NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Social Science Chapter 11 titled Grassroots Democracy Part 2 Local Government in Rural Areas, provide clear and easy-to-understand answers that help students learn about the Panchayati Raj system in India. This chapter aligns with the updated exam pattern and CBSE Class 6 Social Science syllabus
The solutions highlight the importance of these institutions in solving local problems, promoting development, and encouraging people’s participation in democracy at the grassroots level. By using these solutions, students can better grasp the concepts, prepare well for exams, and appreciate the role of local governance in India’s democratic system.
Chapter 11 focuses on how villages in India are governed through local self-government systems called Panchayati Raj Institutions. These institutions bring the power of decision-making closer to the people living in rural areas, helping them take part in managing their own affairs.
The chapter explains three important levels of local government:
Gram Panchayat at the village level,
Panchayat Samiti at the block level, and
Zila Parishad at the district level.
These bodies work to solve local problems like fixing roads, providing clean drinking water, managing schools, and handling disputes within the village community. The chapter also emphasizes the importance of involving villagers in decisions that affect their lives and how this participation strengthens democracy from the ground up.
By learning about these local governments, students understand how democracy is not just about national elections but also about everyday decisions that improve the lives of people in rural India. The chapter highlights that Panchayati Raj institutions help make governance more transparent, inclusive, and effective at the grassroots level.
Here are the solutions for NCERT Class 6 Social Science Chapter 11 Grassroots Democracy. These solutions cover all the questions and exercises from the chapter to help students understand the concepts clearly and prepare effectively for exams.
Question 1. What are Panchayati Raj institutions?
Answer: Panchayati Raj institutions are local governing bodies in villages and rural areas of India. They were created to share power with local people and let them make decisions for their own communities. These institutions include the Gram Panchayat at the village level, the Panchayat Samiti at the block level, and the Zila Parishad at the district level. They work under the rules given by the Constitution to manage local administration and development.
Question 2. What are their functions?
Answer: Panchayati Raj institutions take care of many local problems like building and repairing roads, managing natural resources, and settling disputes within the community. Their main job is to make sure that the basic needs of the people in the village or rural area are met properly.
Question 3. Why are they important in governance and democracy?
Answer: Panchayats are very important because they bring democracy closer to the people by involving them directly in decision-making. They help solve problems at the local level and encourage everyone, including women, to participate in governing their communities. These institutions support development and make sure government schemes reach the people who need them most, thus strengthening democracy right from the grassroots.
Think About It
Question 1. How do you think these old maps can be helpful for us? Can they tell us something about the past and the present?
Answer: Old maps help us learn about how places looked long ago. They show us how land, borders, and villages have changed over time. These maps also give clues about the culture, economy, and politics of the past. By comparing old maps with current ones, we can understand what has changed and what has stayed the same in different areas.
Question 2. Why do you think it is important for the government to pay more attention to the needs and problems of the disadvantaged sections of society?
Answer: The government must focus on helping the poor and disadvantaged because it’s responsible for making sure everyone has a good life. Poor people often lack money, education, and skills, so they don’t get the same chances as others to improve their lives. Without proper education and healthcare, their situation gets worse. Therefore, it is the government’s duty to support these groups, help them overcome poverty, and create opportunities for their growth. Only when everyone prospers can the whole country develop and succeed.
Let’s Explore
Question 1: As a class activity, let four or five students form a Bal Panchayat and the rest of the class imagine they are the villagers. What issues will the Gram Sabha discuss? What challenges could it encounter? What solutions will it propose?
Answer: The Gram Sabha would likely talk about important village problems such as:
The shortage of clean drinking water
Bad condition of roads in the village
Not enough electricity supply
The need for building a new school
Problems with waste and garbage disposal
The Panchayat might face some challenges like:
Having very little money to solve problems
Some villagers might resist or not agree with changes
Difficulty in getting help or support from local government officials
Lack of enough skills or resources to carry out projects
Finding a balance between what some individuals want and what is best for the whole village
To fix these issues, the Panchayat could suggest:
Installing new water pumps and pipes, and starting rainwater harvesting to ensure clean water
Repairing and maintaining roads, and building new ones to connect all parts of the village
Setting up solar panels or wind turbines to improve electricity supply
Collecting donations and seeking government help to build a new school
Starting recycling programs and creating a community composting area to manage waste
The role of the Bal Panchayat would be to:
Help villagers talk and make decisions together
Divide tasks and responsibilities among members
Manage the money and resources they have
Work closely with local officials and experts for support
Make sure everything is done openly and honestly
Question 2: What similarities and differences do you notice between the governance system at the Central level and at the Panchayat level? (Page 170)
Answer: Both the Central government and Panchayats work through democratic systems where people elect their representatives regularly. They both follow a decentralized system, meaning power is shared among different levels to bring decision-making closer to the people.
Both are recognized by the Indian Constitution and have a clear structure — the Central government has the President, Parliament, and Prime Minister, while Panchayats have the Gram Sabha, Panchayat Samiti, and Zila Parishad. Also, both plan their budgets and manage finances, although the sources and scale differ.
The differences are mainly about their roles and powers. The Central government works for the whole country, handling important issues like defense, foreign affairs, and national policies. Panchayats focus on local rural problems such as roads, schools, and health.
The Central government has broad law-making powers across the nation, while Panchayats have limited powers mostly related to local governance. The Central government runs many departments and ministries, but Panchayats mainly handle local administration and development.
The Central government has a full judicial system, but Panchayats generally do not, except some states have small local courts called Nyaya Panchayats. Financially, the Central government raises money through taxes and other sources, but Panchayats mostly depend on grants and funds from higher governments.
Knowing these similarities and differences helps us understand how India’s governance works at both the national and village levels, ensuring both wide-reaching and local needs are met.
Question 3. If you get an opportunity to meet a few Panchayat members, what questions would you like to ask them? Discuss in small groups to create a questionnaire. Meet some Gram Panchayat members or invite them to your school. Ask them the questions in your questionnaire and write a short report.
Answer: Here are some good questions to ask Panchayat members:
What are your main responsibilities in the Panchayat?
How do you solve specific problems in the village?
Can you share some successful projects you have completed?
What difficulties do you face while working on village issues?
How do you make sure all decisions are transparent and fair?
How do villagers participate in decision-making?
What do you do to support children’s education and welfare?
How do you include disadvantaged groups in Panchayat activities?
How often do you coordinate with higher bodies like Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad?
After meeting them, write a short report describing their answers, what you learned about how the Panchayat works, and how they help the village.
Questions, Activities and Projects (Page 171)
Question 1.Test yourself-without looking at the text above, can you name the three-tiers of the Panchayati Raj System? What are the key functions of each of the three-tiers?
Answer: The three levels of the Panchayati Raj system are Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zila Parishad.
Gram Panchayat (Village level): It works to improve the village by providing basic facilities like clean water, roads, and sanitation. It also supports farming, healthcare, and education within the village.
Panchayat Samiti (Block level): This body coordinates the work of all Gram Panchayats in the block. It makes sure development programs are carried out and checks their progress.
Zila Parishad (District level): It supervises the Panchayat Samitis in the district. It plans and manages the district’s resources and funds to support development projects.
Question 2:Write a letter to the Sarpanch regarding the issue of plastic bags lying on the roadside in the village.
Answer:
(You can write this yourself based on the problem.)
Question 3.In your view, what type of person should be a Gram Panchayat member?
Answer: A Gram Panchayat member should be someone honest, hardworking, and caring about the welfare of the village. They should listen to the problems of the people, be fair in their decisions, and work actively to improve the community’s living conditions. Good communication skills and the ability to solve problems peacefully are also important for a Panchayat member.
Question 4.Let us suppose that you study in a village school. The school is located next to a highway, and students find it difficult to cross the road when they come to school or leave at the end of the day. What are the options to solve this issue? Which institutions in the Panchayati Raj can help you? What can the students do?
Answer: To solve this, we could build a pedestrian bridge or footpath, or install traffic lights to help people cross safely. The Gram Panchayat can take care of local issues like this. The Panchayat Samiti can help by coordinating work between villages and getting funds. The Zila Parishad can manage the overall district plans. Students can also create awareness by talking about the problem in village meetings and encouraging others to stay safe.
Students can download the NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Social Science Chapter 11– Grassroots Democracy Part 2: Governance in PDF format from the link below.
These solutions are prepared to help students understand the chapter thoroughly and perform well in their exams. The PDF includes all textbook questions along with simple and precise answers, making it a great resource for study and revision.
Study without using the internet
To effectively prepare for Class 6 Social Science Chapter 11: Grassroots Democracy Part 2 Governance, which is an important part of your syllabus, follow these tips:
Begin by reading the entire chapter attentively to understand how governance functions at the grassroots level and the significance of democracy.
Note down important concepts such as the meaning of governance, the role of government, democracy, and the various levels of government.
Focus on understanding the role of rules in maintaining order and why it is essential to follow them.
Practice answering all the exercise questions provided at the end of the chapter. Solve sample papers or quizzes to become familiar with the exam pattern.
Discuss chapter topics with friends or study groups to clear doubts and gain different viewpoints on democracy and governance.
Review your notes and the chapter multiple times before exams to improve retention and boost confidence.