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The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society – Class 8 Social Science notes, important questions and MCQs

NCERT Class 8 Social Science, chapter 11. Notes, key terms, important questions with answers and MCQs.

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Chapter overview

The judiciary is the system of courts that interprets laws, settles disputes and protects the rights of citizens. India has an independent and integrated judiciary with the Supreme Court at the top, High Courts in the states and subordinate courts in districts. Courts ensure the rule of law and protect the Constitution.

Structure of the judiciary

  • The Supreme Court in New Delhi, set up on 28 January 1950, is the highest court; its decisions are binding on all courts.
  • Each state or group of states has a High Court; district and subordinate courts handle most cases.
  • The judiciary is integrated: appeals move from lower to higher courts.

Functions and powers

  • Settling disputes between citizens, between citizens and the government, and between governments.
  • Judicial review: courts can strike down laws or actions that violate the Constitution.
  • Protecting Fundamental Rights: citizens can approach the Supreme Court under Article 32 and High Courts under Article 226.

Independence and access to justice

  • Judges are not controlled by the legislature or executive and can be removed only by a special process in Parliament.
  • Public Interest Litigation (PIL) allows any person to approach courts on behalf of people whose rights are violated.
  • Lok Adalats, free legal aid and e-courts help people get faster and cheaper justice.

Key terms

Judiciary
the system of courts that interprets laws and settles disputes
Judicial review
the power of courts to examine and strike down laws that violate the Constitution
Public Interest Litigation
a case filed in court in the interest of the public or a disadvantaged group
Lok Adalat
a 'people's court' that settles disputes quickly through mutual agreement

Important questions with answers

What is judicial review?2 marks

Judicial review is the power of the courts, especially the Supreme Court and High Courts, to examine laws passed by legislatures and actions of the executive and to strike them down if they violate the Constitution.

What is Public Interest Litigation (PIL)?3 marks

Public Interest Litigation is a case filed in a High Court or the Supreme Court by any person or organisation in the interest of the public or of people who cannot approach the court themselves, such as bonded labourers or prisoners. It has made justice more accessible and has protected rights in matters such as the environment and child labour.

Describe the structure and functions of the Indian judiciary and explain why its independence is important.5 marks

The Indian judiciary is a single integrated system. At the top is the Supreme Court in New Delhi, set up on 28 January 1950; below it are the High Courts in the states, and below them are district and subordinate courts that hear most cases. Appeals can be made from lower to higher courts, and decisions of the Supreme Court are binding on all courts. The judiciary settles disputes between citizens, between citizens and the government, and between the union and the states. Through judicial review, it can strike down laws and actions that violate the Constitution. It protects Fundamental Rights: citizens can approach the Supreme Court under Article 32 and High Courts under Article 226. Public Interest Litigation, Lok Adalats, free legal aid and e-courts have made justice more accessible. The judiciary must be independent, which means judges are not controlled by the legislature or executive and can be removed only through a special process in Parliament. Independence allows courts to decide cases fairly, check misuse of power and uphold the rule of law, which is essential for democracy.

Quick revision

  • Supreme Court 1950; High Courts; district courts.
  • Independent and integrated judiciary.
  • Judicial review protects the Constitution.
  • PIL, Lok Adalats and legal aid improve access.

Exam tips

  • Draw the three levels of courts as a pyramid: subordinate courts, High Courts, Supreme Court.
  • Remember Article 32 for the Supreme Court and Article 226 for High Courts in rights cases.

Practice MCQs

  1. The highest court in India is the

    1. Supreme Court
    2. High Court
    3. District Court
    4. Lok Adalat
    Show answer

    Answer: (a) Supreme Court. It is in New Delhi.

  2. The Supreme Court was set up on

    1. 15 August 1947
    2. 26 November 1949
    3. 28 January 1950
    4. 2 October 1950
    Show answer

    Answer: (c) 28 January 1950. It began two days after the Constitution came into force.

  3. A 'people's court' that settles disputes by agreement is a

    1. High Court
    2. Gram Sabha
    3. Lok Adalat
    4. Parliament
    Show answer

    Answer: (c) Lok Adalat. It gives quick and cheap justice.

  4. The power of courts to strike down unconstitutional laws is called

    1. judicial activism
    2. judicial review
    3. impeachment
    4. amendment
    Show answer

    Answer: (b) judicial review. It protects the Constitution.

  5. A person whose Fundamental Rights are violated can go directly to the Supreme Court under

    1. Article 14
    2. Article 32
    3. Article 21
    4. Article 356
    Show answer

    Answer: (b) Article 32. Ambedkar called it the heart and soul of the Constitution.

  6. A case filed in court for the benefit of the public or a disadvantaged group is a

    1. criminal case
    2. election petition
    3. civil suit only
    4. Public Interest Litigation
    Show answer

    Answer: (d) Public Interest Litigation. Any person can file a PIL.

  7. Why is the independence of the judiciary important

    1. so that judges can follow the ruling party
    2. so that elections are stopped
    3. so that courts can make laws
    4. so that courts can decide cases fairly without pressure from the legislature or executive
    Show answer

    Answer: (d) so that courts can decide cases fairly without pressure from the legislature or executive. Independence ensures fairness and the rule of law.

  8. The Indian judiciary is called 'integrated' because

    1. each state has a separate unconnected system
    2. courts are part of Parliament
    3. there is only one court
    4. courts are linked in one hierarchy with appeals to higher courts
    Show answer

    Answer: (d) courts are linked in one hierarchy with appeals to higher courts. The Supreme Court is at the top of a single system.

All chapters of Class 8 Social Science

Written by Kundali IQ from standard, well-established facts to help with revision. This is not an official NCERT publication; always read your textbook too.