Public Facilities Class 8 Extra Questions and Answers Free PDF Download
FAQs on CBSE Important Questions for Class 8 Social Science Public Facilities - 2025-26
1. What are public facilities, and what are some important examples mentioned in the CBSE Class 8 syllabus?
Public facilities are essential services that are provided by the government to all citizens to meet their basic needs. The primary goal is to ensure the well-being of the public. According to the Class 8 Social Science curriculum, some of the most important public facilities include:
- Water supply
- Healthcare (hospitals and clinics)
- Sanitation services
- Electricity
- Public transport (buses and trains)
- Schools and education
These facilities are often provided for free or at a subsidised rate to ensure they are affordable and accessible to everyone.
2. Why is the government, and not private companies, responsible for providing public facilities? Explain with a key reason.
The government is primarily responsible for providing public facilities because its main objective is the welfare of its citizens, not making a profit. Private companies operate on a profit motive. If they were to manage essential services like water or healthcare, they would price them to maximise their earnings, making them unaffordable for the poor. The government, on the other hand, funds these services through taxes collected from the public and ensures they are available to all, thereby promoting equality and fulfilling basic human needs.
3. How does the government get the money to provide public facilities to millions of people?
The main source of revenue for the government to fund public facilities is through the taxes it collects from the people. Every year, the government presents a budget in the Parliament, which outlines its expected income and expenditure. This income comes from various sources, including:
- Taxes on income (Income Tax)
- Taxes on goods and services (GST)
- Taxes on corporations
The government uses this collective fund to invest in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and other essential services for the benefit of all citizens.
4. "Public facilities should be available to all, but in reality, there is a great shortage and unequal distribution." Justify this statement with examples.
This statement is true, and there is significant evidence of shortages and unequal distribution of public facilities in India. For instance:
- Water Supply: In cities like Chennai, urban slums often face severe water shortages and have to rely on expensive private tankers, while more affluent localities may have a regular water supply.
- Healthcare: Rural areas often have a shortage of doctors and well-equipped government hospitals, forcing people to travel long distances to cities for proper medical care.
- Electricity: Many villages and poor households still experience irregular power supply or lack access to electricity altogether, which affects both daily life and economic activities.
These examples show a clear gap between the goal of providing universal access and the actual on-ground reality.
5. How is the 'Right to Life' under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution connected to the provision of public facilities?
The 'Right to Life' guaranteed under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution has been interpreted by the Supreme Court to mean more than just physical survival; it includes the right to live with human dignity. To live a life of dignity, access to basic necessities is crucial. Therefore, the Court has held that the 'Right to Life' also includes:
- The Right to Clean Water
- The Right to Health
- The Right to Education
This interpretation makes it a constitutional obligation for the government to provide these essential services, thus linking the provision of public facilities directly to a citizen's fundamental rights.
6. What are the likely consequences if a critical public facility like water supply is handed over to private companies?
If the responsibility of water supply is given to private companies, there could be several negative consequences. Since private companies operate for profit, they would likely increase the price of water significantly. This would make water, a basic necessity, unaffordable for a large section of the population, especially the poor. This can lead to social unrest and protests, as seen in countries like Bolivia. It undermines the principle that everyone has a right to sufficient and safe water, regardless of their ability to pay.
7. What are the key challenges the government faces in providing adequate sanitation as a public facility in India?
The government faces several significant challenges in providing adequate sanitation for all. One of the main issues is the lack of infrastructure, especially in rural and densely populated urban areas. Another challenge is changing social behaviour and ensuring people use the facilities built for them. Furthermore, the maintenance and cleanliness of public toilets remain a major concern. Overcoming these obstacles requires not just building toilets but also running extensive awareness campaigns and ensuring a functional system for waste management and upkeep, which demands substantial and continuous investment.











