NCERT Solutions For Class 11 Political Science Chapter 6 Judiciary - 2025-26

1. What are the different ways in which the independence of the judiciary is ensured? Choose the odd ones out.

● Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is consulted in the appointment of other judges of Supreme Court.

● Judges are generally not removed before the age of retirement.

● Judge of a High Court cannot be transferred to another High Court.

● Parliament has no say in the appointment of judges.

Answer: The odd one out is: "Judge of a High Court cannot be transferred to another High Court." Judges can be transferred, so this does not ensure independence. Other points are measures to ensure independence of the judiciary.

2. Does independence of the judiciary mean that the judiciary is not accountable to anyone? Write your answer in not more than 100 words.

Answer: Independence of the judiciary means that the judiciary is free from interference by the executive or legislature in its functioning and decision-making. However, this does not mean it is not accountable. The judiciary is accountable to the Constitution, to democratic norms, and ultimately, the people. Judges must decide cases fairly, follow the law and Constitution, and can be removed for proven misbehavior or incapacity as per constitutional processes.

3. What are the different provisions in the constitution in order to maintain the independence of judiciary?

Answer: The Constitution ensures judicial independence through:

(i) security of tenure for judges;

(ii) salaries and allowances charged to the Consolidated Fund, not subject to executive or legislative approval;

(iii) difficult procedures for the removal of judges;

(iv) independent appointment involving the judiciary itself;

(v) immunity from criticism except in the case of removal proceedings;

(vi) power to penalise for contempt of court.

4. Read the news report below and identify the following aspects:

● What is the case about?

● Who has been the beneficiary in the case?

● Who is the petitioner in the case?

● Visualise what would have been the different arguments put forward by the company.

● What arguments would the farmers have put forward?

Supreme Court orders REL to pay Rs 300 crore to Dahanu farmers

Our Corporate Bureau 24 March 2005

Mumbai: The Supreme Court has ordered Reliance Energy to pay Rs. 300 crore to farmers who grow the chikoo fruit in the Dahanu area outside Mumbai. The order comes after the chikoo growers petitioned the court against the pollution caused by Reliance’s thermal power plant.

Dahanu, which is 150 km from Mumbai, was a self-sustaining agricultural and horticultural economy known for its fisheries and forests just over a decade ago, but was devastated in 1989 when a thermal power plant came into operation in the region. The next year, this fertile belt saw its first crop failure. Now, 70 per cent of the crop of what was once the fruit bowl of Maharashtra is gone. The fisheries have shut and the forest cover has thinned. Farmers and environmentalists say that fly ash from the power plant entered ground water and polluted the entire eco-system.

The Dahanu Taluka Environment Protection Authority ordered the thermal station to set up a pollution control unit to reduce sulphur emissions, and in spite of a Supreme Court order backing the order the pollution control plant was not set up even by 2002. In 2003, Reliance acquired the thermal station and re-submitted a schedule for installation process in 2004. As the pollution control plant is still not set up, the Dahanu Taluka Environmental Protection Authority asked Reliance for a bank guarantee of Rs. 300 crores.

Answer:

● The case is about: Compensation to Dahanu farmers due to pollution from Reliance Energy's thermal power plant impacting their agriculture.

● Beneficiary in the case: Dahanu farmers (chikoo growers).

● Petitioner: Dahanu chikoo growers (farmers) petitioned the court.

● Possible company arguments: As the new owner (since 2003), Reliance sought time to install controls, questioned a direct causal link to losses, noted compliance steps underway, and called the ₹300-crore guarantee excessive. ₹300-crore guarantee is disproportionate.

● Farmers’ arguments: Missions and fly ash polluted water and ecosystems, causing ~70% crop loss and fisheries collapse; repeated non-compliance warrants strong enforcement and compensation.

5. Read the following news report and:

● Identify the governments at different levels

● Identify the role of Supreme Court

● What elements of the working of judiciary and executive can you identify in it?

● Identify the policy issues, matters related to legislation, implementation and interpretation of the law involved in this case.

Centre, Delhi join hands on CNG issue

By Our Staff Reporter, The Hindu 23 September 2001 NEW DELHI, SEPT. 22. The Centre and the Delhi Government today agreed to jointly approach the Supreme Court this coming week… for phasing out of all non-CNG commercial vehicles in the Capital. They also decided to seek a dual fuel policy for the city instead of putting the entire transportation system on the single-fuel mode “which was full of dangers and would result in disaster.’’

It was also decided to discourage the use of CNG by private vehicle owners in the Capital. Both governments would press for allowing the use of 0.05 per cent low sulphur diesel for running of buses in the Capital. In addition, it would be pleaded before the Court that all commercial vehicles, which fulfil the Euro-II standards, should be allowed to ply in the city. Though both the Centre and the State would file separate affidavits, these would contain common points. The Centre would also go out and support the Delhi Government’s stand on the issues concerning CNG.

These decisions were taken at a meeting between the Delhi Chief Minister, Ms. Sheila Dikshit, and the Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister, Mr. Ram Naik.

Ms. Dikshit said the Central Government would request the court that in view of the high powered Committee appointed under Dr. R.A. Mashelkar to suggest an “Auto Fuel Policy”’ for the entire country, it would be appropriate to extend the deadline as it was not possible to convert the entire 10,000-odd bus fleet into CNG during the prescribed time frame. The Mashelkar Committee is expected to submit its report within a period of six months.

The Chief Minister said time was required to implement the court directives. Referring to the coordinated approach on the issue, Ms. Dikshit said this would take into account the details about the number of vehicles to be run on CNG, eliminating long queues outside CNG filling stations, the CNG fuel requirements of Delhi and the ways and means to implement the directive of the court.

The Supreme Court had …refused to relax the only CNG norm for the city’s buses but said it had never insisted on CNG for taxis and auto rickshaws. Mr. Naik said the Centre would insist on allowing use of low sulphur diesel for buses in Delhi as putting the entire transportation system dependent on CNG could prove to be disastrous. The Capital relied on pipeline supply for CNG and any disruption would throw the public transport system out of gear.

Answer:

● Governments involved: Central Government and Delhi (State) Government.

● Role of Supreme Court: Issuing directions to ensure pollution control and monitoring government compliance.

● Elements of judiciary and executive work: Executive formulates policy and implementation steps; judiciary interprets relevant laws, monitors enforcement and compliance, and issues binding directives.

● Policy and legal issues: Pollution control, vehicle emission standards (CNG), timelines for implementation, legislative authority to set such norms and enforcement of court orders.

6. The following is a statement about Ecuador. What similarities or differences do you find between this example and the judicial system in India?

“It would be helpful if a body of common law, or judicial precedent, existed that could clarify a journalist’s rights. Unfortunately, Ecuador’s courts don’t work that way. Judges are not forced to respect the rulings of higher courts in previous cases. Unlike the US, an appellate judge in Ecuador (or elsewhere in South America, for that matter) need not provide a written decision explaining the legal basis of a ruling. A judge may rule one way today and the opposite way, in a similar case, tomorrow, without explaining why.”

Answer: In India, judicial decisions become precedents and lower courts must follow higher court judgments, ensuring consistency and predictability. Written decisions with explanations are standard practice in India, unlike in Ecuador where precedents aren't binding and reasoning is not always given. Thus, India's system is more structured and consistent.

7. Read the following statements: Match them with the different jurisdictions the Supreme Court can exercise - Original, Appellate, and Advisory.

√ The government wanted to know if it can pass a law about the citizenship status of residents of Pakistan-occupied areas of Jammu and Kashmir.

√ In order to resolve the dispute about river Cauvery the government of Tamil Nadu wants to approach the court.

√ Court rejected the appeal by people against the eviction from the dam site

Answer:

1. Advisory Jurisdiction — “The government wanted to know if it can pass a law about the citizenship status of residents of Pakistan-occupied areas of Jammu and Kashmir.”
This is a legal question referred to the Supreme Court for its opinion under Article 143, where the President (or government via the President) seeks the Court’s advice on a matter of public importance or law.

2. Original Jurisdiction — “In order to resolve the dispute about river Cauvery the government of Tamil Nadu wants to approach the court.”
Disputes between the Union and States or between two or more States (like inter-State river water disputes) fall within the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction under Article 131, allowing the case to be filed directly in the Supreme Court.

3. Appellate Jurisdiction — “Court rejected the appeal by people against the eviction from the dam site.”
This involves the Supreme Court hearing (and here, rejecting) an appeal from a lower court’s decision; such civil or criminal appeals come under its appellate jurisdiction.

8. In what way can public interest litigation help the poor?

Answer: Public Interest Litigation (PIL) allows any individual or group to approach the courts on behalf of those who cannot do so themselves. This enables the poor and disadvantaged to seek judicial relief for the violation of their fundamental rights, such as in cases of forced labour, environmental harm, or lack of access to basic services.

9. Do you think that judicial activism can lead to a conflict between the judiciary and the executive? Why?

Answer: Yes, judicial activism can sometimes lead to conflict with the executive because courts may pass directives on policy issues, implementation, or areas generally considered the executive’s domain. When judiciary issues orders beyond interpreting law, it can blur the separation of powers and cause friction with the executive branch.

10. How is judicial activism related to the protection of fundamental rights? Has it helped in expanding the scope of fundamental rights?

Answer: Judicial activism has played a crucial role in protecting and expanding fundamental rights. Through innovative interpretations and PIL, courts have widened the scope of rights, for example, by recognizing the right to a clean environment, speedy trial, and legal aid. It has made rights meaningful for more people, especially the disadvantaged.

Key Features of Class 11 Political Science Chapter 6 Judiciary

Understanding the independence of the judiciary and its powers is essential for mastering Political Science. With Class 11 NCERT Solutions, students can easily clarify core concepts and apply them effectively in exams.

This chapter highlights the structure and jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and High Courts in India. Practicing NCERT solutions for Class 11 Political Science Chapter 6 Judiciary builds a strong conceptual foundation for CBSE exams and competitive preparation.

Consistent revision of exercise-based questions helps you remember important details like judicial appointments, removal, and PIL. Review key sections to strengthen your exam strategies and boost your chances of scoring high in Political Science.