Class 9 SST Part 2 Chapter 4 Solutions – Governance & Policy
Looking for accurate and complete ncert class 9 social science part 2 chapter 4 solutions for the new CBSE curriculum (2026-27)? You are in the right place! In this guide, we provide step-by-step, direct, and easy-to-understand solutions for all exercise questions from Understanding Society: India and Beyond Class 9 SST Part 2 Chapter 4: Governance and Public Policy. These answers are crafted specifically to help students write clean, exam-ready answers in their notebooks without extra confusion or lengthy fluff.
Question 1
"Good governance is the responsibility of the government alone." Do you agree with this statement? Give reasons to support your answer.
No, I do not agree. Good governance requires the participation of all stakeholders. While the government creates policies and provides services, it cannot function effectively alone. Citizens must follow laws, participate in elections, and provide feedback. Civil society organizations and the media play a crucial role in raising awareness and holding the government accountable. Therefore, good governance is a shared responsibility.
Question 2
Do you think students can contribute to good governance? Write a short note describing any five ways in which students can become more responsible and active citizens.
Yes, students can contribute significantly. Five ways are:
- Stay Informed: Read newspapers and follow the news to understand public issues.
- Follow Rules: Abide by laws (e.g., traffic rules, not littering) and respect public property.
- Participate in School Committees: Join student councils to understand democratic decision-making.
- Raise Awareness: Spread awareness on social issues like environmental conservation and hygiene.
- Volunteer: Participate in community service (e.g., cleanliness drives, helping the elderly).
Question 3
Choose any one public policy (for example, Right to Education, Swachh Bharat Mission, etc.) and prepare a chart showing the following aspects: The problem it addresses, The major stakeholders involved, How different actors coordinate, The role of citizens in its success.
(This is a project activity. Here is an example based on the Swachh Bharat Mission).
- Problem: Poor sanitation, open defecation, and waste management issues in India.
- Stakeholders: Central Government, State Governments, Local Municipalities, Citizens, NGOs, and Sanitation Workers.
- Coordination: The Central Government provides funds and policy direction. State and local bodies implement the construction of toilets and waste management systems. NGOs run awareness campaigns.
- Role of Citizens: Citizens must use toilets, segregate waste at home, participate in cleanliness drives, and stop littering.
Question 4
Answer the following in one or two sentences.
a. What is governance?
b. How is governance different from government?
c. What is meant by public policy?
d. Name any four principles of good governance.
- a. Governance: It is the process by which decisions are made, implemented, and monitored for the welfare of the people.
- b. Difference: Government refers to the institutions that hold power, while governance refers to the process of how that power is exercised.
- c. Public Policy: A course of action adopted by the government to solve public problems and promote the welfare of society.
- d. Principles of good governance: Transparency, accountability, participation, and the rule of law.
Question 5
Compare the following and present your answer in a tabular form.
a. Government and governance
b. Policy and public policy
| Government | Governance |
|---|---|
| Refers to the institutions that exercise political authority. | Refers to the process of decision-making and implementation. |
| Includes the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary. | Includes government, citizens, media, and civil society. |
Question 6
Imagine you have been appointed to advise the district administration on improving governance. You have proposed six points, but the administration decides to prioritise only three areas. Which three would you recommend as priority areas, and which one out of the three do you feel is the most important?
(Sample Answer)
- Priority 1: Improve sanitation and public toilets in schools and market areas (health and hygiene are fundamental).
- Priority 2: Improve drinking water facilities in schools (essential for health and attendance).
- Priority 3: Ensure the vaccination of stray dogs to prevent rabies (public safety).
Most Important: Improving sanitation and public toilets is the most critical, as it directly impacts public health and prevents the spread of diseases.
Question 7
Match the policy action point to its corresponding stage in the policy cycle.
- 1. Assessing the impact of the policy → Policy Evaluation
- 2. Putting the policy into action → Policy Implementation
- 3. Framing the legislation → Policy Adoption
- 4. Multi-dimensional consultation with stakeholders → Policy Formulation
- 5. Addressing a new need of the people → Policy Desirability (Problem Identification)
Question 8
Read the following case and answer the given questions. The government launches a programme to plant one lakh trees in a city. Funds are allocated, but only a few saplings survive because they are not watered or protected.
a. Which stage of the policy cycle appears to be weak?
b. Which organisations should coordinate to improve the programme?
c. Suggest two measures that could improve the outcome.
- a. Weak Stage: Policy implementation and monitoring/evaluation.
- b. Coordination: The local municipal corporation, the forest department, and local resident welfare associations (RWAs).
- c. Measures: (1) Assign responsibility for watering and protecting the saplings to local communities or contractors. (2) Conduct regular monitoring audits to check the survival rate of the trees.
Question 9
Read each statement carefully. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer.
a. A good public policy can fail if it is not implemented properly.
b. Citizen participation sometimes makes decision-making slower, but it can improve governance.
c. Technology alone cannot ensure good governance.
- a. Agree: Without proper implementation, even the best policies cannot achieve their goals.
- b. Agree: While consulting citizens takes time, it ensures that policies are inclusive and address the real needs of the people, leading to better outcomes.
- c. Agree: Technology (e-governance) improves efficiency, but good governance also requires transparency, accountability, and human empathy, which technology cannot provide alone.
Question 10
Design a public policy. You are a member of your school's student representative body. Identify one issue, for example, plastic waste, water wastage, road safety, energy conservation, or littering in public places. Prepare a simple policy proposal.
(Sample Policy on Plastic Waste)
- Issue: Excessive plastic waste in the school campus.
- Solution: Ban single-use plastic bottles and bags on campus. Encourage students to bring reusable bottles and tiffins.
- Implementation: The student council and teachers will monitor and conduct awareness campaigns.
- Participation: Students will participate in waste segregation and recycling drives.
- Success Measure: A visible reduction in the amount of plastic waste collected daily.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Based on latest NCERT class 9 book.