Class 8 Social Science Chapter 5 Solutions: Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System

These Class 8 Social Science Chapter 5 solutions cover Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System from Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part I), the NCERT textbook first published in July 2025 and reprinted for 2026–27. The chapter belongs to the theme Governance and Democracy and explains how India runs the world’s largest democratic exercise — from universal adult franchise and the secret ballot to the role of the Election Commission of India, the First-Past-the-Post system, and how Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, President and Vice President elections work. Below you get step-by-step answers to all Questions and activities, clear notes on key terms, extra practice, MCQs, Assertion–Reason and FAQs.

Class: 8 Subject: Social Science Book: Exploring Society: India and Beyond Chapter: 5 Theme: Governance and Democracy Session: 2026–27
On this page

Class 8 Social Science Chapter 5 Solutions: Overview

Chapter 5, Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System, explains how India conducts elections — often called the ‘Festival of Democracy’. The Constitution makers chose universal adult franchise from the outset. The minimum voting age was originally 21 and is now 18. Eligible citizens registered on the electoral roll have one vote of equal value, regardless of caste, creed, religion, gender, education or income (Article 326). The chapter uses a relatable class-representative election at Suryodaya School to introduce ideas like the secret ballot, the Election Officer and NOTA. It then describes the Election Commission of India (ECI) — an independent constitutional body set up in 1950 — and how it manages the massive Lok Sabha elections, the First-Past-the-Post system, the Model Code of Conduct, and the use of EVMs and VVPAT. Finally it explains direct and indirect elections (Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, President and Vice President) and the challenges Indian democracy faces.

Key Concepts & Terms

Franchise (suffrage): the right to vote, granted by the constitution or government. ‘Suffrage’ is a synonym of franchise.

Universal adult franchise: voting rights for adult citizens without discrimination based on caste, religion, gender, education or income. For Lok Sabha and state assembly elections, Article 326 sets the minimum age at 18, subject to registration and legal disqualifications. The original age was 21; the Sixty-first Amendment Act, 1988, took effect on 28 March 1989.

Constituency: an area whose voters elect a representative to a legislative body. India has 543 Lok Sabha constituencies.

Secret ballot: a voter makes a confidential choice. This protects freedom of choice in Lok Sabha and assembly elections. Do not assume that every kind of election uses identical secrecy rules: Rajya Sabha elections use an open-ballot procedure.

NOTA (None Of The Above): an option expressing rejection of the listed candidates. In Lok Sabha and assembly elections it does not itself cancel the election or force a fresh poll; the candidate with the most votes among the candidates wins.

Election Commission of India (ECI): an independent constitutional body established in 1950 that conducts free and fair elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies and the offices of President and Vice President.

Model Code of Conduct (MCC): a set of dos and don’ts for leaders, parties and candidates to ensure free and fair elections — for example, the ruling party must not misuse government resources or announce schemes to influence voters.

First-Past-the-Post (FPTP): the electoral system India uses for Lok Sabha and assemblies, in which the candidate getting the most votes in a constituency wins — even without 50 per cent of the votes.

EVM & VVPAT: an Electronic Voting Machine records votes electronically. The Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail displays the chosen candidate’s details for about seven seconds, then the slip falls into a sealed box. The voter views the slip through a window and does not take it home. Slips support verification under the applicable counting rules; electronic voting is not internet voting.

Other key terms: Coalition (two or more parties working together), Dissolution (termination of a legislative house, either before or at the end of its term), Bicameral legislature (a legislature with two houses), and the single transferable vote system used for the Rajya Sabha, President and Vice President.

The Big Questions

1. What is universal adult franchise?

Equal voting rights for eligible adult citizens regardless of social or economic background. India’s current minimum voting age is 18; electoral registration and legal eligibility are required.

2. What is an electoral system?

The connected rules, institutions and procedures for registering voters, choosing candidates, campaigning, voting, counting and translating votes into representation.

3. How does India’s electoral system work?

The ECI administers parliamentary and assembly elections. Citizens directly elect Lok Sabha MPs and MLAs through FPTP. Rajya Sabha, Presidential and Vice-Presidential elections use different indirect methods. State Election Commissions administer local-body elections.

Think About It and Let’s Explore: Activity Guidance

These are model approaches to the textbook’s in-text prompts. Use your own observations and research where required; imagined examples are not historical documents or actual survey findings.

Textbook promptModel explanation or approach
Voting age and your eligibility (p. 118)Lowering the age broadens youth representation and participation, while voter education helps new voters judge choices. The Act is titled 1988 but came into force on 28 March 1989. Calculate time until your 18th birthday; then check registration rules. Age alone is not electoral registration.
Literacy and franchise; add reasons to Fig. 5.4 (pp. 119–120)Reading ability or wealth does not determine a citizen’s stake in public decisions. Suggested additional reasons: equal political dignity and peaceful transfer of power. Women received equal adult franchise under the Constitution; this does not mean India was the first country in the world to enfranchise women.
Accessibility and ECI research (pp. 121–122)Look for ramps, wheelchairs, Braille features, assistance and eligible home-voting procedures. Explain which barrier each removes. Use the ECI accessibility information; ask permission before sharing any individual’s experience or photograph.
Survey of non-voting (p. 123)Ask willing adults whether they faced registration, migration, access or information barriers. Do not ask which party they supported. Record anonymous counts, sample size and limitations; a small convenience survey cannot establish nationwide causes.
Suryodaya School caselet: process, secrecy and choices (pp. 123–125)A neutral election officer sets rules, enables private accessible voting and counts transparently with a witness. Students can compare promises about cleanliness, peer learning and arts. A Braille ballot enables Neha to participate independently. A blank ballot does not express a candidate preference; an explicit NOTA option is different.
After the class election; Ms. Usha’s role (p. 125)Students should cooperate with the chosen representative, raise concerns respectfully and check progress on commitments. Ms. Usha ensures fair rules and access; her role does not give her authority to choose everyone’s candidate.
Check the caselet arithmetic (p. 125)The printed figures are Ahmed 8, Gurmat 12 and Ravi 10, totalling 30 candidate votes. One blank ballot gives 31 accounted-for ballots, although the text says 33 were cast. Two are not explained. Do not invent where they went: Gurmat has the most reported votes, but a percentage using all ballots needs consistent totals. The separate diagram below uses a fully specified example.
Invite an election-duty teacher (p. 128)Ask about training, voter-list checks, accessibility, orderly queues and counting safeguards. Avoid requesting confidential voter choices or security-sensitive details.
EVM and VVPAT (pp. 129–130)Explain button selection, the beep and the visible paper slip. The slip is retained in a sealed compartment. Discuss how equipment checks and paper verification support transparency; do not label electronic voting as online voting.
MCC complaints in Figs. 5.17–5.20 (p. 131)Gifts offered for votes suggest bribery; abusive campaigning can breach conduct rules; government staff/resources must not be used for partisan campaigning. Cash found in a vehicle needs investigation and evidence of purpose: possession alone does not prove vote-buying.
Next local election and your MP/MLA (pp. 132–134)Identify your state and constituencies, then consult official ECI or State Election Commission notices and parliamentary/assembly directories. Record names, parties and the date checked; do not infer an election date from an old news item. Compare national legislative work with state issues such as public services.
Why some members cannot vote for the President (p. 136)Article 54 specifies elected MPs and eligible elected MLAs. Nominated members and legislative-council members are outside this college. Citizens participate indirectly through representatives. Elected Rajya Sabha MPs themselves are indirectly elected, so the phrase “only directly elected representatives” is too broad.
First-Past-the-Post example: Candidate A wins with 40 of 100 votes, ahead of B with 35 and C with 25
Original classroom example, separate from the textbook caselet: A wins the seat with the highest vote count (40%), even though a majority of the votes went to other candidates. All 100 votes in this example are valid candidate votes. Tap to view at full size.

“Questions and activities” — Full Solutions

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

1. Why is universal adult franchise important for a healthy democracy?

ANSWERMeaning: universal adult franchise gives eligible adult citizens an equal vote irrespective of social or economic background. In India, the current minimum age is 18 and a voter must be registered, subject to legal disqualifications.Political equality: a wealthy or highly educated person does not receive more votes than anyone else. All sections can influence who represents them.Accountability: voters can choose representatives and replace them through elections when dissatisfied with their performance.Participation and legitimacy: inclusive voting lets people help shape public priorities and makes elected government representative. Elections also need informed voters, freedom of choice and fair administration.

2. What is the meaning of ‘secret ballot’? Why is this important in a democracy?

ANSWERA secret ballot lets a voter choose privately, without revealing the choice to candidates, employers, relatives or other voters.It reduces opportunities for intimidation, retaliation and verification of vote-buying promises. People can vote according to their judgement.Secrecy helps protect a free election; it does not by itself eliminate every form of bribery or pressure. It is used in Lok Sabha and assembly elections.

3. Give examples of direct and indirect elections.

ANSWERDirect: registered citizens vote for their Lok Sabha MP, their assembly MLA and representatives in local bodies.Indirect: elected MLAs elect Rajya Sabha representatives of their state. The President is elected by elected MPs and eligible elected MLAs. The Vice-President is elected by members of both Houses of Parliament, including nominated members; MLAs do not vote in that election.Nomination is different from an indirect election: the President nominates 12 Rajya Sabha members.

4. How is the election of members to the Lok Sabha different from that to the Rajya Sabha?

ANSWERLok Sabha: voters directly elect one MP from each of 543 constituencies, using First-Past-the-Post (FPTP). Its normal term is five years, unless dissolved sooner, subject to constitutional provisions.Rajya Sabha: elected MLAs elect state representatives through proportional representation by single transferable vote. Relevant Union Territory representation is governed by law. Of the 245 allocated seats described in the textbook, 233 are elected and 12 are nominated by the President; vacancies can change the number actually sitting.Continuity: the Rajya Sabha is not dissolved. Members normally serve six years, with about one-third retiring every two years. Its elections use preferential voting and an open-ballot procedure, rather than the public FPTP election used for the Lok Sabha.

5. What, in your view, are the advantages of the EVM over paper ballots?

ANSWERFaster counting: electronic totals reduce the need to sort and count individual ballot papers by hand.Fewer marking errors: pressing a candidate button avoids rejected votes caused by unclear stamps or multiple marks on paper ballots.Practical use: the machines are battery-operated and can be used where mains electricity is unreliable. Polling staff and accessibility measures help eligible voters use them.Verification: VVPAT gives a visible paper record of the selected candidate and retains it securely for checks under election rules. EVMs reduce the need for full-sized ballot papers, although VVPAT still uses paper.These are reasoned advantages; equipment checks, secure handling and proper procedures remain essential.

6. Voter turnout has been declining in some urban areas of India. What could be the reasons for this trend, and what steps can be taken to encourage more people to vote?

ANSWERPossible causes: migration away from the registered constituency, incomplete voter registration, difficulty finding polling information, work or caring commitments, inaccessible facilities and distrust or lack of interest. These are hypotheses to investigate, not conclusions about every non-voter.Responses: accessible registration assistance, clear polling information, awareness campaigns, ramps, wheelchairs, suitable queues and transport support where provided can reduce barriers. Digital tools can help find names and polling stations; they do not mean everyone can vote online.Optional home voting is restricted to eligible categories and the prescribed application process. For the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, this included voters aged 85 and above and persons with at least 40% benchmark disability. Check current ECI instructions rather than assuming it is available to all older voters.Use a voluntary, anonymous survey to identify local barriers and suggest suitable improvements.

7. Why do you think a proportion of seats in the Lok Sabha is reserved for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes? Write a short note.

ANSWER In the Lok Sabha, 84 constituencies are reserved for persons from the scheduled castes and 47 for scheduled tribes (out of 543). Why reservation is provided: communities from the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes have historically faced social and economic disadvantage. If seats were not reserved, they might find it hard to get elected and their concerns could go unheard. Reservation ensures that members from these communities are present in Parliament to represent their interests and raise issues that affect them. This makes the legislature more inclusive and representative, strengthens equality, and helps democracy reflect the diversity of Indian society. (Original short note; wording will vary.)

In an SC- or ST-reserved constituency, all eligible registered voters of that constituency can vote. Reservation concerns who may contest the reserved seat, not who may cast a vote.

8. Social media is changing the way we experience elections — from catchy campaign reels and live speeches to political debates on Instagram and Twitter. But is this strengthening democracy or confusing it? Discuss in pairs: What are the benefits, what are the challenges, and what might the future of elections be in a digital age?

ANSWER This is a discussion activity; work in pairs and note both sides. A model response: Benefits: social media spreads information quickly and cheaply, lets candidates reach huge audiences (especially the youth), allows direct interaction between leaders and citizens, and can increase awareness and participation. Challenges: it can spread fake news, rumours and misleading propaganda; create echo chambers where people only hear one view; allow paid or hidden campaigning; and confuse voters with too much unverified content. Future in a digital age: elections will likely use more digital campaigning, but they will also need stronger fact-checking, clear rules on online political advertising, and digital-literacy education so that voters can tell reliable information from misinformation. (Your own discussion points are accepted.)

Before sharing a political claim, check the source, date and full context; compare it with an official notice or reliable reporting. An edited clip or AI-generated image is not proof. Discuss competing ideas respectfully and do not disclose another person’s voting choice.

9. Visit the website https://www.indiavotes.com, and choose a parliamentary constituency election from any year and explore its results. Do the same for an assembly election in your state.

ANSWER This is an activity to be done online. Visit indiavotes.com and pick any one Lok Sabha (parliamentary) constituency for a chosen year. Note details such as: the winning candidate and their party, the total votes they received, the runner-up, the margin of victory, and the voter turnout. Observe how, under the First-Past-the-Post system, a candidate can win without securing 50 per cent of the votes. Then repeat the exercise for an assembly (Vidhan Sabha) constituency in your own state and compare the two sets of results. (Answers will vary with the constituency and year chosen.)
Field to recordHow to use it
Year, constituency and election typeKeep parliamentary and assembly results separate.
Winner and runner-up; votes for eachVictory margin = winner’s votes minus runner-up’s votes.
Candidate vote shareUse the denominator stated by the results source; do not confuse vote share with turnout.
Electors and votes polledTurnout = votes polled ÷ registered electors × 100, using the source’s definitions.
Source and access dateCross-check the textbook’s suggested results site against official ECI results or statistical reports. Do not invent local results.

Extra Practice Questions

These questions and MCQs are ClearStudy practice, separate from the NCERT exercise.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1. What is universal adult franchise?

ANSWERUniversal adult franchise gives eligible adult citizens an equal right to vote without discrimination based on education, income, caste, religion or gender. India adopted the principle at the start of the Republic with a minimum voting age of 21; the age is now 18. Registration and legal eligibility are also required.

Q2. What is a constituency?

ANSWERA constituency is an area whose voters elect a representative to a legislative body. For the Lok Sabha, India is divided into 543 constituencies, each electing one Member of Parliament.

Q3. When was the Election Commission of India established, and when were the first general elections held?

ANSWERThe Election Commission of India was established in 1950 as an independent constitutional body. The first general elections in independent India were held in 1951–1952.

Q4. What is NOTA?

ANSWERNOTA means ‘None Of The Above’. It records a voter’s rejection of the listed candidates. In Lok Sabha and assembly elections, it does not automatically invalidate the election or require a new poll.

Q5. What is the difference between an MP and an MLA?

ANSWERAn MP is a member of the national Parliament, either the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha. An MLA is a member of a state or relevant Union Territory legislative assembly. Lok Sabha MPs and MLAs are elected directly through FPTP; Rajya Sabha MPs are elected indirectly or nominated. Parliament and assemblies make laws, scrutinise government and consider public issues at their respective levels.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q1. Describe the role and main tasks of the Election Commission of India.

ANSWERThe ECI is an independent constitutional authority established on 25 January 1950. Under Article 324 it administers elections to Parliament, state legislatures, and the offices of President and Vice-President. It supervises electoral rolls, schedules elections, registers political parties and oversees polling and counting, including enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct. Chief Electoral Officers, District Election Officers, Returning Officers and Electoral Registration Officers carry out different responsibilities. State Election Commissions are separate constitutional authorities responsible for panchayat and municipal elections; a Chief Electoral Officer is not the State Election Commission. Accessibility measures include ramps, assistance, accessible information and optional home voting for eligible categories.

Q2. Explain how the President of India is elected.

ANSWERThe President is elected indirectly by an electoral college comprising elected MPs of both Houses of Parliament and elected MLAs of states and the Union Territories of Delhi and Puducherry. Nominated members and members of legislative councils do not participate. Voting uses proportional representation by single transferable vote and a secret ballot. Vote values are weighted under constitutional rules to balance representation of states and Parliament. Elected Rajya Sabha MPs are indirectly elected, so it is incorrect to say that all Presidential electors are directly elected. Compare this with the Vice-President’s election, in which nominated MPs also vote and MLAs do not.

Q3. What is the Model Code of Conduct, and why is it important?

ANSWERThe Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is a set of dos and don’ts that leaders, political parties and candidates must follow to ensure free and fair elections. A few of its elements are: the party in government must not misuse government resources for the election or announce new schemes and projects that may influence voters; all candidates must show discretion and restraint so that elections remain peaceful; and influencing voters through gifts in return for votes is punishable. The MCC was first adopted in Kerala in 1960 and was circulated by the ECI from the 1962 general elections; from 1991 the ECI became proactive in enforcing it. It is important because it creates a level playing field for all parties, prevents the misuse of power and money, and helps keep elections honest, peaceful and fair.

MCQs & Assertion–Reason

1. The minimum age to vote in India is:

(a) 16 years    (b) 18 years    (c) 21 years    (d) 25 years

2. Universal adult franchise in India is provided under which Article of the Constitution?

(a) Article 21    (b) Article 326    (c) Article 370    (d) Article 14

3. The total number of Lok Sabha constituencies in India is:

(a) 245    (b) 543    (c) 552    (d) 233

4. The Election Commission of India was established in the year:

(a) 1947    (b) 1949    (c) 1950    (d) 1952

5. The electoral system used for Lok Sabha and assembly elections in India is:

(a) single transferable vote    (b) proportional representation    (c) First-Past-the-Post    (d) electoral college

6. NOTA stands for:

(a) Names Of The Aspirants    (b) None Of The Above    (c) Notice On The Assembly    (d) Number Of The Aspirants

7. Members of the Rajya Sabha are elected through:

(a) direct elections by the people    (b) indirect elections by MLAs    (c) nomination only    (d) the President alone

8. The Rajya Sabha is also known as the:

(a) Lower House    (b) House of the People    (c) Permanent House    (d) Temporary House

9. The VVPAT system is used to:

(a) register voters    (b) provide a printed slip so voters can verify their vote    (c) count the population    (d) nominate candidates

10. The President of India is elected by:

(a) the common people directly    (b) the Prime Minister    (c) an electoral college of elected MPs and MLAs    (d) the Chief Election Commissioner

Answer key: 1-(b), 2-(b), 3-(b), 4-(c), 5-(c), 6-(b), 7-(b), 8-(c), 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: In India, every adult citizen has one vote of equal value.

Reason: India follows the principle of universal adult franchise under Article 326.

A-R 2. Assertion: The secret ballot is used in elections.

Reason: It allows people to vote freely without fear or pressure, keeping the process private and fair.

A-R 3. Assertion: A candidate must secure at least 50 per cent of the votes to win a Lok Sabha seat.

Reason: India uses the First-Past-the-Post system, in which the candidate with the most votes wins.

A-R 4. Assertion: The Rajya Sabha is a permanent house.

Reason: One-third of its members retire every two years, and it is never dissolved.

A-R 5. Assertion: The President of India is elected directly by all the citizens.

Reason: An electoral college of elected MPs and MLAs elects the President using the single transferable vote system.

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

Exam Tips & Common Mistakes

How to write a clear answer

Use the textbook’s figures with context: 18 (current voting age; originally 21), Article 326, 543 Lok Sabha constituencies, 245 allocated Rajya Sabha seats (233 elected + 12 nominated; actual membership can vary with vacancies), 84 SC and 47 ST reserved seats, ECI established in 1950, first elections 1951–52. When asked to compare Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, use a two-sided structure (direct vs indirect, dissolved vs permanent). For opinion and activity questions (Q5, Q6, Q8, Q9), always give clear reasons and real examples. Use the textbook’s own examples — the Suryodaya School class-rep election, T.N. Seshan’s reforms, the 2024 Lok Sabha elections — to show you have studied the chapter.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Saying a candidate needs 50 per cent of votes to win — under First-Past-the-Post, only the most votes are needed.
  • Confusing direct elections (Lok Sabha, assemblies, local bodies) with indirect elections (Rajya Sabha, President, Vice President).
  • Thinking the President is elected by the common people — the President is elected by an electoral college.
  • Mixing up the Lok Sabha (can be dissolved) with the Rajya Sabha (permanent house).
  • Assuming that NOTA cancels a Lok Sabha or assembly election; it registers rejection of candidates without automatically requiring a fresh poll.
  • Leaving activity-based questions (Q8, Q9) blank — write your own reasoned response or report.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is universal adult franchise in Class 8 Social Science Chapter 5?

Universal adult franchise gives eligible adult citizens an equal vote without discrimination based on social or economic background. India adopted this principle with a minimum age of 21; the current age is 18. Article 326 applies to Lok Sabha and state assembly elections, subject to registration and legal eligibility.

How is the Lok Sabha election different from the Rajya Sabha election?

Lok Sabha MPs are directly elected through FPTP in 543 constituencies. The House can be dissolved. Rajya Sabha representatives are elected indirectly using proportional representation by single transferable vote, while 12 members are nominated by the President. The 245 allocated seats include 233 elected seats. The Rajya Sabha is permanent; nomination is not an election.

What is the exercise heading for Chapter 5 of Exploring Society?

The end-of-chapter exercise in Exploring Society: India and Beyond Chapter 5 is headed Questions and activities and contains 9 numbered questions, all answered step by step on this page.

Official checks: Sixty-first Amendment Act; ECI parliamentary-election FAQs; Vice-Presidential election FAQs; ECI EVM/VVPAT FAQs; 2024 home-voting eligibility. For the institutions behind these elections, see Chapter 6: Legislature and Executive.

Textbook reference: NCERT Chapter 5, Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Grade 8, Part I (2026–27 reprint). Answers and illustrations on this page are original ClearStudy learning aids. Reviewed 10 October 2026.

← Chapter 4 Exploring Society (all chapters) Chapter 6 →
Scroll to Top