IDEALS OF CONSTITUTION

C.

Q.1. Describe in brief how our constitution came into existence?

Ans: 1. After independence the top leaders of our country felt the need for a constitution, to run
our country democratically. Thus to draft a constitution, a constituent assembly was formed with
Dr. Rajendra Prasad as its president.

2. The Assembly started working on December 9, 1946 and a drafting committee was formed
with Dr. B.R . Ambedkar as its chairman.

3. The assembly met for discussion for 165 days, spread over a period of almost 3 years (2 years
11 month and 17 days). Finally the constitution was passed by the assembly on November 26,
1949 and came into effect on January 26, 1950.

Q.2. Why are the fundamental rights necessary for a democracy?

Ans: 1. Fundamental rights promote the ideals of political democracy as well as economic and
social democracy.

2. Fundamental rights translate the ideals of equality , liberty and justice into basic rights which
are essential aspects of democracy.

3. Fundamental rights helps in the establishment of democratic government as it limits the power
of various organs of the government and prevent misuse of authority by protecting basic rights of
the citizen .

Q.3. What is the purpose of preamble?

Or

Q: Define the meaning of preamble? Write a note on preamble. (inside Q)

Ans: The preamble of the constitution is like an introduction in which its basic aims and
objectives are mentioned.

the purpose of preamble are-

1. The philosophy inherent in the Constitution of India is embedded in its Preamble.

2. The preamble is like an introduction to our constitution which shows the basic aims and
objectives of our constitution.

3. Preamble declares India to be a sovereign, socialist, secular and democratic republic.

4. Preamble also reflects the noble vision of the constituent assembly and the makers of our
constitution.

Q.4. Why should we follow the fundamental duties?

Ans: 1. The Fundamental Duties obligate all citizens to respect the national symbols of India
including the constitution, to cherish the noble ideals of national struggle for freedom.

2. It aims to promote the equality of all individuals, to protect dignity of women, to protect the
environment, to protect and preserve its heritage and public property.

3. It encourages citizen to defend the country and serve the nation and to strive towards
excellence.

4. It makes us conscious about duties that we owe to our nation, society.

Q.5. Why do we need to make amendment in our constitution?

Ans: The changes in the constitution from time to time to keep it updated are called
constitutional amendments.

We need to make amendment in our constitution because-

1. The Constitution of India is a very long and detailed document. Therefore, to keep it updated,
it needs to be amended quite regularly.

2. Amendments are made in the Constitution so that it can satisfy the changing demands of the
society and can adapt itself with the changing needs of the time

D.

Q.1. How did the values that inspired the nationalist movement becomes the foundation of
Indian democracy? Elaborate your view in the light of the guiding principles of our
Constitution? (HOTS)

Ans: Our constitution laid the foundation of Indian democracy. The nationalist movement
significantly inspired the Indian democracy and the guiding principles of our constitution.

1. The aim of the nationalist movement was to make India a sovereign country. The
preamble which laid the foundation of democracy declares India a sovereign country .
2. After the painful experience of colonialism, the makers of the constitution choose India to
be a democratic republic, that means the government and head of the state is to be elected
by people.
3. The preamble declares India a secular country. The painful experience of partition makes
India a secular country.
 4. The nationalist movement was not merely a struggle for independence; it was also a
struggle against inequality and injustice. Hence our constitution declares India a socialist
country to remove social inequality and injustice.
5. Our leaders also fought against discrimination based on cast, sex and religion and that is
why our constitution promotes the feelings of brotherhood, unity and assures the dignity
of citizen.

Q.2.What objectives were keep in mind before the preamble was drafted?

Ans: The objectives were

1. Democracy =The constitution declares India a democratic country. All its citizens enjoy
equal political rights and elect their rulers through election.
2. Freedom= Constitution provides the freedom on the activities of individuals and at the
same time also providing opportunities. The preamble secures liberty of freedom,
expression, speech, religion to all the citizens.
3. Equality= It means the absence of special privilege to any section of the society, all the
community/individuals must be treated equally.
4. Republic = The constitution states India a republic country means the head of the state is
elected by the people for a term of five years and is not a hereditary ruler.
5. Justice= The Preamble embraces three kinds of justice - social, economic and political
justice. Social justice means equal treatment to all the citizens, there should not be any
distinction. Economic justice means non-discrimination between the people on the basis
of economic factors. Political Justice means all the citizens must be given equal political
rights.

Q.3. Is it possible for a country to be a democracy as well as a monarchy? Can such a

country function properly? If so, give an example.

Ans: Yes it is possible for a country to be a democracy as well as a monarchy and such country
can function properly.

One prominent example is Britain. In Britain there is monarchy as their head of the state is
Queen which is a hereditary ruler. On the other hand Britain also has parliament. The Prime
minister and members are elected by the people.

Q.4. What do you know about right to education act? Do you see it working efficiently?

Ans: Right to Education is a fundamental right. This historic law came into being on April 1,
2012 after an announcement by India’s then Prime minister, Dr Manmohan Singh. According to
this right, every child in India between the age group of 6-14 is entitled to free and compulsory
education. As per the Act, private education institutions need to reserve 25 percent of their seats
for children from weaker sections of the society.
It is working efficiently as-

1. Government provides free and compulsory education to each child upto class 8.
2. 25% seats are reserved for weaker section as supreme court also made it mandatory
3. Each child from class I to class VIII in the country is provided free textbooks and
uniforms
4. Government also introduce mid day meal scheme to avoid class room hunger, increase
school enrolment and school attendance.
5. Many state government provide free education till graduation like Karnataka, Punjab,
assam etc
6. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has been designated
as the agency to monitor provisions of the Right to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE)
Act.

Q.5. Why it is important for a democratic country to be secular?

Ans: Secularism refers to the separation of religion from the State. Secularism is very essential
for the smooth functioning of a democratic country because-.

1. Secularism prevents the domination by majority religious group to minority. If the

majority religious group has access to political power, then it could easily use this power
and financial resources to discriminate against other religions.
2. Secularism promotes equality as it prevents discrimination based on the religion and
democracy is all about equality.
3. Secularism also protects religious freedom of every citizen as in democratic societies we
also need to protect the freedom of individuals.
4. It prevents some members from dominating others of the same community. Therefore it
is important not to allow any one religion, as it violates the right to equality.

Inside questions

Q.1. What are the words added to the preamble after 42nd amendment of constitution in
1976?

Ans: The word Socialist, Secular and The Fundamental Duties are also added.

Q.1. What does sovereignty means? OR Q: What features of the constitution shows India is
a sovereign country?

Ans: The preamble declares that india is a sovereign country.

1. It means India is free from external control and can run its own government.
2. India can formulate its own foreign policy
 3. India has its own constitution.

Q.2. Why India need to be a socialist country? OR Q: Why India is called a socialist
country?

Ans: Our society is suffered from inequalities of all sorts between the rich and poor. To bring
overall development of our country, our constitution recognise the need to bring about economic
and social equality along with political equality. The socialist ideals of our Constitution are
directed toward bringing about social and economic equality.

Q.3. What does a secular country means? OR Q: Write some features of secular country.

Ans: A secular country means the non existence of religious bias in the country. All religions are
treated with equal respect and people belonging to all religions enjoy similar rights. A secular
country has no official religion.

Q.4. What does the word secularism means? How India is a secular country?

Ans; The word secularism means that all the people have complete freedom to follow, preach or
practice any religion they want.

India is a secular country because:

1. There is no official religion in India. Indian constitution guarantees the right to freedom
of religion, according to which all religion are equal before the state and no religion given
preference over the other
2. The state can not discriminate against any person on the ground of religion.
3. Indian constitution guarantees People the right to practice and propagate the religion they
believe in.

Q.5. Why India is a democratic country?

Ans: 1. The word democratic means that Indian citizens enjoy equal political rights.

2. Citizen of India elect theire leaders who make laws and leaders are accountable to the people.

3. Elections are held regularly after every five years.

4. India follows Universal adult franchise that means all citizen above the age of 18 years have
the right to vote.

Q.6. Why India is a republic democracy?

Ans: The constitution of India states India a republic country that means the head of the state that
is the President is elected by the people for a term of five years and is not a hereditary ruler.
Q.7. Why India is a federal country? OR What features makes India a federal country?

Ans: 1. India has government at two levels that is central government and state government.

2. In India there is a division of power between the centre and the states guaranteed by the
Constitution.

3. The Indian constitution clearly mentioned three list that is Union list, state list and concurrent
list to separate the powers and functions among the different levels of government.

Q.8. What are the three list that divides power between the levels of government?

Ans: 1. Union list= Union list contain subjects of national concern that is Subjects that effects the
whole country. For eg: railways

2. State list = State list contains subjects of state concern. State government can make laws for
subjects mention in the state list. For eg: Education

3. Concurrent list = Concurrent list contain subjects that are common to both central and state
government. For eg: Health, education.

Q.9. What is parliamentary form of government?

Ans; In parliamentary form of government people elect their representatives to a central

assembly. These representatives make laws and exercise political power on behalf of the people.
This assembly is called parliament and this type of government is called parliamentary form of
government.

India has parliamentary form of government.

Q.10. What are various organs of government?

Ans: 1. Legislature = The legislature makes laws for the country.

2. Executives= The executives execute that is implement laws.

3. Judiciary = The judiciary interpret laws and resolve disputes and maintains order.

Q.11. What is separation of power? Why is separation of power necessary?

Ans: The constitution has prescribed and separates the function of the various organs of the
government. This is called the separation of power.

Separation of power is necessary because-

1. To prevent misuse of power of various organs of the government.

2. To maintain balance of power between the various organs of the government
 3. To prevent absolute authority of one organ.

Q.12. What is fundamental rights? What are the fundamental rights mentioned in our
constitution?

Ans: Fundamental rights are the rights which are fundamental to our lives and these are
guaranteed by the constitution of India. These rights are called fundamental because these are
basic human rights.

Indian constitution provides six (6) fundamental rights. They are-

1. Right to equality 4. Right to freedom of religion

2. Right to freedom 5. Cultural and Educational right
3. Right against exploitation 6. Right to constitutional remedies

Q.13. Explain the Right to equality.

Ans: The Indian Constitution guarantees equality to all the citizen of the nation before law and
equal protection by the law. The Government cannot discriminate against any person on the
grounds of religion, caste, sex or place of birth. For this constitution also abolishes the practice
of untouchability and allows government to make special laws for weaker sections of the society.

Q.14. Define Right to constitutional remedies.

Ans; Right to constitutional remedies means that the constitution not only granted rights to its
citizen but it empowers citizen to approach the court, if any of the fundamental rights are denied
to them.

Q.15. Why fundamental rights are called as human right?

Ans: Fundamental rights are based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which are
adopted by United Nations General Assembly. These Fundamental rights ensure basic human
freedom, proper development of personality and are essential for living peacefully in society.

Q.16. What is Universal Declaration of Human Rights?

Ans: Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a charter of 30 articles that establish a common
standard of human rights achievement for all people and all nations. This declaration serves as
foundation for various national laws, international laws and treaties.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted on December 10, 1948. Every year
December 10 is celebrate as International Human Right day.

Q.17. Write some Fundamental duties mentioned in Constitution.

Ans: from book page 225