' .. . ~. -~ . .

,- ·;

''

1 Constitution:
Why and How?

FACTS THAT MATTE R

1. A constitution is a written set oflaws and fundamenta l principles to develop a relationship
between the people and the government which comprises a number of articles about the
state.
2. We need a constitution :
(a) To provide a set of basic rules to allow minimal coordination amongst the members
of a society.
(b) To specify how the government would be constituted and who has power to make
decisions in the society.
(c) To lay some limitations on government' s power by guaranteein g rights to the citizens.
(d) To enable the government to fulfill aspirations of a society and create conditions for
a just society.
(e) To express the fundamenta l identity of people.
3. The Constitution of India was framed by the Constituent Assembly in 1946 under the
Cabinet Mission Plan.
4. The Constituent Assembly spent 2 years 11 months and 18 days to prepare the constitution
to be adopted on November 26, 1949 and came into force on 26 January, 1950.
5. The Constitution of India is the Supreme Law to be accepted and respected by all the
citizens as well as institutions of the country.
6. The Constitution of India is a blend offlexibility and rigidity as it is federal in form but
unitary in spirit.
7. The main federal features of the Indian Constitution are written and flexible constitution ,
distribution of powers between the centre and the states, supremacy of judiciary and
existence of bi-camera! legislature.
8. The framers of Indian Constitution have borrowed a number of provisions as per the
suitability of the nation from different countries, ih!b the British Constitution , the
Americ_a n Constitution , the Constitution of Canada, the Constitution of Ireland, the
French Constitution , etc. alongwith the Governmen t of India Act, 1935.

9
WORDS THAT MATTER
· 1'o announce publically oi tho Atarting of n law,
1. Promul ga tion · . , . .
. Deliberation: Considerations during tho frnmmg of Const1tutton.
2
s. Disparity: A lack of equality and similarity in n war that is not fair ,
4. Suppressed: To preven t to express the feelings of somoono.
5• Sects: Different groups within a community.
6 . Laws: A set of rules governing the admin istratio n of countr y to be enforced by political
authority.
7. Integration: A harmonious relatio n with the feelings of brotherhood.
s. Objective Resolution: Resolution to define aims of Assembly.

NCERT TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS SOLVED

Qt.' Which of these is not a function of the constitution?
(a) It gives a guaran tee of the rights of the citizen.
(b) It marks out different sphere s of power for different branch es of government.
(c) It ensures that good people come to power.
(d) It gives expression to some shared values.
Ans. (c) It ensures that good people come to power.
Q2. Which of the following is a good reason to conclude that the author ity of the
constitution
is higher than that of the parliam ent?
(a) The constitution was framed before the parliam ent came into being.
(b) The constit ution maker s were more emine nt leader s than the membe
rs of the
parliament.
(c) The constitution specifies how parliam ent is to be formed and what are its
powers.
(d) The constitution cannot be amended by the parliam ent.
Ans. (c) The constitution specifies how parliam ent is to be formed and what are
its powers.
Q3. State whethe r the following statem ents about a constitution are True
or False:
(a) Constitutions are written documents about formation and power of the governm
ent.
(b) Constitutions exist and are required only in democratic countries.
(c) Constitution is a legal document that does not deal with ideals and values.
(d) A constitution gives its citizens a new identity.
Ans. (a) False (b) False (c) False (d) True
Q4. State whether the following inferences about the making of the Indian Constit
ution are
Correct or Incorrect. Give reasons to suppor t your answer.
(a) The Consti tuent Assembly did not repres ent the Indian people since it
was not
elected by all citizens.
(b) Constitution making did not involve any major decision since there was a
general
consensus among the leaders at that time about its basic framework.
(c) There was l1·ttle ongma
· · hty · in the Constitution,
for much of 1·t was borrowed from
other countries.

- POLITICAL SCIENCE-XI - - - - - - - - -- - - -
--~
Ans. (a) It is incorrect to say that Constituent Assembly did not represent Indian people
because:
(i) Al th0 ugh the members of Constituent Assembly were not elected by Universal
suffrage, but there was a serious attempt to make the Assembly a representative
body.
(ii) The Co3:1stituent Assembly represented the members of all religions, social and
economic groups to accommodate all shades of opinion within it.
(iii) The Assembly had 26 members even from scheduled castes.
(b) It is correct to say because:
(i) Objective the Resolution containing principles was moved by Nehru in 1946
brought by the nationalist movement.
(ii) Constituent Assembly could not have functioned without any background
consensus on main principles.
(iii) Our constitution does not have only rules and procedures but a moral commitment
also to establish a government to fulfill the promises made to peoples.
(c) It is incorrect to say because:
(i) Though they borrowed a number of provisions from Constitutions of different
countries but it was not based upon slavish imitations.
(ii) Each provision before it was included, well considered by the members of
Constituent Assembly.
(iii) Long debates and discussions also took place to examine the suitability to the
conditions prevailing in India alongwith problems and aspirations of the people.
Q5. Give two examples each to support the following conclusions about the Indian Constitution:
(a) The Constitution was made by credible leaders who commanded people's respect.
(b) The Constitution has distributed power in such a way as to make it difficult to
subvert it.
(c) The Constitution is the locus of people's hopes and aspirations. z._
Ans. (a) The following two factors are responsible: 2..
(i) The members of Constituent Assembly were elected by indirect election by
the members of Provincial Legislative Assemblies to be established in 1935. 2.
Assembly reflected each of the communities~ rovinces, princely states through
an appropriate formula. Even 28 members belo ged to scheduled castes.
(ii) The members of Constituent Assembly went throug long debates and discussions
for 166 days spread over two years eleven months.
(b) The following two factors can be summed up for the same:
(i) Our Constitution has made institutional arrangements o overnment on the
basis of check and balance a~proach. If one of the institution ~ es beyond its
limitations, the other checks 1t. . ~
(ii) The procedure for amendments 1s well elaborated for different articles--o~ e
Constitution.
(c) The following factors are responsible for the same because: --------------- ----

(i) The Constitution has provided some Fundamental Rights alongwith protected
provisions,lilEbthe judiciary has powers to protect them.
(ii) The Constitution of India has incorporated some 'Directive Principles of State
Policy' which are not justiciable but a moral duty of government. The government

CONSTITUTION: WHY AND How? - -

 has also giv . me effects to the se in the for
en so . . m of fix ed mi nim um
.
formation of p anchay ati Raj Ins titu tio ns, em p1oy me nt gu ara nte e Wages
. h sch
mid-day me a1 sc hem es
,
etc . to d .
be the opes an asp ira tio ns .
of the peopleme and,
. . fi a country to hav e a cle ar dem e.
Q6• Why 1s 1t necessary or . h b arc ati on of pow ers and res pon s'b
in the const1·tu t·1011?. Wh at would hap pen m t ea sen ce of sueh a demarcati 1 1'lihes
.
. . on?
Ans. It 1s necessary for a country to hav e a cle ar dem arc ati on of powers ·
in the constitution because: an d res pon sib'l't•
. 1 1 1es
(a) To ensure tha t no single ins
titu tio n acq mr es monopoly of
(b) In case of tra nsg res sio ns, it power.
ma y be ~hecke~ _by one ~f the
(c) To specify who plays im po rta ins titu tio ns.
nt role m dec1s1on-making pow
(d) It shows how government wo ers.
uld be con sti tut ed.
(e) It lays down some limits on the
go ver nm ent an d citizens bo th
in nat ure which should no t to be which are fundamental
tre spa sse d by go ver nm ent an
(f) Th e Co nst itu tio n shows h?w d citizens.
~rg~ns of. go ver ~m ent are int
demarcation of powers of ms titu e~ ela ted alongwith a
t10 ns hk e leg isl atu re, execut
well as sta tut ory bodies, ilEb Ele ive and judiciary as
cti on Co mm iss ion of Ind ia, etc
(g) The judiciary ha s bee n given .
a specific place to dec lar e any
no t at par the provisions of Co law unconstitutional if
nst itu tio n.
In the absence of suc h a demarc
ation:
(a) The federal set up would get
str ain ed an d the re wo uld be cri
states. sis in centre as well as
(b) There would be a problem to
the cit ize ns an d law s will be
unfair. proved to be unjust and
Q7. Why is it necessary for a
con stit uti on to pla ce lim ita tio ns
constitution tha t gives no power on the rul ers ? Can there be a
at all to the citizens?
An s. It is necessary for a con
stit uti on to place lim ita tio ns on
the rul ers :
1. These un its are fun dam ent
al in the sen se tha t the rul ers
2. Citizens hav e bee n specified ma y no t tre spa ss them.
cer tai n fun dam ent al rig hts in
powers of rulers. Constitution to limit
3. Citizens hav e bee n gra nte d
some bas ic rig hts of lib ert ies
of speech and expressions, freedo also, ilEbright to freedom
m to form tra de un ion and ass
cannot be checked by the govern ociations, etc. which
ment.
4. Only dur ing the nat ion al em
ergency or in nat ion al int ere st,
wit hdr aw n du rin g some specifi the se rights may be
c periods.
5. It is necessary for a constituti
on to place lim ita tio ns on the
may tur n to be a dictator and ma rul ers otherwise they
y overlook the people's int ere st
and controls the rulers. constitution guards
No, the re can be no constitution
tha t gives no power to its people
(a) In a Constitutional monarchy :
, mo nar ch decides the powers
(b) In a dictatorship, the rul er is of people .
supposed to get the sup por t of peo
ilEbPakistan's General Mu sha rra ple to cling to the power,
f also conducted periodic refere
(c) In a democ~atic institutions/ ndum to hold power.
Constitution; the people are the
wh ere pu bh c ma nd ate is req uir rea l source of power
ed to ena ct the policies for rul
(d) Th ese can 't be a Constitutio ers.
n tha t gives no power at all to
for the welfare of the citizens the citizens. It is always
of the country.
- POLITICAL SC IEN CE -XI
 QS. 'o7Japan
Japanese ~onstitution was made when the US occupation army was still in control
after its defeat in the Second World War. The Japanese constitution could not
h~ve had any pr?vision that the US government did not like. Do you see any problem in
8
t wa~ of making the constitution? In which way was the Indian experience different
from this?
Ans. ~e Jap:311ese Constitution could not have had any provision that the US government
did no.t l~e, after the defeat of Japan in Second World War (1939-1945), due to fact that
Con s b~u.tio~ seeks to perform the functions and look after the interest of the rulers or
auth~nties m the country who has occupied it.
Bu~, ma ~emocratic country, a constitution expresses the fundamental identity of people
as m India.
Indian experience was different from the experience of Japan in the following manner:
l. The Indian Constitution was framed by the Constituent Assembly which was elected
to aspire India to be a society free of any sort of discrimination among people.
2. The framers of Indian Constitution worked for leading a life of social dignity and
social respect alongwith minimum material well-being and education to an individual.
3. Indian Constitution enabled the government to fulfill the aspirations of society, to
make it more better.
4. Indian Constitution has inculcated the federal spirit with the distribution of powers
between the different levels of government as well as bicameral legislatures and
independent judiciary have also been set up.
5. The Constituent Assembly framed Constitution after a long debates and discussions
to provide political, social and legal equalities to the people.
Q9. Rajat asked his teacher this question: "The constitution is a fifty year old and therefore
outdated book. No one took my consent for implementing it. It is written in such tough
language that I cannot understand it. Tell me why should I obey this document?" If you
were the teacher, how would you answer Rajat?
Ans. Had I been the teacher I would answer Rajat:
1. Indian Constitution is a blend of flexibility and rigidity. Hence, despite being fifty
years old, it is not outdated as it has been amended a number of times whenever
required to be modified from time to time.
2. The Constitution was framed by the Constituent Assembly of an elected
representatives from every section of society.
3. Though Constituent Assembly was dominated by Congress which occupied 82%
of the seats in Assembly, but it has representation from every class, religion and
communities, regions to accommodate all shades of opinion within it.
4. Though it is not possible to consult each and every individual in framing of
Constitution, hence, the provisions were made to elect representatives from every
section to reflect the people from all these.
QlO. In a discussion on the experience of the working of our Constitution, three speakers took
three different positions:
(a) Harbans: The Indian Constitution has succeeded in giving us a framework of
democratic government.
(b) Neha: The Constitution made solemn promises of ensuring liberty, equality and
fraternity. Since this has not happened, the Constitution has failed.
(c) Nazima: The Constitution has not failed us. We have failed the Constitution.
Do you agree with any of these positions? If yes, why? If not, what is your own
position?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CONSTITUTION: WHY AND How? -
 . d nversation of three people focused whether the working of OUr
In the above menti?ne co .
Ans. is fnutful or not. . .
onstitution
C . . Constitution is a document consisting the supreme and fundamenta l la
(a) (i) I ndi an t b t powers functions and structures of the governmen t · Ws
of coun ry a ou '
·t t· n also shows that how the organs of governmen .
t are interrelated With
(ii) Cons t 1 u 10 . . h
each other as well as the relationship between t e governmen t and its citizens
... ) I the Preamble of Constitutio n, India has b_e en declare_d A Sovereign, Sociali8t.
(iu d 1· ·
Sn ular Democratic Repub1·1c t o provi"d e socia1, econormc an po 1bcal justice t 0
'

a1;\he ~itizens alongwith introductio n of universal adult franchise also.

But in practice Indian democracy is suffering from various social and economic evils
which have proved a curse.
(b) (i) Equality and freedom of citizens is disturbed on th e basis of some unconstituti onal
activities.
(ii) Though the provisions for free and fair elections have been made even then
money and muscle power is prevailing everywhere .
(iii) Sometimes political leaders are found to belong to criminal background and some
play the politics of vote bank.
(iv) The judiciary has to interfere in tpe functioning of executive and legislatures.
(v) Various problems are still being faced by country, ilEb terrorism, naxalism,
communal riots, etc.
Hence, we agree with the position of Neha that the goals which were supposed to be
achieved through Constitution , has not still been achieved due to above mentioned facts,
so we can say that the Constitutio n has failed to fulfil the needs of the individuals.
(c) (i) We have failed the Constitutio n because we have not applied our sincere efforts
towards citizens' welfare properly.
(ii) Corruption has taken place in public and private sector both, this is not only
due to representat ives but the citizens are not vigilant and dutiful also.
(iii) The citizens are also supposed to be active in public affairs and to support other
citizens in the exercise of the rights and discharge of obligations.
(iv) The citizens should get themselves educated to curb social and economic
inequality to implement the Constitutio n.
Hence, it can be concluded that Constitutio n has not failed us but we have failed the
Constitution due to our negligence towards our rights and duties.

MORE QUESTI ONS SOLVED

I. VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIO NS [1 Mark]
Ql. What is Constitution ?
Ans. Constitution of a country is a written document which prescribes it to be a supreme law
0 ~ ~he country to d~ci~e the structure of the governmen t alongwith rights a~d duties of

citizens. The Constitution speaks of who would play a vital role in decision-ma king powers.
Q2. What are the features of Constitution ?
Ans. (i) It is the Supreme Law of Country.
(ii) It maintains a relationship between the governmen t and the citizens of country.
(iii) It constitutes the structure of the governmen t.
(iv) It tells who would play an important role in decision-ma king powers.

- - POLITICAL SCIENCE-X I - - - - - -- - - - -- - -- ---~

 ~ ~J ~ v·
Q3. What is the
~ Ans. India.is a
nature of India as per the Preamble of the Indian Constitution?
Sovereign, Secular, Socialist, Democratic and Republic state.GJ)
Q4. Mention
the function of Constitu tion which set some limits on our government but on
the other hand it favours the citizens.
Ans. ~h~ Constitu tion sets some limits on what a government can impose on its citizens. These
hmits are fundame ntal in the sense that government may never trespass them.

II. VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

[2 Marks)
Ql. What is the need and importance of a Constitution?
Ans. (i) The Constitu tion provides a framework within which a government has to work.
(ii) It minimis es the chances of disputes among the various organs of the governm ent
as it clearly defines their powers and functions separately.
(iii) It also controls the misuse of power by the government.
(iv) It safeguar ds the fundame ntal rights of the citizens.
Q2. What do you mean by 'Democratic' with special reference to India?
Ans. 1. Democratic denotes to choose democracy as a way of life and run the adminis tration
through democratic institutions like legislatures, executive, free and fair judiciary, etc.
2. 'Democratic' word in Preamble refers to social and economic democracy except political
democracy.
Q3. What do the political and economic justice stand for?
An
Q ,
Politica l Justice: Political justice refers to equal political rights to be enjoyed by all
the citizens of country where every citizen has right to elect the represen tatives as well
as the right to be elected as representatives.
Econom ic Justice: It refers to every citizen to get the equal opportunities to earn one's
livelihood as well as equal payment for equal work.
Q4. What is Preambl e to the Constitution?
Ans. Preambl e to the Constitution is an introductory part of Constitution which enables the
people to assess and evaluate the performance of government in the light of objectives
laid down into the Preamble.
Q5. Mention the four main features of Indian Constitution.
Ans. (i) It establish es a Sovereign, democratic republic in India.
(ii) It establish es India as a secular state.
(iii) It has provisions of fundame ntal rights as well as fundamental duties to the citizens
of India.
(iv) It establish es a parliame ntary form of government in India.
Q6. "India is a secular state". Justify the statemen t .
. Ans. (i) The word 'Secular ' was put in the Preambl e to Constitu tion through the 42nd
Amendment.
(ii) 'Secular' refers that the state has no religion of its own but shows due respect to
all
religions.
(iii) The state observes complete neutralit y in religious matters.
(iv) The 45th Amendm ent carries equal respect and recognition to all religions.
(v) N O discrimination in India has ever been made against any individual belonging to
different communities, religions, castes, etc.

CONSTIT UTION: WHY AND How? - -

 by the t erms li berty , equa lity and frate rnity in the p
Q7. Wha t do you un d ers tand
to Cons tituti on? reamb}
L .b rt It is state d in the Prea mble as a goa l that e
Ans. 1 t h e p eople shou ld have lib
e hy:t·expr essio n belie f and faith , ilEbt he s t a t e
thoug ' shou ld r emov e t he obsta cles ;rty of
indiv idual s to enjoy 'freed om of thou ght, expre ssion . b 1·
, e ie f , 1a
-" . h
it a n d wors h ip . ior the
E q ualit y: The Prea mble to the Cons tituti on a lway s emph asise s to remo ve a
·
of discr imin ation on the basis of sex, re 1·igion
·
, race, co1our, caste , etc. by makiny sort
ng the
provi sions :
(i) Artic le 14- Equa lity of Justi ce
(ii) Artic le 15-S ocia l equa lity
(iii) Artic le 16-E qual ity to achie ve a d mini strat ive
servi ces
(iv) Artic le 17-U ntou chab ility is r e move d (Soci
al inequ ality )
(v) Artic le 18-A ll the desig natio ns exce pt acad
emic and milit ary were finish ed.
Frat ernit y: Frate rnity refer s to brotherhoo d mean s equa
lity of all citize ns and thei
integ rity. Ever ybod y in socie ty shou ld b e provi ded with
the b asic right to food, housi n r
and cloth ing with out any discr imin at ion. E very citi zen
of the state is to be regar ded a!
the part of decis ion-m aking proce ss.
QS. Wha t is the main diffe rence betw een t he p ositio n of t h e head of state
in India and that
of the USA ?
Or
b bHow can you justi fy that India is a Repu blic?
Ans. India is a Repu blic beca use the head of the state
is t he Pres ident w ho is electe d by the
Elect oral Colle ge of the Parli amen t and the State Legi
slativ e Asse mbly for a fixed period
of five years .
The diffe rence betw een the posit ion of the Pres iden
t of India and t h e USA is that in
the USA , the Presi dent is the head of the presi denti
al form of democratic gover nmen t
(real head of execu tive) wher eas in India , Pres ident
is the h ead of t he parli amen tary
gov ernm ent, ilEbP rime Mini ster and his Ca bine t is real
execu tive and the Presi dent is
t he nomi nal head of the state .

IIL SHO RT ANS WER TYP E QUE STIO NS

[4 Marks]
1 Ql. What is a Constitution? How can we say t hat Constitution is a living document?
Ans 0, Cons tituti on is a writt en set of rules and r egula tions
t o run the gove rnme nt of a country.
\ / ~~ also defin es the posit ions of three organ s of the
Gove rnme nt, ih?bth e execu tive, the
/ legis latur e and the judic iary along with to main tain relat
ions betw een the Gove rnme nt
and the citize ns.
A Cons tituti on is a livin g docu ment becau se:
(i) It conta ins provi sions to resolve socio -econ
omic probl ems.
' . . (~~~)) TJodi~p'daal~ teat partth t~ provi sionts· of conds titutio
n, J,he
\ • 1,1,1, u ci m rpre a ions, execu 1Ve or ers, custo ms aa m endm entt startehme agrdoe~ th of a
1so supp or o
cons tituti on.
- (iv ) A Cons tituti on is capab le to adop t the
new con ditio ns as they arise .
Q2. Why shou ld we respe ct our Cons tit ution ?
Ans. We shou ld respe ct our Cons tituti on beca u se:
(i ) A Cons tituti on is a supre me and fund a m en
tal law of country.
49 POLI TICA L SCIE NCE -XI
 (ii) A Con stitution distributes the powers and functions among the three organs of
. . . government, i.e. the legislature, the executive and the judiciary.
(m) The Government of India is composed of principles laid down in a Constitution.
(iv) A Constitution maintains relations between the government and the citizens.
Q3. "India is a Sovereign, Democratic, Republic". Justify the statement.
Ans. India as a Sovereign State:
(i) India has attained a full status of independent statehood.
(ii) India is no longer under subjugation of any foreign power.
(iii) India is free to conduct her internal and external affairs as she deems desirable.
India as a Democratic State:
(i) The ultimate source of political and constitutional authority in India is vested with
the people.
(ii) Elections are held on regular intervals on the basis of adult franchise.
(iii) Equality is the basic principle of a democratic form of government.
(iv) Citizens of India enjoy the justifiable fundamental rights.
(v) Rule of Law is an essential feature of Indian Democratic State.
India as a Republic:
(i) The head of the state is the President of India.
(ii) He is elected by the electoral college of parliament and state assemblies after every
five years.
Q4. Indian Constitution contains some provisions for social justice. Exru;nine.
Ans. In India, social justice is lacking due to the fact that persons who enjoy greater wealth
and property, have power and others are deprived.
Provisions made in Indian Constitution to end social injustice in India:
(i) The Indian Constitution has declared the practice of untouchability, a punishable
offence.
(ii) The state will provide equal opportunities to all citizens of India.
(iii) No one can be discriminated from using public facilities on the ground of caste,
religion, language, etc.
(iv) India works on welfare state's philosophy to the welfare of people and upliftment of
weaker sections.
(v) Constitution has given special privileges to SCs, STs, OBCs and even to women and
minorities.
Q5. Write a note on Constituent Assembly.
Ans. (i) The Indian Constitution was made by Constituent Assembly.
(ii) It held its first sittings on 9 December 1946 and reassembled on 14 August 1947 by
the elected members of Provisional Legislative Assemblies through an election.
(iii) It was composed roughly along the lines suggested by Cabinet Mission and on 26
November 1949, 284 actual members appended their signature to the Constitution.
(iv) Constituent Assembly was made seriously a representative body in which the
representation from all section of society was made and accommodated all shades
of opinion.
(v) The Assembly took 166 days spread over two years, eleven months and eighteen
days to frame the Constitution finally adopted.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CONSTITUTION: WHY AND How?

F
<'J What is the philosophy of Indi an Constitu~ion
: Discuss. ~. ~ -
-~ (i) Fram ers of Con stitu tion exp~e~se
d thei r vision for a new society and polity.
(ii) Despite the differences of opinion the
. . fram ers reac hed a consensus to be r fl
in the Constitution . e ected
(iii) Indi an Constitution was atte mpt ed to
reac h a goal of building a new social ord
the basis of democracy, equality and justice.
(iv) It also projected fund ame ntal
er 0n
righ ts and civil libe rties of Indi an citizens alona
fund ame ntal duti.es an d directive
. prm . cip
. 1es of st a t e 1· ,.,•
po icy. t:,Hlth
(v) Indi an Con stitu tion is base d on libe
ral- wel fare -dem ocra tic society to be reflected
in the Preamble.
(vi) Thu s the philosophy of Con stitu
. . tion finds its expression in the Preamble of
Constitution. India
n
Jr IV. PASSAGE BASED QUESTIONS
. [5 Marks]
~ 1. Rea d the pass age (NCERT Textboo
k, pag e 18) give n below carefully and answ
questions that follow: er the

Que stio ns
1. Who was the Cha irm an of Drafting Com
mittee?
2. Wh at made the Con stitu ent Assembly of
Indi a unique?
3. How long the Constitution of Indi a took in
framing?
4. Who was the Cha irm an of the Con stitu ent
Assembly?
Ans wer s
1. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the Cha irm an
of the Drafting Committee.
2. Constituent Assembly ofln dia included the
members from all shades of opinion who did
not simply advance thei r inte rest but gave prin
cipled reasons to other members.
3. It took 2 years 18 months.
4. Dr. Rajendra Pras ad was the Cha irm an
of the Con stitu ent Assembly
2. Rea d the pass age (NCERT Textbook, pag
e 21) given below carefully and answer th
questions that follow: e

- POLITICAL SCI ENC ~-X I

Questions
1. Whose words have been referred to here?
·\ ~- What was the main new thing according to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar during the process of
. framing the Indian Constitution?
Answers
1. Here, the words of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar have been referred to.
2. According to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar the only new thing in the new Constitution framed so
late in the day are the variations made to remove the failures and accommodate it to the
needs of India.

V. LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS [6 Marks)

Ql. Write the Preamble to the Indian Constitution.
Ans. The Preamble: We, the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India
into a SOVEREIGN, SOCIALIST, SECULAR, DEMOCRATIC, REPUBLIC and to secure
to all its citizens: justice, social, economic and political, liberty of thought, expression,
belief, faith and worship.
Equality of status and of opportunity, and to promote among them all:
Fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the nation.
In our Constituent Assembly, this twenty-sixth day of November 1949, do hereby adopt,
enact and give to ourselves this Constitution.
Q2. What was 'Objectives Resolution'? Explain.
Ans. The best summary of the principles that the nationalist movement brought to the
Constituent Assembly is the Objectives Resolution that defines the aims of the Assembly,
moved by Nehru in 1946. It encapsulatecl the aspirations and values behind the
Constitution:
(i ) India is an independent, sovereign, republic;
(ii ) India shall be a Union of erstwhile British Indian territories, Indian States and
other parts outside British India and Indian States as are willing to be a part of
the Union.
(iii ) Territories forming the Union shall be autonomous units and exercise all powers
and functions of the Government and administration, except those assigned to or
vested in the Union;
(iv ) All people of India shall be guaranteed and secured social, economic and political
justice. Equality of status and opportunities and equality before law and fundamental-
freedom of speech, expression, belief, faith, worship, association and action-subject
to law and public morality.
(v ) The minorities, backward and tribal areas, depressed and other backward classes
shall be provided adequate safeguards.
(vi ) The land would make full and willing contribution to the promotion of world peace
and welfare of mankind;
(vii) All powers and authority of sovereign and independent India and its constitution
shall flow from the people;
(viii ) The territorial integrity of the Republic and its sovereign rights on land, sea and
air shall be maintained according to justice and law of civilized nations.

CONSTITUTION: WHY AND How? -

 Q3. What are the unique features of Indian Constitut ion?
Ans. The unique features of Indian Constitut ion are as follows:
(i) Indian Constitut ion is written set of rules and regulatio ns and it is the .
1
Constitut ion in the world containin g 395 articles, 12 schedules and a hoo::rhie st
than 250 pages. Inore
(ii) Indian Constitut ion has ~rov~ded ~o ~ndian citizens _fundame ntal rights an
establish a welfare state, directive pnnc1ples of state pohcy have also been genera~to
(iii) By the 42nd Amendm ent in 1976, some (ten) fundame ntal duties have als b d.
added up in the Constitut ion. 0
een
(iv) Indian Constitut ion is federal in structure but unitary in spirit.
(v) The Indian Constitut ion is a blend of flexibility and rigidity, i.e. some of the Arf
in Constitut ion can be amended by simple-m ajority but some require 2/3 ma· ic_es 1
of the parliame nt and voting in each house as well as to be ratified by at leas! ~ 0

of the state legislatur es. f

Q4. Mention the sources of Indian Constitut ion alongwith the feature taken from these
sources.
Ans. (i) The Governm ent of India Act, 1935:
About two thirds of Indian Constitut ion is derived from the Governm ent of India
Act, 1935-
(a) Provincia l autonomy
(b) Parliame ntary system
(c) Federal court
(d) Federal system
(ii) British Constitu tion:
(a) Parliame ntary form of governme nt
(b) The idea of the rule of law
(c) Institutio n of the speaker and his role
(d) Law-mak ing procedure
(e) Single citizenshi p
(f) Single integrate d judiciary
(iii) United States Constitu tion:
(a) Charter of Fundame ntal Rights
(b) Power of judicial review and independ ence of the judiciary
(c) Preamble to Constitut ion
(iv) Irish Constitu tion:
(a) Provided for the guideline s to the state
(b) Included directive principles of state policy
(v) French Constitu tion:
(a) Principle s of liberty
(b) Principle s of equality and fraternity
(vi) Canadia n Constitu tion:
(a) A quasi-fed eral form of governme nt (a federal system with a strong central
governme nt).
(b) The idea of residual powers.

. .. POLITICA L SCIENCE -XI

tf
 (vii) German Constitution:
(a) Emergency provisions
(b) Indian President' .
s powers to impose external or internal emergencies.
VI. PICTURE-BASED QUESTIONS [5 Marks)
1. Read the cartoon (NCERT T xtb00k . ·
e , page 5) given below and answer the questions that follow:

Countries of the European Union tried to create a European

Constitution. The attempt failed. Here is a cartoonist's
impression of this attempt.

Question
1. Does this always happen in any constitution making?
Answer
1. No, this does not happen in all Constitution making if the representatives in Constituent
Assembly are elected either directly or indirectly from all sections of society, the attempt
of framing Constitution would be successful.

2. Read the cartoon (NCERT Textbook, page 7) given below and answer the questions that follow:

The Constitution makers have to address themselves to very different

aspirations. Here is Nehru trying to balance between different visions
and ideologies.

CONSTITUTION: WHY AND How? -

Questions
1. (i) Can you identify what these different groups stand for?
(ii) Who do you think prevailed in this balancing act?

Answers
1. (i) The cartoon refers to different religions, cultures, caste
s and regions having diffe
d d' l t· t
1·
· n ali sts an ra 1ca na 10na 1s s. rent
preferences, i.e. liberal natio
ted as nati
(ii)Both the songs 'Jana Gana Mana' and 'Vande Mataram' were accep
first is our natio n~ anthem and the secon ~ is our natio nal son /:1
heritage. The
diversitie8 f
the Indians show respect and smg both the songs. Despite so many 0
respect £
languages customs, cultures, festivals the whole country has the same or
.
national song and the tricolour. They balance the diversity of India
the questions that follow:
3. Read the cartoon (NCERT Textbook, page 9) given below and answer

The "".ri~ing ~f the new Iraqi constitution after ,the collapse of Saddam
in
Hussam s reglille saw a lot ?f conflict between different ethnic groups
the ~ountry. Wh~t do these ?•ffer~nt people stand for? Compa re the conflict
dep1cte~ here with that depicted m earlier cartoons for the European Union
and India.

Questions

1. ~~) What do these different people stand for?

(u,) Compare the conflict depicted h · . .
I d' ere wi th that depicted m earlie r cartoons for the
European Union and n ia.
Answ ers
1. (i) The cartoon refers to thr difli .
The above groups t d~efi er~nt ethmc groups in Iraq, i.e. Shiites, Sunnis, Kurdis.
· •
s an or their own phil osoph ies, .
(ii) (a) The Iraqi peopl
ideologies and interests.
e expect to frame a n ew c.onst itutio
· · n and to be accepted bYall
ethnic groups of Iraq.
(b)In the European Union th tt
attempt got success. e a empt of the people failed but in India, the same

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4. Read the cartoon (NCERT Textbook, page 14) given below and answer the questions that follow:

Questions
1. (i) Why does the cartoonist describe the new Iraqi Constitution as the castle of cards?
(ii) Would this description apply to the Indian Constitution?

Answers
1. (i) Because it is being prepared by pro-US. The people as well as the Constituent
Assembly of Iraq is not representing the all ethnic groups of the country. Hence, the
Constitution is imposed and will be scattered as a castle of cards.
(ii) This description does not apply to Indian Constitution because:
(a) Indian Constitution is not imposed on Indians, but it was framed from among
different shades of opinion after a long discussions and debates.
(b) It was adopted by people wilfully.
(c) It is a living document to be amended from time to time at par aspirations of
people.
000

CONSTITUTIO N: WHY AND How? 49