NCERT Solutions for Class 9th Social Science Chapter 6 Chapter opening — The Big Questions

The chapter's answer is that democracy in India was not imported ready-made in 1950; it grew through a long historical process, was interrupted by foreign rule, was revived by the freedom struggle, and was then written down as a working constitutional system.

1. Early times — the king was never an independent ruler. The Vedic period had assemblies — the Sabha, the Samiti and the Vidhata — that involved collective decision-making, and there were early republican states, the gaṇas or saṁghas. The king “worked in consultation with assemblies, ministers, and officers of various capacities”.

2. The values behind it were stated openly. The verse from the Aikyamatya Sūktam of the Ṛigveda (10.191.3), printed as Fig. 6.1, says: “Their counsel is one and the same; their assembly is one. Their mind is one, and their intention together is one.” The chapter reads this as evidence that consultation, consensus and shared responsibility have deep roots in India's intellectual and cultural traditions.

3. A working example — the Bauddha Saṁgha. The monastic community established by Gautama Buddha encouraged debate and discussion, its members could choose their leader, and it made decisions through voting. That is collective decision-making with a recognisable procedure.

4. Interruption. Invasions by foreign invaders disrupted the political and social fabric of some parts of the country, and by the 19th century the British had colonised most of the Indian subcontinent. Foreign rule altered political structures and limited people's participation in their governance.

5. Revival. The long struggle for independence revived and strengthened democratic ideas among the people.

6. Codification. The Constituent Assembly was formed in 1946, before independence in 1947, and took 2 years, 11 months and 18 days to draft the world's longest written Constitution. The Constituent Assembly Debates (CAD) were shaped both by indigenous democratic traditions and by the global spread of democratic values.

7. Made to keep evolving. The CAD reflect the members' belief that the Constitution “should not be a rigid legal code, but a dynamic document capable of evolving through lawful amendments without compromising its fundamental values”. That is why Article 368 provides for amendment. The Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950.

Fig. 6.4 sorts democracy into two main forms, and then splits the second of them into two.

How they are practised — the table on page 148:

The chapter lists seven non-negotiable principles under the heading Principles of Democracy, and then shows that democratic functioning does not stop at the gates of government.

A. The seven principles (pages 140–143)

B. How these extend beyond government institutions

• The media — the 'fourth pillar of democracy'. Newspapers, news channels and social media platforms keep people informed, serve as a voice of the masses, and raise public issues so they can be resolved through appropriate mechanisms.
• Civil society. Voluntary groups, NGOs and community associations. With the media, they carry the democratic values of debate and discussion and freedom of expression (page 144 table). Through PIL, campaigns and community organisations they “act as bridges between citizens and the State”.
• Everyday social life. Socio-religious and community institutions, cooperatives and trade unions often adopt democratic decision-making methods of their own.
• The grassroots. Beyond Panchayati Raj and Municipalities there are Autonomous District Councils in specific north-eastern regions with legislative and judicial authority to preserve tribal customs, and the PESA Act, 1996, which makes the Gram Sabha the primary decision-making body in tribal areas of other states.
• Citizens themselves. The DON'T MISS OUT box on page 143 puts it plainly: “The real strength of democracy lies in its citizens — their participation, awareness of duties and rights, and commitment to honesty and fairness. Without these, no democratic process or institution can function effectively or deliver meaningful outcomes.”

The chapter groups the challenges into three kinds — social and economic barriers, the information environment, and the conduct of citizens themselves — and adds one historical episode.

1. Barriers to equal participation. Even after significant progress in representation and participation, India “continues to face several challenges, such as illiteracy, misinformation, and inequality”. The chapter also names poverty, regionalism, gender inequality and social discrimination as things that “create barriers to equal participation”.

2. Misinformation. “In recent times, the spread of fake news, especially through social media and other digital platforms, has emerged as a major concern. Such misinformation can influence public opinion, create confusion, and sometimes even lead to conflict.”

3. Gaps in implementation. “gaps in the effective implementation of laws and policies may reduce public trust in institutions.” A right that exists on paper but is not delivered weakens confidence in the system that promised it.

4. What citizens do. Democracy “is not limited to elections — it is reflected in everyday behaviour, decision-making, and civic responsibility.” Actions such as damaging public property, spreading misinformation, or violating public rules weaken democratic values, and indifference towards public issues can adversely affect the health of a democracy.

5. Representation that law alone cannot secure. Indian women received the vote with the Constitution in 1950 without a prolonged struggle, “However, the right to vote does not automatically ensure equal participation. Social prejudices continue to act as barriers and affect women's adequate representation in politics.”

6. The Emergency, 1975–77. The chapter records this as “one of the major challenges to democracy in India”. In June 1975 a National Emergency was imposed on the grounds of internal disturbance; a majority of Fundamental Rights were suspended, the press was censored, and numerous political leaders and activists were arrested. Mass movements led by Jayaprakash Narayan mobilised students and citizens, especially in Bihar and Gujarat. The Emergency was lifted in 1977 and general elections were held.