Class 8 · Social Science · New NCERT
Chapter 12 (Part 2, Chapter 5): Citizenship: Rights and Duties
Chapter 12 (Part 2, Chapter 5 in the printed book). On this site the chapters of both parts are numbered continuously.
"Citizenship: Rights and Duties" is a chapter of about twenty-four pages. Students are likely to learn what it means to be a citizen of India, the fundamental rights and duties set out in the Constitution and how rights and duties go together. It builds on the Grade 7 chapter on the Constitution and the earlier chapters of Theme D. Discussing real situations, such as rights at school and in the community, and drawing up a class charter of rights and duties makes it practical and meaningful.
This is chapter 12 (Part 2, Chapter 5) of 15 in Exploring Society: India and Beyond, the Class 8 Social Science textbook, in the Governance and Democracy section, and begins on page 143 of Part 2 of the printed 2026-27 book. It follows "The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society" and is followed by "Dynamics of Population".
Social Science in this book starts from the child's own surroundings and moves outwards. With "Citizenship: Rights and Duties", students are invited to observe, question and discuss rather than memorise: maps, images, side boxes and activities are all part of the learning. Open questions encourage them to look for evidence and think about more than one view, and the text keeps to the big ideas so there is time for reflection.
A good follow-up to "Citizenship: Rights and Duties" is to connect it with something local: a place, a person, a custom or a news item. Ask the child to bring one new fact or question to class. Discussing different points of view politely is part of the learning.
This overview is written from the 2026-27 textbook's Contents page, its preface and the chapter title, to help families and teachers prepare. Please read the chapter itself for exact content, activities and exercises.