How Does the State Government Work? Class 7 Key Questions and Answers
FAQs on NCERT Solution for Class 7 Social Science Chapter 3 How the State Government Works - 2025-26
1. Using the terms 'constituency' and 'represent', how would you explain who an MLA is and how they are elected according to the NCERT solution for Class 7 Civics Chapter 3?
As per the NCERT Class 7 curriculum, an MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly) is a representative elected by the people of a specific geographical area called a constituency. The process is as follows:
- Each state is divided into several constituencies.
- During an election, voters from each constituency cast a vote for one candidate to represent their interests in the state's Legislative Assembly.
- The candidate who receives the majority of votes in that constituency becomes the MLA for that area.
2. According to the NCERT solutions, how do some MLAs become ministers while others remain just MLAs?
After the state assembly elections, the political party that wins more than half the number of constituencies forms the government. The MLA who leads this majority party is appointed as the Chief Minister by the Governor. The Chief Minister then selects other MLAs from their party to become ministers for various departments (e.g., Health, Education, Finance). These selected MLAs take an oath as ministers, while other MLAs from both the ruling and opposition parties continue their role as representatives of their respective constituencies in the assembly.
3. What is the role of the Chief Minister and other ministers in running a state government as detailed in Chapter 3?
The Chief Minister is the head of the state government and has the overall responsibility for its functioning. They lead the Council of Ministers and allocate portfolios or departments. Other ministers are responsible for running their specific government departments, such as Health, Education, or Public Works. They are tasked with implementing laws and policies approved by the Legislative Assembly. The collective responsibility of the Chief Minister and the ministers is to manage the state's affairs and answer questions raised in the assembly. For a deeper understanding, you can refer to the Revision Notes for How The State Government Works.
4. Why should decisions taken by the Chief Minister and other ministers be debated in the Legislative Assembly?
It is crucial for decisions made by the Chief Minister and other ministers to be debated in the Legislative Assembly to ensure democratic accountability and transparency. The assembly includes all MLAs, from both the ruling party and the opposition. A debate allows for:
- Scrutiny of Decisions: The opposition can question the government's actions and highlight potential flaws.
- Representation of All Views: MLAs from different constituencies can ensure the decision considers the needs of all parts of the state.
- Accountability: The government must justify its decisions to the elected representatives of the people.
- Prevention of Hasty Laws: Debates ensure that every aspect of a new law or policy is thoroughly examined before it is implemented.
5. What is the difference between the work that MLAs do in the Assembly and the work done by government departments?
The work of MLAs in the Assembly is primarily legislative, while the work of government departments is executive or implementational.
- MLAs in the Assembly: They participate in debates, ask questions about government actions, approve or reject laws, and sanction money for various programmes. They represent the voice of the people and hold the government accountable.
- Government Departments: These are run by civil servants and headed by a minister. Their job is to implement the laws and policies passed by the Assembly. For example, if the Assembly passes a law for better sanitation, the Public Works and Health departments will carry out the actual work.
6. How does the work of a state government, as explained in Chapter 3, directly impact your daily life?
The work of the state government has a significant and direct impact on daily life. For instance:
- The Department of Health ensures the availability of doctors and clean water, which affects public health.
- The Department of Education runs government schools and sets the curriculum.
- The Public Works Department (PWD) is responsible for building and maintaining roads you travel on.
- The state police, under the Home Department, are responsible for maintaining law and order.
7. What is a 'press conference' and how does it help the government convey its message?
A press conference is a meeting where journalists from various newspapers and television channels are invited to hear about and ask questions on a particular issue. As shown in the NCERT chapter, a minister might hold a press conference to explain the steps the government is taking to solve a problem, like a public health crisis. This helps the government to:
- Communicate its plans and actions to a large number of people through the media.
- Clarify its position on important matters.
- Provide official information to prevent the spread of rumours.
8. Why is the government separated into different departments? What is the logic behind this structure?
The government's work is separated into different departments to ensure efficiency, specialisation, and clear accountability. The logic is:
- Specialisation: Each department focuses on a specific area, such as agriculture, health, or finance, allowing for expert handling of complex issues.
- Manageable Workload: The vast range of government responsibilities is too large for a single body to manage. Dividing the work makes it more organised and manageable.
- Clear Accountability: It becomes clear which minister and department are responsible for a particular task or policy, making them answerable to the public and the legislative assembly.

















