Chapter 3: Why Do We Need a Parliament?

These NCERT Class 8 Polity Chapter 3 notes explain the importance of Parliament in a democratic country like India. The chapter highlights how Parliament represents the will of the people and ensures accountability of the government.

India follows representative democracy, where citizens elect Members of Parliament to take decisions on their behalf. Parliament becomes the central institution where laws are made, policies are debated and public issues are discussed.

Chapter 3 – Why Do We Need a Parliament? discusses the composition of Parliament, role of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, law-making process, Question Hour, Zero Hour, no-confidence motion and the role of opposition in strengthening democracy.

This chapter is extremely important for understanding parliamentary democracy and government accountability and is highly relevant for school exams and BPSC foundation preparation.

Preparing for UPSC or BPSC? Strengthen your basics with our complete NCERT Book Notes PDF for Class 6–8, available inside the free foundation course.

👉 Access Complete NCERT Book Notes PDF

1. Meaning of parliament

• Parliament is the highest law-making body of India.
• It is the place where laws are made.
• Government decisions are questioned and discussed.
• People’s problems are raised by elected representatives.
• It gives power to the people through their representatives.

2. Parliament and representative democracy

• India follows representative democracy.
• Citizens do not take decisions directly.
• They elect representatives to take decisions for them.
• Direct democracy is not possible due to large population and vast area.
• Over 140 crore people require elected MPs for representation.

3. Members of parliament

• MPs are elected representatives of the people.
• They represent specific constituencies.
• Lok Sabha MPs are directly elected by citizens.
• Rajya Sabha MPs are indirectly elected by state legislatures.
• MPs act as the voice of the people in Parliament.

4. Composition of the Indian parliament

• The Parliament of India consists of the President.
• It includes the Lok Sabha.
• It includes the Rajya Sabha.
• These three together form the national legislature.
• Each part has a defined constitutional role.

5. Lok Sabha – house of the people

• Lok Sabha represents the people directly.
• Members are elected by citizens.
• Maximum strength is 552 members.
• Tenure of Lok Sabha is 5 years.
• Government is formed in Lok Sabha and Money Bills originate here.

6. Rajya Sabha – council of states

• Rajya Sabha represents states and union territories.
• Members are elected by state assemblies.
• It is a permanent House and is not dissolved.
• Each member has a tenure of 6 years.
• It protects the interests of states in law-making.

7. Role of the president in parliament

• The President summons and prorogues Parliament sessions.
• The President gives assent to bills passed by Parliament.
• The President is the formal head of Parliament.
• No bill becomes law without presidential assent.
• The President works on the advice of the Council of Ministers.

8. Law-making function of parliament

• Parliament introduces bills.
• Bills are debated and discussed.
• Members vote on the bills.
• After approval and assent, the bill becomes law.
• Law-making reflects the will of the people.

9. Parliament controls the government

• Parliament ensures accountability of the executive.
• It uses Question Hour to seek answers.
• It uses Zero Hour to raise urgent issues.
• It allows debates and discussions.
• It uses motions to check government actions.

10. Question hour

• Question Hour is the first hour of a Parliament session.
• MPs ask questions to ministers.
• Ministers must respond with facts and explanations.
• It exposes mistakes and inefficiency.
• It increases transparency in governance.

11. Zero hour

• Zero Hour allows members to raise urgent public matters.
• It is not mentioned in the Constitution.
• It addresses sudden crises and emergencies.
• It ensures immediate discussion of important issues.
• It strengthens democratic responsiveness.

12. No-confidence motion

• A No-confidence motion is moved in Lok Sabha.
• It shows that the House has lost faith in the government.
• If passed, the government must resign.
• It ensures majority support for the government.
• It strengthens parliamentary control.

13. Role of opposition

• The Opposition criticises government policies.
• It presents alternative viewpoints.
• It questions decisions of the ruling party.
• It protects public interest.
• Opposition is essential for healthy democracy.

14. Parliament and budget control

• Parliament approves taxes proposed by the government.
• It approves government expenditure.
• It debates the annual budget.
• It ensures proper use of public money.
• Financial control prevents misuse of funds.

15. Parliament as forum for discussion

• Parliament discusses farmers’ issues.
• It debates price rise and inflation.
• It discusses education and health matters.
• National concerns receive attention through debates.
• Public problems reach the highest level of decision-making.

16. Representation of India’s diversity

• Parliament represents rural and urban areas.
• It includes women and minority representatives.
• It provides representation to SCs, STs and OBCs.
• Reserved constituencies ensure inclusion.
• It reflects India’s social diversity.

17. Why parliament is central to democracy

• Parliament ensures people’s participation in governance.
• It maintains accountability of the government.
• It protects citizens’ rights.
• It prevents arbitrary rule.
• Without Parliament, democracy becomes weak.

18. NCERT high-priority focus areas

• Meaning of representative democracy.
• Difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
• Parliamentary control over executive.
• Role of opposition in democracy.
• Importance of Question Hour.

Understanding NCERT Class 8 Polity Chapter 3 is essential to learn how Parliament functions as the voice of the people. The chapter clearly explains representation, law-making and control over the executive in India’s democracy.

The concepts discussed help students understand democratic participation and constitutional governance. It is highly useful for school examinations and BPSC foundation studies.

Continue reading NCERT Class 8 Polity Chapter 4 – Understanding Laws to understand how laws are made and how citizens influence legal changes in a democracy.

FAQs

Q1. Why do we need a Parliament?
Parliament represents the people, makes laws and keeps the government accountable.

Q2. What are the parts of the Indian Parliament?
The Indian Parliament consists of the President, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

Q3. What is Question Hour?
Question Hour is the first hour of a Parliament session when MPs ask questions to ministers.

Q4. What is a no-confidence motion?
It is a motion moved in Lok Sabha to remove the government if it loses majority support.

Q5. Why is Chapter 3 important for exams?
It explains representative democracy, parliamentary functions and government accountability, which are important for school exams and BPSC preparation.

---