Q 1- What is meant by segregation?
Ans- The act of separating or setting apart people from others or from the main body or group, especially when applied to separate people by race.
Q 2- What do you mean by political equality?
Ans-Every citizen is entitled to all the constitutional rights and freedom without making distinctions of any kind like gender, race, status, religion, etc.
Q 3- Name the great leader of the Indian freedom movement who was not a member of the Indian Constituent Assembly.
Ans- Mahatma Gandhi, the great leader of the Indian freedom movement was not a member of the Indian Constituent Assembly.
Q 4- When did the Constituent Assembly adopt the constitution of India?
Ans- The Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution of India on 26th November 1949.
Q 5- What is known as the supreme law of the country?
Ans- The constitution of the country is known as the supreme law of the country.
Q 6- What does the constitution include?
Ans- The constitution includes the rights of citizens, the powers of the government, and how the government should function.
Q 7- Who was Nelson Mandela? ‘
Ans- Nelson Mandela was the leader of the African National Congress (ANC). He was imprisoned for 28 years in South Africa’s most dreaded prison called Robben Island.
Q 8- Why was Nelson Mandela imprisoned?
Ans- He was imprisoned for opposing the apartheid regime.
Q 9- What does ‘apartheid’ mean?
Ans- Apartheid was the policy of racial discrimination and ill-treatment of the blacks by the white regime of South Africa based on the colour of their skin.
Q 10- Who were called the blacks in South Africa?
Ans- The natives of South Africa are black in color, they make up for about three-fourth of the population and are called blacks.
Q 11- What does segregation mean in South Africa?
Ans- Segregation means a practice when trains, buses, taxis, hotels, hospitals, schools and colleges, libraries, cinema halls, theatres, beaches, swimming pools were all separate for the whites and the blacks in South Africa.
Q 12- What treatment was given to the blacks?
Ans- The blacks could not even visit the churches where the whites worshipped and could not form associations or protest against the terrible treatment meted out to them.
Q 13- Since when the blacks, coloured and the Indians fought against the apartheid system, and how?
Ans- Since 1950 the blacks, coloured and the Indians fought against the apartheid system by launching protest marches and strikes.
Q 14- What was African National Congress (ANC)?
Ans- It was the umbrella organization that led the struggle against the policies of segregation.
Q 15- What was the role of the sensitive Whites in ANC?
Ans- Many sensitive whites joined the African National Congress to oppose apartheid and played a leading role in the struggle.
Q 16- How white racists continued their apartheid despite protests?
Ans- The white racists continued apartheid by detaining, torturing and killing thousands of blacks and coloured people.
Q 17- How did apartheid end in South Africa?
Ans- As protests and struggles against apartheid increased the government realized that they could no longer keep the blacks under their rule through repression. Finally, at midnight of 26th April 1994, South Africa got freedom from apartheid.
Q 18- What is the appeal made by the blacks to follow blacks after being democratic?
Ans- Blacks appealed to their fellow blacks that they forgive the whites for the atrocities they had committed while in power. • ‘
Q 19- When was the constitution of South Africa completed?
Ans- After two years of discussion and debate the constitution-makers came out with one of the finest. constitutions the world had seen.
Q 20- What were the safeguards wished by the black majority?
Ans- They wanted that there must not be any compromise regarding democratic principles of majority rule. They wanted substantial social and economic rights.
Q 21- What were the fears prevailing among the whites?
Ans- The white minority had a fear of losing their privileges and property. They wanted to secure them.
Q 22- What compromise was made by the white minority in South Africa?
Ans- The whites agreed to the principle of majority rule and that of one person one vote. They also agreed to accept some basic rights for the poor and the workers.
Q 23- What compromise was made by black majority in South Africa?
Ans- They agreed that the majority rule would not be absolute. They agreed that the majority would not take away the property of the whites.
Q 24- What was the condition of basic rules made by the South Africans?
Ans- The basic rules will be supreme, that no government will be able to ignore them.
Q 25- Why is the constitution considered a supreme law?
Ans- It is the supreme law as it determines the relationship among people living in a territory (called citizens) and the relationship between the people and government.
Q 26- Who was the Education Minister in the first union cabinet?
Ans- Abul Kalam Azad was the Education Minister.
Q 27- Who was the Finance Minister in the ¦rst union cabinet?
Ans- T. Krishnamachari.
Q 28- What was the state of the princely states when the British left India?
Ans- The British had left it to the rulers of the princely states to decide whether they wanted to be with India or with Pakistan or remain.
Q 29- Who integrated the Indian princely states? How many princely states were there?
Ans- Sardar Patel integrated the 562 princely states of India.
Q 30- Who firstly drafted the constitution for India?
Ans- In 1928, Motilal Nehru and eight other Congress leaders drafted a constitution for India.
Q 31- What resolution was made in the 1931, Karachi session?
Ans- In 1931, at the Karachi session of the Indian National Congress, worked on how independent India’s constitution should look like.
Q 32- What was Constituent Assembly?
Ans- The drafting of the constitution by an assembly of elected representatives is called Constituent Assembly.
Q 33- How was Constituent Assembly formed?
Ans- Constituent Assembly was formed by the elections held in July 1946.
Q 34- When was the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly held?
Ans- The first meeting was held in December 1946.
Q 35- How many members did the Constituent Assembly have?
Ans- The Constituent Assembly that the whole the Indian constitution had 299 members.
Q 36- When was the constitutional work completed and when did the constitution come into force?
Ans- The assembly adopted the constitution on 26th November 1949. It comes into force in January 1950. To mark this day we celebrate 26th January as Republic Day every year.
Question 37- Why did the constitution come into effect on 26th January 1950?
Ans- The constitution came into effect on 26lh January 1950, because the constitution-makers wanted to give importance to the date 26th January as Jawaharlal Nehru declared Independence Day of India on 26th January.
Q 38- Write a short note on Nelson Mandela.
Ans- Nelson Mandela fought against white domination in South Africa. He cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. The South African government tried him for treason and imprisoned him for daring to oppose the apartheid regime in his country. Mandela spent 28 years in South Africa’s most dreaded prison, Robben Island. After 28 years of imprisonment, Nelson Mandela was released. On 26th April 1994, the new national flag of the Republic of South Africa was unfurled marking the newly born democracy in the world. Nelson Mandela was made the first President of this new democracy.
Q 39- What is a Constitution?
Ans- Unlike a monarchy, in a democracy, the rulers are not free to do what they like. Certain basic rules have to be followed by the citizens and the government. These rules put together are called the Constitution. As the supreme law of the country, the constitution
determines the rights of citizens, the powers of the government, and how the government should function.
Q 40- What was the basis of the apartheid regime in South Africa?
Ans- The apartheid regime differentiated people on the basis of their skin colour. The native people of South Africa who were black-skinned were called ‘blacks’. They made up about three-fourths of the population. People of mixed races were called ‘colored’. The White Europeans were called ‘Whites’. The white rulers treated all non-whites as inferior.
Q 41- How were the non-whites discriminated against?
Ans- The non-whites did not have any voting rights. The apartheid regime was particularly oppressive for the ‘blacks’ and the ‘coloured’. They were forbidden from living in white areas. They could work in white areas only if they had a permit. There were separate trains, buses, taxis, hotels, hospitals, schools and colleges, libraries, cinema halls, theatres, beaches, swimming pools, and public toilets, for the whites and blacks. The blacks were not allowed into the Churches frequented by the whites. There were not allowed to form an association to represent their problems. This system of racial discrimination, unique to South Africa, was called Apartheid.
Q 42- Which was the first organization that led the first against Apartheid?
Ans- The African National Congress (ANC) was the first organization that led the struggle against Apartheid.
Q 43- Why is South Africa called a ‘rainbow nation’ today?
Ans- There is no social or any discrimination based on skin colour in free south Africa, today. Blacks, whites and coloured people, men and women, live as free citizens, in total
harmony. This is why they call South Africa a ‘rainbow nation’.
Q 44- What was the situation at the time India achieved independence?
Ans- At that time of independence, the people of India were emerging from the status of subjects to that of citizens. India and Pakistan were born through a partition on the basis of religious differences. This was a traumatic experience for the people of India and Pakistan. Lakhs of people were killed on both sides of the border in partition-related violence. The British had left it to the rulers of the princely states to decide whether they wanted to merge with India or with Pakistan or remain independent. This created a lot of turmoil.
Q 45- Write a short note on the first Constituent Assembly.
Ans- Elections to the first Constituent Assembly were held in July 1946. The elected members drafted the document called the Constitution. The Constituent Assembly held its first meeting in November 1946. Soon after the country was divided into India and Pakistan. The Constituent Assembly was also divided into the Constituent Assembly of India and that of Pakistan. The Indian Constituent assembly had 299 members. The Assembly adopted the Constitution on 26 November 1949. The constitution only came into effect on January 26, 1950. So Republic Day is celebrated on the 26 of January , every year.
Q 46- How is the South African Constitution looked upon today?
Ans- The South African constitution inspires democrats all over the world. South Africa was a State which was looked down upon by many during the Apartheid regime. Today the determination of the people of South Africa to work together, without bearing any grudges against the white regime is looked upon with great respect. The South African Constitution sees people of all skin colours as equal. Men and women are treated equally.
Q 47- What is a Preamble? Quote the Preamble of our constitution.
Ans- A Preamble is an introductory statement in a constitution that states the reasons and guiding values of the constitution. ” We, the people of India having solemnly resolved to constitute India into SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and secure to all its citizen’s justice, social, economic and political. Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship. Equality of statute and of opportunity and to promote among them all fraternity, assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the nation, in our constitutional assembly, this 26 day of November.1949, do hereby adopt, enact and give to ourselves this constitution.”
Q 48- Who constituted the Constituent assembly?
Ans- The Assembly was dominated by the Indian National Congress, which led to India’s freedom struggle. The Indian National Congress included a variety of political groups. these different groups had different opinions. The Assembly also had many members who did not agree with the Congress. On the social platform, the Assembly was represented by members from different language groups, castes, classes, religions and occupations.
Q 49- What is secularism?
Ans- When a Government treats all religious beliefs and practices with equal respect it called a secular government. There is no official religion. Citizens have complete freedom to follow any religion.
Q 50- Define ‘ Democratic Republic’.
Ans – ‘ Democratic Republic’ is a form of government where people enjoy equal political rights, elect their rulers and hold them accountable. The government is run according to some basic rules. The head of the state is an elected person and not a hereditary ruler.
Q 51- Write a brief note on the following personalities.
(a) Jawaharlal Nehru
(b) Sarojini Naidu
(c) Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar
Ans- (a) Jawaharlal Nehru was born in the year 1889 and died in the year 1964. He was born in the state of Uttar Pradesh. He was a lawyer by profession. He was the Prime Minister of the interim government. As a Congress leader, he advocated socialism, democracy and anti-imperialism. (a) Later he was appointed the First Prime Minister of India.
(b) Sarojini Naidu was born in the year 1879 and died in the year 1949. She was born in Andhra Pradesh. She was a poet, writer and political activist. She was among the foremost women leaders in Congress. Later she was appointed the Governor of Uttar Pradesh.
(c) Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was born in the year 1891 and died in the year 1956. He was born in Maharashtra. He was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution.
(d) He was a Social revolutionary thinker and agitated against caste divisions and caste-based inequalities. He was made the Law minister in the first cabinet of post-independence India
Q 52- Mention any three changes that were brought about in the constitution of South Africa after 1994.
Ans- The three changes that were bought in the constitution of South Africa were as follows.
1. Discriminatory laws were repealed.
2. Ban political parties and restrictions on media were lifted.
3. Nelson Mandela was released after 28 years of imprisonment.
Q 53- How difficult it was for India to frame a constitution for united India after Independence?
Ans- To frame a constitution for unified India after Independence, its di¨cult in the following manner.
1. At that time the people of India were emerging from the status of subjects to that of citizens.
2. The country emerged through Partition on the basis of religion.
3. It was a traumatic experience for both the people of India and Pakistan.
Q 54- Describe the steps taken to form the Constituent Assembly.
Or
How was the Indian Constituent Assembly formed?
Ans- The Indian Constituent Assembly was formed for the task of framing the Constitution for independent India. The elections to the Provisional Legislative Assembly were held in July 1946. The elected members of the Provisional Legislative Assembly elected the members for the Constituent Assembly through a proportional representation system. There were in total 389 members in the Constituent Assembly. Later with the Partition of India into India and Pakistan, 299 members wrote the constitution. It included 70 members from princely states and nine women. 284 present members gave their assent and the Indian Constitution was passed.
Q 55- Write a short note on the Drafting Committee.
Ans- 1. It was a committee that prepared a draft of the constitution for discussion.
2. Its chairman was Dr BR Ambedkar.
3. These were several rounds of thorough discussions on the draft of the constitution clause by clause.
4. The members worked for 114 days spread over three years.
Later it was presented to the public to get their opinion. (any three)
Q 56- What was the role of Dr. BR Ambedkar in making the constitution?
Ans- 1. Dr. BR Ambedkar was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee.
2. He played a key role in the making of the constitution He gave shape to our country of being a complete sovereign democratic republic based on universal adult franchise.
3. He stressed that in politics there should be equality but in social and economic life inequalities should be removed.
Q 57- What is the philosophy of the Indian Constitution?
Ans- The basic values have been included in the Preamble to the constitution. It contains the philosophy on which the entire constitution has been built.
1. The Preamble provides a standard to examine and evaluate any law and action of the government. It is the soul of the constitution.
2. The Preamble mentions people as the sources of the constitution.
3. It states that India is a sovereign, socialist, secular and democratic republic. It provides justice, liberty, equality and fraternity for the people.
Q 58- Explain the term Apartheid. What were its implications?
Ans- Apartheid was the name of a system of racial discrimination unique to South Africa.
Implications: White Europeans imposed this system on South Africa. White rulers treated non-whites as inferiors. Non-whites did not have the right to vote. They were forbidden to live in white areas. They were allowed to work there only with a permit.
Trains, buses, hospitals, schools, cinemas, public places and public toilets were all separate for the whites and blacks.
Q 59- “The apartheid system was particularly oppressive for the blacks.” Justify by giving three reasons.
Ans- They were forbidden from living in white areas. They could work in white areas only if they had a permit. Trains, buses, taxis, hotels, hospitals, schools and colleges, libraries, cinema halls, theatres, beaches, swimming pools, public toilets, were all separate for the whites and blacks. This was called segregation. They could not even visit the churches where the whites worshipped. Blacks could not form associations or protest against the terrible treatment.
Q 60- What problems existed in the making of the South African constitution? What compromises were made?
Ans- Problems existed because both the black majority and the white minority had their own fears and anxieties. The black majority wanted their constitution to be based on the democratic principle of majority rule. They also wanted substantial, social and economic rights. The white minority, on the other hand, wanted to protect its privileges and property. Ultimately both agreed to compromise. The whites agreed to the principle of majority rule and that of one person, one vote.
Q 61- With reference to the Indian Constitution answer the following questions:
(i) When was it passed?
(ii) When was it enforced?.
(iii) Why was this date chosen?
Ans- (i) The Constitution was passed by the Constituent Assembly on 26th November 1949.
(ii) The Constitution was enforced on 26th January 1950.
(iii) In December 1929, the Congress in its Lahore Session had decided to ¦ght for Poorna Swaraj or Complete Independence, and 26th January 1930 was celebrated as the Independence Day, since then. That is why our leaders decided to celebrate 26th January 1950 as the day to enforce the Constitution of India.
Q 62- Assess the Constitution made by the Constitution Assembly to form the Indian Constitution?
Ans- Assessing the Constitution as:
- It worked in a systematic, open and consensual manner.
- Basic principles were decided. Drafting Committee prepared a draft.
- Discussions of several rounds occurred clause by clause.
- They worked for 114 days and spread over three years.
- Every document was recorded and preserved to form twelve bulky volumes of Constituent Assembly debates.
Q 63- “Indian Constitution adopted many institutional details and procedures from different countries.” Justify by giving examples.
Ans- India adopted the principle of liberty, freedom and justice from the French Constitution. We have adopted a bill of Rights from the United States of America.
The practice of Parliamentary democracy has been adopted from Great Britain.
Q 64- “The manner in which the Constituent Assembly worked gives sanctity to the constitution.” Justify.
Ans-
- First some basic principles were decided and agreed upon. Then a Drafting Committee chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar prepared a draft constitution for discussion.
- Several rounds of thorough discussion took place on the Draft Constitution, clause by clause.
- The above-mentioned points prove that the Constituent Assembly maintained a democratic attitude.
Q 65- “Indian Constitution is both rigid and §exible.” Explain.
Ans- The Indian Constitution is neither wholly rigid nor wholly §exible.
This is called rigid because some ideals in the constitution like equality, secularism, democracy, sovereignity etc. cannot be changed. This is because the rulers could not misuse their powers. On the other hand, it is also called §exible because there is a provision for amendments. Some of the articles can be changed if the people demand so.
That is, there are some rules that can be amended by a simple majority while some need a two-third majority. So. it is, called partly rigid and partly flexible.
Q 66- Describe the main features of the Indian Constitution.
Or
How has the Indian Constitution embodied the basic values into its institutional arrangements? Explain.
Ans- The Indian Constitution is a detailed document. It needs to be amended to keep it updated. It has provisions to incorporate changes from time to time. These changes are called constitutional amendments. It lays down the procedure for choosing persons to govern the country. It defines “who will have how much power to take particular decisions’. It also limits the powers of the government by providing some rights to the citizens which cannot be violated.
Q 67- India is a “Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic.” Justify.
Or
Describe the main features of Preamble of the Indian Constitution.
Ans- The Constitution of India lays down certain Basic Features or the Basic Structure, which cannot be amended, altered or modified by any legitimate authority in India. The Constitution declares India to be a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic. India is Sovereign, as it is independent of any foreign control. It is Socialist, as it aims at social and economic equality. It is Secular, as there is no State religion in India. It is Democratic, as the government is elected by the people directly after every ¦ve years. It is a Republic, because the Head of the State in India, namely, the President, is elected for five years by the remembers of the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and the State Legislative Assemblies.
Q 68- Discuss the concept of equality under the objectives of the Indian Constitution.
Ans- The Preamble speaks of equality of status and opportunity Equality of status means all are equal in the eyes of law and all have equal protection of the law. Nobody can be discriminated against only on the basis of his religion, caste, colour, creed, or sex (Articles 14 and 15). The Constitution also offers equality of opportunity in matters relating to appointment under two states (Article 16). Untouchability has been abolished (Article 17) and all the titles except those of academic or military distinction have been abolished(Article 18).
Q 69- What do you mean by Constitutional amendments? What is its importance? State their significance in a democratic country like India.
Or
What provision has been made to incorporate changes in the Constitution and why?
Ans- A change in the Constitution made by the supreme legislative body in the country is known as the Constitutional amendment. In India, it is called the Parliament or “Sansad”.
The constitution can be changed according to the needs and aspirations of the people. Major shortcomings of the constitution can be removed.
Significance:
India is a major democratic country and has a long and detailed Constitution.
Therefore, it needs to be amended quite regularly to keep it updated, The makers of the Indian Constitution did not see it as sacred, static and unalterable law. As a ‘Living Document’, it has to be in accordance with people’s aspirations and changes in society.
Q 70- What is meant by\the Apartheid? How did the people of South Africa struggle against it?
Ans- Apartheid is the name of a system of social discrimination unique to South Africa. It was the o¨cial policy of ill-treatment of blacks followed by the government of South Africa. The people of South Africa struggled against the apartheid in the following way:
Blacks and Indians were fighting against apartheid, since 1950. The racial government did not pay any heed to them. Marches and strikes were launched.
The struggle was led by the African National Congress. Many of the sensitive whites also joined the struggle with the African National Congress. Besides this many workers’ unions and the communist parties joined the movement.
As the struggle gained momentum, the government realized that the blacks could no longer be held under oppression. In continuation to this, discriminatory laws were annulled, bans from media lifted and Nelson Mandela walked out from jail. A new Constitution was formed on 26th April, 1994. The white racial government was overthrown by a multi-racial government.
Q 71- Explain with five facts the transition from Apartheid to democracy and multi-racial government take place in South Africa.
Ans- After two years of discussion and debate leaders of South Africa came out with one of the finest Constitutions the world has ever had. The new Constitution gave its citizens the most extensive rights available in any country. Together, they decided that in the search for a solution to the problems, nobody should be excluded, no one should be treated as a demon. The leaders of the nation agreed that everybody should become part of the solution, whatever they might have done or represented in the past.
The apartheid government came to an end, paving way for the formation of a multi-racial government.
Q 72- Explain the major factors which contributed to the making of our Constitution.
Ans- National Movement: Our national movement was not merely a struggle against a foreign rule. It was also a struggle to rejuvenate our country and to transform our society and politics. Role of Leaders: Leaders like Moti Lai Nehru, Jawahar Lai Nehru and others had played very important roles in making of Indian Constitution. In 1928, Moti Lai Nehru Drafted a Constitution for India.
Role of British Rule: The familiarity with political institutions of the colonial rule also helped develop an agreement over the institutional design. British Rule and the Legislative Institutions: The experience gained by Indians in the working. legislative institutions proved to be very useful for the country in setting up its own institutions. World Event or Revolutions: Many of our leaders were inspired by the ideals of the French Revolution, the practice of Parliamentary democracy in Britain, and the Bill of Rights in the USA. So they incorporated some good points of the Constitutions of these countries in the Indian Constitution.
Q 73- “The making of the Constitution for a huge and diverse country like India was not an easy affair.” Justify the statement. HOTS
Or
Highlight any five difficult circumstances under which the Indian Constitution was drawn up.
Or
“India’s Constitution was also drawn up under very difficult circumstances.” Elaborate this statement with the help of any four circumstances during it was made.
Or
What were the difficulties faced during the making of Indian Constitution?
Ans- Making a Constitution for a huge and diverse country like India was not an easy task. The people of India at that time we’re emerging from the status of subjects to citizens. The country was born through a partition on the basis of religious differences.
The British had left the princely states to decide their future on their own. At that time, the future of the country did not look very secure. Makers of the Constitution had anxieties about the present as well as the future.
Q 74- State the steps involved in the framing of the Indian Constitution.
Or
Mention the landmark years in the making of the Indian Constitution.
Ans- As per the Cabinet Mission Plan (1946), a Constitution-making body, called the Constituent Assembly, was formed. Elections to the Constituent Assembly were held in July 1946. The Constituent Assembly worked in a systematic, open and consensual manner. became a fully sovereign body. First, Pandit Jawahar Lai Nehru moved in the Constituent Assembly the historic ‘Objectives Resolution’ which was unanimously passed. It was India’s ‘Charter of Freedom’. Then some basic principles were decided and agreed upon. After the passing of the Resolution, an Advisory Committee and various other committees were formed by the Constituent Assembly. The Drafting Committee, chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, prepared a ‘Draft Constitution’ for discussion. Several rounds of thorough discussion took place on the Draft Constitution, clause by clause. The members considered carefully and debated all the clauses for 114 days, spread over nearly three years. All the proceedings and discussions in the Constituent Assembly have been recorded and preserved as what we call the ‘Constituent Assembly Debates’.
The Draft Constitution was passed or adopted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949. It came into force on January 26, 1950.
Q 75- What was Mahatma Gandhi’s contribution to the Constitution of Indian?
Ans-
- Although Mahatma Gandhi was not a member of the Constituent Assembly, there were many members who followed his vision.
- According to his magazine, Young India in 1931, he wanted to release India from all thralldom and patronage. He emphasized political equality.
- He thought of India as a country where the people of all communities would live in perfect harmony.
- He wanted India where there could be no room for the curse of untouchability. Women would enjoy the same rights as men.
Q 76- Describe any five salient features of the Constitution of India.
Ans- Salient Features:
Sovereign— People are masters and have the supreme right to make decisions.
Socialist— Wealth to be shared equally.
Secular— It is based on the freedom of religion. All religions should be treated equally.
Democratic— People have political equality.
Republic— Head of the state is a common man elected by the people.
Q 77- What is Constitution? What is its importance?
Or
Why do countries need a Constitution? Explain.
Or
Why do we need a Constitution and what does Constitution do? Explain?
Ans- The Constitution of a country is a set of written rules that are accepted by all the people living together in a country. The Constitution is the supreme law that determines the relationship among the people living in a territory (called citizens), and also the relationship between the people and the government.
Importance:
Specifications: It specifies how the government will be constituted, who will have the power to make which decisions. Trust and Co-ordination: It generates a degree of trust and coordination that is necessary for different kinds of people to live together. Rights and Duties: It lays down the limits on the powers of the government and tells us what the rights of the citizens are.
Good Society: It expresses the aspirations of the people about creating a good society.
Q 78- Express the basic ideas accepted by all leaders before the drafting of the Constitution.
Or
Examine three basic guidelines agreed upon before the drafting of the Indian Co institution.
Ans- (i) Prior to the framing the Indian Constitution, our Constitution-makers had gone through the Constitutions of nearly 60 countries. They had also studied the various Acts passed by the British Government and the adopted by the Congress Party. This study enabled the makers of the Constitution to select the best provisions from different sources but on our own terms.
(ii) Some of the main provisions of our Constitution and their original sources are given below:
| Provisions | Sources |
| (a) The Parliamentary form of Government. | The British Consitution (based on Conventions). |
| (b) The Charter of the Fundamental Rights. | The US Constitution. |
| (c) Principles of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. | The French Constitution. |
| (d) The Concept of Social and Economic Equality. | The Former USSR (now Russia); Socialist Revolution. |
| (e) The Directive Principles of State Policy. | The Irish Constitution. |
(iii) (a) This is to be noted that our Constitution-makers did not imitate what others had done. They selected and modi¦ed the contents according to India’s perspective.
(b) At each step, they also questioned or judged the legitimacy of various provisions.
Q 79- Define the following terms mentioned in the preamble to the Constitution of India.
(i) Sovereign,
(ii) Socialist,
(iii) Secular,
(iv) Republic,
(v) Liberty,
(vi) Equality,
(vii) Fraternity
(viii), Justice.
Or
Describe any five values/goals of the Indian Constitution included in the Preamble.
Ans-
(i) Sovereign: People have the supreme right to make decisions on internal as well as external matters. No external power can dictate the government of India.
(ii) Socialist: Wealth is generated socially and should be shared equally by society. Government should regulate the ownership of land and industry to reduce socio-economic inequalities.
(iii) Secular: Citizens have complete freedom to follow any religion. But there is no official religion.
The government treats all religious beliefs and practices with equal respect.
(iv) Republic: The head of the state is an elected person and not a hereditary position.
(v) Liberty: There are no unreasonable restrictions on the citizens in what they think, how they wish to express their thoughts and the way they wish to follow up their thoughts in action.
(vi) Equality: All are equal before the law. The traditional social inequalities have to be ended. The government should ensure equal opportunity for all.
(vii) Fraternity: All of us should behave as if we are members of the same family. No one should treat a fellow citizen as inferior.
(viii) Justice: Citizens cannot be discriminated against on the grounds of caste, religion and gender. Social inequalities have to be reduced. Government should work for the welfare of all, especially of the disadvantaged groups.
Q 80- “The Constituent Assembly was the representative body of the people of India.” Explain with examples.
Ans- The Assembly was dominated by the Indian National Congress.
Many important political leaders were also its members. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Mrs. Sarojini Naidu and Sardar Baldev Singh were its important members, who guided the discussion in the Constituent Assembly.
There were more than 30 members belonging to the Scheduled Caste.
Minorities like the Anglo-Indians had Frank Anthony as their representative.
The Parsee community was represented by H.P Modi. _ Some Constitutional experts like Alladi Krishna Swarny Aiyer, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and K.M. Munshi were also there. Mrs. Sarojini Naidu and Mrs. Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit were the two leading women of India in the Constituent Assembly. Time: The members deliberated for 114 days spread over three years.
Q 81- Why should we accept the Constitution made by the Constituent Assembly more than 60 years ago?
Ans- Constituent Assembly, a Galaxy of Indians: The Constituent Assembly represented the people of India. There was no universal adult franchise at that time, so it was elected mainly by the members of the existing Provincial Legislatures. This ensured a fair geographical share of members from all the regions of the country. The Assembly was dominated by the Indian National Congress but with leaders having different opinions. In social terms too, the Assembly represented members from different language groups, castes, classes, religions and occupations. Elected Members: The drafting of the document called the Constitution was done by an assembly of elected representatives called the Constituent Assembly. Working Pattern of the Assembly:
The Constituent Assembly worked in a systematic, open and consensual manner.
First, some basic principles were decided and agreed upon. Then a Drafting Committee chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar prepared a Draft Constitution for discussion. Several rounds of thorough discussions took place on the Draft Constitution clause by clause.
Q 82- Why did the Constitution-framers make provisions for amendments in the Indian Constitution? Give three reasons.
Ans- The Indian Constitution is a very long, detailed document. It was never considered as a static, sacred and unalterable law. It needed to be amended quite regularly to keep it updated. Those who drafted the Indian Constitution felt that it had to be in accordance with people’s aspirations and changes in society.
Our Constitution-makers had great foresight. They were aware of the coming future needs of the fast-changing Indian society. It was likely to experience many socio-economic changes in the coming years. As such, they desired that the Indian Constitution should be able to adapt itself to the changing conditions or circumstances. So, they made provisions to incorporate changes from time to time. These changes are called the ‘Constitutional Amendments’. They provided a suitable amending procedure.