencies, based on its population. Each constituency elects one representative to the Legislative Assembly. This elected person is known as a Member of the Legislative Assembly, or MLA. The MLA's role is to represent the interests and concerns of their specific constituency in the Assembly. MLAs are elected through general elections, where eligible citizens cast their votes. The candidate who secures the highest number of votes in a constituency is declared the winner and becomes the MLA for that area. An MLA can belong to a recognized political party or can be an independent candidate.

Question 2

How did some MLAs become Ministers? Explain.

Solution: The political party that wins a majority of seats in the Legislative Assembly forms the government. The members of this majority party then elect a leader, who is appointed as the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister, in consultation with the Governor, selects other MLAs from their party to become ministers. These ministers are assigned specific portfolios or departments to manage. For example, one MLA might become the Minister of Health, another the Minister of Education, and so on. These MLAs, now ministers, are responsible for overseeing their assigned departments and implementing government policies across the state.

Question 3

Why should decisions taken by the Chief Minister and other ministers be debated in the Legislative Assembly?

Solution: Decisions made by the Chief Minister and other ministers must be debated in the Legislative Assembly to ensure transparency and accountability. During these debates, all MLAs, including those from the opposition, can discuss the proposed decisions. They examine whether the decisions are beneficial for the general public, assess their urgency, consider the financial implications for the government, and identify any potential objections or negative impacts on specific communities. This process allows for thorough scrutiny and helps in making informed and fair decisions.

Question 4

What was the problem in Patalpuram? What discussion/actions was taken by the following? Fill in the table.

Public meeting

Legislative Assembly

Press conference

Chief Minister

Solution: The problem in Patalpuram was an acute crisis of water, which led to a health issue like diarrhoea.

Public meeting: Citizens condemned the government's inaction and protested, demanding the government address the water crisis.

Legislative Assembly: The issue was discussed in the Assembly, and a course of action was decided upon to tackle the water shortage and its consequences.

Press conference: The Health Minister held a press conference to inform the public about the government's plan of action and the steps being taken to resolve the crisis.

Chief Minister: The Chief Minister visited Patalpuram village, announced compensation for the affected families, and clarified the future actions planned to solve the water problem permanently.

Question 5

What is the difference between the work that MLAs do in the Assembly and the work done by government departments?

Solution: MLAs in the Legislative Assembly primarily engage in discussions, debates, and decision-making regarding policies and laws that affect the state. They represent their constituencies and voice public concerns. In contrast, government departments are responsible for the actual implementation and execution of these policies and decisions. Each department is headed by a minister, who is also an MLA, and is tasked with managing specific areas of governance. The departments carry out the day-to-day work, project planning, and completion of tasks approved by the government, while ministers coordinate between the Assembly and their respective departments.

Question 1 (Very Short Answer Type)

How is the Governor of a state appointed?

Solution: The Governor of a state is appointed by the Central Government.

Question 2 (Very Short Answer Type)

Whose responsibility is it to run various government departments or ministers?

Solution: It is the responsibility of the Chief Minister and the other ministers to run the various government departments. Each minister heads a specific department.

Question 3 (Very Short Answer Type)

How will you define a Legislative Assembly?

Solution: A Legislative Assembly is a place where all the elected MLAs, regardless of whether they belong to the ruling party or the opposition, gather to discuss important issues, debate policies, and make laws for the state.

Question 4 (Very Short Answer Type)

Define the term 'government'.

Solution: In the context of a state, the term 'government' refers to the group of ministers who head various government departments and are responsible for making decisions and running the state administration.

Question 5 (Very Short Answer Type)

Who is the head of the executive?

Solution: The Chief Minister is the head of the executive in a state.

Question 6 (Very Short Answer Type)

Why did the Chief Minister and the minister for health visit Patalpuram district?

Solution: The Chief Minister and the minister for health visited Patalpuram district to personally assess the situation caused by the diarrhoea outbreak. They went to offer support to the families who had lost relatives and to check on the people receiving treatment in hospitals.

Question 7 (Very Short Answer Type)

Why are press conferences organised?

Solution: Press conferences are organised to provide information to the media and the public about important government decisions, actions, or current issues. They serve as a platform for the government to communicate its plans and respond to queries.

Question 8 (Very Short Answer Type)

What do you know about a wallpaper?

Solution: A wallpaper, in an educational context, is an interesting activity where students can conduct research on specific topics of interest and present their findings, often visually, to share information and knowledge.

Question 9 (Very Short Answer Type)

Why do people in a democratic set up organise meetings?

Solution: In a democratic setup, people organise meetings to voice their opinions, share their concerns, and express their views on government policies or actions. If they disagree with any government decision or find it unfavorable, meetings provide a platform to protest and demand change.

Question 10 (Very Short Answer Type)

The government works at three levels. Name them.

Solution: The government operates at three main levels:

Local level (e.g., Panchayats, Municipalities)
State level (e.g., State Government, Legislative Assembly)
National level (e.g., Central Government, Parliament)

Common mistakes

Confusing the roles of MLAs and ministers.
Not understanding the significance of debates in the Legislative Assembly.
Misinterpreting the levels of government (local, state, national).
Underestimating the importance of public participation in governance.

Revision tips

Focus on understanding the election process for MLAs.
Clearly define the roles of the Chief Minister and ministers.
Review the importance of the Legislative Assembly as a platform for discussion.
Understand how citizens can voice their concerns and influence government actions.
Practice explaining the difference between MLA work in the assembly and department work.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What is a constituency?

Q2. Who is elected as the head of the state government?

Q3. What is the primary function of the Legislative Assembly?

Q4. Who appoints the Governor of a state?

Q5. What does the term 'government' encompass in this context?

Frequently asked questions

What is an MLA and how are they elected?

An MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) is a representative elected from a constituency. Each constituency elects one representative, and the person who receives the maximum votes becomes the MLA for that area.

How does a state government form?

The political party that wins the majority of seats in the Legislative Assembly forms the government. The leader of this party is then appointed as the Chief Minister.

Why are discussions in the Legislative Assembly important?

Discussions in the Legislative Assembly are crucial for debating government decisions, ensuring they are in the public interest, and addressing any concerns or objections.

What is the difference between an MLA's work in the Assembly and a government department's work?

MLAs in the Assembly debate and discuss policies, while government departments, headed by ministers, are responsible for implementing and completing the work proposed or approved.

How can citizens voice their opinions about government actions?

Citizens can organize public meetings, voice their opinions, protest against unfavorable government actions, and use platforms like press conferences to express their views.

Who heads the executive in a state?

The Chief Minister is the head of the executive in a state.

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