NCERT Class 8 Social Science Exploring Society India and Beyond Part-I: Chapter 6 — The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive
This chapter, "The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive," introduces Grade 8 students to the fundamental concepts of India's parliamentary democracy. It begins by highlighting the significance of the Constitution as a living document. The chapter poses key questions about the structure and functions of India's parliamentary system, the roles of the legislature and executive, and their organization at union and state levels. Through a narrative of students visiting the new Parliament building, it visually and contextually introduces elements of governance and democracy, emphasizing the blend of tradition and modernity in India's democratic institutions. This foundational understanding is crucial for students to grasp how their government operates and their role within it.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 8 |
| Subject | Social Science |
| Book | Exploring Society India and Beyond Part-I |
| Chapter | Chapter 6 — The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 244 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the basic structure of India's parliamentary system.
- Identify the key functions of the Parliament.
- Differentiate between the roles of the legislature and the executive.
- Recognize the organization of legislative and executive bodies at different levels of government.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Parliamentary System | A system of government where the executive branch derives its legitimacy from and is held accountable to the legislature. |
| Legislature | The branch of government responsible for making laws. |
| Executive | The branch of government responsible for implementing and enforcing laws. |
| Constitution | The fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed. |
| Democracy | A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives. |
The complete chapter text is read in the official NCERT PDF viewer below (streamed from ncert.nic.in). This page provides NCERT Help study material — summary, vocabulary, practice questions, and FAQs — not a full reproduction of the textbook.
Read chapter online
This PDF is loaded from the official NCERT website (ncert.nic.in). Use the page buttons below to read — download is disabled on NCERT Help.
Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.
Practice questions
- What is the main role of the legislature? Answer: The main role of the legislature is to make laws.
- What is the main role of the executive? Answer: The main role of the executive is to implement and enforce laws.
- Name two key questions discussed in the chapter regarding India's parliamentary system. Answer: Two key questions are: What is India's parliamentary system, and how is it structured? and What are the key functions of the Parliament?
Frequently asked questions
What is the spirit of the Constitution according to Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar?
According to Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar, the spirit of the Constitution is the spirit of the age, making it a vehicle of life.
What are the 'Big Questions' posed at the beginning of the chapter?
The chapter poses questions about India's parliamentary system, its structure, the functions of Parliament, and the roles of the legislature and executive.
What did the students observe about the design of the new Parliament building?
The students observed that the new Parliament building has a three-sided, triangular design and its construction cuts electricity use by 30 percent.
What kind of decorations were seen inside the new Parliament building?
Walls were decorated with carvings of peacocks, lotuses, tribal art, temple patterns, and freedom fighters.
What does the new Parliament building symbolize according to the text?
The new building houses ancient symbols and represents democracy looking ahead while remembering its roots.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 8 Social Science — Exploring Society India and Beyond Part-I — Chapter 6 — The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.