What is the basic principle of rule of law?

No one is above the law; all are equal before it

Laws apply only to ordinary people

What does 'participatory democracy' mean?

Only elected leaders make decisions

Citizens actively take part in decision-making processes at all levels of governance

Democracy where only men can vote

A system where experts run the government

At which level does 'grassroots democracy' function?

At the local level, closest to the people

What is the purpose of elections in a democracy?

To allow citizens to choose their representatives to govern on their behalf

To give permanent power to one party

Why did Rigoberta Menchú Tum say 'There is no peace without justice; no justice without equality; no equality without development; no democracy without respect to identity'?

Because peace and justice are unrelated

Because these values are interconnected—genuine democracy requires all of them working together, not just elections

Because only development matters

Because identity is more important than peace

How does governance help a complex society function?

By providing frameworks of rules, institutions, and decision-making processes that coordinate activities and resolve conflicts in a diverse society

By concentrating all power centrally

By replacing family and community roles

What is the difference between governance and government?

Government refers to the formal institution; governance is the broader process of managing society through rules, institutions, and participation

Government is only about elections

Why is it important for citizens to obey traffic rules?

Traffic rules ensure safety, prevent accidents, and allow the road to function smoothly for all users

Only police need to follow traffic rules

Traffic rules benefit only drivers

What does the Mahabharata quote 'The ruler protects dharma and dharma protects those who protect it' suggest?

Good governance is rooted in righteous conduct—when rulers uphold ethical principles, both they and the society benefit

Dharma is not relevant to governance

How does local governance (grassroots democracy) differ from national governance?

Local governance addresses immediate community needs at the village or ward level, while national governance deals with policies for the entire country

Local governance is not real governance

National governance is more important in all situations

What is the connection between development and democracy as suggested in this chapter?

Development happens best without democracy

Genuine democratic participation ensures that development reaches all people, as those most in need have a voice in decisions that affect them

Only rich nations can have democracy

Development and democracy are unrelated

Why must employers also follow rules set for employees?

In a just society, rules apply to all—including those in positions of power—ensuring fairness and preventing exploitation

Only employees need to follow rules

Rules exist only to protect employers

What does it mean for governance to be 'transparent'?

Government decisions and actions are open and accessible to citizens, allowing them to understand and question how power is used

Only courts provide transparency

Why is accountability important in a democracy?

Leaders should not be questioned

Accountability ensures that elected representatives and officials are answerable to the people for their decisions and actions, preventing misuse of power

Accountability only applies to ordinary citizens

Only opposition parties need to be accountable

How does the concept of grassroots democracy empower ordinary citizens?

It gives power only to local leaders

By bringing governance to the village and ward level, grassroots democracy enables ordinary citizens to directly participate in decisions about their immediate environment and needs

Grassroots democracy is less powerful than national democracy

Only educated citizens can participate

Analyse why 'no peace without justice' is a foundational principle of good governance.

Peace can exist without justice

Without justice, grievances fester and social conflict grows—lasting peace can only come when people feel that the system treats them fairly and protects their rights equally

Justice is only a legal concept

Peace is more important than justice

What challenges might a local government face that a national government might not?

Local governments face no unique challenges

Local governments face challenges like limited resources, proximity to community disputes, and the need to balance diverse local interests while implementing both local and national policies

National governments face more challenges

All levels of government face identical challenges

How do rules at school, home, and on roads reflect the same principle of governance that applies at the national level?

School and home rules are unrelated to governance

All rule systems—from home to nation—exist to coordinate behaviour, prevent conflict, and ensure that groups can live and work together harmoniously; they share the principle that order requires agreed-upon norms

National rules are more important than local ones

Home rules are not a form of governance

What is the risk when governance lacks transparency and accountability?

Transparency and accountability are not important

Without transparency and accountability, power can be misused, corruption grows, and citizens lose trust in institutions—undermining democracy itself

Lack of transparency is efficient

Only financial corruption is a risk

'A government that does not listen to its people cannot truly govern them.' How does participatory democracy address this challenge?

Governments do not need to listen

Participatory democracy addresses this by creating mechanisms—elections, local self-government, public consultations, and grassroots bodies—through which citizens regularly express their needs and evaluate their representatives

Listening to people slows governance

How does the Indian system of three-tier government (national, state, local) reflect the principle of grassroots democracy?

The three-tier system ensures that governance is not concentrated at one level but spread across national, state, and local levels, allowing citizens to access governance closest to their daily lives

The three-tier system is redundant

Only the national level matters

'Rules without values are just constraints; values without rules are just ideals. Good governance needs both.' Do you agree?

Rules are sufficient without values

Yes—rules provide the structure to enforce behaviour, but without ethical values like fairness, honesty, and compassion guiding their creation and implementation, rules become instruments of oppression rather than justice

Values are sufficient without rules

Neither rules nor values are needed for governance

NCERT Solutions Class 6 Social Science Chapter 10 – Grassroots Democracy Part 1 Governance

Name: Grassroots Democracy Part 1 Governance – Class 6 Social Science
Uploaded: 2026-07-23T08:06:36+00:00
Description: Governance ensures order in society through rules made and implemented by the government. India follows a democratic system with three branches — legislature, executive, and judiciary — functioning at national, state, and local levels through elected representatives.

Class 6 Social Science

Last Updated: 23 July 2026

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Chapter Introduction

Governance ensures order in society through rules made and implemented by the government. India follows a democratic system with three branches — legislature, executive, and judiciary — functioning at national, state, and local levels through elected representatives.

हिंदी में (Hindi)

शासन समाज में नियमों के माध्यम से व्यवस्था सुनिश्चित करता है, जिन्हें सरकार बनाती और लागू करती है। भारत एक लोकतांत्रिक प्रणाली का पालन करता है जिसमें तीन शाखाएँ होती हैं — विधानमंडल, कार्यपालिका और न्यायपालिका — जो राष्ट्रीय, राज्य और स्थानीय स्तरों पर निर्वाचित प्रतिनिधियों के माध्यम से कार्य करती हैं।

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Important Points

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Practice MCQ Questions (28 questions)

Q1. What is 'governance'?

Q2. Why are rules necessary in a society?

Q3. What type of government does India have?

Q4. What does a democratic government ideally aim to do?

Q5. What is the meaning of 'dharma' in the context of the Mahabharata quote in this chapter?

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Tough Words (Glossary)

Governance

Meaning: Process of making decisions and rules in society

अर्थ: शासन प्रक्रिया

"Good governance keeps society fair."

Government

Meaning: System or group that makes and enforces rules

अर्थ: सरकार

"The government makes rules for citizens."

Democracy

Meaning: Rule of the people

अर्थ: लोकतंत्र

"India is the largest democracy."

Legislature

Meaning: Part of government that makes laws

अर्थ: विधायिका

"The legislature passes new laws."

Executive

Meaning: Part of government that enforces laws

अर्थ: कार्यपालिका

"The executive implements the laws."

Judiciary

Meaning: Courts that decide law cases

अर्थ: न्यायपालिका

"The judiciary decides if laws are broken."

Equality

Meaning: State of being equal

अर्थ: समानता

"We must ensure equality for all."

Justice

Meaning: Fair treatment according to law

अर्थ: न्याय

"The judge gave justice to the poor."

Disorder

Meaning: Lack of order

अर्थ: अव्यवस्था

"Disorder broke out in the city."

Harmony

Meaning: Peaceful cooperation

अर्थ: सामंजस्य

"Families should live in harmony."

Employer

Meaning: Person who hires others for work

अर्थ: नियोक्ता

"The employer pays wages."

Employee

Meaning: Person who works for an employer

अर्थ: कर्मचारी

"The employee works sincerely."

Cybercrime

Meaning: Crime using computers or internet

अर्थ: साइबर अपराध

"Cybercrime is increasing nowadays."

Convicted

Meaning: Found guilty by law

अर्थ: दोषी ठहराया गया

"He was convicted of theft."

Punishment

Meaning: Penalty for breaking law

अर्थ: सज़ा

"The thief got punishment."

Legislation

Meaning: The act of making laws

अर्थ: कानून बनाने की प्रक्रिया

"Parliament is responsible for legislation."

Representative

Meaning: A person chosen to act for others

अर्थ: प्रतिनिधि

"The representative spoke in the meeting."

Assembly

Meaning: Group of people meeting for discussion

अर्थ: सभा

"The assembly discussed new rules."

Implement

Meaning: To carry out a decision or law

अर्थ: लागू करना

"The teacher will implement new methods."

Enforce

Meaning: To make sure laws are followed

अर्थ: कानून का पालन कराना

"Police enforce the law."

Constitution

Meaning: Set of basic principles for governing a country

अर्थ: संविधान

"The Indian Constitution is very strong."

Motto

Meaning: A short guiding saying

अर्थ: सूक्ति

"‘Satyameva Jayate’ is our motto."

Triumph

Meaning: Great victory or success

अर्थ: विजय

"Truth will triumph in the end."

Framework

Meaning: Basic structure or outline

अर्थ: ढांचा

"The framework of rules is important."

Institution

Meaning: Organisation with special purpose

अर्थ: संस्था

"This school is a big institution."

Separation

Meaning: Act of keeping apart

अर्थ: अलगाव

"The separation of powers is necessary."

Checks

Meaning: Controls

अर्थ: नियंत्रण

"The court checks the law."

Balances

Meaning: Ways to keep fairness

अर्थ: संतुलन

"Balances keep the system fair."

Authorities

Meaning: People in charge

अर्थ: प्राधिकरण

"Authorities control the city."

Flood

Meaning: Overflow of water

अर्थ: बाढ़

"Heavy rain caused a flood."

Relief

Meaning: Help for people in need

अर्थ: राहत

"Relief was given to victims."

Rescue

Meaning: To save from danger

अर्थ: बचाव

"Rescue teams helped people."

Supplies

Meaning: Things needed for survival

अर्थ: आपूर्ति

"Supplies of food were sent."

Innovation

Meaning: New creative ideas

अर्थ: नवाचार

"Innovation changes the world."

Humility

Meaning: Being humble

अर्थ: विनम्रता

"He showed humility even in success."

Dedication

Meaning: Commitment to a cause

अर्थ: समर्पण

"She has dedication to teaching."

Nominal

Meaning: Existing only in name

अर्थ: केवल नाम मात्र का

"He holds a nominal post."

Inspire

Meaning: To encourage someone to do better

अर्थ: प्रेरित करना

"Teachers inspire students."

Representative Democracy

Meaning: System where people elect leaders

अर्थ: प्रतिनिधिक लोकतंत्र

"India has a representative democracy."

Voting

Meaning: A way of choosing by raising hands or marking choice

अर्थ: मतदान

"Voting was done by raising hands."

Election

Meaning: Process of choosing leaders by vote

अर्थ: चुनाव

"The election was held last month."

Citizenship

Meaning: Legal status as a member of a country

अर्थ: नागरिकता

"Citizenship gives you rights."

Debate

Meaning: Formal discussion of ideas

अर्थ: वाद-विवाद

"The debate was interesting."

Dialogue

Meaning: Exchange of ideas

अर्थ: संवाद

"They had a dialogue about peace."

Pyramid

Meaning: Base of a system or structure

अर्थ: पिरामिड

"The pyramid has a wide base."

Participation

Meaning: Act of taking part

अर्थ: भागीदारी

"Participation is necessary in class."

Consensus

Meaning: General agreement

अर्थ: सर्वसम्मति

"Consensus was reached after talks."

Disagreement

Meaning: Difference of opinion

अर्थ: असहमति

"There was disagreement among friends."

Pros

Meaning: Positive points

अर्थ: सकारात्मक पक्ष

"The pros are more than the cons."

Cons

Meaning: Negative points

अर्थ: नकारात्मक पक्ष

"The cons include high cost."

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Ch 9: Family and Community

Ch 11: Grassroots Democracy Part 2 Local Government in Rural Areas