THE INDIAN

CONSTITUTION
By
Kanimozhi
 Learning objectives
The pupil
- understand the need for Constitution.
- explain the making of the Constitution.

-compare the executive powers in Nepal during monarchy with that of

democracy.

-explain the significance of our Constitution.

-describe the key features of our Constitution.

 NEED FOR CONSTITUTION
A constitution lays out certain ideals that form the basis of the
kind of country that we as citizens aspire to live in.
(i) It tells us about the fundamental nature of our society.
(ii) It 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.
(iii) This includes the type of government and also an
agreement on certain ideals that they all believe the country
should uphold.
 HISTORY OF NEPAL

In the 1990 Nepal constitution the Executive powers of

the Kingdom was 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.
The country of Nepal has witnessed several people’s struggles for
democracy.

1. 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.

2. The King then finally took over as the head of government in

February 2005.
3. In November 2005, the Maoists joined other political parties
to sign a 12-point agreement. In 2006, this people’s movement
for democracy began gaining immense force.

4. 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.

5. In 2007, Nepal adopted an interim Constitution. The above

photos show scenes from the people’s movement for
democracy in 2006.
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 ideals.
 MAKING OF OUR CONSTITUTION
A Constitution consists of a set of rules and principles to govern the country.

The Indian Constitution was drafted by the Constituent Assembly which was
formed in December 1946.

The Constituent Assembly consisted of 300 members in 1946. It was headed by

Dr. Rajendra Prasad.

The Constituent Assembly completed the work in two years, eleven months and
eighteen days.

The Constitution of India was adopted on 26th November 1949 and came into force
on 26th January 1950
 KEY FEATURES OF OUR
CONSTITUTION

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

government in the country. These are at the state and at the central
levels. Citizens are governed by laws & policies made by each of
these levels of government.
Parliamentary Form of Government: The Constitution
of Indian guarantees universal adult suffrage for all
citizens. This means every citizen of the country
irrespective of his/her social background have a direct role
in electing their representatives.
Representatives are thus accountable to the people in a
parliamentary form of government.
Seperation of Powers: There are three organs of the State: (a) the
Legislature (b) the Executive and (c) the Judiciary.
a)The legislature refers to our elected representative; those who
makes laws.
c) The judiciary refers to the system of courts in the country; who
settles disputes and makes sure that laws are obeyed.
Each organ acts as a check on the other organs of the State and this
ensures the balance of power between all three.
Fundamental Rights:
(i) The Fundamental Rights are referred to as the ‘conscience’ of Indian Constitution.
Fundamental Rights protect citizens against the arbitrary and absolute exercise of power
by the state.

(ii) The Constitution guarantees the rights of individuals against the State as well as
against other individuals.

(iii) There are six Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution, which are:
(i) Right to Equality;
(ii) Right to Freedom;
(iii) Right against Exploitation;
(iv) Right to Freedom of Religion;
(v) Cultural and Educational Rights;
(vi) Right to Freedom of Religion;
(iv) Right to Constitution Remedies.
(v) In addition to Fundamental Rights, the Constitution has a section
called Directive Principles of State Policy. It ensures greater social
and economic reforms and to serve as a guide to independent Indian
state to institute laws and policies that help reduce the poverty of the
masses.
 FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES

▶ a)To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the
National Flag and the National Anthem.
▶ b) To cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national
struggle for freedom.
▶ c) To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.
▶ d) To defend the country and render national service when called upon to
do so.
▶ e) To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood
amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic
and regional or sectional diversities; to renounce practices
derogatory to the dignity of women.
▶ f) To value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture.
▶ g) To protect and improve the natural environment including
forests, lakes, rivers, wildlife and to have compassion for living
creatures.
▶ h) To develop the scientific temper, humanism and the
spirit of inquiry and reform;
▶ i) To safeguard public property and to abjure violence;
▶ j) To strive towards excellence in all spheres of
individual and collective activity so that the nation
constantly rises to higher levels of endeavor.
THANK YOU!!!