| Non-Rationalised Civics / Political Science NCERT Notes, Solutions and Extra Q & A (Class 6th to 12th) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Class 6th Civics NCERT Notes, NCERT Question Solutions and Extra Q & A (Non-Rationalised)
1. Understanding Diversity
This chapter introduces the fundamental concept of diversity, which means the presence of differences and variety among people. It explores the vibrant tapestry of India's diversity, evident in its numerous languages (with over 1600 mother tongues), various religions (Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, etc.), and a rich array of cultural practices, festivals like Diwali, Eid, and Christmas, and distinct cuisines. The chapter uses the contrasting examples of Ladakh (a high-altitude desert) and Kerala (a coastal state) to show how historical and geographical factors shape the diversity of a region. It beautifully explains that this variety is not a cause for division but a source of strength that enriches our lives by introducing us to different traditions, stories, and perspectives. This understanding is the first step towards appreciating India's unique social fabric and embracing the idea of "Unity in Diversity".
2. Diversity And Discrimination
This chapter delves deeper into how diversity can sometimes become a basis for discrimination and inequality. It clarifies three important concepts: prejudice (negative opinions or pre-judgements about others without reason), stereotype (fixing people into a rigid image or category), and discrimination (acting on one's prejudices). The chapter critically examines the historical injustice of the caste system in India, which created a rigid social hierarchy and led to severe discrimination against groups considered 'untouchables', now known as Dalits. It highlights the struggles of figures like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in fighting for equality and justice. The chapter emphasizes that discrimination also occurs on the basis of religion, gender, and economic status, creating barriers for marginalized groups and denying them equal opportunities. It underscores the importance of the Indian Constitution in guaranteeing equality for all citizens.
3. What Is Government?
This chapter introduces the concept of a Government as an essential decision-making body that manages a country's affairs. It explains why a government is necessary: to make laws, maintain order, protect national boundaries, and provide essential public services like roads, electricity, healthcare, and railways. The chapter details the different levels at which government functions in India: the National level (for the entire country), the State level (for individual states), and the Local level (for villages and cities). It also introduces different forms of government, contrasting a Monarchy, where a king or queen holds power through heredity, with a Democracy, where the supreme power rests with the people, who elect their representatives to govern on their behalf. The chapter lays the foundation for understanding how societies are organised and managed.
4. Key Elements Of A Democratic Government
Building on the previous chapter, this one discusses the core principles of a democratic government. A central theme is people's participation, which is most visibly exercised through voting in elections, based on the principle of Universal Adult Franchise (all adults have the right to vote). However, participation also includes other forms like public protests, signature campaigns, and debates in the media, which help hold the government accountable. Another key element is the mechanism for resolving conflicts peacefully through laws and institutions like the police and judiciary. Finally, the chapter stresses the two most important pillars of democracy: equality and justice. It explains that democracy requires the state to treat all citizens as equal and to work towards ensuring justice for all, especially for historically disadvantaged groups, making it a system that respects the dignity of every individual.
5. Panchayati Raj
This chapter provides a detailed look at Panchayati Raj, the system of local self-government in rural India, which is a grassroots-level manifestation of democracy. It explains the three-tier system of governance. The foundation is the Gram Sabha, an assembly of all adult voters in a village, which has the power to review and approve the work of the elected village council. The elected body is the Gram Panchayat, responsible for local administration and development works. The next two levels are the Block Panchayat (Panchayat Samiti) at the block level and the Zila Parishad (District Panchayat) at the district level. The chapter discusses the functions of the Gram Panchayat, such as building and maintaining public infrastructure, levying local taxes, and implementing government welfare schemes. It highlights how this system empowers local communities to participate directly in their own governance.
6. Rural Administration
This chapter explains the machinery of administration in rural areas. It introduces key government officials and their roles. The Patwari (also known as Lekhpal or Kanungo) is a crucial village-level official responsible for maintaining land records, including measuring land and updating maps and registers. This work is supervised by revenue officers at the block level, such as the Tehsildar, who also hear land-related disputes. The chapter clarifies that the District Collector is the highest-ranking administrative officer in a district, overseeing all departments. It also touches upon the role of the local police station and the Station House Officer (SHO) in maintaining law and order. Understanding this administrative framework helps in knowing how government services are delivered and how disputes are managed at the local level.
7. Urban Administration
This chapter focuses on the system of administration in urban areas like towns and cities. It explains the functioning of urban local bodies, which are called a Municipality or Municipal Council in smaller towns and a Municipal Corporation in large cities. The city is divided into several wards, and voters from each ward elect a Ward Councillor, who becomes a member of the Municipal Council/Corporation. These elected representatives make decisions regarding the city's development and management. The chapter details the vast range of functions these bodies perform, which include providing civic amenities like water supply, garbage collection, maintaining roads and street lights, running schools, hospitals, and parks. It also explains how these bodies generate revenue ($\textsf{₹}$) through sources like property tax, water tax, entertainment tax, and grants from the state government.
8. Rural Livelihoods
This chapter explores the diverse ways people in rural India earn their living ($\textsf{₹}$). The backbone of the rural economy is agriculture, involving different categories of people: large farmers who own vast tracts of land, small farmers with modest plots, and landless agricultural labourers who work on others' farms for wages. The chapter highlights the struggles faced by these groups, such as dependence on the unpredictable monsoon, seasonal unemployment for labourers, and the vicious cycle of debt from moneylenders. It also discusses various non-farm rural livelihoods, including animal husbandry (like dairy farming), fishing in coastal and riverine areas, collecting forest produce, and engaging in crafts like pottery and weaving. This provides a realistic picture of the economic life, challenges, and resilience of people in Indian villages.
9. Urban Livelihoods
This chapter examines the myriad ways people earn a livelihood ($\textsf{₹}$) in urban areas. It paints a picture of the bustling economic activity in cities, covering a wide spectrum of work. This includes people working on the streets, such as rickshaw pullers, street vendors, and hawkers, who are often self-employed but face constant uncertainty. It also looks at workers in markets, shops, and factories. A key distinction is made between jobs in the organised sector (regular employment with fixed salaries, benefits like provident fund, and job security) and the unorganised sector (casual labour, irregular work, low wages, and no social security). The chapter illustrates the opportunities that cities offer, while also highlighting the significant challenges faced by urban workers, including high competition, poor living conditions, and the lack of job security for a vast majority of the population.