Working of Institutions
Democracy works through institutions that share power. This Class 9 Civics chapter explains the main organs of government — the legislature, the executive and the judiciary — and how they function together.
Learning objectives
- Identify the main institutions of government.
- Describe the role of Parliament.
- Distinguish the political and permanent executive.
- Understand the role of the judiciary.
Key concepts
The legislature (Parliament)
The legislature makes the laws of the country. In India this is the Parliament, which has two houses: the Lok Sabha (House of the People), whose members are directly elected by the people, and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States). Parliament makes and changes laws, controls the government, and decides on important matters like taxes and budgets.
The executive
The executive carries out the laws and runs the day-to-day government. It has two parts: the political executive — the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, who are elected representatives and take major decisions; and the permanent executive — the civil servants who implement these decisions. The Prime Minister is the head of the government and leads the Council of Ministers.
The President and how a law is made
The President of India is the head of the state and the nominal head of the executive, while real power lies with the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers. A proposed law (a bill) must be passed by both houses of Parliament and then receive the President's approval before it becomes a law. This shows how different institutions work together.
The judiciary
The judiciary is the system of courts that interprets and applies the law and settles disputes. At its head is the Supreme Court, below which are the High Courts and other courts. The judiciary in India is independent of the government, which allows it to protect citizens' rights and to ensure that laws and government actions follow the Constitution.
Key definitions
- Legislature
- The organ of government that makes laws (Parliament in India).
- Executive
- The organ that carries out laws and runs the government.
- Judiciary
- The system of courts that interprets and applies the law.
- Bill
- A proposed law placed before Parliament.
Solved examples
Q1. Which organ of government makes laws?
Solution: The legislature (Parliament).
Q2. Who is the head of the government in India?
Solution: The Prime Minister.
Q3. What must a bill receive to become a law?
Solution: Passage by both houses of Parliament and the President's approval.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Confusing the legislature (makes laws) with the executive (carries them out).
- Thinking the President holds real power (it lies with the PM and ministers).
- Mixing up the political and permanent executive.
- Forgetting that the judiciary is independent of the government.
Working of Institutions — MCQ Quiz
10 questions with instant feedback. Use number keys 1–4 to answer.
The organ that makes laws is the:
Practice questions
Short answer
What does the legislature do?
It makes the laws of the country.
What are the two parts of the executive?
The political executive and the permanent executive.
What is the role of the judiciary?
To interpret and apply the law and settle disputes.
Long answer
Describe the three main organs of government and their functions.
The government works through three main organs, each with its own function. The legislature, which in India is the Parliament with its two houses — the directly elected Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha — makes and changes the laws of the country, controls the government and decides on key matters like taxes and budgets. The executive carries out these laws and runs the day-to-day administration; it has a political part, made up of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers who take major decisions, and a permanent part, made up of civil servants who implement them. The judiciary is the system of courts, headed by the Supreme Court, which interprets and applies the law, settles disputes and protects citizens' rights. These three organs share power and work together, while the judiciary's independence helps ensure that laws and actions follow the Constitution.
Explain the difference between the political executive and the permanent executive, and how a law is made.
The executive in India has two parts that work together but differ in nature. The political executive consists of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, who are elected representatives of the people and are responsible for taking the major policy decisions of the government. The permanent executive consists of the civil servants — officials who are appointed on a long-term basis and whose job is to carry out the decisions of the political executive and run the administration smoothly. The political executive is more powerful because, being answerable to the people, it takes the final decisions, while the civil servants advise and implement. Law-making shows how institutions cooperate: a proposed law, called a bill, must first be passed by both houses of Parliament, and then it requires the approval of the President before it finally becomes a law of the land.
HOTS (Higher Order Thinking)
Why is the independence of the judiciary important in a democracy?
Because an independent judiciary can fairly protect citizens' rights and check whether laws and government actions follow the Constitution, without being pressured by the government.
Why does real power rest with the Prime Minister rather than the President?
Because the PM and Council of Ministers are elected representatives answerable to the people, so the system places real decision-making power in their hands, with the President as the nominal head.
Quick revision
Revision notes
- Three organs: legislature (makes laws), executive (carries out laws), judiciary (interprets law).
- Parliament = Lok Sabha (directly elected) + Rajya Sabha; controls government, budgets.
- Executive: political (PM + Council of Ministers) and permanent (civil servants); PM heads government.
- President = head of state (nominal); a bill becomes law after both houses pass it and President approves. Judiciary (Supreme Court) is independent.
Key takeaways
- Three organs share the work of government.
- Real executive power lies with the PM and ministers.
- The judiciary is independent.
Frequently asked questions
Which organ makes laws?
The legislature (Parliament).
Who is the head of government?
The Prime Minister.
How does a bill become a law?
Both houses of Parliament pass it, and then the President approves it.