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Revision Notes

Class 8

Social Science: Political Science

Chapter 5 Judiciary

Judiciary Class 8 Social Science Chapter 4 CBSE Notes - 2025-26

Q: 2. What is meant by an 'independent judiciary' in the context of Class 8 Social Science?

An independent judiciary means that the courts are not under the control of the other two branches of government—the legislature and the executive. This independence allows judges to make decisions based solely on the evidence and law, ensuring fair and impartial justice for all citizens without any external pressure or influence.

Q: 4. What is the key difference between Criminal Law and Civil Law for a quick revision?

The key difference is what they deal with. Criminal Law handles acts defined as 'offences' by law, like theft or murder, where the process usually starts with an FIR. Civil Law deals with disputes over the rights of individuals, such as property disagreements or rent matters, where the affected party files a petition.

Q: 5. What is the main purpose of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL)?

The main purpose of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) is to allow any individual or organisation to file a case in the High Court or Supreme Court on behalf of those whose rights are being violated. It is a tool for ensuring justice for the public interest, especially for the poor and marginalised who may not be able to approach the court themselves.

Q: 7. How does the appellate system help ensure that justice is fair?

The appellate system ensures fairness by giving a person the right to appeal to a higher court if they believe the judgment by a lower court was unjust. This provides a system of checks and balances, allowing for the review and correction of potential errors made at a lower level. It reinforces the idea that justice is a process and not just a single decision.

Q: 8. What do the key terms 'acquit' and 'appeal' mean in the judicial process?

In the judicial process, to 'acquit' means the court has formally declared a person not guilty of a crime they were charged with. To 'appeal' means to file a petition in a higher court, requesting a review of a case that has already been decided by a lower court.

Q: 10. What is the core significance of 'judicial review' in protecting our Fundamental Rights?

The core significance of judicial review is that it empowers the judiciary to act as the final interpreter and guardian of the Constitution. If the judiciary finds that any law passed by the Parliament violates the Fundamental Rights of citizens, it has the power to declare that law unconstitutional and void. This ensures that the government's actions always remain within the boundaries set by the Constitution.

Social Science Notes for Chapter 4 Judiciary Class 8 - FREE PDF Download

Revision Notes for Class 8 Political Science - Political Science Chapter 5 "Judiciary" are designed to help students grasp the role and functions of the judiciary. Judiciary Class 8 Notes align with the latest CBSE Class 8 Social Science Syllabus and cover key points about how the judicial system operates and its importance in a democracy. They simplify complex legal concepts into easy-to-understand explanations.

Table of Content

Students should study these notes carefully, as they explain important topics like the structure of the judiciary, its functions, and the process of judicial review. With these Class 8 Political Science Revision Notes, students can review the chapter effectively and prepare better for their exams. By using Class 8 Civics Judiciary Notes, students will gain a clear understanding of the judiciary's role in society and enhance their exam performance. Download FREE PDF!

Access Class 8 Political Science Chapter 4 – Judiciary Notes

Why do we Need Judiciary?

Judiciary follows the principle of equality. When any law is violated, a certain set of fixed procedures need to be followed to uphold the law and to provide justice to the aggrieved person or persons. In order to enforce this rule of law, we need a judicial system. In India, this judicial system consists of the mechanism of courts, and citizens can approach these courts when a law is violated.

The judiciary is a critical organ of the government and it plays a crucial role in the efficient functioning of India’s democracy. The answer to why do we need an independent judiciary is that this independence allows the judiciary to play its role in a non-biased or influenced manner.

Role of Judiciary

The role of the judiciary can be understood by understanding its functioning. The judiciary performs the following roles.

Dispute Resolution: The mechanism of the judicial system helps in resolving disputes between the citizens, between the citizens and the government, between two state governments, and between the Centre and the State governments.
Judicial Review: The judiciary can strike down certain laws passed by the Parliament under its power of judicial review. This happens when the judiciary believes that these laws are a violation of the basic structure of the Constitution.
Upholding the Law and Enforcing Fundamental Rights: If the citizens of India believe that their Fundamental Rights have been violated, they can approach the Supreme Court or the High Court.

Independent Judiciary

An Independent Judiciary implies that:

The other branches of government which are the legislature and the executive, cannot interfere in the work of such a judiciary.
In an independent judiciary, the courts are not under the government and do not act on its behalf. This allows the courts in ensuring that the legislature and the executive leg do not misuse the power.
An independent judiciary plays a critical role in protecting the Fundamental Rights of citizens.

What is the Structure of Courts in India?

The structure of courts in India comprises if three tiers. Its three different levels are:

District Court: The district courts are also called subordinate or Tehsil level courts and they settle the disputes for most people in the country.
High Court: The highest court of every state in the country is the High court.
Supreme Court: This is the court at the highest level. The Supreme Court of India is in Delhi. The decisions made by the Supreme Court are binding on all other lower courts in India.

As per the integrated judicial system followed in India, the decisions made by higher courts are binding on the lower courts. Under the appellate system of the judiciary in India, a person can appeal to a higher court if they believe that the judgment passed by the lower court is not right or justified.

What are the Different Branches of the Legal System?

The case of dowry death is categorized as a ‘crime against society’ and is a breach of criminal law. Besides criminal law, the legal system also addresses civil law cases. For instance, a new civil law was introduced in 2006 to protect women from domestic violence. Refer to the table below to see the key differences between criminal and civil law.

Criminal Law	Civil Law
This branch of law deals with conduct or acts that are defined by the law as offences. Eg: Theft, dowry, murder, harassing a woman, etc.	This branch of law deals with any injury or harm to the rights of individuals. Eg: Disputes relating to the purchase of goods, real estate disputes like the sale of land and rent matters, divorce cases, etc.
If found guilty, the accused can be sent to jail fined, or both in some cases.	In case of disputes related to civil law, the court provides the specific relief that the aggrieved party has asked for.
The first step in case of criminal law matters is the lodging of a First Information Report (FIR) with the police. The police investigate the crime and then file a case in the court.	In the case of civil law matters, a petition needs to be filed by the affected party only, before the relevant court.

Who has access to the Courts?

In India, all citizens have the right to access the courts to seek justice, as courts play a key role in protecting Fundamental Rights. However, many poor individuals struggle with the costs and complexities of legal procedures.

To help, the Supreme Court introduced Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the 1980s, allowing anyone to file a case on behalf of others whose rights are violated.

This simplified process has addressed issues such as labour conditions and wrongful imprisonment.
For ordinary people, PILs provide an important way to access justice and uphold rights like the Right to Life.
One challenge in accessing justice is the long duration courts take to resolve cases, often summed up by the phrase "justice delayed is justice denied."
Despite this, the judiciary remains vital in democratic India, checking the powers of the executive and legislature and protecting Fundamental Rights.
The Constituent Assembly wisely established an independent judiciary as a cornerstone of our democracy.

5 Important Topics of Class 8 Political Science Chapter 4 you shouldn’t Miss!

S. No	Important Topics for Judiciary
1.	Structure of the Judiciary
2.	Functions of the Judiciary
3.	Judicial Review
4.	The Role of Judges
5.	Legal Processes

Importance of Political Science Chapter 4 Judiciary Class 8 Notes PDF

The notes describe the different court levels and their functions, clarifying the structure and operation of the judiciary.
They explain the judiciary's key roles, such as interpreting laws and protecting rights, and how it contributes to justice.
The notes cover judicial review and its role in ensuring laws and government actions follow the Constitution.
They outline the responsibilities of judges and their importance in maintaining fairness and impartiality in the legal system.
The notes provide an overview of legal processes, including how cases are handled and decided in court.

Tips for Learning the Chapter 4 Judiciary Class 8 Notes PDF

Understand the different levels of courts and their roles. Visualise the hierarchy to see how the judicial system is organized.
Learn about the judiciary's main functions, such as interpreting laws and protecting rights. Relate these functions to real-life examples.
Grasp the concept of judicial review and its importance. Think about how it ensures that laws and government actions are constitutional.
Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities of judges and their role in ensuring justice. Consider their importance in maintaining fairness.
Learn how cases are filed, heard, and decided. Use simple examples to understand legal procedures and how they apply in real situations.
Refer to summaries and diagrams in the notes to reinforce key points and visualise complex ideas.

Conclusion

The Revision Notes for Class 8 Social Science - Political Science Chapter 4, "Judiciary," provide a clear and simple explanation of the role and functions of the judiciary in our society. These notes cover essential topics such as the structure of the courts, the functions of the judiciary, and the concept of judicial review. They help students understand how the judicial system operates, the responsibilities of judges, and the importance of fair legal processes. These notes are a valuable resource for exam preparation, ensuring students understand the key concepts and are well-prepared for their exams.

Related Study Materials for Class 8 Political Science Chapter 4 Judiciary

Students can also download additional study materials provided by Vedantu for Political Science Class 8, Chapter 4–

S. No	Study Material Links for Judiciary Class 8
1.	Class 8 Political Science Judiciary Important Questions
2.	Class 8 Political Science Judiciary NCERT Solutions

Revision Notes Links for Class 8 Political Science

S. No	Revision Notes Links for Class 8 Civics
1.	Chapter 1 - The Indian Constitution Notes
2.	Chapter 2 - Understanding Secularism Notes
3.	Chapter 3 - Parliament and the Making of Laws Notes
4.	Chapter 5 - Understanding Marginalisation Notes
5.	Chapter 6 - Confronting Marginalisation Notes
6.	Chapter 7 - Public Facilities Notes
7.	Chapter 8 - Law and Social Justice Notes

Important Study Materials for Class 8 Social Science

S.No.	Related Study Material for Social Science Class 8
1.	CBSE Class 8 Social Science NCERT Books
2.	CBSE Class 8 Social Science Revision Notes
3.	CBSE Class 8 Social Science Important Questions
4.	CBSE Class 8 Social Science NCERT Solutions
5.	CBSE Class 8 Social Science Worksheets
6.	CBSE Class 8 Civics NCERT Books
7.	CBSE Class 8 Civics Important Questions
8.	CBSE Class 8 Civics NCERT Solutions

FAQs on Judiciary Class 8 Social Science Chapter 4 CBSE Notes - 2025-26

1. What is the main role of the Judiciary as summarised in the Class 8 notes?

The main role of the Judiciary is to act as a mechanism for dispute resolution, conduct judicial review to interpret the Constitution, and uphold the law while enforcing Fundamental Rights. It ensures that laws made by the legislature do not violate the basic structure of the Constitution.

2. What is meant by an 'independent judiciary' in the context of Class 8 Social Science?

An independent judiciary means that the courts are not under the control of the other two branches of government—the legislature and the executive. This independence allows judges to make decisions based solely on the evidence and law, ensuring fair and impartial justice for all citizens without any external pressure or influence.

3. How can you quickly summarise the structure of courts in India for revision?

The structure of courts in India is integrated and hierarchical. For a quick recap, remember it has three levels:

Supreme Court: The highest court in the country, located in New Delhi. Its decisions are binding on all other courts.
High Courts: Each state has a High Court, which is the highest judicial authority in that state.
District or Subordinate Courts: These are at the district or tehsil level and are the courts most people interact with.

4. What is the key difference between Criminal Law and Civil Law for a quick revision?

The key difference is what they deal with. Criminal Law handles acts defined as 'offences' by law, like theft or murder, where the process usually starts with an FIR. Civil Law deals with disputes over the rights of individuals, such as property disagreements or rent matters, where the affected party files a petition.

5. What is the main purpose of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL)?

The main purpose of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) is to allow any individual or organisation to file a case in the High Court or Supreme Court on behalf of those whose rights are being violated. It is a tool for ensuring justice for the public interest, especially for the poor and marginalised who may not be able to approach the court themselves.

6. Why is the separation of powers a crucial concept for an independent judiciary?

The separation of powers is crucial because it prevents any one branch of government from becoming too powerful. For the judiciary, it means that the legislature and executive cannot interfere in the work of the courts. This separation ensures that judges can deliver verdicts without fear or favour, which is the foundation of an independent and fair judicial system.

7. How does the appellate system help ensure that justice is fair?

The appellate system ensures fairness by giving a person the right to appeal to a higher court if they believe the judgment by a lower court was unjust. This provides a system of checks and balances, allowing for the review and correction of potential errors made at a lower level. It reinforces the idea that justice is a process and not just a single decision.

8. What do the key terms 'acquit' and 'appeal' mean in the judicial process?

In the judicial process, to 'acquit' means the court has formally declared a person not guilty of a crime they were charged with. To 'appeal' means to file a petition in a higher court, requesting a review of a case that has already been decided by a lower court.

9. If all citizens have a right to the courts, why is 'access to justice' still a major challenge in India?

While the right exists in principle, 'access to justice' is a challenge for many poor citizens due to practical hurdles. These include the high costs of legal procedures, the complex and time-consuming paperwork involved, and the long delays in court proceedings. Mechanisms like PIL and Lok Adalats were introduced to address this gap between the right to justice and the ability to access it.

10. What is the core significance of 'judicial review' in protecting our Fundamental Rights?

The core significance of judicial review is that it empowers the judiciary to act as the final interpreter and guardian of the Constitution. If the judiciary finds that any law passed by the Parliament violates the Fundamental Rights of citizens, it has the power to declare that law unconstitutional and void. This ensures that the government's actions always remain within the boundaries set by the Constitution.