Class 8 Social Science Exploring Society Chapter 5 Solutions (NCERT 2026–27) – Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System

These Class 8 Social Science Exploring Society Chapter 5 solutions cover Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System from Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part I), the new NCF-2023 textbook for the 2026–27 session. 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
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Class 8 Social Science Exploring Society Chapter 5 – 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 very beginning: every citizen aged 18 and above gets 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: the principle that every adult citizen (aged 18 and above) gets one vote of equal value, irrespective of caste, creed, race, religion, gender, education or income. It is a cornerstone of Indian democracy (Article 326).

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

Secret ballot: a voting method in which no one knows whom a person voted for, keeping the process private and fair.

NOTA (None Of The Above): an option that lets voters reject all candidates if they are not satisfied; it does not change the result but sends a message.

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: the Electronic Voting Machine records votes; the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail prints a slip so voters can verify their vote and a paper backup exists for recounts.

Other key terms: Coalition (two or more parties working together), Dissolution (expiry of a body’s term), Bicameral legislature (a legislature with two houses), and the single transferable vote system used for the Rajya Sabha, President and Vice President.

“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?

ANSWER Universal adult franchise means every citizen aged 18 and above has one vote of equal value, with no discrimination based on caste, creed, religion, gender, education or wealth. It is important for a healthy democracy because it makes everyone equal and ensures that everyone’s voice matters in deciding the nation’s future. It gives people the power to choose representatives who can best serve them, and to vote out those who do not perform — this keeps elected representatives answerable to the people. It also fosters civic engagement, letting citizens participate in solving problems in their area. By including all sections of society, universal franchise gives the government legitimacy and strengthens democracy.

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

ANSWER A secret ballot is a method of voting in which no one knows whom a particular voter has voted for. The voter marks their choice privately, and the vote is kept confidential. It is important in a democracy because it lets people vote freely according to their own conscience, without fear of pressure, threats or punishment from anyone. It prevents bribery and intimidation, since no one can check how a person actually voted. This keeps the election private and fair, so the result truly reflects the people’s honest choice.

3. Give examples of direct and indirect elections.

ANSWER Direct elections: the people themselves vote directly for their representatives. Examples include elections to the Lok Sabha (Members of Parliament), the State Legislative Assemblies (MLAs), and local bodies such as gram panchayats and urban local bodies. Indirect elections: people’s elected representatives vote on their behalf, rather than the citizens directly. Examples include the election of Rajya Sabha members (chosen by the elected MLAs of the state assemblies), and the election of the President and Vice President of India (chosen by an electoral college of elected representatives).

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

ANSWER Lok Sabha members (MPs) are chosen through direct elections — the common people of each of the 543 constituencies vote directly using universal adult franchise and the First-Past-the-Post system. The Lok Sabha can be dissolved at the end of its term. Rajya Sabha members (also MPs) are chosen through indirect elections — of its 245 members, 233 are elected by the elected MLAs of the state legislative assemblies, while the President nominates 12. It uses the single transferable vote system. The Rajya Sabha is a permanent house that is never dissolved; one-third of its members retire every two years, and each member has a six-year term. Thus the key differences are direct vs indirect election, the voters involved, the voting method, and dissolution.

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

ANSWER The Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) has several advantages over the older paper-ballot system: Speed and accuracy: votes are counted electronically, so results are declared faster and with fewer counting errors than counting paper ballots by hand. Fewer invalid votes: a voter simply presses a button, so there are no wrongly marked or torn ballot papers that have to be rejected. Simplicity and accessibility: the machine is easy to use, and the beep confirms the vote was recorded. Verification with VVPAT: the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail prints a slip so voters can check that their vote was cast correctly, giving a paper backup for recounts. EVMs are also eco-friendly as they save paper. (Your own reasoned points are accepted.)

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?

ANSWER Possible reasons for low urban turnout: voter apathy and a feeling that ‘one vote does not matter’; people being away from their registered constituency for work; long queues and busy schedules; lack of awareness about candidates; and treating election day as a holiday. Steps to encourage voting: run awareness and voter-education campaigns (especially for the youth); make registration and voting easier through technology; ensure convenient polling stations with short waiting times; use accessibility measures like home voting for the elderly and people with disabilities; and remind citizens that voting is both a right and a responsibility. An aware and vigilant voter is the strongest safeguard of democracy. (Reasoned suggestions are accepted.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

Extra Practice Questions

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1. What is universal adult franchise?

ANSWERUniversal adult franchise is the principle that every citizen aged 18 and above has the right to one vote of equal value, irrespective of caste, creed, race, religion, gender, education or income. It has been a feature of Indian democracy from the very beginning (Article 326).

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 stands for ‘None Of The Above’. It is an option that allows voters to reject all the candidates if they are not satisfied with any of them. It does not change the result but sends a message that voters want better choices.

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

ANSWERAn MP (Member of Parliament) represents people in the national Parliament (the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha) and focuses on issues affecting the whole country. An MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly) represents people in the state assembly and focuses mainly on regional issues. Both are chosen through similar electoral processes but work at different levels of governance.

Long Answer Type Questions

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

ANSWERThe Election Commission of India (ECI) is an independent constitutional body set up in 1950 to conduct free and fair elections. It conducts elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies and the offices of President and Vice President. Its crucial tasks include setting election dates, registering political parties, enforcing the Model Code of Conduct, and overseeing the entire electoral process. At the national level it is headed by the Chief Election Commissioner with two Election Commissioners; at the state level there is a Chief Electoral Officer, and at the district level a District Election Officer, with Returning Officers conducting elections and Electoral Registration Officers managing voter lists. The ECI has also introduced accessibility measures — home voting for the elderly and people with disabilities, braille-enabled voter cards and wheelchair assistance — so that no voter is left behind.

Q2. Explain how the President of India is elected.

ANSWERThe President of India is not directly elected by the common people. Instead, an electoral college elects the President. This electoral college consists of the elected Members of Parliament (MPs) from both houses — the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha — and the elected Members of the Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) of all the states and of the union territories of Delhi and Puducherry. The single transferable vote system is used, and the more populous states have a greater say. Certain people are not involved — nominated members of the Rajya Sabha and of state assemblies, members of legislative councils, and nominated members of Delhi and Puducherry. This ensures that only directly elected representatives vote, which maintains democratic legitimacy, since the President is meant to represent the will of the people indirectly but meaningfully.

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 score full marks in this chapter

Remember the key numbers exactly: 18 (voting age), Article 326, 543 Lok Sabha constituencies, 245 Rajya Sabha members (233 elected + 12 nominated), 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).
  • Forgetting that NOTA does not change the result — it only registers dissatisfaction.
  • 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 is the principle that every Indian citizen aged 18 and above has the right to one vote of equal value, regardless of caste, creed, race, religion, gender, education or income. It is guaranteed under Article 326 and has been a feature of Indian democracy from the very beginning.

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

Lok Sabha members are chosen by direct election — the people vote directly in 543 constituencies using the First-Past-the-Post system, and the house can be dissolved. Rajya Sabha members are chosen by indirect election — 233 are elected by MLAs and 12 are nominated by the President, using the single transferable vote, and the house is permanent.

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.

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