CH.2 Constitutional Design STD Ix

CONSTITUTIONAL DESIGN Std : IX
**Q.1. In which way was the system of ‘apartheid’ oppressive?

Ans. The apartheid system was particularly oppressive for the blacks. They were forbidden from living
in white areas. They could work in white areas only if they had a permit. Trains, buses, taxis, hotels,
hospitals, schools and colleges, swimming pools, public toilets etc. were all separate for the whites and
blacks. They could not even visit the churches where the whites worshipped. Blacks could not form
associations or protest against the terrible treatment.
Q.2. What is meant by the term ‘Constitution’?

Ans. The constitution of a country is a set of written rules that are accepted by all people living in
that country. It is the supreme law that determines the relationship among the people living in a
territory (called citizens) and also the relationship between the people and government. It specifies
how the government will be constituted and who will have the power to take different decisions.
Q.3. Describe the advantages that Indians had when they participated in the legislatures which
were set up as a result of the elections of 1937.
Ans. Although the legislatures set up in India as a result of the elections of 1937 were not fully
democratic, the experience gained by Indians in the working of the legislative institutions proved to be
very useful for the country in setting up its own institutions and working with them.
Q.4. Give a description of the composition of the Constituent Assembly.
Ans. The Constituent Assembly was elected mainly by the members of the existing Provincial
Legislatures. This ensured a fair geographical share of members from all the regions of the country.
Congress, which was the dominant party in the Assembly, itself included a variety of political groups
and opinions. It represented members from different languages, castes, religions, classes and
occupations.
**Q.5 What is Constitutional Amendments? State its significance in a democratic country like
India.
Ans. Constitutional Amendments are changes in the constitution made by the Supreme Legislative
body in a country. The constitution of India is a very long and detailed document. Therefore, it needs to
be amended quite regularly to keep it updated.
Q.6. State the steps involved in the framing of Indian Constitution.

Ans. The drafting of the document called the constitution was made by an assembly of elected
representatives called the Constituent assembly Elections to the Constituent Assembly were
held in July 1946. Its first meeting was held in December 1946. It had 299 members. The assembly
adopted the constitution on 26 November 1949 and it came into force on 26 January, 1950.
Q.7. What does the Constitution effectively do that makes a country a democratic one?
Ans. A constitution does many things to make a country a democratic one:
(i) It generates a degree of trust and coordination that is necessary for different kind of people to live
together.
(ii) It specifies how the government will be constituted and who will have the power of taking which
decisions.
(iii) It lays down limits on the powers of the government and tells us what the rights of the citizens are.
(iv) It expresses the aspirations of the people about creating a good society.
**Q.8. Why did the makers of the Indian constitution have anxieties about the present and the
future of the country?
Ans. The makers of the Indian constitution had anxieties because making of the constitution for a
huge and diverse country like India was not an easy affair. The country was born through partition on
the basis of religious differences. At least ten lakh people were killed on both sides of the border in
partition related violence. Another problem was that 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 to remain independent.
Q.9. Describe how the Constituent Assembly worked to prepare the constitution for India.
Ans. The Constituent Assembly worked in a systematic, open and consensual manner. First, some
basic principles were decided and agreed upon. Then a Drafting Committee, chaired by
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar prepared a draft constitution for discussion. Several rounds of thorough discussion
took place, clause by clause. More than 2000 amendments were made. The members deliberated for
114 days spread over 3 years. Every document presented and every word spoken in the Constituent
Assembly was recorded and preserved. These are called ‘Constituent Assembly Debates’.
Q.10. In his speech ‘Tryst with Destiny’, Nehru said, ‘Freedom and power bring responsibility.'
Explain what he meant by this.
Ans. By saying that ‘Freedom and power bring responsibility’, Nehru meant that it is the responsibility
of Indians to not relax with ease after having got the freedom, but to constantly strive to fulfil the
pledges taken. He said that the service of India meant the service of the millions who suffered, it meant
the ebbing of poverty and ignorance and disease and inequality of opportunity.
**Q.11. Describe any three features of the Indian Constitution.

Ans. (i) It establishes a Sovereign, Democratic, Republic, of India (ii) It establishes a secular state in
India (iii) It provides Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties.
(i) The Constitution begins with a short statement called the preamble. Sovereign means people have
supreme right to make decisions on internal as well as external matter. No external power can dictate
the government of India. Democracy means a form of government where people enjoy equal political
rights, elect their rulers and hold them accountable. Republic means the head of the state is an elected
person and it is not a hereditary position.
(ii) Secular means citizens have complete freedom to follow any religion – Government treats all
religions, beliefs and practices with equal respect.
(iii) The Indian constitution provides justice – social, economic and political.
Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship.
Equality of status and opportunity.
Fraternity assuring dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the nation.
**Q.12. The Indian constitution is both rigid and flexible. Explain.

Ans. The Indian Constitution is neither wholly flexible nor wholly rigid. It is partly rigid and partly
flexible. It is not as flexible as the British constitution is, nor as rigid as the American constitution is.
Some of the articles of the constitution can be amended by a simple majority of the Parliament, e.g.
changing the names of states, altering the boundaries of states, matters relating to citizenship etc.
Some of the articles of the constitution can be amended by 2/3 majority of the members of the
Parliament, e.g. the election of the president of India. If any change in it is intended then it has to be
passed first by a majority of the total members of each house of the Parliament.
**Q.13. Define the following terms mentioned in the Preamble to the constitution of India.
(a) Sovereign (b) Socialist (c) Secular (d) Republic
Ans. Sovereign means people have supreme right to make decisions on internal and external
matters. No external power can dictate to the Government of India.
Socialist means that wealth is generated socially it should be shared equally by society.
Secular means that citizens have complete freedom to follow any religion but there is no official
religion.
Republic means the head of the State is an elected person and not a hereditary position.

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CONSTITUTIONAL DESIGN Std : IX

**Q.1. In which way was the system of ‘apartheid’ oppressive?

Q.2. What is meant by the term ‘Constitution’?

Q.6. State the steps involved in the framing of Indian Constitution.

**Q.11. Describe any three features of the Indian Constitution.

**Q.12. The Indian constitution is both rigid and flexible. Explain.

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