NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Social Science (Exploring Society) Chapter 10: Grassroots Democracy – Part 1: Governance (NCERT 2026–27)

These Class 6 Social Science Exploring Society Chapter 10 solutions cover Grassroots Democracy – Part 1: Governance from Exploring Society: India and Beyond, the new NCF-2023 textbook for the 2026–27 session. The chapter explains why a society needs rules, governance and a government, introduces the three organs of government (legislature, executive and judiciary) and the idea of separation of powers with checks and balances, describes the three levels or tiers of government in India, and explains what democracy, direct and representative democracy, and grassroots democracy mean. Below you get step-by-step answers to all Questions, activities and projects, clear notes on key terms, extra practice, MCQs, Assertion–Reason questions and FAQs.

Class: 6 Subject: Social Science Book: Exploring Society: India and Beyond Chapter: 10 Theme: Governance and Democracy Session: 2026–27
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Class 6 Social Science Exploring Society Chapter 10 – Overview

Chapter 10, Grassroots Democracy – Part 1: Governance, begins with a simple idea: whenever many people live together, rules are needed to maintain order and harmony. The process of taking decisions, organising society with rules and ensuring they are followed is called governance; the system or group that makes and enforces the rules is the government, and the most important rules are called laws. A modern government works through three organs — the legislature (makes laws), the executive (implements laws) and the judiciary (interprets laws and settles disputes). To prevent misuse of power, these organs are kept separate — the separation of powers — which provides a system of checks and balances. In India, government functions at three levels: local, State and Central (Union). The chapter then explains democracy (‘rule of the people’), the difference between direct and representative democracy, and ends with grassroots democracy, which encourages ordinary citizens to take part in decisions that affect them.

Key Concepts & Terms

Governance: the process of taking decisions, organising society’s life with different sets of rules, and ensuring that those rules are followed.

Government: the group of individuals or the system that makes the rules and ensures that they are followed.

Laws: some of the more important rules of a society are called laws.

Legislature: the organ of government that makes new laws (legislates) and sometimes updates or removes existing laws, through an assembly of representatives of the people.

Executive: the organ that implements (executes) the laws — including the head of state (president, prime minister or chief minister), the ministers, and agencies responsible for enforcing law and order (such as the police).

Judiciary: the system of courts that decides whether someone has broken the law and what action should be taken, and may also check whether a decision of the executive or a law of the legislature is fair.

Separation of powers: keeping the three organs of government separate, even though they interact and work together, so that no single group holds all power.

Checks and balances: a system in which each organ of government can check what the others are doing and restore balance if one organ acts beyond its expected role.

Three levels (tiers) of government: in India, government works at the local (town/village), State (regional) and Central or Union (national) levels, each dealing with different matters.

Democracy: from the Greek dēmos (‘people’) and kratos (‘rule’ or ‘power’), so it literally means the ‘rule of the people’.

Direct democracy: a system in which every person’s opinion is taken directly to make a decision (as when a class votes by raising hands to choose a picnic spot).

Representative democracy: a system in which people elect representatives (such as MLAs at the State level and MPs at the national level) who take decisions on their behalf; India is a representative democracy and the world’s largest.

Grassroots democracy: a system that enables and encourages the participation of ordinary citizens — the base of the pyramid — so that they can have a say in decisions which affect them.

Other key terms: MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly, at the State level), MP (Member of Parliament, at the national level), and cybercrime (criminal activity carried out through digital means).

“Questions, activities and projects” — Full Solutions

All questions below are reproduced verbatim from the NCERT textbook’s end-of-chapter Questions, activities and projects section. Answers are original, written in exam-ready style for Class 6.

1. Test yourself — What is the meaning of democracy? What is the difference between direct democracy and representative democracy?

ANSWER The word democracy comes from two Greek words — dēmos, meaning ‘people’, and kratos, meaning ‘rule’ or ‘power’. So democracy literally means the ‘rule of the people’. It is a system of governance in which the people of a country have a say in how they are governed. Direct democracy: here every person’s opinion is taken directly to reach a decision. For example, if a class is choosing a picnic spot, the students who favour place A raise their hands, then those who favour place B raise theirs, and the option with more hands is chosen. Everyone takes part in the decision personally. Representative democracy: since it is not practical for all people to rule directly, citizens elect representatives through voting, and these representatives take decisions on their behalf in the assemblies — called MLAs at the State level and MPs at the national level. India is a representative democracy (and the world’s largest). Main difference: in direct democracy people decide themselves, while in representative democracy people choose representatives who decide for them.

2. Recall the three organs of government. What are their different roles?

ANSWER A modern government works through three branches or ‘organs’, each with a different role: Legislature: this organ makes new laws (it ‘legislates’) and sometimes updates or removes existing laws. This is done by an assembly of the elected representatives of the people. Executive: this organ implements (executes) the laws. It includes the head of state (a president, prime minister or chief minister), the ministers, and the agencies responsible for enforcing law and order, such as the police. Judiciary: this is the system of courts. It decides whether someone has broken the law and, if so, what action should be taken, including punishment if necessary. It also examines whether a decision of the executive is right and whether a law passed by the legislature is fair to all. In a good system of governance these three organs are kept separate (the ‘separation of powers’) so that they provide checks and balances on one another, though they still interact and work together.

3. Why do we need three tiers of government?

ANSWER We need three tiers of government because different problems are best handled at different levels. In India, government works at three levels — local (town or village), State, and Central or Union (national) — and each level deals with different matters. This makes governance more effective. Small, local issues can be solved quickly by the local government, which is closest to the people. Bigger matters that affect a whole region are handled by the State government, while issues that affect the entire country are managed by the Central government. For example, if a small flood hits part of a district, the local authorities may deal with it. If it affects several towns and villages, the State government sends rescue teams. If it is a massive flood over vast areas, the Central government also helps with relief supplies, the army, and so on. Having three tiers means every problem, big or small, can be tackled at the right level.

4. Project: Many of you will remember the lockdown that took place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Make a list of all the actions that were taken at that time? Which tiers of government were involved in managing the situation? What was the role of each of the organs of government?

ANSWER This is a project, so write from what you and your family remember; a model answer is given below. Actions taken during the lockdown: a nationwide lockdown was announced; schools, colleges, offices, shops, cinemas and markets were closed; travel by trains, buses and flights was stopped or restricted; people were asked to stay at home and maintain social distancing; wearing masks and washing hands frequently became compulsory; essential services like hospitals, medicine shops and grocery stores stayed open; free food and rations were given to the poor; hospitals, quarantine centres and testing facilities were set up; and later a large vaccination drive was carried out. Tiers of government involved: all three tiers worked together. The Central government announced the national lockdown, framed overall guidelines, arranged vaccines and relief packages. The State governments applied the rules in their States, managed hospitals, the police and local relief. The local governments (panchayats and municipalities) helped at the village and town level by spreading awareness, distributing food and sanitising areas. Role of each organ of government: the legislature discussed and passed or updated laws and approved funds to fight the pandemic; the executive (prime minister, chief ministers, ministers, health departments and the police) implemented the lockdown rules, ran relief and vaccination programmes and enforced law and order; the judiciary (the courts) heard people’s complaints, protected their rights, and gave directions to the government on issues like migrant workers, medical supplies and relief. (Add your own observations from your area.)

Extra Practice Questions

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1. What is meant by ‘governance’?

ANSWERGovernance is the process of taking decisions, organising society’s life with different sets of rules, and ensuring that those rules are followed, so that order and harmony are maintained when many people live together.

Q2. What is the difference between a rule and a law?

ANSWERRules are the various guidelines that help a society, school or home to function in an orderly way. Laws are some of the more important rules of a society; they are made by the government and apply to all citizens.

Q3. What does the term ‘separation of powers’ mean?

ANSWERSeparation of powers means keeping the three organs of government — legislature, executive and judiciary — separate from one another, even though they interact and work together. It provides a system of checks and balances so that no single organ becomes too powerful.

Q4. From which words is the term ‘democracy’ derived, and what does it mean?

ANSWERThe word ‘democracy’ comes from two Greek words — dēmos, meaning ‘people’, and kratos, meaning ‘rule’ or ‘power’. Together they mean the ‘rule of the people’.

Q5. What is grassroots democracy?

ANSWERGrassroots democracy refers to a system that enables and encourages the participation of ordinary citizens — the base of the pyramid — so that they can have a say in the decisions which affect their daily lives.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q1. Why do societies need rules, governance and a government? Explain.

ANSWERHuman beings have lived in communities for a very long time, and when a large number of people live together there can be disagreements and disorder. So rules become necessary to maintain order and harmony. We follow rules everywhere — simple rules at home, rules for students and teachers at school, examination rules, traffic rules on the road, and rules at the workplace. If no one followed these rules, society would not be able to function. The process of taking decisions, organising society with rules and making sure they are followed is called governance, and the group or system that makes and enforces the rules is called the government; the most important rules are called laws. Therefore, rules, governance and a government are needed to keep society peaceful, fair and well organised, and to ensure that everyone’s needs are looked after.

Q2. Explain the three organs of government and how the separation of powers helps in good governance.

ANSWERA modern government has three organs. The legislature makes new laws and updates or removes old ones through an assembly of elected representatives. The executive implements these laws and includes the head of state, the ministers, and agencies like the police that enforce law and order. The judiciary is the system of courts that decides whether a law has been broken and what action should follow, and also checks whether the executive’s decisions and the legislature’s laws are fair. In a good system of governance, these three organs are kept separate — this is called the separation of powers. The separation provides checks and balances, which means each organ can check what the others are doing and restore balance if any organ acts beyond its proper role. If all three organs were controlled by the same group of people, there would be a misuse of power and disorder. So separation of powers protects citizens and ensures fair and balanced governance.

Q3. Describe the three levels of government in India with an example of how they work together.

ANSWERIn India, government works at three levels or tiers. The local government works at the town or village level and deals with everyday local matters. The State government works at the State or regional level and handles matters such as police, public health, agriculture and education within the State. The Central or Union government works at the national level and looks after subjects like defence, foreign affairs, currency and national policies. Each level deals with different matters, so problems can be solved at the right level. A good example is a flood: if it is small and affects only part of a district, the local authorities can manage it. If it spreads across several towns and villages, the State government steps in and sends rescue teams. If it becomes a massive flood affecting vast areas, the Central government also helps by sending relief supplies and the army. In this way the three levels of government work together to serve the people.

MCQs & Assertion–Reason

1. The process of taking decisions, organising society with rules and ensuring that they are followed is called:

(a) governance    (b) democracy    (c) election    (d) legislation

2. The more important rules of a society are called:

(a) customs    (b) laws    (c) habits    (d) traditions

3. Which organ of government makes new laws?

(a) the executive    (b) the judiciary    (c) the legislature    (d) the police

4. The organ of government that implements or ‘executes’ the laws is the:

(a) legislature    (b) executive    (c) judiciary    (d) assembly

5. The system of courts that decides whether someone has broken the law is the:

(a) legislature    (b) executive    (c) judiciary    (d) cabinet

6. Keeping the three organs of government separate is called the:

(a) checks and balances    (b) separation of powers    (c) rule of law    (d) division of labour

7. In India, government functions at how many levels or tiers?

(a) one    (b) two    (c) three    (d) four

8. The word ‘democracy’ comes from two Greek words meaning:

(a) law and order    (b) people and rule    (c) state and nation    (d) city and citizen

9. Elected representatives at the national level are called:

(a) MLAs    (b) MPs    (c) ministers    (d) governors

10. A system that enables and encourages the participation of ordinary citizens in decisions affecting them is called:

(a) direct democracy    (b) representative democracy    (c) grassroots democracy    (d) separation of powers

Answer key: 1-(a), 2-(b), 3-(c), 4-(b), 5-(c), 6-(b), 7-(c), 8-(b), 9-(b), 10-(c).

For each Assertion–Reason question, choose: (A) Both true and the Reason correctly explains the Assertion; (B) Both true but the Reason is not the correct explanation; (C) Assertion true, Reason false; (D) Assertion false, Reason true.

A-R 1. Assertion: Rules are necessary when a large number of people live together.

Reason: Without rules there can be disagreements and disorder, and society would not be able to function.

A-R 2. Assertion: The legislature is the organ that decides punishment for breaking the law.

Reason: The legislature makes new laws and updates or removes existing ones.

A-R 3. Assertion: The three organs of government are kept separate.

Reason: The separation of powers provides a system of checks and balances so that no organ becomes too powerful.

A-R 4. Assertion: India is a representative democracy.

Reason: People elect representatives such as MLAs and MPs who take decisions on their behalf in the assemblies.

A-R 5. Assertion: In direct democracy, people elect representatives to take decisions for them.

Reason: In a direct democracy every person’s opinion is taken directly to make a decision.

Answer key: 1-(A), 2-(D), 3-(A), 4-(A), 5-(D).

Exam Tips & Common Mistakes

How to score full marks in this chapter

Learn the clear definitions of governance, government and laws in one line each. Memorise the three organs with their action words — legislature makes laws, executive implements laws, judiciary interprets laws — and always mention separation of powers and checks and balances together. For the three tiers, name them in order (local → State → Central) and use the textbook’s flood example to show how they work together. For democracy questions, give the Greek meaning (dēmos + kratos = rule of the people) and contrast direct versus representative democracy with the picnic and election examples. Finish stewardship-style answers by mentioning grassroots democracy.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Confusing governance (the process) with government (the system or group that does it).
  • Mixing up the roles of the three organs — remember the executive (not the legislature) implements laws, and the judiciary (not the executive) decides punishment.
  • Writing only two tiers of government — India has three: local, State and Central.
  • Swapping direct and representative democracy in answers.
  • Forgetting that ‘separation of powers’ works through checks and balances.
  • Leaving the project question (Q4) blank — write your own list of actions and the tiers/organs involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chapter 10 of Class 6 Social Science Exploring Society about?

Chapter 10, Grassroots Democracy – Part 1: Governance, explains why society needs rules, governance and a government, describes the three organs of government (legislature, executive and judiciary) and the separation of powers, the three levels (local, State and Central) of government in India, and the meaning of democracy, direct and representative democracy, and grassroots democracy.

What are the three organs of government?

The three organs of government are the legislature, which makes laws; the executive, which implements the laws (including the head of state, ministers and the police); and the judiciary, which is the system of courts that decides whether the law has been broken and what action should be taken.

What is the exercise heading for Chapter 10 of Exploring Society Class 6?

The end-of-chapter exercise in Exploring Society: India and Beyond Chapter 10 is headed Questions, activities and projects and contains 4 numbered items, all answered step by step on this page.

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