CHAPTER – 1
INDIAN CONSTITUTION
1. What is a constitution?
Constitution can be described as a document outlining the basic laws or principles
by which a country is to be governed.
2. What is universal adult franchise?
Universal adult franchise is every adult citizen having a right to vote irrespective
of sex, caste, creed, education and financial status.
3. What do you mean by the legislature, the executive and the judiciary?
The legislature refers to our elected representatives.
The executive is a smaller group of people who are responsible for implementing
laws and running the government.
The judiciary refers to the system of courts in this country.
4. Why does a democratic country need a Constitution?
There are various reasons why a democratic country needs a Constitution.
1.The basic ideals on the basis of which we as citizens aspire to live in our
country are mentioned in the Constitution.
2. It tells the fundamental nature of society
3. To define the nature of the political system of the country.
4. It states a set of rules based on which people belonging to different
religions and communities can peacefully co-exist with each other.
5. What would happen if there were no restrictions on the power of elected
representatives?
In a democracy, the citizens of the country are responsible for electing their
leaders. However, there is always a possibility that the leaders might misuse their
authority and use it for the wrong purposes. Hence, the constitution has provided
measures to safeguard the country against such misuse of powers.
6.Write a brief note on the making of the Indian Constitution.
The Indian Constitutional Assembly was convened in December 1946. The
members of this Assembly were only Indians. This Assembly started drafting
the Constitution for Independent India. Dr. Ambedkar was the Chairman of the
Constitution drafting committee.The constitution declares India to be a
sovereign, democratic republic and establishes the structure, procedures, powers
and duties, of the government and duties of citizens.The 308 members of the
Assembly signed two hand-written copies of the document (one each in Hindi
and English) on the January 24, 1950. Two days later, on January 26, 1950, the
Constitution of India became the law of all the Indian lands.
7.Write a brief note on the struggle for freedom in Nepal.
In Nepal, there was a people’s struggle for freedom in 1990. Democracy was
established and it lasted for 12 years until 2002. In October 2002, King
Gyanendra began taking over the government with the assistance of the army. In
2005 King Gyanendra took over as the head of the government.In 2006 people’s
movement for democracy began gaining immense force. In April 2006 the King
restored the Third Parliament and asked the political parties to form a
government. In 2007, Nepal adopted an Interim Constitution and Nepal gained
political freedom.
8.What were the challenges before the members of the Constituent Assembly?
• The country was made up of several different communities who spoke
different languages, practised different religions and had distinct cultures.
• At the time the Constitution was being written, the country was going
through considerable turmoil. The partition of the country was imminent,
some of the Princely States remained undivided about their future.
• The socio-economic condition of the vast mass of people appeared dismal.
(d) Poverty was another major challenge.
9.Describe all the Fundamental Rights mentioned in the Constitution.
• Right to Equality.
All persons are equal before the law. It means that all persons shall be equally
protected by the laws of the country. It also states that no citzen can be
discriminated against on the basics of their religion, caste or sex. Every
personhas access to all public places such as restaurants, parks, etc. The state
cannot discriminate against anyone on matters of employment.
• Right to Freedom.
Everyone has the right to freedom of speech and expressions, the right to
move freely and reside in any part of the country and the right to practise any
profession, occupation or business.
• Right against Exploitation.
The Indian Constitution prohibits trafficking, child labour and children
working under 14 years of age.
• Right to Freedom of Religion.
Everyone has the right to enjoy religious freedom. It means that everyone has
the right to practise, profess and propagate the religion of their choice.
• Cultural and Educational Rights.
Our Constitution states that all minorities, religious or linguistic, can set up
their own educational institutions in order to preserve and develop their own
culture.
• Right to Constitutional Remedies
. A person has the right to go to the court for justice if he/she feels that his/her
Fundamental Rights are being violated.
10.Describe the key features of the Indian Constitution.
• Federalism:
Our Constitution has provided for a federal form of government. This means
that we have government at the state level and at the centre. Panchayati Raj is
the third tier of government.
• Parliamentary form of Government:
The different tiers of government consists of representatives who are elected
by the people. The Constitution of India guarantees universal adult franchise
for all citizens. This means that people of India have a direct role in electing
their representatives. At the same time, every citizen of the country,
irrespective of his/ her social background, can also contest in elections. These
representatives are accountable to the people.
• Separation of Powers:
There are three organs of the state— the legislature, the executive and the
judiciary. In order to prevent the misuse of power by any one branch of the
state, the Constitution says that each of these organs should exercise different
powers. In this way, each organ acts as a check on the other organs of the state
and this establishes a balance of power between the three.
• Fundamental Rights:
Fundamental Rights are called the conscience of the Indian Constitution.
These Rights protect against the absolute exercise of power by the state. The
Constitution thus guarantees the rights of individuals against the state as well
as against other individuals.
• Secularism:
It is an important feature of our Constitution. A secular state is one in which
the state does not officially promote any one religion as the state religion.
