L-2-CONSTITUTIONAL DESIGN

Q1 When was the African National Congress (ANC) formed? Why is it called an Umbrella
organization?
Ans
 The African National Congress (ANC) was formed on January 8, 1912.
 The ANC is called an "Umbrella organization" because it brings together various groups, organizations,
and individuals with diverse interests, ideologies, and backgrounds under a single united front. It serves
as a broad-based political organization that seeks to represent and unify the aspirations of various sectors
of South African society.
Q2. Who was Nelson Mandela? What is his contribution in the history of South Africa?
Ans
 Nelson Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, and philanthropist
who became one of the most significant and revered figures in South Africa's history.
 Anti-Apartheid Activism: Mandela was a key figure in the struggle against apartheid, a system of
institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination enforced by the white minority government in
South Africa. He was a prominent member of the African National Congress (ANC) and played a
leading role in various campaigns and protests against apartheid policies.
 Reconciliation and Nation-Building: Mandela's presidency was marked by his commitment to
reconciliation and nation-building. He sought to heal the wounds of the past and promote unity among
South Africa's diverse population
 Nelson Mandela's legacy extends far beyond his time as president. He remains an iconic and
inspirational figure for his unwavering dedication to justice, reconciliation, and the principles of equality
and human rights. His contributions to the history of South Africa and the world have left a lasting
impact on the pursuit of freedom and the fight against oppression.

Q3. Where did Nelson Mandela spend his prison term? Name an autobiography of Nelson
Mandela.
Ans
 Nelson Mandela was imprisoned on Robben island for 28 years. Robben Island is situated the west of
the coast of Cape Town, South Africa.
 Long Walk to Freedom is an autobiographical work written by South African President Nelson
Mandela and was first published in 1994.
Q4. When did the process of the making of the Indian Constitution begin?
Ans
 The Constituent Assembly held its first meeting on December 9, 1946, in the Central Hall of the
Parliament House in New Delhi. Over the course of almost three years, the Constituent Assembly
deliberated on various issues, considered different draft proposals, and engaged in detailed discussions
and debates.
 Finally, on November 26, 1949, the Constituent Assembly adopted the final version of the Indian
Constitution. However, it officially came into effect on January 26, 1950, when India transitioned from
being a British dominion to a sovereign republic. This date is now celebrated as Republic Day in India,
marking the adoption of the Constitution and the establishment of India as a democratic republic.
Q5. What does the phrase ‘Service of India’ mean?
Ans The phrase ‘Service of India’ means the service of the millions who suffer. It means the ending of
poverty and ignorance and disease and inequality of opportunity.
Q6. What is meant by ‘Constituent Assembly Debates’?
Ans The debates and discussions held by the Constituent Assembly members during the process of drafting
the constitution for free India are known as Constituent Assembly Debates or CADs. The Constituent
Assembly sat for 165 days between December 9, 1946, and January 24, 1950, for CADs.
Q7. Why is the Preamble called the soul of the Indian Constitution?
Ans Preamble is called the preface of Indian Constitution because of the following reasons:

1. The Preamble of the constitution contains the philosophy on which the entire constitution is built.
2. It provides a standard to examine and evaluate any law and action of the government to find out whether
it is good or bad for the citizens.
It signifies the dreams and vision of the people of India
Q8. Many compromises were made by the whites and blacks. Mention one of them.
Ans Compromises made by the blacks:
(i) They agreed that majority rule would not be absolute.
(ii) They agreed that the majority would not take away the property of the white minority.
Compromises made by the whites:
(i) They agreed to the principle of majority rule and that of one person one vote.
(ii) They also agreed to accept some basic rights for the poor and the workers.
Q9. Despite many difficulties, there was one big advantage for the makers of the Indian
Constitution which was absent in South Africa. What was it?
Ans
 Indian Constitution has some features which makes it unique in the overall world. Such as; The
Constitution has been made after more consideration of consensus during freedom struggle.
So, it expresses a broad consensus and specialty of its time.
 The Constitution represents the people of India and also keeps thoughts in the favor of Indian. &
The constituent assembly worked in a systematic, planned and consumer for its influences.
Q10. What inspired the Indian leaders in the making of the Constitution?
Ans Indian constitution also incorporated values and ideals from following global events:
From Russia Revolution, 1917 -the Ideals of Justice In Social, Education, Economic And Political
From French Revolution 1789-1799: Ideal of Liberty, Equality and fraternity. The idea of
republic was also influenced by it.
British Constitution: - Parliamentary form of government, the Rule of law, Lawmaking
procedure, Procedure established by Law.
United States Constitution:- Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Federal structure of government,
Electoral College, Independence of the judiciary, Judicial review, Equal Protection under law
Irish Constitution:-Directive principles of state policy
Australian Constitution:-Freedom of trade and commerce within the country and between the
states, Concurrent List

Conclusion
The Constitution of India was not prepared in haste but the process of the evolution of the
constitution began many decades before India became independent in 1947.
The makers of the Constitution presented to the nation a document that enshrined fundamental
values and highest aspirations shared by the people. This is one of the reasons why this most
intricately crafted document has not only survived but become a living reality, when so many other
 constitutions have perished with the paper they were first written on.
Q11. What is an unusual achievement for the Indian Constitution?
Ans he unusual achievement for the Indian Constitution is that the legitimacy of the Constitution has never
been questioned by a large number of social groups or political parties. The Assembly described
portions from various linguistic accumulations, classes, organisations, denominations, and ownership in
broad terms. This was decided by members of the current provincial governments to ensure a geographically
balanced representation of members from all parts of the country.
Q12. “The Constitution of India was drawn up under very difficult circumstances”. Explain.
Ans The making of the constitution for a huge and diverse country like India was a tough task. At that time
the people of India were emerging from the status of subjects to that of citizens.
(ii) The country was born through a partition on the basis of religious differences. This was a traumatic
experience for the people of India and Pakistan. At least ten lakh people were killed on both sides of the border
in partition related violence.
(iii) The British had left it to the rulers of the princely states to decide whether they wanted to merge with India
or with Pakistan or remain independent. The merger of these princely states was a difficult task.
(iv) When the constitution was being written the future of the country did not look very secure. The makers of
the Constitution had considered about the present and the future of India.
Q13. What did Ambedkar mean to say in the following line?
“On the 26th January 1950 we are going to enter a life of Contradictions.”
Ans In his final speech to the Constituent Assembly, Dr. Ambedkar pointed out that political democracy had
to be accompanied by economic and social democracy. Giving the right to vote would not automatically lead to
the removal of other inequalities such as between rich and poor, or between upper and lower castes. With the
new Constitution/ he said, India was going to enter into a life of contradictions. In politics (i.e. every citizen will
have right to vote or contest to election or to form or join a political party) we will have equality and in social
and economic life we will have inequality. In politics we will be recognizing the principle of one man one vote
one value. But in our social and economic life, we shall, by reason of our social and economic structure
continue to deny the principle of one man one value.
Q14. Give reasons why we should accept the Constitution made by the Constituent Assembly
more than fifty years ago.
Ans
 The constitution by the constituent assembly continues to be relevant and accepted by the government
and citizens of India because of the following reasons:-
 The assembly expressed the broad consensus of its time. This is proven by the fact that no large social
group or political party has ever questioned the legitimacy of the constitution itself.
 The Constituent Assembly members were elected mainly by the members of the existing Provincial
Legislatures as there was no Universal adult franchise. This ensured a fair geographical share of
members from all the regions of the country.
 Distinct voices were not suppressed. This is because the Congress itself included a variety of political
groups and opinions.
 Members from different language groups, castes, classes, religions and occupations were also
represented.
 The working of the Assembly was in a systematic, open and consensual manner. First, some basic
principles were agreed upon after which the drafting committee framed a draft constitution. This draft
constitution was then deliberated upon clause by clause by the assembly and only after this the
constitution was finally enacted.
Q15. What various functions does a constitution perform?
Ans
A constitution is defined as the set of written rules, that are accepted by all the people living together in a
country. It determines the relationship between the people and the government. The different functions of the
constitution are as follows:
1. The constitution should provide a set of basic rules that allows the people to live together with trust and
coordination.
2. It specify how the government will be constituted, and who will have the power to make the decision for a
particular scenario, and so on.
3. It lays down limits on the powers of the government and tells us what the rights of the citizens are.
4. It expresses the aspirations of the people to create a good society.
Q16. “ Indian Constitution is both rigid and flexible”. Explain.
Ans This is because the procedure of amendment is neither easy nor difficult. A federal structure is provided
in the Indian Constitution. There is a defined and demarcated jurisdictions in the centre and in all states. There
are provisions that can also change the Federal structure. Therefore, these are the reasons why the Indian
Constitution is both rigid and flexible.
Q17. With reference to the Constituent assembly, answer the following questions:
(i) When were its elections held?
(ii) Who was its President?
(iii) Who was appointed the Chairman of the Drafting Committee?
(iv) When was the Constitution passed by the Constituent Assembly

Q18. What is the significance of the phrase ‘We the people of India in the Preamble

Ans. We, the people of India’ in the Preamble means ultimate sovereignty of the people of India. Sovereignty
means not being subject to the control of any external power or state. Sovereign means one who exercises
supreme authority or power.