Class 8 Social Science Part 2 Chapter 4 – The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society from the new NCERT textbook Exploring Society: India and Beyond. Get easy Notes and complete Book Solutions with important concepts, questions and answers, and revision material for effective learning, practice and exam preparation.
The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society
Colourful Concept Notes & Easy Book Solutions
— Dr Martin Luther King Jr.
🌟 The Big Questions
📖 Chapter at a Glance
⚖️ Justice
Justice means treating people fairly and ensuring that their rights and dignity are respected.
🏛️ Judiciary
The Judiciary is the branch of government that interprets laws, settles disputes and helps protect constitutional rights.
📜 Constitution
The Judiciary ensures that laws and government actions remain within the framework of the Constitution.
🤝 Alternative Dispute Resolution
Some disputes can be settled through mediation, arbitration, conciliation, negotiation and Lok Adalats instead of lengthy court proceedings.
⚖️ 1. Understanding Justice
The Preamble to the Constitution of India promises all citizens social, economic and political justice.
Justice means giving people fair treatment and protecting their rights and dignity.
Why is justice important?
- It helps maintain peace and harmony.
- It promotes equality.
- It protects people’s rights.
- It helps resolve disputes fairly.
- It gives people confidence in the legal system.
💭 Let’s Explore
Think of a time when you felt that someone had not been fair to you. How did you feel? What did you think needed to be done to make the situation right? Who could have made things right? What would you do in such a situation? Share in small groups.
🌱 What can we learn?
When people experience unfair treatment, they usually want the problem to be examined fairly. A peaceful and lawful system is needed so that both sides can be heard before a decision is made.
🏛️ Judiciary – One of the Three Pillars
📜 Legislature
Makes laws for the country.
⚙️ Executive
Implements and administers the laws.
⚖️ Judiciary
Interprets laws, settles disputes and protects constitutional rights.
📜 The Connection Between Law and Justice
Laws are general rules made by the government to regulate activities in society and to provide consequences for breaking those rules.
Possible consequences of breaking laws
- Fine
- Compensation
- Imprisonment in some cases
The system that allows people to complain about grievances and present their point of view so that justice can be ensured within the framework of law and the Constitution is called the judicial system.
🚫 Unjust Laws and Justice
After independence, some laws made during the colonial period were found to be discriminatory or inconsistent with democratic values. Several such laws were later repealed.
Criminal Tribes Act, 1871
It labelled certain communities as criminals by birth.
Vernacular Press Act, 1878
It restricted freedom of the press.
Jim Crow Laws
In parts of the United States, these laws enforced racial segregation and restricted access to public facilities.
Apartheid Laws
In South Africa, laws divided people by race and imposed severe restrictions on coloured people.
⚖️ Two Important Aspects of Justice
🟢 Substantive Justice
It focuses on the final result or outcome.
Is the final decision fair, just and reasonable?
🔵 Procedural Justice
It means that everyone involved gets a fair opportunity to be heard before a decision is made.
🏛️ The Judicial System in India
India has a unified judicial system with a hierarchy of courts.
Highest Court of the Country
Highest Courts at the State Level
Courts functioning below the High Courts
⚖️ The Supreme Court of India
The Supreme Court is the highest court of law in India. It came into existence when the Constitution of India came into effect on 26 January 1950.
📍 Location
New Delhi
📜 Article 124
Provides for the establishment of the Supreme Court.
👨⚖️ Chief Justice
The head of the Supreme Court is the Chief Justice of India.
🎂 Retirement
A Supreme Court Judge retires at the age of 65 years.
📄 Writ Jurisdiction
Writ jurisdiction helps protect and enforce Fundamental Rights.
Article 32
A citizen can approach the Supreme Court for enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
Article 226
High Courts can issue writs for enforcement of Fundamental Rights within their territorial jurisdiction.
Examples of Fundamental Rights
Equality Liberty Right to Life Freedom of Speech Freedom of Religion📢 Public Interest Litigation – PIL
Public Interest Litigation allows matters of public concern to be brought before the courts.
Examples mentioned in the chapter
M.C. Mehta v. Union of India
Environmental matters such as cleaning the River Ganga and protection of the Taj Mahal were taken up.
Vishaka & Ors. v. State of Rajasthan
The Supreme Court laid down guidelines against sexual harassment at the workplace in 1997.
🏛️ Original Jurisdiction
The Supreme Court has exclusive original jurisdiction under Article 131 over certain disputes involving:
- The Centre and a State.
- The Centre and a State on one side and another State on the other side.
- Inter-state disputes, such as river water disputes.
🔁 Appellate Jurisdiction
The Supreme Court can hear appeals against certain final orders and judgments of High Courts and other specialised tribunals, according to the Constitution and applicable law.
💡 Advisory Jurisdiction
Under Article 143, the President of India may seek the opinion of the Supreme Court on a question of law or fact of public importance.
📚 Special Leave Petition – Article 136
The Supreme Court has extraordinary discretionary power to grant Special Leave to Appeal from judgments, decrees or orders of courts or tribunals in India in appropriate cases.
📌 Important Constitutional Articles
| Article | Important Provision |
|---|---|
| 32 | Right to approach Supreme Court for enforcement of Fundamental Rights |
| 124 | Establishment of Supreme Court |
| 131 | Original jurisdiction of Supreme Court |
| 136 | Special Leave to Appeal |
| 141 | Law declared by Supreme Court is binding on all courts in India |
| 142 | Power to pass orders necessary for doing complete justice |
| 143 | Advisory jurisdiction |
| 214 | High Courts |
| 226 | Writ jurisdiction of High Courts |
| 227 | Superintendence of High Courts over subordinate courts and tribunals |
🏛️ High Court
A High Court is the highest court at the State level.
📜 Article 214
Provides that there shall be a High Court in each State.
👨⚖️ Appointment
High Court Judges are appointed by the President of India in accordance with the constitutional process.
🎂 Retirement
High Court Judges retire at the age of 62 years.
📄 Article 226
High Courts exercise writ jurisdiction.
Functions of High Courts
- Hear appeals from subordinate courts.
- Exercise writ jurisdiction.
- Supervise subordinate courts.
- Hear certain matters involving tribunals.
🗺️ High Courts Mentioned in the Chapter
| S. No. | High Court | States / Union Territories Covered |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Allahabad High Court | Uttar Pradesh |
| 2 | Andhra Pradesh High Court | Andhra Pradesh |
| 3 | Bombay High Court | Maharashtra, Goa, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu |
| 4 | Calcutta High Court | West Bengal and Andaman & Nicobar Islands |
| 5 | Chhattisgarh High Court | Chhattisgarh |
| 6 | Delhi High Court | Delhi |
| 7 | Gauhati High Court | Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh |
| 8 | Gujarat High Court | Gujarat |
| 9 | Himachal Pradesh High Court | Himachal Pradesh |
| 10 | Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court | Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh |
| 11 | Jharkhand High Court | Jharkhand |
| 12 | Karnataka High Court | Karnataka |
| 13 | Kerala High Court | Kerala and Lakshadweep |
| 14 | Madras High Court | Tamil Nadu and Puducherry |
| 15 | Madhya Pradesh High Court | Madhya Pradesh |
| 16 | Manipur High Court | Manipur |
| 17 | Meghalaya High Court | Meghalaya |
| 18 | Orissa High Court | Odisha |
| 19 | Patna High Court | Bihar |
| 20 | Punjab & Haryana High Court | Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh |
| 21 | Rajasthan High Court | Rajasthan |
| 22 | Sikkim High Court | Sikkim |
| 23 | Telangana High Court | Telangana |
| 24 | Tripura High Court | Tripura |
| 25 | Uttarakhand High Court | Uttarakhand |
🏢 Subordinate Courts
Subordinate courts function below the High Courts and are very important because they are the courts where the judiciary comes into close contact with ordinary people.
District Courts
Deal with many civil and criminal matters at the district level.
Sessions Courts
Deal with criminal matters at the district level according to their jurisdiction.
Revenue Courts
Deal with specified revenue-related matters.
Small Causes Courts
Deal with certain smaller civil claims.
⚙️ Tribunals
Tribunals are specialised bodies that decide particular categories of disputes. They are generally quasi-judicial in nature.
| Tribunal / Forum | Main Area |
|---|---|
| Consumer Fora | Consumer disputes |
| Central Administrative Tribunal | Service matters of government employees |
| National Green Tribunal | Environmental issues |
| National Company Law Tribunal | Corporate civil and commercial disputes including insolvency and bankruptcy matters |
| Armed Forces Tribunal | Disputes related to the Armed Forces |
| Appellate Tribunal for Electricity | Electricity disputes |
💻 Digital Technology and Judicial System
Digital technology is being used to make the judicial system more accessible and transparent.
📤 e-Filing
Cases and documents can be filed electronically.
🎥 Hybrid Hearings
Court proceedings can use both physical and online participation.
📺 Live Streaming
Certain court proceedings can be made available to the public.
🌐 Translation
Judgments can be translated into Indian languages.
📊 National Judicial Data Grid
Provides judicial information and data through a digital platform.
⏱️ Virtual Justice Clock
The chapter mentions the use of a display showing real-time judicial data at the Supreme Court.
🤝 Alternate Modes of Dispute Resolution
Courts encourage people to use alternative modes of dispute resolution to settle suitable disputes and reduce the burden on courts.
⚖️ Arbitration
The parties agree to refer their dispute to an independent arbitrator or panel of arbitrators.
🤝 Mediation
A neutral mediator helps the parties reach a mutually acceptable settlement.
🗣️ Negotiation
The parties discuss the dispute themselves to try to reach an agreement.
🏛️ Lok Adalat
Provides a forum where suitable disputes can be settled amicably.
🏘️ Gram Nyayalayas
Village-level courts established to decentralise the judicial system and make justice more accessible.
🔍 Arbitration vs Mediation
| Arbitration | Mediation |
|---|---|
| An arbitrator hears the parties. | A mediator helps the parties communicate. |
| The arbitrator gives a decision. | The mediator does not impose a decision. |
| The decision is generally final and legally binding as provided by law and agreement. | The focus is on a mutually acceptable settlement. |
📚 Important Terms
Fair treatment according to law and constitutional values.
The branch of government concerned with courts and justice.
The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a matter.
A formal order issued by a constitutional court in appropriate cases.
Public Interest Litigation concerning matters of public importance.
A person involved in a legal case.
A body established to settle certain types of disputes.
An independent person or panel that decides an arbitration dispute.
A neutral person who helps disputing parties reach a settlement.
A forum for amicable settlement of suitable disputes.
⭐ Don’t Miss Out
⚖️ New Criminal Laws
The chapter notes that the Indian Penal Code, 1860, has been replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
📜 Criminal Procedure
The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, has been replaced by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
🔎 Evidence Law
The Indian Evidence Act, 1872, has been replaced by the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023.
✅ Before We Move On…
- The Judiciary is one of the three pillars of government.
- The judicial system helps ensure justice.
- The judiciary interprets laws and the Constitution.
- The Constitution provides separation of powers.
- An independent judiciary is important for fair justice.
- Cases may be resolved at different levels of courts.
- Alternative dispute resolution can help settle suitable disputes.
- Citizens can bring important social concerns to the notice of the judicial system.
📝 Questions and Activities – Easy Book Solutions
The following questions are written exactly as given in the chapter. The answers are short, simple and suitable for Class 8 students.
1. Write a model letter to the High Court or Supreme Court about a current social issue you have observed to bring it to the notice of the judiciary.
To,
The Hon’ble Chief Justice,
The High Court.
Subject: Request to take notice of plastic pollution in public places
Respected Sir/Madam,
I wish to bring to the notice of the Hon’ble Court the increasing problem of plastic waste in public places in our area. Plastic waste can block drains, pollute water and harm animals. I request the concerned authorities to take effective steps to control this problem and spread awareness among people.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
A Student
2. Imagine that you are part of the legislature or executive. Given the large number of cases in the judicial system, what are some innovative solutions that you can devise to address the issue?
Some useful solutions could be:
- Increase the number of courts and judges where needed.
- Use technology for e-filing and online case management.
- Encourage mediation and Lok Adalats.
- Fill vacant posts in courts quickly.
- Use digital systems to organise court records.
- Promote simple and quick procedures for suitable cases.
- Increase legal awareness among citizens.
3. Create a moot court and enact the following cases. What are the considerations that the judge might need to take into account to arrive at a just outcome?
A judge should carefully consider the facts, evidence, applicable laws, constitutional principles, rights of the parties and the arguments presented by both sides. The judge should give both parties a fair opportunity to be heard before reaching a decision.
i. Anita and Sameer worked in a factory that produced different types of screws. They had both completed an Industrial Training Institute diploma and joined the factory together. One day, Anita discovered that she was getting paid less than Sameer for the same job. After many appeals to her boss and no change in her salary, she decided to go to court. Enact this scene from the litigants’ perspective, showcasing their respective points of view. What might be the outcome of the case?
Anita can explain that she and Sameer are doing the same job but she is receiving less pay. She can present evidence such as appointment letters, salary records and details of their work.
Sameer and the employer should also be given an opportunity to present their side.
The judge would examine the evidence and applicable law. If the court finds that Anita was unfairly paid less for the same work without a lawful reason, the court may order appropriate relief according to law.
ii. The people of a village living next to a river used its water for drinking and irrigation purposes. Gradually, they began to notice that the clear water was turning a brownish colour and had begun to smell too. Many people were falling sick. They figured that this was due to the effluents that were being discharged by a factory upstream. What are the steps that the residents of the village could take to ensure that the water is clean again?
The villagers can:
- Collect evidence about the pollution.
- Inform the appropriate pollution-control authorities.
- Ask for testing of the river water.
- Seek action against unlawful pollution.
- Approach the appropriate court or tribunal if necessary.
- Use a suitable PIL where the matter affects the wider public.
- Request steps to stop untreated industrial waste from entering the river.
4. Many eminent individuals from across India have served as Supreme Court or High Court judges. Write an essay about one such individual from your state or district, talking about their contributions as a judge of the Supreme Court or High Court.
Topic: An Eminent Judge from My State
Choose a former or serving judge who has a connection with your state or district. Begin by writing the judge’s name, place of origin, education and important judicial positions.
Then describe some important judgments or contributions made by the judge. Explain how the judge contributed to justice, constitutional values or the legal system.
Conclusion: The work of judges is important because courts help protect rights, interpret laws and ensure justice according to the Constitution.
5. Have an interaction with anyone you know who is a part of the judicial system. Try to understand their work, the challenges they face, and what gives them satisfaction. Create a small presentation and share it with the class. You can do this in small groups.
Students can interview a judge, lawyer, court employee or another person connected with the judicial system, with permission.
Suggested presentation:
- Name and profession: Introduce the person.
- Work: Explain their main responsibilities.
- Daily routine: Describe the type of work they perform.
- Challenges: Mention difficulties faced in their work.
- Technology: Ask how digital tools are changing their work.
- Satisfaction: Explain what gives them satisfaction in their profession.
- Learning: Write what students learned from the interaction.
🚀 Quick Revision
⚖️ Justice
Fair treatment and protection of rights.
🏛️ Supreme Court
Highest court of law in India.
🏢 High Court
Highest court at the State level.
🏫 Subordinate Courts
Courts below High Courts.
📢 PIL
Addresses matters of public concern.
📄 Writ
Helps enforce constitutional rights.
🤝 Mediation
A neutral person helps parties reach agreement.
⚖️ Arbitration
An arbitrator decides the dispute.
🏛️ Lok Adalat
Helps settle suitable disputes amicably.
💻 Digital Judiciary
Uses technology to improve access and transparency.
🧠 Remember This Flow
⬇
⬇
Court proceedings • Arbitration • Mediation • Negotiation • Lok Adalat • Gram Nyayalayas
🎯 Exam Revision Tips
- Remember the three pillars: Legislature, Executive and Judiciary.
- Learn the hierarchy: Supreme Court → High Courts → Subordinate Courts.
- Remember Article 32 for the Supreme Court’s writ jurisdiction.
- Remember Article 226 for High Court writ jurisdiction.
- Remember Article 124 for the Supreme Court.
- Remember Article 131 for original jurisdiction.
- Remember Article 136 for Special Leave to Appeal.
- Remember Article 141 for binding law declared by the Supreme Court.
- Remember Article 142 for complete justice.
- Remember Article 143 for advisory jurisdiction.
- Know the difference between substantive and procedural justice.
- Learn the differences between arbitration and mediation.
- Know the purpose of Lok Adalats and Gram Nyayalayas.
Prepare more, practise more and learn better! This NCERT Class 8 Social Science Part 2 worksheet for Chapter 4 includes important questions and revision exercises to help students understand key concepts, improve their practice and strengthen their preparation for class tests and examinations.
Class 8 Social Science Part 2 Chapter 4, Class 8 Social Science Chapter 4 Notes, The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society, Class 8 Social Science Part 2 Chapter 4 Notes and Book Solutions, The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society Notes, The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society Book Solutions, Class 8 Social Science Questions and Answers, Class 8 Social Science Part 2 Solutions, NCERT Class 8 Social Science, NCERT Class 8 Social Science Part 2, CBSE Class 8 Social Science, Class 8 Social Science Study Material, Class 8 Social Science Revision Notes, Class 8 Social Science Worksheets