NCERT Class 11 Political Science India Constitution at Work: Chapter 6 — Judiciary
This chapter from NCERT's 'India Constitution at Work' for Class 11 delves into the Judiciary, a crucial organ of the Indian government. It moves beyond the common perception of courts as mere arbitrators of disputes, highlighting their significant political functions. The chapter emphasizes the judiciary's role in interpreting and protecting the Constitution, safeguarding individual rights, and upholding the rule of law. It explains the necessity of an independent judiciary, free from political pressures, to ensure justice, prevent arbitrariness, and maintain democratic principles. Students will understand the meaning of judicial independence, its importance in protecting rights, its role in constitutional interpretation, and its relationship with Parliament.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 11 |
| Subject | Political Science |
| Book | India Constitution at Work |
| Chapter | Chapter 6 — Judiciary |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 274 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the meaning of independence of the judiciary.
- Recognize the role of the Indian Judiciary in protecting fundamental rights.
- Analyze the role of the Judiciary in interpreting the Constitution.
- Comprehend the relationship between the Judiciary and the Parliament.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Arbitrators | A person or body appointed to settle a dispute. |
| Judiciary | The system of courts that interprets and applies the law in a country. |
| Organ | A part of a system or government. |
| Interpreting | Explaining the meaning of (information, words, or actions). |
| Protecting | Keeping safe from harm or injury. |
| Fundamental Rights | Basic human rights guaranteed by the Constitution. |
| Rule of Law | The principle that all people and institutions are subject to and accountable to law. |
| Supremacy of Law | The principle that the law is paramount and all individuals and government officials are subject to it. |
| Safeguards | Measures taken to protect someone or something. |
| Dictatorship | A form of government characterized by a single leader or group of leaders holding government power. |
| Political Pressures | Influences exerted by political actors or forces on the judiciary. |
| Accountability | The obligation to accept responsibility for one's actions. |
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Practice questions
- What is the principal role of the judiciary? Answer: The principal role of the judiciary is to protect the rule of law and ensure the supremacy of law, safeguard individual rights, settle disputes according to law, and ensure democracy.
- Why is an independent judiciary necessary? Answer: An independent judiciary is necessary to settle disputes impartially, protect rights, and ensure that the judiciary can function without fear or favour, free from political pressures.
- What does 'independence of judiciary' mean? Answer: It means that the executive and legislature must not restrain the judiciary's functioning, interfere with its decisions, and judges must be able to perform their duties without fear or favour.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Which of the following is NOT a function of the judiciary mentioned in the introduction?
Explanation: Making laws is the function of the legislature, not the judiciary. The judiciary interprets and applies laws.
Q2. The concept of 'rule of law' implies that:
Explanation: The rule of law means that everyone, regardless of their status or background, is subject to and accountable under the law.
Q3. What does it mean for the judiciary to be independent?
Explanation: Judicial independence ensures that judges can make decisions based on law and evidence without fear of reprisal or external influence.
Q4. The Supreme Court of India is described as:
Explanation: The text explicitly states that the Supreme Court of India is one of the very powerful courts in the world.
Q5. Safeguarding the rights of the individual is a role of the:
Explanation: The judiciary plays a crucial role in protecting the rights of individuals against potential violations.
Frequently asked questions
What is the primary function of the judiciary?
The primary function of the judiciary is to interpret and apply the law, settle disputes, and protect the rule of law and individual rights.
Why is judicial independence important?
Judicial independence is crucial to ensure that courts can deliver justice impartially, without fear or favour, and free from political interference.
How does the judiciary protect our rights?
The judiciary protects individual rights by reviewing laws and government actions to ensure they comply with the Constitution and by providing remedies for rights violations.
What does the 'rule of law' mean in the context of the judiciary?
It means that everyone, including the government, is subject to the law, and all laws are applied equally and impartially by the judiciary.
Can the judiciary make decisions arbitrarily?
No, judicial independence does not imply arbitrariness. The judiciary must function within the framework of the law and is accountable.
What is the relationship between the judiciary and the parliament?
The judiciary interprets laws made by the parliament, and the parliament can, in turn, make laws to address judicial interpretations or constitutional matters, within constitutional limits.
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NCERT Class 11 Political Science — India Constitution at Work — Chapter 6 — Judiciary. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.