CBSE Class 9 Social Science Chapter 4: Working of Institutions NCERT Solutions

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

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 9 PDF

This chapter, "Working of Institutions," for CBSE Class 9 Social Science, delves into the essential governmental bodies that function in a democracy. The NCERT Solutions provide clear explanations and answers to questions related to the executive, legislature, and judiciary. Students will learn about the roles and powers of the Prime Minister, the Parliament, and the judiciary, including how laws are made and implemented. The solutions also cover the functioning of various ministries and their responsibilities. Understanding these institutions is crucial for comprehending how a democratic government operates and how citizens' rights are protected. These solutions are designed to help students grasp complex concepts and prepare thoroughly for their examinations by offering detailed, step-by-step answers and explanations.

Home

Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 9
Subject	Social Science
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 21

Chapter summary

Chapter 4, "Working of Institutions," of the Class 9 Social Science curriculum focuses on the key institutions of a democratic government. The NCERT Solutions cover the roles and interrelationships between the political executive, the permanent executive, the legislature (Parliament), and the judiciary. It explains how decisions are made, laws are enacted, and policies are implemented, highlighting the checks and balances within the system. The solutions aim to clarify the functions of different ministries and the President's role, providing a foundational understanding of governance.

Learning outcomes

Understand the roles of the political and permanent executive.
Explain the functions of the Parliament in law-making.
Describe the independence and powers of the judiciary.
Identify the responsibilities of different ministries.
Analyze the process of decision-making in a parliamentary democracy.
Differentiate between the powers of various governmental institutions.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Political Executive
Permanent Executive
Prime Minister
Council of Ministers
Parliament
Lok Sabha
Judiciary
Supreme Court
Ministries and their functions
Law-making process
Checks and Balances
President's powers

Important topics

Role of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers
Functions of the Parliament
Powers and independence of the Judiciary
Distinction between Political and Permanent Executive
How laws are made and implemented

PDF preview

Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.

Loading document …

Page of

Loading page …

Questions and Solutions

Question 1

If you are elected as the President of India, which of the following decisions can you take on your own?

(a) Select the person you like as Prime Minister.

(b) Dismiss a Prime Minister who has a majority in Lok Sabha.

(d) Nominate the leaders of your choice to the Council of Ministers.

Solution: The correct answer is (c). The President of India can ask for the reconsideration of a bill passed by both Houses of Parliament. However, this power is exercised in consultation with the Council of Ministers. The President cannot select any person they like as Prime Minister; they must appoint the leader of the majority party or coalition in the Lok Sabha. Dismissing a Prime Minister with a Lok Sabha majority or nominating ministers of choice are not powers the President can exercise independently.

Question 2

Who among the following is a part of the political executive?

(a) District Collector

(b) Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs

(d) Director General of Police

Solution: The correct answer is (c) Home Minister. The political executive consists of elected representatives who make policy decisions. The Home Minister is a political appointee. The District Collector, Secretary of the Ministry, and Director General of Police are part of the permanent executive or bureaucracy, responsible for implementing policies.

Question 3

Which of the following statements about the judiciary is false?

(a) Every law passed by the Parliament needs approval of the Supreme Court

(b) Judiciary can strike down a law if it goes against the spirit of the Constitution

(d) Any citizen can approach the courts if her rights are violated

Solution: The false statement is (a). While the judiciary, particularly the Supreme Court, has the power of judicial review to strike down laws that violate the Constitution (statement b), it is not true that every law passed by Parliament needs the Supreme Court's approval. The judiciary is independent of the executive (statement c), and citizens can approach courts if their fundamental rights are violated (statement d).

Question 4

Which of the following institutions can make changes to an existing law of the country?

(a) The Supreme Court

(b) The President

(d) The Parliament

Solution: The correct answer is (d) The Parliament. The Parliament is the supreme legislative body in India and has the authority to make new laws as well as amend or repeal existing laws. The Supreme Court interprets laws and can declare them unconstitutional, but it does not make or change laws. The President and Prime Minister are part of the executive branch and do not have the power to change laws directly.

Question 5

Match the ministry with the news that the ministry may have released:

(a) A new policy is being made to increase the jute exports from the country.

(b) Telephone services will be made more accessible to rural areas.

(d) A pulse polio campaign will be launched.

(e) The allowances of soldiers posted on high altitudes will be increased.

Solution: Here is the correct matching of the news with the respective ministries:

(a) A new policy is being made to increase the jute exports from the country. - (iv) Ministry of Commerce and Industry (This ministry deals with trade and industry policies, including exports.)
(b) Telephone services will be made more accessible to rural areas. - (v) Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (This ministry oversees telecommunications and IT infrastructure.)
(c) The price of rice and wheat sold under the public distribution system will go down. - (ii) Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Public Distribution (This ministry manages food procurement, storage, and distribution policies.)
(d) A pulse polio campaign will be launched. - (iii) Ministry of Health (Public health initiatives like vaccination campaigns fall under the Ministry of Health.)
(e) The allowances of soldiers posted on high altitudes will be increased. - (i) Ministry of Defence (This ministry is responsible for the welfare and remuneration of armed forces personnel.)

Question 6

Of all the institutions that we have studied in this chapter, name the one that exercises the powers on each of the following matters.

(a) Decision on allocation of money for developing infrastructure like roads, irrigation etc. and different welfare activities for the citizens.

(b) Considers the recommendation of a Committee on a law to regulate the stock exchange.

(d) Implements the decision to provide relief for the victims of an earthquake.

Solution:

(a) Decision on allocation of money for developing infrastructure and welfare activities: This power primarily lies with the Lok Sabha, which approves the government's budget and financial proposals, often guided by the Finance Ministry's recommendations.

(b) Considers the recommendation of a Committee on a law to regulate the stock exchange: Laws related to financial markets are made by the Parliament. It considers recommendations from various committees and bodies before enacting legislation.

(c) Decides on a legal dispute between two state governments: Such disputes are adjudicated by the Supreme Court, which has original jurisdiction in such matters.

(d) Implements the decision to provide relief for the victims of an earthquake: The implementation of relief measures is carried out by the Executive branch of the government, which includes various ministries and administrative bodies.

Question 7

Why is the Prime Minister in India not directly elected by the people? Choose the most appropriate answer and give reasons for your choice.

The options provided are:

In a Parliamentary democracy only the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha can become the Prime Minister.
Lok Sabha can remove the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers even before the expiry of their term.
Since the Prime Minister is appointed by the President there is no need for it.
Direct election of the Prime Minister will involve lot of expenditure on election.

Solution: The most appropriate answer is (a). In India's parliamentary democracy, the Prime Minister is not directly elected by the people. Instead, citizens elect Members of Parliament (MPs) to the Lok Sabha. The political party or coalition that secures a majority of seats in the Lok Sabha then forms the government, and its leader is appointed as the Prime Minister by the President. This system ensures that the Prime Minister has the confidence of the elected representatives in the Lok Sabha (as stated in option a). Option (b) highlights a consequence of this system (no-confidence motion), not the reason for not directly electing the PM. Option (c) is partially true as the President appoints the PM, but the reason is rooted in the parliamentary system, not just the appointment process. Option (d) might be a practical consideration but is not the fundamental democratic principle behind the system.

Common mistakes

Confusing the political executive with the permanent executive.
Misunderstanding the extent of the President's powers.
Incorrectly identifying which institution can amend laws.
Overlooking the judiciary's role in upholding the Constitution.

Revision tips

Focus on the distinct roles of the executive, legislature, and judiciary.
Pay close attention to the matching exercise to understand ministry functions.
Review the conditions under which the President can act independently.
Understand the principle of collective responsibility in the Council of Ministers.
Practice identifying which institution is responsible for specific governmental actions.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Which institution is responsible for implementing decisions like providing earthquake relief?

Q2. Who among the following is part of the political executive?

Q3. Which statement about the judiciary is FALSE?

Q4. Which institution has the power to make changes to an existing law?

Q5. If the President asks for reconsideration of a bill, which institution is involved?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main focus of Chapter 4, 'Working of Institutions' for Class 9 Social Science?

This chapter explains the functioning of key democratic institutions in India, including the executive (Prime Minister, Council of Ministers), the legislature (Parliament), and the judiciary (Supreme Court), and how they work together.

Who is considered part of the political executive in India?

The political executive includes elected representatives like the Prime Minister, Ministers, and elected members of Parliament who make policy decisions.

What is the role of the Parliament according to these NCERT Solutions?

The Parliament's primary role is to make laws for the country. It also scrutinizes the actions of the executive and approves government spending.

Can the judiciary strike down laws passed by Parliament?

Yes, the judiciary, particularly the Supreme Court, can strike down a law if it is found to be against the spirit of the Constitution.

How do these NCERT Solutions help in exam preparation?

The solutions provide clear, step-by-step answers to textbook questions, helping students understand complex concepts, revise key topics, and identify important areas for exams.

What is the difference between the political and permanent executive?

The political executive is elected and holds political power for a fixed term, while the permanent executive consists of civil servants who are appointed and serve for a longer duration, implementing policies.

Content reviewed by the NCERT Help team. Editorial Team and update policy

NCERT Solutions PDF PDF on NCERT Help. URL unchanged for search indexing.