Governance and Public Policy — Class 9 MCQs with Answers

Governance and Public Policy — important questions & MCQs with answers (Class 9 Social Science)

6 solved questions from this chapter's difficulty levels, each with its answer and explanation. Tap an option to check yourself.

0 of 6 answered

1. Q1 of 6Easy

   Different institutions and citizens working together to make decisions, implement them effectively and remain accountable is known as what?

   AElectionBGovernanceCLegislationDColonialism
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   Answer: Governance

   Explanation: The chapter calls this whole process governance. Solving public problems needs much more than a government issuing orders.

2. Q2 of 6Easy

   In the features of good governance, which feature means 'public officials are responsible for their actions'?

   ATransparencyBInclusivenessCEffectivenessDAccountability
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   Answer: Accountability

   Explanation: Accountability means public officials are responsible for their actions. Transparency means government decisions are open and accessible.

3. Q3 of 6Medium

   In the 'Plastic-Free Campus Policy' example, why do the school's decisions count as a policy?

   ABecause they were announced by the governmentBBecause they apply to every citizen in the countryCBecause they are financed with taxesDBecause they provide a planned course of action to solve a problem and achieve a sustainable goal
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   Answer: Because they provide a planned course of action to solve a problem and achieve a sustainable goal

   Explanation: The decisions form a policy because they give a planned course of action to solve a problem and reach a sustainable goal. Being a school's policy, it is not a public policy.

4. Q4 of 6Medium

   'A district collector coordinates the implementation of a government scheme in the district.' Which role from Table 4.1 does this example show?

   AGovernment officials preparing and implementing programmes and coordinating departmentsBCitizens identifying problems and giving suggestionsCElected representatives raising public issues in the AssemblyDNGOs creating awareness and monitoring programmes
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   Answer: Government officials preparing and implementing programmes and coordinating departments

   Explanation: The district collector is an example of government officials, departments and ministries, who implement policies and programmes, coordinate departments and deliver public services.

5. Q5 of 6Hard

   Which statement about government and governance is correct according to the chapter?

   AGovernance includes only the Legislature, the Executive and the JudiciaryBGovernment refers to the process by which decisions are made, implemented and monitoredCGovernance focuses on who governs, not on how governing is doneDThe two terms are closely related but are not synonymous
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   Answer: The two terms are closely related but are not synonymous

   Explanation: The chapter says the terms are closely related but not synonymous. Government means the institutions exercising political power; governance is the process of making, implementing and monitoring decisions in the public interest.

6. Q6 of 6Hard

   Assertion (A): The task of governance is always ongoing. Reason (R): With time, people's needs, desires and aspirations evolve, creating new challenges to which the government and institutions have to respond.

   ABoth A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of ABBoth A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of ACA is true but R is falseDA is false but R is true
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   Answer: Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

   Explanation: A and R are each stated in the chapter, and R explains A: governance never ends because people's changing needs and aspirations keep creating new challenges that institutions must respond to.

Key concepts: Governance and Public Policy (Class 9 Social Science)

Governance is the process by which decisions affecting people are made, implemented and monitored, and its meaning and practice in India have evolved over time. This chapter explains what public policy is and what makes it 'public', the stages of policy-making and implementation, who contributes to it, and how citizens help shape policy and strengthen good governance.

Governance

The process by which decisions are made, implemented and monitored for the welfare of the people. It needs institutions and citizens to work together and stay accountable.

Government vs governance

Government = institutions with political authority (Legislature, Executive, Judiciary); focuses on who governs. Governance = the process of governing; includes citizens, media, civil society and private organisations.

Colonial legacy and India

Colonial institutions persisted after independence. India stands out: it preserved knowledge of pre-colonial governance, and after 1947 framed the Constitution in the spirit of its own values.

Mottos and the Sengol

National motto 'Satyamev Jayate' is from the Munḍaka Upaniṣhad; Supreme Court motto 'Yato Dharmastato Jayaḥ' is from the Mahābhārata. The Sengol tradition began under the Chola dynasty.

Indian traditions of good governance

Gandhi's Rām Rājya stresses probity, transparency, compassion and welfare. Rājadharma: the king protects people by upholding Dharma. Arthaśhāstra: the ruler's happiness lies in the people's.

Features of good governance

Responsiveness, transparency, participation, rule of law, accountability, effectiveness and inclusiveness. Good governance is a partnership between the government and citizens.

Challenges and e-governance

Challenges: weak coordination, unequal access, misuse of public office, fake news. E-governance (ICT in governance) cuts paperwork but works only if people have devices, internet and skills.

Public policy

A course of action adopted by government to solve public problems and promote welfare. It is 'public' when made for public benefit, run by public institutions and often funded by taxes.

Public policy is a process

A public policy is made through a systematic process, not a single decision: a continuous cycle of problem identification, consultation, formulation, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and improvement.

Seven stages of the policy cycle

Fig. 4.5 order: Policy Desirability, Prioritising Policy, Policy Formulation, Policy Adoption, Policy Implementation, Policy Monitoring, Policy Evaluation.

Formulation vs Adoption

Formulation = consulting stakeholders, drafting the policy and assessing financial feasibility. Adoption = framing the legislation (laws) and regulations (rules and guidelines).

Monitoring vs Evaluation

Monitoring measures a policy's progress, ensures accountability and identifies shortcomings. Evaluation assesses its results and impact and generates feedback.

NEP 2020

Previous education policy: 1986. NEP process began in 2015; expert committee (2017) chaired by Dr K. Kasturirangan; about 2 lakh suggestions received; approved by the Union Cabinet in July 2020.

Policy, programme, scheme

Policy gives the direction, a programme shows the path, a scheme is the course of action. Example: National Health Policy 2017; programme 'Preventive and promotive healthcare'; scheme Mission Indradhanush.

Key stakeholders

Citizens, elected representatives, government officials and ministries, civil society/NGOs/experts/media, the private sector and international organisations (e.g., WHO) all shape policy.

Policy coordination: Khelo Bharat Niti 2025

Union Government gives the framework and funding; states host national games and attract PPP investment ('Model Sports State'); districts aim to be 'Model Sports Districts'; blocks hold regular events.