Chapter 6 of the new NCERT Class 9 Social Science textbook is Democracy, part of the Political Science section. It explains what democracy means and why it matters as a system of government.
Last Updated: September 23, 2026
What Is Democracy?
Q: What is the basic meaning of democracy?
A: Democracy is a system of government in which the people hold the power to elect their representatives, who then govern on their behalf, and where citizens have basic rights and freedoms.
Key Features of Democracy
Q: Name a few key features of a democratic government.
A: Regular free and fair elections, rule of law, protection of citizens’ rights, accountability of the government to the people, and freedom of expression.
Why Democracy Matters
Q: Why is democracy considered a good form of government despite its challenges?
A: Because it allows citizens a voice in decisions that affect their lives, provides mechanisms to remove ineffective or unpopular governments peacefully, and generally protects individual rights better than non-democratic systems.
Challenges Facing Democracies
Q: What is one common challenge faced by democracies?
A: Ensuring genuine political participation and preventing the influence of money or power from undermining free and fair elections and decision-making is a common challenge, alongside issues like voter apathy and corruption.
- Chapter 1: Understanding Social Science – Free PDF Download
- Chapter 2: Shaping of the Earth's Surface – Free PDF Download
- Chapter 3: Atmosphere and Climate – Free PDF Download
- Chapter 4: Early Humans and Beginning of Civilisation – Free PDF Download
- Chapter 5: State and Society up to 1000 CE – Free PDF Download
- Chapter 7: Elections – Free PDF Download
- Chapter 8: Building Blocks in Economics: The Problem of Choice – Free PDF Download
- Chapter 9: The Price Puzzle: What Drives the Market – Free PDF Download
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between direct and representative democracy?
In direct democracy, citizens directly participate in decision-making; in representative democracy (the common modern form), citizens elect representatives who make decisions on their behalf.
Is India a democracy?
Yes, India is the world’s largest democracy, with a constitution guaranteeing citizens the right to vote and elect their representatives at various levels of government.
Chapter Quiz — Test Your Understanding
Class 9 Social Science Chapter 6 – More Resources
See the Class 9 Social Science NCERT Book for the full chapter list and official PDF downloads.
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