The Indian Constitution

Very Short Answer Type Question

1. What do you understand by monarchy?

Answer: Monarchy is a form of government in which final authority rested

with the King.

2. In Nepal, when did the Interim Constitution come into effect?

Answer: In Nepal, the Interim Constitution came into effect from January 15,
2007.

3. Who is known as the Father of the Indian Constitution?

Answer: Baba Saheb Dr Ambedkar is known as the Father of the Indian

Constitution.

4. What is a “State”?

Answer: The State refers to a political institution that represents a sovereign

people who occupy a definite territory.

5. What does Federalism mean?

Answer: Federalism refers to the existence of more than one level of

government in the country.

6. What do you understand by a secular state?

Answer: A secular state is one in which the state does not officially promote
any one religion as the state religion.

7. What is democracy?

Answer: Democracy is a form of government in which we choose our leaders so

that they can exercise power responsibly on our behalf.

8. What is universal adult franchise?

Answer: Universal Adult Franchise means that the right to vote should be
given to all adult citizens without the discrimination of caste, class, colour,
religion or gender.
9. How does the Indian Constitution safe guard the minorities of the
country?
Or
How does the Indian Constitution protect minority rights?

Answer: The Constitution usually contains rules that ensure that minorities
are not excluded from anything that is routinely available to the majority.

10. Which fundamental right has provisions prohibiting exploitation of

weaker sections of the society?
Or
State any three provisions made in the Constitution to prevent
exploitation.
Or
Explain Right against Exploitation.

Answer: Right against Exploitation: The Constitution prohibits human

trafficking, forced labour, and employment of children under 14 years of age.

Short Answer Type Questions

1. What is Right to Constitutional Remedies?

Answer: Right to Constitutional Remedies – This allows citizens to move the

court if they believe that any of their Fundamental Rights have been violated
by the State.

2. Explain Right to Freedom of Religion.

Answer: Right to Freedom of Religion – Religious freedom is provided to all

citizens. Every person has the right to practice, profess and propagate the
religion of their choice.

3. Write a short note on Cultural and Educational Rights.

Answer: Cultural and Educational Rights – The Constitution states that all
minorities, religious or linguistic, can set up their own educational institutions
in order to preserve and develop their own culture.

4. What did Dr Ambedkar state about scheduled caste?

Answer: He stated that although the laws might exist, Scheduled Castes still
had reason to fear because the administration of these laws was in the hands
of ‘caste Hindu officers’. He, therefore, urged Scheduled Castes to join the
government as well as the civil services.
5. What do you mean by Directive Principles of State Policy?

Answer: Directive Principles of State Policy was designed by the members of

the Constituent Assembly to ensure greater social and economic reforms and
to serve as a guide to the independent Indian State to institute laws and
policies that help reduce the poverty of the masses.

6. Define the term constitution.

Answer: In large societies in which different communities of people live

together, the rules are formulated through consensus, and in modern
countries this consensus is usually available in written form. A written
document in which we find such rules is called a Constitution.

7. Explain Right to Freedom.

Or
What is the significance of the Right to Freedom?
Or
What is the fundamental Right to Freedom?

Answer: Right to Freedom

This includes the right to freedom of speech and expression, the right to form
associations, the right to move freely and reside in any part of the country, and
the right to practise any profession, occupation or business.

8. What would happen if there were no restrictions on the power of

elected representatives?

Answer: If there were no restrictions on the power of elected representatives

the leaders might misuse the powers given to them. Misuse of authority can
result in gross injustice. Thus, in democratic societies, the Constitution often
lays down rules that guard against this misuse of authority by our political
leaders.

9. What is Constitutional Monarchy?

Answer: A system of government in which a country is ruled by a king and

queen whose power is limited by a constitution.

Example: Until quite recently, Nepal was a monarchy. The previous

Constitution of Nepal, which had been adopted in 1990, reflected the fact that
the final authority rested with the King.

Long Answer Type Questions

1. Mention the key features of the Indian Constitution.

Answer: The key features of the Indian constitution are:

 Federalism
 Parliamentary Form of Government
 Separation of Powers
 Fundamental Rights
 Secularism
2. State the six Fundamentals Rights in the Indian Constitution.

Answer: The Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution include:

 Right to Equality
 Right to Freedom
 Right against Exploitation
 Right to Freedom of Religion
 Cultural and Educational Rights
 Right to Constitutional Remedies
3. What do you mean by tyranny of majority?

Answer: Tyranny of the majority refers to unhealthy situations where a

majority continuously enforces decisions that exclude minorities and go
against their interests. Every society is prone to this tyranny of the majority.
The Constitution usually contains rules that ensure that minorities are not
excluded from anything that is routinely available to the majority. Constitution
is precisely to prevent this tyranny or domination by the majority of a minority.

4. Discuss the difference between State and Government.

Answer: ‘Government’ is responsible for administering and enforcing laws. The

government can change with elections. The State on the other hand refers to a
political institution that represents a sovereign people who occupy a definite
territory. Example – the Indian State, the Nepali State etc. The Indian State
has a democratic form of government. The government (or the executive) is one
part of the State. The State refers to more than just the government and
cannot be used interchangeably with it.

5. What are the functions of the three main organs of the government?
Or
What are the three organs of government?
Or
Explain the functions of organs of government.

Answer: According to the Constitution, there are three organs of government.

These are 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.
6. What are the factors the drafting committee had to take into
consideration while drafting the constitution?

Answer: The country was made up of several different communities who spoke
different languages, belonged to different religions, and had distinct cultures.
Also, when the Constitution was being written, India was going through
considerable turmoil. The partition of the country into India and Pakistan was
imminent, some of the Princely States remained undecided about their future,
and the socio-economic condition of the vast mass of people appeared dismal.
All of these issues played on the minds of the members of the Constituent
Assembly as they drafted the Constitution.

7. Why does a democratic country need a Constitution?

Answer: A democratic country needs a Constitution because it serves several

purposes.

 First, it lays out certain ideals that form the basis of the kind of country that
we as citizens aspire to live in.
 The second important purpose of a Constitution is to define the nature of a
country’s political system.
 The third significant reason why we need a Constitution is to save us from
ourselves. What is meant by this is that we might at times feel strongly
about an issue that might go against our larger interests and the
Constitution helps us guard against this.
8. Explain Right to Equality.
Or
What is the significance of the Right to Equality?
Or
What is the fundamental Right to Equality?
Or
What are the main features of ‘Right to equality’?

Answer: Right to Equality means

 All persons are equal before the law. This means that all persons shall be
equally protected by the laws of the country.
 It also states that no citizen can be discriminated against on the basis of
their religion, caste or sex.
 Every person has access to all public places including playgrounds, hotels,
shops etc.
 The State cannot discriminate against anyone in matters of employment.
8. How was the Indian Constitution made?
Or
How constitution of India is formed?

Answer: The long experience of authoritarian rule under the colonial state
convinced Indians that free India should be a democracy in which everyone
should be treated equally and be allowed to participate in government. What
remained to be done then was to work out the ways in which a democratic
government would be set up in India and the rules that would determine its
functioning. This was done not by one person but by a group of around 300
people who became members of the Constituent Assembly in 1946 and who
met periodically for the next three years to write India’s Constitution. Between
December 1946 and November 1949, the Constituent Assembly drafted a
constitution for independent India.

9. What is the importance of constitution?

Answer: Importance of constitution are:

 A Constitution helps serve as a set of rules and principles that all persons in
a country can agree upon as the basis of the way in which they want the
country to be governed.
 The Constitution often lays down rules that guard against this misuse of
authority by our political leaders.
 Constitution ensures that a dominant group does not use its power against
other, less powerful people or groups.
 The Constitution helps to protect us against certain decisions that we might
take that could have an adverse effect on the larger principles that the
country believes in.
10. Write a brief note on the struggle for freedom in Nepal.

Answer: The country of Nepal has witnessed several people’s struggles for
democracy. There was a people’s struggle in 1990 that established democracy
that lasted for 12 years until 2002. In October 2002, King Gyanendra, citing
the Maoist uprising in the countryside as his reason, began taking over
different aspects of the government with the army’s assistance. The King then
finally took over as the head of government in February 2005. In November
2005, the Maoists joined other political parties to sign a 12-point agreement.
This agreement signalled to the larger public an imminent return to democracy
and peace. In 2006, this people’s movement for democracy began gaining
immense force. It repeatedly refused the small concessions that the King made
and finally 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.

11. 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.
(b) In a city, 5 per cent of the population are Buddhists.
(c) In a factory mess for all employees, 80 per cent are vegetarians.
(d) In a class of 50 students, 40 belong to more well-off families.

Answer: (a) Female teachers are in the minority – It is important to respect the
views of the minority so that they do not feel left out or underpowered by
majority.

(b) Buddhists are in the minority – It is important to respect the views of the
minority because every individual has the right to follow the religion of his
choice.

(c) Non – vegetarians are in the minority – It is important to respect the views
of the minority because the food a person eats is his personal wish and so he
should have the freedom to eat what he wants.

(d) The under privileged are in minority – It is important to respect the views of
the minority because citizens cannot be discriminated on the bases rich or
poor.

12. 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 Interim Constitution of Nepal.

2007 Interim Constitution Part 5:

1990 Constitution of Nepal Part 7: Executive
Executive

Article 35: Executive Power: The executive power Article 37: Executive Power: The
of the Kingdom of Nepal shall be vested in His executive power of Nepal shall be
Majesty and the Council of Ministers. vested in the Council of Ministers.
Answer:

1990 Constitution of Nepal 2007 Interim Constitution

In 2007, Nepal adopted an interim

In 1990, Nepal was a monarchy
Constitution.

The previous Constitution of Nepal, According to the Interim constitution drafted

which had been adopted in 1990, in 2007, the executive powers of Nepal are in
reflected the fact that the final authority the hands of the council of ministers headed
rested with the King. by the Prime Minister.
Nepal needs a new Constitution today because

 Nepal, by moving from a monarchy to a democratic government, needs to

change all its constitutive rules in order to usher in a new society.
 The previous Constitution does not reflect the ideals of the country that they
want Nepal to be, and that they have fought for.
13. Listed below are the key features of the Indian Constitution. Write
two sentences, in your own words, on why you think this feature is
important:

 Federalism
 Separation of Powers
 Fundamental Rights
 Parliamentary Form of Government
Answer: Federalism

 This refers to the existence of more than one level of government in the
country. In India, we have governments at the state level and at the centre.
Panchayati Raj is the third tier of government.
 Under federalism, the states are not merely agents of the federal government
but draw their authority from the Constitution as well.
 All persons in India are governed by laws and policies made by each of these
levels of government.
Separation of Powers

 According to the Constitution, there are three organs of government. These

are the legislature, the executive and the judiciary.
 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.
 Through this, each organ acts as a check on the other organs of government
and this ensures the balance of power between all three.
Fundamental Rights

 Fundamental Rights guarantees the rights of individuals against the State

as well as against other individuals.
 It also guarantees the rights of minorities against the majority.
Parliamentary Form of Government

 The Constitution of India guarantees universal adult suffrage for all

citizens. This would help encourage a democratic mindset and break the
clutches of traditional caste, class and gender hierarchies. This means that
the people of India have a direct role in electing their representatives.
 Also, every citizen of the country, irrespective of his/her social background,
can also contest in elections. These representatives are accountable to the
people.
 Question 1
In politics, what is a constitution?
Solution:
In Politics a Constitution can be described as a document outlining the basic laws
or principles by which a country is to be governed
 Question 2
Write a brief note on the making of the Indian Constitution.
Solution:
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.
 Question 3
In Nepal, when did the Interim Constitution come into effect?
Solution:
In Nepal, the Interim Constitution came into effect from January 15, 2007.
 Question 4
Write a brief note on the struggle for freedom in Nepal.
Solution:
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.
 Question 5
What are the negative points of a democratic society?
Solution:
In a democratic society Power can be misused. Sometimes the Majority can
undermine minority. The citizens need certain rules to save themselves from folly.
 Question 6
How can a leader misuse power in a democratic country?
Solution:
A leader misusing his power may send his security guards to beat up his
neighbours for a personal reason or ask the police not to take action against a
relative who has committed a crime.
 Question 7
How does the Indian Constitution safe guard the minorities of the country?
Solution:
The Indian constitution ensures that the dominant group does not use its power
against other, less powerful people or groups.
The Constitution contains rules that ensure that minorities are not excluded from
anything that is routinely available to the majority. It also prevents the domination
of the majority over the minority.
 Question 8
Mention the key features of the Indian Constitution.
Solution:
The key features of the Indian constitution are:-
Federalism
 Parliamentary Form of Government
Separation of Powers
Fundamental Rights
Secularism
 Question 9
What are the factors the drafting committee had to take into consideration while
drafting the constitution?
Solution:
The committee had to keep in mind that India was a land of many communities,
languages and many religions. India was a land of diverse cultures and the
Princely states in India had to be considered. The partition of the country into
India and Pakistan was about to happen and the drafting committee had to bear
this in mind. Finally the biggest consideration was the socio-economic condition of
a majority of Indians which was in a bad state.
 Question 10
What were the highlights of the text prepared by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who was the
Chairman of the constitution drafting committee?
Solution:
Highlights of the Text prepared by Dr. Ambedkar are:-
Constitutional guarantees and protections for individual citizens
Freedom of religion
Abolition of untouchability
Outlawing of all forms of discrimination
Economic and social rights for women
Reservations of jobs in the civil services, schools and colleges for members of
scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.
 Question 11
What is universal adult franchise?
Solution:
Universal adult franchise is every adult citizen having a right to vote irrespective of
sex, caste, creed, education and financial status.
 Question 12
What do you mean by the legislature, the executive and the judiciary?
Solution:
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.
 Question 13
What are the key components of fundamental rights?
Solution:
The key components of Fundamental rights are:-
Right to Equality
Right to Freedom
Right against Exploitation
Right to Freedom of Religion
Cultural and Educational Rights
Right to Constitutional Remedies
 Question 14
What is secularism?
Solution:
Secularism is the right of the citizens to practice any religion. A secular state is
one in which the state does not officially promote any one religion as the state
religion.
 1. What does our constitution contain?

 Answer

 Our Constitution contains our national goals such as democracy,
secularism. These goals are kept in mind while framing laws.

 2. What is Right against Exploitation?

 Answer

 Under this Right the Constitution prohibits trafficking, forced labour and
children working under 14 years of age.

 3. What is Right to Equality?

 Answer

 Right to Equality means that all persons are equal before the law.

 4. What do you mean by federalism?

 Answer

 The term federalism refers to the existence of more than one level of
government in the country.

 5. What is human trafficking?

 Answer

 Human trafficking is the practice of the illegal buying and selling of
different commodities across national borders. In the content of
fundamental rights, it refers to illegal trade in human beings, particularly
women and children.

 6. What does the word ‘State’ refer to?

 Answer

 The word ‘State’ refers to a political institution that represents a
soveriegn people who occupy a definite territory.

 7. What do you mean by a secular state?

 Answer

 A secular state does not officially promote any one religion as the state
religion.

 8. What caused fear among the members of the Constituent Assembly?

 Answer

 They feared that the executive might become too strong and ignore its
responsibility to the legislature.

 9. Why do the people of Nepal not want to adhere to their previous
Constitution?

 Answer

 The previous Constitution does not reflect the ideals of the country that
want Nepal to be, and that they have fought for.

 10. What do you mean by 'Right to Constitutional Remedies'?

 Answer

 This Fundamental Right allows citizens to move to the court if they
believe that any of their Fundamental Rights has been violated by the
state.


 Chapter 1 The Indian Constitution Short Answer

Questions (SAQs):

 1. Why did Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar urge Scheduled Castes to join the
government as well as the civil services?

 Answer

 Dr. Ambedkar was an important member of the Constituent Assembly.
He believed that his participation in the Assembly helped the Scheduled
Castes get some safeguards in the draft Constitution. But he also stated
that although the laws might exist, scheduled castes still had reason to
fear because the administration of these laws were in the hands of upper
caste Hindu officers. Therefore, he urged scheduled castes to join the
government as well as the civil services. It would give them a chance to
play their role in law-making.

 2. Explain 'Parliamentary form of government'?

Answer

 In a parliamentary system, the head of state is normally a different
person from the head of government. It is a system of democratic
governance of a state in which the executive branch derives its
democratic legitimacy from, and is held accountable to, the legislature.
The executive and legislative branches are thus interconnected.

 3. What is a Constitution? What purposes does it serve?

 Answer

 A Constitution is a written document containing certain rules. It serves
several purposes. It tells us what the fundamental nature of our society
is. A country is usually made up of different communities of people who
share certain beliefs but they may not necessarily agree on all issues. A
Constitution helps serve as a set of rules and principles that all persons
in a country can agree upon as the basis of the way in which they want
the country to be governed.
 The second important purpose of a Constitution is to define the nature of
a country’s political system. In countries that have adopted a democratic
form of government, the Constitution lays out certain important
guidelines that govern decision-making within these societies.

 4. Who do you mean by federal form of government? Why is it important?

 Answer
 Our Constitution provides for a federal form of government. This means
that the responsibility of governing our country has been divided into the
central government and the state governments. Panchayati Raj is the
third tier of government.
 India is a vast country. Different communities of people live here. Hence,
a system of government needed to be devised that did not involve only
persons silting in the capital city of New Delhi and making decisions for
everyone. Instead, it was necessary to have another level of government
in the states so that decisions could be made for that particular area. In
this way, it will be easier to make positive efforts for the development of
the country as well as the states.

 5. What were the challenges before the members of the Constituent
Assembly?

 Answer

 The following 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.

 6. What is meant by 'separation of power'? Why do you think it is
important?

 Answer

 According to the Constitution, there are three organs of the State – the
legislature, the excutive and the judiciary. In order to prevent the misure
 of power by anyone branch of the State, the Constitution says that each
of these organs should exercise different powers. This is known as
separation of powers.

 7. Describe Right to Equality in detail.

 Answer

 Our Constitution states that all persons are equal before the law. This
means that all persons shall be equally protected by the laws of the
country. The Constitution also states that no citizen can be discriminated
against on the basis of their religion, caste or sex. Every person has an
access to all public places such as hotels, playgrounds, shops, etc. The
state cannot discriminate against anyone in matters of employment.

 8. What were the different adverse situations that the Constitution
makers had to face while drafting the constitution?

 Answer

 • The country was made up of several different communities who spoke
different languages, belonged to different religions, and had distinct
cultures.
 • When the Constitution was being written, India was going through
considerable turmoil because of its partition.
 • Some of the Princely States remained undecided about their future and
the socio-economic condition of the vast mass of people appeared dismal.


 Chapter 1 The Indian Constitution Long Answer

Questions (LAQs):

 1. Describe all the Fundamental Rights mentioned in the Constitution.

 Answer

 The Constitution of India guarantees certain basic rights to all its
citizens. These rights are called Fundamental Rights. There are
altogether six Fundamental Rights:

 • 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 person has 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.

 2. Describe the key features of the Indian Constitution.

 Answer

 The key features of the Indian Constitution are given below:

 • 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.

Very Short Type Questions (1 MARKS)

1) In which year the Indian national Congress made the demand for a
constituent assembly?
2) In which year the king of Nepal took over as the head of the government?
3) In which year Nepal became a democracy?
4) In which year did Nepal make a constitution of their own?
Go beyond traditional BBA College with NEXIS 3-year UG

5) What guards us Against The misuse of authority by political leaders?

6) On which grounds no citizen of India can be discriminated?
7) What is inter community domination,?
8) What is intra community domination?
9) What did the colonial state convinced the Indians about free India?
10) Around ______ people were there in the constituent assembly.
11) What was the main aim of the Constitution makers?
12) Which is the third tier of the government?
13) From where the states under federalism draw their authority?
14) the constitution makers thought that a democratic government would
destroy the social evils like __________,_________ and __________________.
15) Who have direct role in electing the representatives?
16) To whom the representatives are accountable to?

17) How many organs does the Indian government has?

18) What is legislature?
19) What is executive?
20) What is judiciary?
21) what guarantees the rights of individuals against the state as well as
against other individuals?
22) What is a secular state?
23) Why the Indian Constitution has been amended over the yesrs?
24) When the final session of the constituent assembly was held?
25) Who was the president of the constituent assembly?
26) Who was the first finance minister of India?
27) Who was the first deputy prime Minister of India?
28) Who was the first labour Minister of India?

29) Who was the first minister of food and agriculture?

30) Who was the first health minister of India?
Short Type Questions (Marks-2)
1) When and for what the constituent assembly was formed?
2) In which session of national Congress the demand for a constituent
assembly was made? Who was the first president of the constituent
assembly?
3) Why the constitution is so important for a country?
4) How Nepal got it’s own constitution?
5) What is democracy? Why democracy is important for India?
6) Name the grounds on which no discrimination can be done in India?
7) Write an important function of the constitution in ensuring equal power?
8) How does Indian Constitution secure the rights of the minority?
9) What is the difference between inter community domination and intra
community domination?
10) How does the constitution save us from ourselves?
11) How does the Indian Constitution protect us Against certain decisions
that we might take that could have an adverse effect on the large principles
of our country?
12) Why the leaders of the freedom struggle wanted to make a constitution
of our own?
13) How was the condition of Indian society when the constitution was
being written?
14) What is federalism?
15) What is parliamentary form of government
16) What do you mean by separation of power s?
17) What is a “state”?
18) What is fundamental right?
19) What is directive principles of State policy?
20) What is secularism? Why secularism is important for India?
21) Name the countries which share boundaries with India?
Long Type Questions (Marks-5)
1) Why the constitution is important for a democratic country?
2) Why Indian leaders wanted to have a constitution of their own? How it
was written?
3) Describe the journey of the people of Nepal towards democracy?
4) What are the main purposes of a constitution?
5) How do the constitution protect us from different aspects?
6) What is federalism? Explain
7) What is the parliamentary form of government. Explain
8) Why parliamentary form of government was very important for a
democracy?
9) What do you mean by separation of powers?
10) Discuss about the duel meaning of the world “state”?
11) What are fundamental rights? Why fundamental rights are important?
12) What is Right to equality?
13) What is right to freedom and right against exploitation?
14) Discuss about the right to freedom of religion, cultural and educational
rights and right to constitutional remedies?
15) Why India is a secular country? What is the importance of secularism?
16) Write about the significance of federalism separation of powers
fundamental rights and parliamentary form of government?
Answers:
Mark-1
1) 1934
2) February 2005
3) 2008
4) 2015
5) Indian constitution and laws
6) Race, cast, gender, religion and place of birth
8) When one particular community dominates over the minorities that is called
intra community domination
9) The colonial state convinced the Indians about free India that there will be e
equality and Indians will be involved in the government.
10) 300
11) The main aim of the Constitution makers was to make a constitution which
treats every citizen of India equally
12) Panchayati Raj
13) Constitution
14) Caste system and untouchability
15) The people of India
16) The constitution of India
17) Three organs are there namely legislature executive and judiciary.
18) The legislature refers to our elected representatives.
19) Executive is a smaller group of people who are responsible for implementing
laws and running the government.
20) The Judiciary refers to the system of courts in the country.
21) Fundamental rights
22) A secular state is one in which the state does not officially promote any one
religion as the state religion.
23) To reflect new concerns of the polity.
24) 24th January 1950
25) Dr Rajendra Prasad
26) Dr John Mathai
27) Vallabhbhai Patel
28) Jagjivan Ram
29) Jairam Das Daulat Ram
30) Rajkumari Amrit Kaur
Marks-2
1) The constituent assembly was formed in the year 1946 to frame a constitution
for free India.
2) In the session of 1934. Rajendra Prasad
3) It is important to have a constitution for a country to retain democracy and
maintain equality throughout the country.
4) After the end of the rule of the king Nepal got its constitution in the year 2015.
5) Democracy is a form of government in which people elect the leader.
Democracy is important for India to maintain equality throughout the country.
6) On the grounds of birth of place cast gender and religion no discrimination can
be done in India.
7) The constitution of India gives equal power to the state and the central
government.
8) The Indian Constitution have taken measures for reservations for the minority.
9) Previously discussed
10) We are abide by the laws of the term state the term state tries to distinguis in
this way we save us from ourselves.
11) There are laws in the Indian constitution which protect Us Against certain
decisions that we might take that could have an adverse effect on the large
principles of our country
12) .
13) When the constitution was written Indian society was divided in small
fragments.
14) Federalism refers to the existence of more than one form of government. For
India it has Central Government and state government.
15) Parliamentary form of Government implies that there will be e leaders in the
Parliament who are directly elected or indirectly elected by the people of India.
16) Separation of power means that all the powers should be divided into state
and Central.
17) The term state define a particular land area which is under the authority
18) Fundamental rights are those which protects all the people of India from any
kind of ill treatment.
19) These are some directions for the people of India to maintain brotherhood.
21) Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Afghanistan.
Marks-5
1) Constitution is important for a democratic country for or the smooth
advancement towards progression. There are laws enumerated in the constitution
which the people of the country should obey. It is because of the Constitution
that all the people of certain country I treated equally. Different communities of
people can live freely in a country because of the laws made by the constitution.
2) If the British had made the constitution of India they would have written for
their own benefit. Show the leaders of Indian National Movement wanted to have
a constitution of their own.
What the making of the Constitution a constituent assembly was made in the
year 1946. In the year 1950 the handwritten Constitution was completed.
4) All democratic countries are likely to have a Constitution, but on the other
hand, it is not necessary that all countries that have a Constitution are
democratic. The Constitution serves several purposes as listed below.
A Constitution tells us what the fundamental nature of our society .
A Constitution helps serve as a set of rules and principles that all persons in a
country can agree upon as the basis of the way in which they want the country to
be governed.
5) The constitution of India protects us from any discriminatory behaviour by the
freedom of rights and the directive principles of state policies. According to the
Indian Constitution every people of India are equal before the law.
6) Federalism is a type of government in which there will be more than one level of
government in the country. For India we have Central Government and state
government. We also have a third tier of the government which is called the
Panchayati Raj system. All the three works together for a smooth functioning of
the government.
7) India has a Parliamentary form of Government. The Indian Parliament has two
houses the lower house or Loksabha and Upper house or the Rajya Sabha. The
members of these houses are directly or indirectly elected by the people of India.
All the bills and amendments are connected to the parliamentary system of India.
8) The Parliamentary form of Government was very important for a democracy
because the leaders who are the members of the Parliament and directly chosen
by the people of India. The can represent the whole Nation.
12) Right to Equality is one of the fundamental rights of India. Before law every
citizen of India be it poor or rich, are equal.
13) Right to freedom is one of the fundamental rights which implies that a person
of India have six fundamental rights of freedom.
The right against exploitation is another fundamental right in India which states
that a person who is exploited can take help of the law.
More Extra Questions from this Chapter (The Indian
Constitution)
MCQ
1) In which year draft of constitution was completed?
a) 1949
b) 1935
c) 1950
d) 1948
Ans – Option a (1949)
2) Which city is known as capital of India?
a) Mumbai
b) Kolkata
c) Delhi
d) Lucknow
Ans – Option c (Delhi)
3) Who was President of Constituent assembly?
a) Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru
b) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
c) Mahatma Gandhi
d) Nathuram Godse
Ans – Option b (Dr. Rajendra Prasad)
4) How many fundamental duties are mentioned in constitution?
a) 6
b) 8
c) 10
d) 11
Ans – Option d (11)
Very Short
1) Who made the demand for constituent assembly?
Ans – The Indian National Congress.
2) In which year demand for constituent assembly was raised?
Ans – In 1934
3) Who drafted the constitution of Independent India?
Ans – The constituent assembly.
4) Who is known as the father of constitution?
Ans – Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar
5) India has which form of government?
Ans – Democratic form of government.
6) How many fundamental rights are there in Indian constitution
Ans – 6
7) Which section of constitution is known as “conscience” of the Indian
Constitution?
Ans – The fundamental rights.
8) Write the full form of DPSP.
Ans – Directive principle of state policy.
9) Define term – “Tyranny”.
Ans – The cruel and unjust use of power or authority.
10) What do you mean by term arbitrary?
Ans – When nothing is fixed and is instead left to one’s judgment or choice.
Thiscan be used to refer to rules that are not fixed, or decisions that have no
basis etc.
Short
1) What is called as constitution?
Ans – A Constitution is a written document that contains fundamental
regulations.
2) What is people’s role in democracy?
Ans – In a democracy, people elect leaders to exercise authority responsibly on
their behalf.
3) What features were the makers of Indian constitution were hoping to add
in the constitution?
Ans – Diversity, unity, socio-economic reform and representation.
4) What makers of Indian constitution were trying to make India into?
Ans – There commitment was to transform India into a strong democratic society.
5) What does the term federalism refers to?
Ans – This refers to the fact that the country has more than one level of
government.
6) Name all three organs of government.
Ans – Legislature, executive and Judiciary.
7) What does legislature refers to?
Ans – Our elected representatives are referred to as the legislature.
8) Who all come under the executive?
Ans – The executive is a smaller group of people who are responsible for
implementing laws and running the government.
9) What was the reason that fundamental rights were inserted in the
constitution?
Ans – Colonial authority had instilled distrust in the hearts of nationalists, and
they intended to ensure that a set of written rights would protect against the
misuse of State power in independent India.
10) What fundamental rights protect?
Ans – Fundamental rights protect citizens from the State’s arbitrary and absolute
exercise of authority. As a result, the Constitution protects people’ rights both
against the State and against other individuals.
11) Why DPSP were added in the constitution?
Ans – Members of the Constituent Assembly established this section of the DPSP
to assure better social and economic changes, as well as to serve as a guide for
the new Indian State to institute laws and policies that help eliminate mass
poverty.
12) Explain right against exploitation as a fundamental right.
Ans – Human trafficking, forced labour, and the employment of children under
the age of 14 are all prohibited by the Constitution.
13) How religious freedom is a right under constitution?
Ans – Religious liberty is guaranteed to all citizens. Every individual has the right
to practise, profess, and spread the religion of their choosing.
14) What is right to constitutional remedies?
Ans – This empowers citizens to petition the court if they believe the State has
violated any of their fundamental rights.
15) What are cultural and education right?
Ans – According to the Constitution, all religious and linguistic minorities have
the right to establish their own educational institutions in order to maintain and
develop their culture.
16) What does the term secular state means?
Ans – A secular state is one in which no single religion is officially promoted as
the state religion.
17) Write a short note on “Indian National Movement”.
Ans – The Indian national movement arose in nineteenth-century India, with
thousands of men and women uniting to oppose British authority. This
culminated in the independence of India in 1947.
18) Explain term Human Trafficking.
Ans – The illicit purchasing and selling of certain goods across national borders.
Long
1) What purpose a constitution serves in a country?
Ans – The Constitution serves distinct processes. Firstly, it establishes certain
principles that serve as the foundation for the kind of country that we as citizens
wish to live in. In other words, a constitution explains the core character of our
society. A country is typically composed of many communities of people who
share certain ideas but may not always agree on all subjects. A constitution
serves as a set of laws and values that all citizens of a country may agree on as
the foundation for how the country should be governed. This involves not only the
style of government, but also agreement on certain ideas that they all believe the
country should adhere to.
2) How a constitution helps us to protect us from ourselves?
Ans – The Constitution protects us from making judgements that may have a
negative impact on the wider ideals in which the country believes. For example, it
is feasible that many people in a democracy will come to believe that party politics
has grown so contentious that we require a strong ruler to restore order. Swept
up in this feeling, individuals may fail to recognise that authoritarian authority is
ultimately detrimental to all of their interests. A healthy Constitution does not
enable whims to change its fundamental framework. It does not allow for the
simple repeal of laws that guarantee citizens’ rights and defend their freedom.
3) Explain right to equality as a democratic right.
Ans – One of the Basic Rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution is the right
to equality.
The Indian Constitution provides all citizens the right to equality and states that
no citizen may be discriminated against on the basis of religion, race, caste,
gender, or place of birth.
4) What was the huge task between the people of constituent assembly.
Ans – These Constituent Assembly members had a massive task ahead of them.
The country was made up of several populations that spoke different languages,
practised different religions, and had separate cultures.
Furthermore, India was in a state of upheaval at the time the Constitution was
drafted. The country was going to be partitioned into India and Pakistan, several
of the Princely States were unsure about their destiny, and the socio-economic
situation of the vast majority of people was bleak. Many of these topics
preoccupied the members of the Constituent Assembly as they crafted the
Constitution.
5) What BR Ambedkar stated for people of schedule caste?
Ans – Dr. Ambedkar believes that his presence in the Constituent Assembly aided
the Scheduled Castes in gaining some protections in the draught constitution.
But he also remarked that although the rules might exist, Scheduled Castes still
had reason to fear because the administration of these laws were in the hands of
‘caste Hindu officers’. As a result, he urged Scheduled Castes to join the
government and civil services.
6) List out key features of Indian Constitution.
Ans – Some key features of Indian constitution are –
1.) Federalism
2.) Parliamentary form of government
3.) Separation of Power
4.) Fundamental Rights
5.) Secularism
7) Explain parliamentary form of government as key feature of Indian
Constitution.
Ans – The Indian Constitution gives universal adult suffrage to all people.
Members of the Constituent Assembly felt that the liberation movement had
prepared the masses for universal adult suffrage, which would help develop a
democratic attitude and break the clutches of conventional caste, class, and
gender hierarchies. This means that the Indian people have a direct say in who
their representatives are. Also, regardless of social background, every citizen of
the country can run in elections. These representatives must answer to the
people.
8) How constitution insure balance of power between all three organs of
government?
Ans – The Constitution defines three branches of government. They are the
legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Our elected representatives are
referred to as the legislature. The executive is a smaller group of people in charge
of enforcing laws and operating the government. The judiciary refers to the court
system in this country. To prevent any one branch of government from abusing
power, the Constitution states that each of these institutions shall have distinct
authorities. Each organ works as a check on the other organs of government,
ensuring a balance of power among all three.
9) Name all the six fundamental rights mentioned in Indian Constitution.
Ans – The six fundamental rights stated in Indian constitution are –
1)- Right to equality
 2)- Right to freedom
3)- Right against exploitation
4)- Right to freedom of religion
5)- Cultural and Educational Rights
6)- Right to constitutional remedies
10) – Write a note on importance and reasons for adding fundamental rights
in the constitution.
Ans – Fundamental rights protect citizens from the State’s arbitrary and absolute
exercise of authority. As a result, the Constitution protects people’ rights both
against the State and against other individuals.
Colonial authority had instilled distrust in the hearts of nationalists, and they
intended to ensure that a set of written rights would protect against the misuse of
State power in independent India.Furthermore, numerous minority populations
expressed a desire for the Constitution to contain rights that would safeguard
their communities. As a result, the Constitution protects minority’ rights against
the majority. As Dr. Ambedkar stated, the purpose of these Basic Rights is dual.
The first goal is for every citizen to be able to assert those rights. Second, these
rights must be obligatory on any authority with the jurisdiction to create laws.
11) – What al rights come under the preview of “Right to freedom”?
Ans – This includes

o The right to freedom of speech andexpression

o The right to formassociations
o The right to move freelyand reside in any part of the country
o The right to practise anyprofession, occupation or business

12) Answer the following questions – Which Fundamental Rights will the
following situationsviolate:
– If a 13-year-old child is working in a factory manufacturing carpet.
Ans – Right against exploitation
– If a politician in one state decides to not allow labourersfrom other states
to work in his state.
Ans – Right to freedom
– If a group of people are not given permission to open aTelugu-medium
school in Kerala.
Ans – Cultural and Educational Right
– If the government decides not to promote an officer of thearmed forces for
being a woman.
Ans – Right to equality
13) Write all the fundamental duties mentioned in the constitution.
Ans – The constitution has 11 fundamental duties, which were originally not part
of the constitution but later added to it through amendment. The 11 fundamental
duties are –
I.) To oblige with the Indian Constitution and respect the National Anthem and
Flag
II.) To cherish and follow the noble ideas that inspired the national struggle for
freedom
III) To protect the integrity, sovereignty, and unity of India
IV.) To defend the country and perform national services if and when the country
requires
V.) To promote the spirit of harmony and brotherhood amongst all the people of
India and renounce any practices that are derogatory to women
VI.) To cherish and preserve the rich national heritage of our composite culture
VII.) To protect and improve the natural environment including lakes, wildlife,
rivers, forests, etc.
VIII.) To develop scientific temper, humanism, and spirit of inquiry
IX.) To safeguard all public property
X.) To strive towards excellence in all genres of individual and collective activities
XI.) To provide opportunities for education to children between 6-14 years of age,
and duty as parents to ensure that such opportunities are being awarded to their
child.
Question 1.
Why does a democratic country need a Constitution?
Solution:
A democratic country needs a constitution because

 In a democracy people choose their representatives and the leaders might misuse
their powers. Constitution provides safeguards against this.
 In a democracy, the constitution ensures that the dominant group does not use
power against less powerful groups.
 The constitution guarantees fundamental rights to the citizens for their social,
economic, and political welfare.

Question 2.
What is the difference in who exercises Executive Power in the 1990 and Interim
Constitutions of Nepal? Keeping this in mind, why do you think Nepal needs a new
Constitution today?
Solution:
In the 1990 Nepal constitution, the Executive powers of the Kingdom were entirely in the
hands of the King. According to the Interim constitution drafted in 2007, the executive
powers of Nepal are in the hands of the council of ministers headed by the Prime
Minister.

There was a dire need for a new constitution as the ideals of the people had changed as
the country had moved from a monarchy to a democracy. The old constitution was
drafted when the country was under the rule of the king. The people of Nepal fought for
a democratic government for many years. So the old constitution does not reflect the
ideals of the people. The new constitution will change the rules of the old constitution in
order to bring in a new society with new ideas.

Question 3.
What would happen if there were no restrictions on the power of elected representatives?
Solution:
If there were no restrictions on the power of elected representatives then:

 These leaders (representatives) might misuse their authority.

 This misuse of authority can result in gross injustice and mismanagement.

Question 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.
(b) In a city, 5 percent of the population are Buddhists.
(c) In a factory mess for all employees, 80 percent are vegetarians.
(d) In a class of 50 students, 40 belong to more well-off families.
Solution:
(a) 10 female teachers are in minority.
It is important to respect the views of female teachers so that male teachers do not use
their power against them.

(b) 5 percent of Buddhists are in minority.

It is important to respect the views of Buddhists so that they will not be dominated by
the community in the majority.

(c) 20 percent of non-vegetarian employees are in minority.

Their views should be respected as eating non-vegetarian food is their personal choice.

(d) 10 students belong to poor families and are in minority. Scholarships, special
classes, and other welfare schemes like book bank, free supply of books, stationary and
free uniform are to be planned to keep in view their requirements.

Question 5
Listed below are the key features of the Indian Constitution. Write two sentences, in
your own words, on why you think this feature is an important key feature of

1. Federalism
2. Separation of Powers
3. Fundamental Rights
4. Parliamentary Form of Government

Solution:

1. Federalism:
means more than one level of government in the country. India has a 3 tier
government. India needs a 3 tier government because of the diverse religious and
cultural composition of its citizens. A government in the centre alone could not be
effective for everyone.
2. Separation of Powers:
In order to prevent the misuse of power by the elected representative the
constitution advocate Separation of powers. Each branch of the government has its
powers fixed by the Constitution. The Constitution ensures that a balance of power
is maintained between the Legislature Executive and the Judiciary.
3. Fundamental Rights:
Fundamental Rights guarantees the rights of individuals against the State as well
as against other individuals. It protects minority communities and guarantees
rights against the majority.
4. Parliamentary Form of Government:
In a Parliamentary form of government, the constitution guarantees universal adult
franchise for all citizens. That is, all adults have a right to vote, irrespective of
whether they are poor or rich, educated or uneducated, a Hindu, Muslim or a
Christian. The idea of a universal adult franchise is based on equality.