NCERT Class 11 Political Science India Constitution at Work: Chapter 5 — Indian Constitution at Work
This chapter, 'Legislature,' from NCERT's 'India Constitution at Work' for Class 11 Political Science, explores the crucial role of legislatures in a democratic government. It emphasizes that legislatures are more than just law-making bodies; they are central to the democratic process, facilitating debate, ensuring accountability, and representing the people. The chapter discusses the functions and powers of India's Parliament, the law-making procedure, and how Parliament exercises control over the executive. It also touches upon the potential decline of parliamentary influence due to the rise of the executive but highlights the Parliament's enduring democratic power to choose and dismiss the government. Understanding the legislature is vital for comprehending representative democracy and the functioning of governance in India.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 11 |
| Subject | Political Science |
| Book | India Constitution at Work |
| Chapter | Chapter 5 — Indian Constitution at Work |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 3 minutes |
| Word count | 422 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the importance and functions of a legislature.
- Learn about the composition and powers of the Indian Parliament.
- Comprehend the law-making procedure in India.
- Analyze how Parliament controls the executive.
- Understand the self-regulatory mechanisms of Parliament.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Legislature | An elected body that makes laws. |
| Democratic | Relating to or supporting democracy or its principles. |
| Executive | The branch of government responsible for implementing and enforcing laws. |
| Parliament | The supreme legislative body of a country. |
| Accountable | Required or expected to give an account of one's actions. |
| Composition | The way in which something is put together or constituted. |
| Subsidy | A sum of money granted by the government to help an industry or business. |
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Practice questions
- What is the primary role of a legislature in a democracy? Answer: The primary role of a legislature is to make laws, represent the people, and hold the executive accountable.
- Besides law-making, what other vital purposes do legislatures serve? Answer: Legislatures serve as centers for democratic political processes, facilitate debate, ensure accountability, and provide a forum for cooperation and protest.
- What is the relationship between the legislature and the executive in India, according to the chapter? Answer: While the executive often initiates policies, it must retain majority support in the legislature and face it to answer questions and justify its actions.
- What power does the Parliament hold over the government? Answer: The Parliament is vested with the power to choose and dismiss the government.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a function or characteristic of a legislature in the chapter?
Explanation: The chapter states that legislatures are central to the democratic process and hold the executive accountable, but policy implementation is primarily the role of the executive.
Q2. According to the text, who initiates policies and sets the agenda for governance in India?
Explanation: The chapter notes that in India, the Cabinet initiates policies and sets the agenda for governance.
Q3. What is a key democratic potential of the Parliament mentioned in the text?
Explanation: The text highlights the Parliament's democratic potential lies in being an open forum for debate and its power to select and remove the government.
Q4. The news report mentions an increase in the price of urea and fertilizers. This relates to which aspect of legislative control?
Explanation: Announcements regarding price increases, especially those involving subsidies, fall under the executive's domain, which the legislature can scrutinize and control.
Q5. What is the basis of representative democracy, as stated in the chapter?
Explanation: The chapter explicitly states that the ability of the legislature to hold representatives accountable is the very basis of representative democracy.
Frequently asked questions
What is a legislature?
A legislature is an elected body responsible for making laws for a country or state.
Why is the legislature important in a democracy?
The legislature is important as it makes laws, represents the people, holds the executive accountable, and serves as a forum for democratic debate.
Does the legislature only make laws?
No, law-making is only one of the functions of the legislature; it is also a center for democratic political processes and accountability.
Who initiates policies in India, according to the chapter?
The Cabinet (the executive) typically initiates policies and sets the agenda for governance in India.
What power does the Parliament have over the government?
The Parliament has the power to choose and dismiss the government.
What does the chapter say about the decline of Parliament?
The chapter acknowledges that legislatures may be losing central place to the executive, but emphasizes that even strong cabinets must retain legislative majority and face parliamentary scrutiny.
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NCERT Class 11 Political Science — India Constitution at Work — Chapter 5 — Indian Constitution at Work. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.