Constitutional Design
Q 1 What is Constitution? Why do we need it?
Ans- A set of basic rules based on which the government has to rule the people is called
constitution. It is accepted by all the people living together in a country. Constitution is the
supreme law that determines the relationship among the people in a country and also the
relationship between the people and the government.
We need a constitution for the following reasons: -
a) It generates a degree of trust and coordination that is necessary for different kinds of
people to live together.
b) It specifies how the government will be constituted, who will have the power to take
which decisions.
c) It lays down limits on the powers of the Govt and tells us what the rights of the citizens
are. d) It expresses aspirations of the people about creating a good society.
Q 2 What is meant by Constitutional amendments?
Ans –Constitution is not a sacred, static and unalterable law. The Constitution makers have
made provisions to incorporate the changes from time to time according to the aspirations
and needs or changes of the society. These changes are called Constitutional amendments.
Q 3. What are the guiding values and ideals based on which our constitution is made?
Ans-India is a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic country.
Sovereign: - People have the supreme right to make decisions on internal as well as external
matters.
Socialist:-Wealth is generated socially and should be shared equally by society. Govt should
regulate the ownership of land and industry to reduce socio-economic inequalities.
Secular: - Government treats all religious beliefs and practices with equal respect. There is
no official religion for the country.
Democratic: - A form of Govt where people enjoy equal political rights, elect their rulers
and hold them accountable. The govt. is run according to some basic rules.
Republic: - The head of the state is an elected person and not a hereditary Position.
Apart from these the constitution also guarantees –
Justice: - Citizens cannot be discriminated on the grounds of caste, religion and gender.
Liberty: - of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship.
Equality: - All are equal before law. The government should ensure equal opportunity to all.
Fraternity: - All of us should behave as if we are members of the same family.
Q 4 What is apartheid?
Ans:-Apartheid was the name of system of social discrimination unique to South Africa. The
white Europeans imposed this system on South Africa. But unlike India, a large number of
whites had settled in South Africa and became the local rulers. The system of apartheid
divided the people and labelled them on the basis of their skin colour. The native people of
South Africa were called Blacks. Besides these two groups, there were people of mixed races
called coloureds and migrated Indians. The white rulers treated all non-whites as inferior.
The nonwhites did not have voting rights. Blacks were forbidden from living in white areas.
The whites had separate churches, hospitals, beaches and even ambulances were separate
for them. They were segregated on the basis of skin colour.
Q 5 Who was Nelson Mandela?
Ans – Nelson Mandela was a great nationalist leader of South Africa who fought for the
freedom of his country. He was tried for treason by the white South African govt. He and
seven other leaders were sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964 for daring to oppose the
apartheid system in his country. He spent the next 38 years of his life in South Africa’s most
dreaded prison, Robben Island. When the country became free in 1994, he became the first
president.
Q 6 What do you know about the working of constituent Assembly?
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 Ambedkar prepared a draft of constitution for discussion. Several rounds of thorough
discussion took place on the draft constitution, clause by clause. More than two thousand
amendments were considered. The members deliberated for 114 days spread over 3 years.
Every document presented and every word spoken in the constituent assembly has been
recorded and preserved. These debates provide the rationale behind every provision of the
constitution. These are used to interpret the meaning of the constitution.
Q 7 What are the features of Indian Constitution?
Ans – The features of Indian Constitution are:-
a) A written and lengthy constitution.
b) It is a combination of rigidity and flexibility.
c) It is a parliamentary form of govt.
d) It is a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, and Democratic Republic.
e) Federal system f) Fundamental rights and duties.
g) Directive Principles of state policy h) single citizenship
i) Universal adult franchise j) provision for emergency.
k) Independent judiciary l) Special provision for SC and ST
m) A constitution from many sources n) supremacy of the constitution.
Q 8 How was the constituent Assembly formed?
Ans – Elections to the constituent assembly were held in July 1946. Its first meeting was held
in December 1946. The constituent assembly was divided into Constituent assembly of India
and Pakistan after the partition. Indian constituent assembly had 299 members. The
constituent assembly represented the people of India. The assembly represented members
from different language groups, castes, classes, religions and occupations. It ensured a fair
geographical share of members from all regions of the country.