CLASS 8- CIVICS

CHAPTER 1; THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION

Exercises
1. Why does a democratic country need a Constitution?
Answer: 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.
2. Look at the wordings of the two documents given below. The first column is from the 1990
Nepal Constitution. The second column is from the more recent Constitution of Nepal.

1990 Constitution of Nepal Part 7: 2015 Constitution of Nepal Part 7:

Executive Federal Executive

Article 35: Executive Power: The Article 75: Executive Power: The
executive power of the Kingdom of Executive Power of Nepal shall, pursuant
Nepal shall be vested in his Majesty to this Constitution and law, be vested
and the Council of Ministers in the Council of Ministers

What is the difference in who exercises ‘Executive Power’ in the above two Constitutions of
Nepal?
Answer: In Article 35 of the 1990 Constitution of Nepal, the powers to rule the country, to set rules
and to manage the country are all vested in the King of the country and the Ministers appointed
under him.
However, Article 75 of the 2015 Constitution of Nepal states that the rules, governance and
management of the country will be based on the laws mentioned in the Constitution of the country
under the supervision of the Ministers.
3. What would happen if there were no restrictions on the power of elected representatives?
Answer: 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
wrong purposes. Hence the constitution has provided measures to safeguard the country against
such misuse of powers.
4. In each of the following situations, identify the minority. Write one reason why you think it is
important to respect the views of the minority in each of these situations.
(a) In a school with 30 teachers, 20 of them are male.
Answer: The minority here are the 10 female teachers teaching in the school. It is important to keep
the point of view of the female teachers in mind, because despite being a minority, their opinions
are of great importance and no decision made keeping the majority views in mind should cause
discomfort for the female teachers.
(b) In a city, 5 percent of the population are Buddhists.
Answer: Here, the minority is the 5 percent Buddhist population in the city. Their views should be
respected. Just because they are in a minority with different religious beliefs, they should not be
disrespected. Any decision should be taken keeping in mind the religious feelings of the Buddhist
population.
(c) In a factory mess for all employees, 80 percent are vegetarians.
Answer: The minority here are the 20 per cent non-vegetarians having food at the factory mess. It is
important that the food prepared in the factory mess must be prepared for both vegetarians and
non-vegetarians.
(d) In a class of 50 students, 40 belong to more well-off families.
Answer: In this case, the minority are the 10 students who do not belong to well-off families. It is
important to keep their viewpoints in mind, because they may not be able to contribute to the
various expenses required by the school and they should not feel humiliated for the same.
5. The column on the left lists some of the key features of the Indian Constitution. In the other
columns write two sentences, in your own words, on why you think this feature is important:

Answer:

Key Feature Significance

Federalism It is important, because in a country like India, there are people

living at different levels and only one level of government cannot
govern them. Hence, to form a government for the different levels
is important. The Panchayati Raj is responsible for governing the
village, the state government is responsible for governing the state
and the Central Government is responsible for governing the entire
country.

Separation of There are three organs of governance: legislature, executive and

Powers judiciary. Each of these organs has different powers and serves
different functions. In order to prevent the misuse of power by any
one branch of government, the Constitution says that each of these
organs should exercise different powers.
Fundamental The Fundamental Rights are a set of rights that the Constitution
Rights offers to every citizen of the country. These rights include the Right
to Freedom, Right to Equality, Right against Exploitation, Right to
Freedom of religion, Cultural and Educational Rights and the Right
to Constitutional remedies. These rights give every citizen of the
country the right to be considered as an equal, to not get
discriminated based on caste, culture or religion, to get equal
educational opportunities and to be equal in front of the law.

Parliamentary A democratic government is one where the citizens of the country

Form of have the right to elect their representatives. When the Constitution
Government was being made, it was made sure that every citizen of the country
irrespective of caste, colour, creed and religion will have the right
to elect their leaders under universal adult suffrage, i.e. where the
right to vote will be given to all.

Question: - Explain the key features of the Indian Constitution.

Some of the Key Features of Indian Constitution are listed below:
1. Federalism
2. Parliamentary Form of Government
3. Separation of Powers
4. Fundamental Rights
5. Secularism
1. Federalism
 Federalism refers to the existence of more than one level of Government in India.
 The 1st tier is the Central Government, 2nd tier are the State Governments and 3rd tier is
the Panchayati Raj or Local Self Government.
 This is done so that there is decentralization of power, when decisions are made for a
particular area.
 The Constitution of India has demarcated the powers of different tiers of Government
through creation of Union List, State List and Concurrent List.
 Subjects of national concern require that all of these states follow the laws of the Central
government.
2. Parliamentary Form of Government
 Every citizen of the country, irrespective of his/her social background, can contest in
elections.
 People of India have a direct role in electing their representatives through elections.
 The Constitution of India guarantees universal adult suffrage for all citizens.
 Elected representatives are accountable to the people.
3. Separation of Powers
 There are 3 organs of the Government, as per the Constitution of India.
 The 3 organs are Executive, Legislature and Judiciary.
  Each of these 3 organs have different powers as per the Constitution of India, this is done to
ensure that there is no misuse of power and balance of power is maintained.
 The executive is a smaller group of people who are responsible for running the government
and implementing the laws.
 Our elected representatives are known as the Legislature.
 The System of courts is known as the Judiciary.
4. Fundamental Rights
The Fundamental Rights section of the Indian Constitution has often been referred to as
its ‘conscience.’
The objective of Fundamental Rights is two-fold as per Dr. BR Ambedkar.
1. The first objective is that every citizen must be in a position to claim those rights.
2. And secondly, every authority that has got the power to make law these rights must be
binding upon them.
Fundamental Rights – Protection it guarantees
 Fundamental Rights, therefore, protect citizens against the arbitrary and absolute exercise
of power by the State.
 The Constitution guarantees the rights of individuals against other individuals and against
the State.

5. Secularism.
 As per Secularism, a state does not promote any 1 religion as the state religion.
 Any citizen of the country can profess, preach and propagate the religion of his or her
choice.
Question: - Name all the fundamental rights and explain each one in very brief.
Answer: - List of Fundamental Rights
The different fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution are listed below
1. Right to Equality
2. Right to Freedom
3. Right Against Exploitation
4. Right to Freedom of Religion
5. Cultural and Education Rights
6. Right to Constitutional Remedies
Right to Equality
 Each and every person is equal before the law, which means everyone will receive the same
protection as per laws of the country.
 There will be no discrimination of any person on the basis of religion, sex, or caste.
 Practice of untouchability has been abolished.
Right to Freedom
 Any person has the right to move freely and live anywhere in India.
 Everyone has the right to expression and freedom of speech.
 Every person has the right to practise any profession, occupation or business.
Right against Exploitation
 Constitution of India prohibits employment of children below 14 years of age; it also
prohibits forced labour, human trafficking.
Right to freedom of Religion
  Religious freedom is provided to all citizens. Every citizen has right to practice, profess and
propagate the religion of his or her choice.

Cultural and Education Rights

 In order to develop and preserve their own culture, all linguistic and religious minorities can
set up their own education institutions.

Right to Constitutional Remedies

 As per this right, if any citizen feels the fundamental rights have been violated by the State,
then they can move the court.
MCQ; The Indian Constitution

Q1- In 1934, _____ demanded for a Constituent Assembly for the first
time.

A) Indian National Congress

B) Swarajya Party
C) Forward Block
D) Communist Party

Q2- The Indian Constitution was drafted by _____.

A) Congress
B) Constituent Assembly
C) Judicial Assembly
D) Hindu Mahasbha

Q3- In Nepal, the struggle for democracy started in _____.

A) 1990
B) 1991
C) 1992
D) 1994

Q4- The father of Indian Constitution is ____.

A) B R Ambedkar
B) Liaquat Ali Khan
C) Rajendra Prasad
D) S C Sinha

Q5- To ensure greater economic and social reforms, the Constitution

introduced

A) Directive Principles of State Policy

B) Fundamental Rights
C) Judiciary Rights
D) Executive Rights

Q6- ______ is a group of people who make laws and run the
government.
A) Congress
B) Judiciary
C) Government
D) Executive

Q7- Shri Jagjivan Ram was the first _____ minister of India.

A) labour
B) health
C) Parliamentary Affairs
D) Home

Q8- The existence of more than one level of government in any country
is called ____

A) Democracy
B) Federalism
C) Universal Adult Franchise
D) Monarchy

Q9- The Human trafficking and forced labour are prohibited under ____.

A) Culture and Educational Rights

B) Right against Exploitation
C) Right to freedom of Religion
D) Right to Property

Q10- The Indian government is a _____ form of government.

A) Monarchy
B) Military
C) Parliamentary
D) Dictatorship

Q11- Right to Move Freely falls under ____.

A) Right against Exploitation

B) Right to Property
C) Right to freedom
D) Culture and Educational Rights

Q12- The system of courts in the country is collectively referred as

______.

A) Judiciary
B) Congress
C) Ministers
D) Executive

Q13- ____ was the first Finance minister of India.

A) Atal Bihari Bajpai

B) John Mathai
C) Maulana Azad
D) Liaquat Ali

Q14- ____ were urged by B R Ambedkar to join government and civil

services.

A) Hindus
B) Pashtuns
C) Scheduled Castes
D) Muslims

Q15- The first Health Minister of Independent India was _____.

A) Aruna Asaf Ali

B) Indira Gandhi
C) Rajkumari Amrit Kaur
D) C Rajaji

Q16- _____ was the first Prime Minister of independent India.

A) Sardar Patel
B) Mahatma Gandhi
C) Jawaharlal Nehru
D) Maulana Azad

Q17- The Indian Constitution was finally completed in _____.

A) November 1946
B) September 1949
C) November 1949
D) August 1950

Q18- _____ was the President of the Constituent Assembly.

A) Dr Rajendra Prasad
B) S Radhakrishnan
C) B R Ambedkar
D) C Rajaji

Q19- The elected representatives in India are part of ____.

A) Judiciary
B) Legislature
C) Executive
D) Cabinet
Q20- Everyone is equal before law.’ This right falls under _______.

A) Right to Education
B) Right to Vote
C) Right to Equality
D) Right to Study

Answer key

Q. No. Answer Q. No. Answer

1 A 11 C
2 B 12 A
3 A 13 B
4 A 14 C
5 A 15 C
6 D 16 C
7 A 17 C
8 B 18 A
9 B 19 B
10 C 20 C
ACTIVITY:-
Q: - Which Fundamental Right is being violated?
S.No Situation Right that is violated
1 Girl students are asked to sit inside the class and study, Right to equality
while boy students are allowed to go outside and play
2 A group of people are not given permission to open a Cultural and educational rights
Telugu-medium school in Kerala.
3 A political party is not given permission to hold a public Right to freedom
meeting to criticise the government.
4 A ten-year old is cleaning tables in a restaurant Right against exploitation
5 The government bans a religion Right to freedom of religion
Q: - Which Duty is being violated?
S.No Situation Duty that is violated
1 The percentage of voting turnout in an Not all eligible voters have voted! It is our
election was 66%. duty to vote in all elections.
2 A person on a bike was injured when he The person was violating traffic rules.
met with an accident driving at a speed Following traffic rules is important for our
of 120 km/ph in the city limits. own safety and that of others.
3 The park was littered heavily after a Attendees did not throw rubbish in
political rally. dustbins. Respecting public spaces is an
important duty.
4 800 trees were to be cut for the Taking care of our environment is a civic
construction of a flyover. duty. Before any such actions are taken,
 efforts must be made to assess if this is
unavoidable.
5 India produces 1,00,000 metric tons of Reducing wastage as much as possible
waste per day. should be a goal. We should be responsible
in our consumption habits.
6 Leakage in sewage lines on the main Members of the community failed to engage
road was filling up the road with government officials to fix the problem.
Constructive engagement is an important
duty.
The End.