| Non-Rationalised Civics / Political Science NCERT Notes, Solutions and Extra Q & A (Class 6th to 12th) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Class 7th Civics NCERT Notes, NCERT Question Solutions and Extra Q & A (Non-Rationalised)
1. On Equality
This chapter introduces the core democratic idea of equality. It explains that in a democracy like India, every adult citizen has the right to vote, irrespective of their wealth, caste, or religion, a concept known as universal adult franchise. However, the chapter also contrasts this political equality with the social and economic inequalities that persist in society, using stories to illustrate discrimination. The Indian Constitution guarantees equality to all persons, and Article 15 explicitly prohibits discrimination. The chapter emphasizes the importance of upholding the dignity of every individual. It discusses government initiatives like the mid-day meal scheme, which was implemented to improve school enrolment and nutrition, thereby promoting greater equality of opportunity among children.
2. Role Of The Government In Health
This chapter examines the crucial role of the government in providing healthcare for all. It differentiates between public healthcare services (run by the government and funded by taxes) and private healthcare services (run for profit). While public facilities like primary health centres and government hospitals aim to provide free or low-cost treatment, they often face challenges like overcrowding and lack of resources. Private facilities, on the other hand, are often expensive ($\textsf{₹}$) and inaccessible to the poor. The chapter argues that ensuring access to adequate healthcare is a fundamental responsibility of the government, as it is integral to the right to health and the overall well-being of its citizens.
3. How The State Government Works
This chapter provides a clear explanation of the structure and functioning of the State Government. It begins with the election process where people in different constituencies elect their representatives, known as MLAs (Members of the Legislative Assembly). The political party whose MLAs win more than half the constituencies forms the government, becoming the ruling party, while the others form the opposition. The MLAs meet in the Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) to debate issues and make laws. The leader of the ruling party becomes the Chief Minister, who then appoints other ministers to run various government departments. The chapter explains the dual responsibility of MLAs—representing their constituents and participating in the governance of the state.
4. Growing Up As Boys And Girls
This chapter explores how society shapes the identities of boys and girls differently. It introduces the idea that gender is a social construct, meaning that the roles and behaviours we associate with being male or female are taught by society, not just determined by biology. The chapter uses examples to show how from a young age, children are given different toys and taught different expectations. It highlights how work done by women, especially housework and caregiving, is often undervalued or considered invisible. These socially constructed stereotypes can limit opportunities and create deep-rooted inequality between genders, making it crucial to question and challenge them for a more just society.
5. Women Change The World
Building on the previous chapter, this one focuses on how Women have actively challenged gender stereotypes and fought for their rights to bring about significant social change. It highlights the historical struggle for education, showcasing pioneers who broke barriers to learn and teach. The chapter demonstrates how, by breaking stereotypes, women have entered professions traditionally considered male domains, from pilots and engineers to scientists. A significant part of the chapter is dedicated to the women's movements, which have used methods like campaigning, protesting, and raising awareness to fight against discrimination, violence, and injustice. This chapter celebrates the agency of women as powerful agents of change in the pursuit of equality and justice.
6. Understanding Media
This chapter introduces the Media as the various forms of communication, from television and newspapers to the internet, collectively known as mass media because they reach a vast audience. It discusses the vital role of the media in a democracy: to provide citizens with accurate information, facilitate public debate, and ensure government accountability. A crucial theme is the need for an independent media, free from external control. However, the chapter also critically examines the challenges to this independence, such as corporate ownership and reliance on advertising revenue, which can lead to a biased or an unbalanced report. It also touches upon government control through censorship, urging readers to be critical consumers of information.
7. Markets Around Us
This chapter explores the different types of Markets that are integral to our economic lives. It describes various market formats, from weekly markets (haats) that are temporary and offer goods at lower prices, to neighbourhood shops that offer convenience and credit, and large shopping complexes and malls that sell branded goods. The chapter introduces the concept of the chain of markets, explaining how goods travel from the producer to the wholesaler (a trader who buys in bulk), then to the retailer (the shopkeeper who sells to us), and finally to the consumer. This journey illustrates the interconnectedness of different markets and the people who participate in them, forming the backbone of economic exchange.
8. A Shirt In The Market
This chapter provides a compelling case study by tracing the journey of a shirt through the global market. The story begins with a small cotton farmer who sells her produce at a local market, often at an unfair price. The cotton then moves through a chain of production: to ginning and spinning mills, weavers, and finally to a large garment factory where garment factory workers stitch the shirts under often exploitative conditions. The finished shirt is then exported and sold by a powerful foreign brand at a huge profit. This chapter powerfully illustrates the deep inequality ($\textsf{₹}$) in the market, where the primary producers and workers receive a minuscule share of the final price, highlighting issues of exploitation in the global supply chain.
9. Struggles For Equality
This final chapter reflects on the ongoing Struggles for Equality in India. It reinforces that while the Indian Constitution guarantees equality for all, this promise is not always a reality for many groups like Dalits, women, and Adivasis (tribal communities), who continue to face discrimination. The chapter provides inspiring examples of how these marginalized communities have organized themselves to fight for justice and dignity. A key example discussed is the Tawa Matsya Sangh (TMS), a federation of fishworkers' cooperatives in Madhya Pradesh that successfully fought for their rights to livelihood. The chapter concludes that the struggle for equality is a continuous process that requires active participation and solidarity from all citizens to make democracy more meaningful and inclusive.