Class 9 Civics Notes: Working of Institutions
Class 9 Civics Notes: Working of Institutions
Welcome back to our Class 9 Civics study series! Today, we are exploring Chapter 5: Working of Institutions.
In a democracy, winning an election is just the beginning. The real work is actually governing the country! But the Prime Minister or the President doesn't just sit in a room and make all the decisions alone. They have to work with and within certain arrangements called Institutions.
In this chapter, we will look at the three main pillars of the Indian government: the Legislature (Parliament), the Executive (Ministers and Civil Servants), and the Judiciary (Courts). Let’s break down how the government actually works!
1. How is a Major Policy Decision Taken?
To understand how institutions work, the NCERT book gives a real-life example of a major government order.
The Office Memorandum:
On August 13, 1990, the Government of India issued an Order (an Office Memorandum). It announced a massive policy change: 27% of vacancies in civil posts and services under the Government of India would be reserved for the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC). Who made this decision? The officer who signed the document didn't decide it. The Prime Minister didn't wake up one day and decide it alone. It involved a long chain of institutions:
The Mandal Commission: In 1979, the government appointed the Second Backward Classes Commission, headed by B.P. Mandal, to investigate the conditions of backward classes and suggest measures for their advancement. The commission gave its report in 1980 and recommended the 27% reservation.
The Parliament: The report was discussed in the Parliament for years.
The Election Promise: In the 1989 Lok Sabha elections, the Janata Dal party promised that if voted to power, they would implement the Mandal Commission report.
The Executive Action: They won the election. The new Prime Minister, V.P. Singh, informed the Parliament that his government would implement it. The Cabinet took a formal decision, and the order was finally drafted and signed by an officer.
The Judiciary: The decision caused massive protests. Some people filed cases in the courts. The Supreme Court of India bunched all these cases together (known as the Indira Sawhney case) and finally declared the government's order valid in 1992, but asked them to exclude the "creamy layer" (the well-off persons) from the backward classes.
This shows how all three institutions—the Parliament, the Executive, and the Judiciary—must work together to implement a major policy!
2. The Parliament (The Legislature)
In all democracies, an assembly of elected representatives exercises supreme political authority on behalf of the people. In India, such a national assembly of elected representatives is called the Parliament. At the state level, it is called the Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha).
Why do we need a Parliament?
It is the final authority for making new laws, changing existing laws, or abolishing old laws.
It exercises control over those who run the government. The government can take decisions only as long as they enjoy the support of the Parliament.
It controls all the money that the government has (the Budget).
It is the highest forum of discussion and debate on public issues and national policies.
Two Houses of Parliament
Our Parliament is divided into two houses (or chambers):
Lok Sabha (House of the People): Its members are directly elected by the people.
Rajya Sabha (Council of States): Its members are elected indirectly by the elected members of the state assemblies. It looks after the interests of various states, regions, or federal units.
Which House is more powerful?
You might think Rajya Sabha (the "Upper House") is more powerful, but the Constitution actually gives the Lok Sabha (the "Lower House") more supreme power:
Any ordinary law needs to be passed by both Houses. But if there is a clash, a joint session is held. Since Lok Sabha has many more members, its view usually prevails.
Money Matters: The Lok Sabha exercises more powers in money matters. Once it passes the budget, the Rajya Sabha cannot reject it; it can only delay it by 14 days or suggest changes.
Control over the Executive: Most importantly, the Lok Sabha controls the Council of Ministers. If the majority of Lok Sabha members say they have "no confidence" in the Council of Ministers, all ministers including the Prime Minister have to quit! The Rajya Sabha does not have this power.
3. The Political Executive
The people who are in charge of the "execution" of the policies of the government are called the Executive.
Political vs. Permanent Executive
Political Executive: These are the political leaders (Prime Minister, Ministers) elected by the people for a specific period. They take all the big decisions.
Permanent Executive (Civil Services): These are the IAS, IPS, and other civil servants appointed on a long-term basis. They remain in office even when the ruling party changes. They assist the political executive in carrying out day-to-day administration.
Why does the political minister have more power than the highly educated civil servant? Because in a democracy, the will of the people is supreme. The minister is elected by the people and is answerable to them. The civil servant is an expert, but the minister decides the overall objective and destination!
Prime Minister and Council of Ministers
The Prime Minister is the most important political institution in the country. The President appoints the leader of the majority party or the coalition in the Lok Sabha as the Prime Minister.
The Council of Ministers is the official name for the body that includes all the Ministers. It usually has 60 to 80 Ministers of different ranks:
Cabinet Ministers: Usually top-level leaders of the ruling party. They are in charge of the major ministries (like Defense, Finance, Home Affairs).
Ministers of State with Independent Charge: Usually in charge of smaller ministries. They attend Cabinet meetings only when specially invited.
Ministers of State: Attached to and required to assist Cabinet Ministers.
The President
While the Prime Minister is the head of the government, the President is the head of the State.
The President exercises only nominal powers (like the Queen of Britain). The President supervises the overall functioning of all political institutions.
All government activities, major appointments (Chief Justice, Election Commissioners, Ambassadors), and international treaties take place in the name of the President.
However, the President exercises these powers only on the advice of the Council of Ministers!
4. The Judiciary
Finally, we need an institution to settle disputes and ensure laws are followed. All the courts at different levels in a country put together are called the judiciary. The Indian judiciary is completely independent of the legislature and the executive.
The Structure:
Supreme Court: For the entire nation. It is the highest court of appeal.
High Courts: For the individual states.
District Courts / Local Courts: At the local level.
Why is the Indian Judiciary so powerful?
Independence: The judges do not act on the direction of the government or according to the wishes of the party in power. Once a person is appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court (by the President), it is nearly impossible to remove them.
Judicial Review: The Supreme Court and the High Courts have the power to interpret the Constitution of the country. They can declare any law passed by the legislature or any action of the executive invalid if they find it against the Constitution.
Guardian of Fundamental Rights: Anyone can approach the courts if their fundamental rights are violated by the government.
Quick Revision Summary 📝
Three Pillars: The government works through the Legislature (makes laws), the Executive (implements laws), and the Judiciary (settles disputes).
Parliament: Consists of the President, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha. The Lok Sabha is more powerful in money matters and controlling the Council of Ministers.
The Executive: Includes the Prime Minister, the Cabinet, and civil servants. The PM is the head of the government; the President is the nominal head of the State.
The Judiciary: An independent and powerful integrated system (Supreme Court, High Courts, District Courts) that can review laws and protect fundamental rights.
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