The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive | Class 8 Social Science Notes
By ConceptScroll Team · Published on 17 July 2026 · 3 min read
The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive – this guide gives you a concise, exam-ready overview of The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive from Class 8 Social Science, written by ConceptScroll editors and reviewed against the latest NCERT textbook.
Introduction
The chapter 'The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive' introduces students to the fundamental structure and functioning of the parliamentary system of government, which is the system adopted by India. This system is characterized by the close relationship between the legislature (the law-making body) and the executive (the government). The chapter begins by explaining that in a parliamentary system, the executive is responsible to the legislature and can be removed by it through a vote of no-confidence. This system is different from the presidential system, where the executive and legislature are separate and independent. The parliamentary system ensures that the government enjoys the confidence of the majority in the legislature, making it accountable and responsible. The chapter also highlights the importance of understanding the roles and functions of the legislature and executive in a democracy, as they are essential for the functioning of the government and the protection of citizens' rights. The introduction sets the stage for a detailed study of the composition, powers, and functioning of the Parliament and the Council of Ministers in India.
📊 Diagram: No specific diagrams in the introduction section, but introductory images often show the Parliament building or a schematic showing the relationship between legislature and executive.
🧪 Activity: No activity in the introduction section.
🔗 Connection: Leads to the next section which explains the composition and functions of the Parliament in detail.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is India’s parliamentary system, and how is it structured?
India’s parliamentary system is a democratic form of government where the executive is responsible to the legislature. It is structured with the Parliament at the center, which consists of the President and two houses: the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States). This bicameral system ensures representation of the people and the states. The Lok Sabha members are directly elected by the people, while the Rajya Sabha members are elected indirectly by the electoral c
2. What are the key functions of the Parliament?
The key functions of the Parliament are: (i) to make laws for the country, (ii) to control and guide the work of the government, (iii) to represent the people’s interests, (iv) to approve the budget and expenditures, and (v) to ensure that the government functions with the consent of the people.
3. What are the roles of the legislature and the executive in India’s Parliamentary democracy?
In India’s Parliamentary democracy, the legislature (Parliament) makes laws, debates policies, and controls the government. The executive (Prime Minister and Council of Ministers) implements laws and runs the administration. The executive is responsible to the legislature and must maintain its confidence to stay in power.
4. How are the legislature and the executive organised at the union and state levels?
At the union level, the legislature is the Parliament consisting of the President, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha. The executive is the President, Prime Minister, and Council of Ministers. At the state level, the legislature consists of the Governor and the State Legislative Assembly (and Legislative Council in some states). The executive includes the Governor and the Chief Minister with the Council of Ministers. Both levels follow the parliamentary system where the executive is responsible to the l
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Clear NCERT-aligned notes on Law and Social for Class 8 Social Science.
- Law and Social | Class 8 Social Science Notes
Clear NCERT-aligned notes on Law and Social for Class 8 Social Science.