Class 8 Social Science Chapter 5, Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System, begins the ‘Governance and Democracy’ theme with Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar’s 1949 Constituent Assembly speech on adopting universal adult franchise from day one, then walks through how India’s elections work.
What Class 8 Social Science Chapter 5 Covers
Universal Adult Franchise and Enabling Participation explain why India gave every adult citizen the right to vote at independence (lowered from age 21 to 18 in 1988) and the accessibility measures that ensure every voter—including elderly and disabled citizens—can vote.
The Role of the Election Commission of India (ECI) uses a Grade 8 class-representative election at Suryodaya School to introduce campaigning, secret ballots and NOTA, then explains how the ECI manages 968 million voters, EVMs, VVPAT and the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
Understanding Elections in India compares direct First-Past-the-Post elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies with indirect elections to the Rajya Sabha and for the President and Vice President of India.
Exercises in Chapter 5
- Questions and activities at the end of the chapter, after a Before we move on… recap.
Read Class 8 Social Science Chapter 5 Online
More Chapters
- Previous: Chapter 4: The Colonial Era in India
- Next: Chapter 6: The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive
- Hindi medium: Class 8 Social Science Chapter 5 PDF in Hindi (Samaj Ka Adhyayan)
- All Social Science chapters and the other Class 8 books: Class 8 NCERT books 2026-27
- All Class 1 to 12 NCERT Textbooks: NCERT Books PDF (Class 1–12)
FAQ
What is universal adult franchise?
The constitutional right of every citizen aged 18 and above to vote in elections without discrimination based on caste, creed, gender, education or wealth.
What is the difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha elections?
Lok Sabha members are directly elected by voters using the First-Past-the-Post system, whereas Rajya Sabha members are indirectly elected by the elected MLAs of state assemblies.