Social Science (087) — CBSE Class 10 board question

In India, horizontal distribution of power refers to the division of power among the three organs of government — Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary — at the same level.

The system of Checks and Balances ensures no single organ becomes too powerful:

• The Legislature makes laws, but the Judiciary can declare them unconstitutional.
• The Executive implements laws but is accountable to the Legislature.
• The Judiciary is independent and can review actions of both Legislature and Executive.

This prevents misuse of power and upholds the rule of law in a democracy.

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The examiner expects students to:

1. Define horizontal distribution briefly.
2. Name all three organs — Legislature, Executive, Judiciary.
3. Give specific examples of how each checks the other (this earns the marks).
4. Conclude with its importance (prevents concentration of power).

Key point: The source passages focus on federalism/decentralisation, but this question draws from Chapter 1 of Political Science (Power Sharing). Answer from standard NCERT knowledge on this topic. Keep the answer tight — three clear points with examples is sufficient for 3 marks.