Revision sheet · night-before
Grassroots Democracy – Part 1: Governance
Read top to bottom — it follows the order of the chapter. Tick each section off as you finish it.
1 · Governance basics
- Governance = taking decisions + organising society with rules + ensuring they're followed.
- Government = the group/system that makes rules and ensures compliance.
- Laws = the more important rules. Without rules, "society would not be able to function."
Opening quote"The ruler protects dharma and dharma protects those who protect it." — The Mahābhārata
2 · Three organs — remember L-E-J
| Organ | Role |
|---|---|
| Legislature | Makes (and updates/removes) laws |
| Executive | Implements the laws — head of state, ministers, agencies (e.g. cyber police) |
| Judiciary | Rules on law-breaking; checks whether laws/executive decisions are fair |
Watch outSeparation of powers keeps the three organs separate but interacting — giving checks and balances.
3 · Three levels of government
The most examined comparison in the chapterLearn this table by heart.
| NATIONAL | STATE | |
|---|---|---|
| Judiciary | Supreme Court | High Court |
| Legislature | Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha | State Assembly / Vidhan Sabha |
| Nominal head | President | Governor |
| Executive head | Prime Minister | Chief Minister |
| Example functions | Defence, Foreign Affairs, Currency | Police, Irrigation, Local government |
Education is shared by both levels.
Electrician analogyBulb/switch/fuse (local) → electrician (State) → Electricity Board (Central) — three levels of dealing with a problem, just like local/State/Central government.
4 · Mottos to remember
| Institution | Motto | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Government of India | Satyameva Jayate | "Truth alone triumphs" |
| Supreme Court | Yato Dharmastato Jayah | "Where there is dharma, there is victory" |
5 · Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
- Born Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, 1931. Nicknamed the 'Missile Man of India'.
- 11th President of India, 2002–2007.
- Proved that even a nominal role can have a huge real impact.
Remember the acronymsF.A.I.L. = "First Attempt In Learning" · E.N.D. = "Effort Never Dies" · N.O. = "Next Opportunity"
6 · Democracy
- Democracy = Greek dēmos (people) + kratos (rule) = "rule of the people".
- India = representative democracy — MLAs (State) and MPs (national) represent citizens.
- Direct democracy = everyone's opinion taken directly (class picnic vote).
- Grassroots democracy = ordinary citizens' participation at the base of the pyramid.
Numbers to memorise~970 million voters in India (2024) · voting age 18+
7 · Ten facts most likely to be asked
- Three organs: Legislature, Executive, Judiciary
- Separation of powers → checks and balances
- Three levels: Local, State, Central
- National judiciary = Supreme Court; State judiciary = High Court
- National legislature = Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha; State = Vidhan Sabha
- President (nominal, national) vs Governor (nominal, State)
- Dr. Kalam = 11th President, 2002–2007, 'Missile Man of India'
- Democracy = "rule of the people" (dēmos + kratos)
- India: representative democracy, ~970 million voters (2024)
- Voting age in India: 18+
Common mistakes to avoid
Don't lose marks here
- Mixing up the President (national, nominal) with the Governor (State, nominal) — or either with the actual executive head (PM/CM).
- Saying the President or Governor has full executive power — they are nominal heads.
- Confusing the legislature (makes laws) with the executive (enforces laws) — they are different organs.
- Thinking "direct democracy" and "representative democracy" are the same — India uses the latter.
- Forgetting that Education is a shared function of both Central and State governments.
- Getting the mottos backwards — Satyameva Jayate is India's national motto; Yato Dharmastato Jayah is the Supreme Court's.