Chapter 6: Democracy Class 9 Social Science NCERT BOOK

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 Class 9 Social Science 

Chapter 6: Democracy 

1. Democracy – Democracy is a form of government in which ultimate power belongs to the people. Citizens elect their representatives through free and fair elections.

2. Democracy in India:- India is the world's largest democracy.

  • More than 96.8 crore voters (2024).
  • Constitution adopted on 26 November 1949.
  • Came into force on 26 January 1950.

Guarantees Fundamental Rights and encourages participation at National, State and Local levels.

3. Democratic Traditions in Ancient India:-Democratic values existed since ancient India.

Important Institutions

  • Sabha
  • Samiti
  • Vidhata
  • Gana
  • Sangha
  • Bauddha Sangha
Aikyamatya Suktam of the Rigveda emphasises  the importance of collective thinking, shared discussion, and unity of purpose.

Features

  • Collective decision-making
  • Discussion
  • Debate
  • Voting
  • Consultation
  • Consensus

4. Constituent Assembly

  • Formed in 1946
  • Drafted the Constitution.
  • Took 2 years, 11 months, 18 days.

Constitution is: Constituent Assembly's Debates(CAD)

  • Robust
  • Flexible
  • Transformative
  • Responsive

The CAD reflects themembers belief that the constitution should not be a rigid code,.

Why the Constitution is Not a Rigid Code

  • Living Document: It adapts to changing social needs and times.
  • Flexible Amendment Process: Article 368 allows changes without destroying the core framework.
  • Protection of Core Values: Fundamental values like justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity remain untouched.
  • Democratic Continuity: Prevents public dissatisfaction and revolutions by allowing legal updates.

Important Keyword:- Article 368 – Amendment of Constitution

5. Principles of Democracy:-  A thriving democracy rests on certain non-negotiable principles

(A) Popular Sovereignty:- Source of power lies with the people. it means authority from the people. 

  • Universal Adult Franchise
  • Secret Ballot
  • Voting

(B) Rule of Law:- Everyone is equal before law.

  • Equal protection of law
  • No one is above law
  • Due process
  • Fair justice

Keywords:- Rule of Law • Equality before Law • Equal Protection • Due Process

(C) Fundamental Rights:- Six Fundamental Rights

  • Right to Equality
  • Right to Freedom
  • Right against Exploitation
  • Freedom of Religion
  • Cultural and Educational Rights
  • Constitutional Remedies

Important Articles

Right                                             Articles

  • Equality                                             14–18
  • Freedom                                             19–22
  • Against Exploitation                     23–24
  • Religion                                             25–28
  • Cultural & Educational                     29–30
  • Constitutional Remedies                         32

Other Important Articles

  • Article 21A – Right to Education
  • Article 226 – Constitutional Remedies

(D) Separation of Powers:- Government has three organs.

  • Legislature:-Makes laws
  • Executive:-Implements laws
  • Judiciary:- Interprets laws

Purpose:

  • Checks and balances
  • Prevents misuse of power

Public Interest Litigation (PIL):- A legal action initiated in a court of law for the enforcement of public interest.

(E) Accountability and Transparency:- Government is accountable to people.

Important Act:- RTI Act, 2005

(F) Multi-party System:- Many political parties contest elections.

Important Points

  • Government:-The government holds executive power to run the country.
  • Opposition:-  while the opposition consists of parties outside the government that question, monitor, and offer alternative policies to keep the ruling party accountable.
  • Coalition:- A coalition government is a cabinet formed by multiple political parties sharing executive power, typically occurring, when no single party wins an absolute majority of seats in an election.

Representation of the People Act, 1951

(G) Protection of Vulnerable Groups:- Government protects weaker sections.

Important Article:- Article 46

Protects:- Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Weaker Sections

Civil Society:-  Refer to the voluntary groups, NGOs and community, associations that function interdependently within society.

Quetions Hour:- The first hour of a parliamentary session when members ask questions to the governmetn.

7. Role of Media:-  Media is called the Fourth Pillar of Democracy.

Functions

  • Spreads information
  • Raises public issues
  • Builds public opinion
  • Strengthens democracy

8. Types of Democracy

Direct Democracy:- 

  • Difficult to follow in large country
  • Citizens directly participate in decision making process.
  • Example:- Switzerland

Representative Democracy:- 

  • People elect representatives.
  • Govt Accountable to the people 
  • People do not directly govern.
  • Periodic election
  • Example:- India
Parliamentary Democracy:- 
  • Executive is responsible to Legislature.
  • Members of the executive are also part of the legislature 
  • People elect the legislature but not the executive
  • Examples:- India, Canada

Presidential Democracy

  • President is independent of Legislature.
  • President is elected by people.
  • President is accountable.
  • Example:- United States

9. Democracy Around the World

Country                                                             Type

  • India                                                     Parliamentary
  • Canada                                                     Parliamentary
  • UK                                                             Constitutional Monarchy
  • Switzerland                                             Direct Democracy
  • USA                                                     Presidential Democracy

Federalism:-  Division of power between Centre and State government.

Sovereignty:- Derived from the latin word superanus, meaning 'supreme'. It refer to the supreme,final and independent legal authority of a state over its territory and citizens.

10. India's Living Democracy

  • 96.8 crore voters
  • Over 1 million polling stations
  • Elections in 22 scheduled languages
  • More than 2800 political parties

11. Grassroots Democracy:-Three Levels

  • Union Government
  • State Government
  • Local Government
Local Institutions
  • Gram Sabha
  • Gram Panchayat
  • Panchayati Raj
  • Municipalities
  • Autonomous District Councils (ADC)
  • PESA Act (1996)

Decentralisation:- Decentralization is the process of dispersing power away from a primary, central authority to several smaller, more localized ones. The decentralization of a federal government would transfer some powers to regions such as states or provinces. 

12. Case Studies:- Jethipura Gram Panchayat (Gujarat)

  • People's participation
  • Gram Sabha
  • Women participation
  • Education
  • Sanitation

South Manubankul Gram Panchayat (Tripura)

  • Women-friendly Panchayat
  • Self-help groups
  • Health
  • Cleanliness
  • Social awareness

13. Women and Democracy:-Women received voting rights from the beginning of the Constitution.

  • Reservation:- Article 243D:-Minimum 1/3 reservation in Panchayats.
  • Article 243T:- Minimum 1/3 reservation in Municipalities.
  • Many states provide 50% reservation.

Quorum:- The presence of the minimum number of members in the meetings of an assembly to make the proceding valid.

Cooperatives:- Groups formed by people to work together for a common benefit; members shar profit and responsiblities equally.

14. Right to Information (RTI) 2005

Purpose:

  • Transparency
  • Accountability
  • Access to Government Information

15. Challenges to Democracy

  • Illiteracy
  • Poverty
  • Inequality
  • Regionalism
  • Gender inequality
  • Social discrimination
  • Fake News
  • Misinformation
  • Weak implementation of laws

16. Emergency (1975–77):-Major challenge to democracy. During Emergency

  • Fundamental Rights suspended
  • Press censored
  • Political leaders arrested

Important Leader:- Jayaprakash Narayan (Lok Nayak)

Important Articles

  • Article 352 – National Emergency
  • Article 356 – President's Rule
  • Article 360 – Financial Emergency

17. Duties of Young Citizens::-Students should

  • Be media literate
  • Understand Constitution
  • Follow Fundamental Duties
  • Participate in NCC
  • Participate in NSS
  • Bharat Scouts & Guides
  • Respect diversity
  • Protect public property

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