Class VIII (2022-23) CIVICS: Ch 1: The Indian Constitution- NOTES QI. What is a constitution? A Constitution is a written document comprising a set of basic rules according to which a country is governed. By limiting the government's own reach, a constitution guarantees certain rights to the people. Q2. Why does a democratic country need a constitution? a) Constitution of a country defines the rules that are applicable to all people living together ina country as it upholds the rights of a citizen. It tells what the government of the state will comprise of and who will have power to take decisions. It limits the powers of government of the state and keeps a check and balance on the powers of government. It specifies the relationship of the citizen with government and helps in maintaining law and order in society. b) o) d) Q3. “The constitution is regarded as the supreme law of the land and all state organs”. JUSTIFY the statement. a) The Parliament and State legislature must act within the limits and guidelines specified by the constitution as they owe their existence and powers to the constitution and therefore their every action must have its support in the constitution. b) All amendments to the Constitution are open to a Judicial review. The Constitution can declare any law or order of the parliament void if it finds them in conflict with the constitution of India. ©) Thus the constitution will remain supreme in spite of parliamentary privilege of amending the constitution. Q4. Why do we need laws in society? a) Laws are important for maintaining order and structure in society. They tell us what to do or what not to do. For example, school rules include that we must be punctual and regular to school and we must not damage the school property. b) The laws are framed and implemented to make sure that everyone is treated fairly, things don’t get out of control, and everyone has the same chance to lear, succeed or be safe. ©) Rules become laws when they are enforced by bodies of authority and a person is punished for breaking them. They serve as means of establishing a democratic society. QS. What is a Constituent Assembly and how was it formed? a) Constituent assembly was formed in 1946. The idea of making the Constituent Assembly was to frame the constitution of India hence elected representatives of various Page1of2 TERM 1 CIVICS: THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION Scanned with CamScannersections of the society to write a document of rules and laws and principles by which the country will be governed. b) It comprised of 299 members from all parts of the country. The members were represented from all walks of life and sections of society in India and was headed by DR. B. R. Ambedkar. 6, Indian Constitution framers incorporated the best features of several existing Constitutions, Elucidate. a) Yes, the constitution framers freely borrowed the good features of constitutions of different countries. They customized and the adopted features to their suitability in Indian conditions. b) Some of these features are: - i, The Fundamental Rights were adopted from the constitution of USA, tion of UK. iii, The directive principles of state policy were adopted from the constitution of Ireland, The parliamentary form of government was adopted from the con iv. The five-year plan and Fundamental Duties were adopted from the constitution of former USSR. 17, Explain the key features of the Indian Constitution, The key features of the Indian Constitution are; a) Federalism --- A system where powers of the government are divided between different levels, India has the three tier government in which Panchayati Raj is the basic and lowest level of government. State exercise powers on certain issues like (aw and order, rond taxes) Central government exercises power on subjects of national concern (railways, defence, etc.) Parliamentary Form of Government - In this type of government, people elect their representatives which make the government. Every citizen of India has the right to vote and elect their representatives, Separation of Powers-are the three organs of the state ~the legislature, the executive and the judiciary, Legislature is the group of elected representatives who make laws. The executive a smaller group of people who are responsible for implementing laws. Judiciary is responsible for maintaining law and order. Fundamental Rights - Our constitution provides all the citizens of India ‘Fundamental rights’. These rights protect citizens against the arbitrary and absolute exercise of power by the state, Secularism - To respect all religions and does not hold any particular religion supreme, all religions are given equal importance. b) ¢ d e Scanned with CamScannerCLASS Vill (2022-23) TERM 1 CHAPTER 1- THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION ASSIGNMENT (Answers) FILL IN THE BLANK: 1. The Indian Constitution came into force on—-26thUanuary1950 2. The Indian Constitution is a unique blend of-figidily and-flexibility 3. The Indian Constitution has -1448- articles. 4. British rule in India ended on 45! August 1947. N REWRITE THE CORRECT STATEMENT: 1. The declaration for achieving complete independence was adopted on 30" January 1931. .26"JANUARY....1930, 2. Fundamental rights are there to protect only the wealthy people. 3. The Indian constitution is the longest Constitution in the world written in english. 4. In Parliamentary form of government selected citizens have the right to vote and elect their representatives. we GIVE ONE WORD FOR THE FOLLOWING: 1. A state which does not hold any particular religion supreme-~SECULAR——-- 2. An organ of the government that makes laws-----LEGISLATURE-—--------—--. Scanned with CamScanner3. Asystem where the powers of the government are divided between different levels Select the correct answer: 1. Which of the following is NOT a function of the Constitution? a) It ensures that a dominant / majority group does not use its power against other, less powerful / minority people or group. b) It minimizes confusion and conflict between various organs of government. c) It strengthens the hands of rulers to rule according to their discretion. d) It lays down the limits of governmental authority. 2. Ina parliamentary form of government, real powers of the state are vested in the a) Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister b) President as he is official Head of State ©) Judge of the Supreme Court d) Vice president 3.In which of the following situations is the minister misusing his power: a) Refuses to sanction a project of his ministry for sound technical reasons. b) Threatens to send his security staff to rough up his neighbour. c) Calls at the police station asking them not to register a complaint which is likely to be filed against his relatives. Scanned with CamScannerce) 4. Which one of the followings insti the country? itutions can make changes to an existing law of a) The Supreme Court b) The President c) The Prime Minister d) The Parliament 5. Which one of the following is not a Fundamental Right? a) Right to Equality b) Right Against Exploitation ¢) Right to Property d) Right to Freedom of Religion ‘Answer the Following Questions: 1. Why is the constitution regarded as the Supreme Law? THE CONSTITUSION is regarded as supreme law of the land because any laws made by the state governtment which is violating any of the rules or provisions of the constitution will be considered void. 2. What would happen if there were no restriction on the power of elected representatives? | 3. Whatis a Constituent Assembly and how was it formed? 4, What are the 6 Fundamental Rights guaranteed to every Indian citizen? Scanned with CamScanneriii. Right against exploitation iv. Right to freedom of religion v. Right to Cultural expression and education vi. Right to Constitutional remedies Read the following Passage and answer the questions given below: Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was born on April 14, 1891 in Madhya Pradesh. He was the fourteenth child of his parents and belonged to the "untouchable" Mahar Caste. Despite the disadvantages of poverty, family responsibilities, and untouchable status, he acquired an advanced education. In 1912, he earned a B.A. degree from Elphinstone College at Bombay University and went on to be educated in the United States and Britain. He had a Ph. D. in economics from Columbia University and from the London School of Economics. Due to his influential role in the framing of the Indian Constitution, Dr B. R. Ambedkar is popularly known as the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. 1. Which social stigma did he face during his childhood? Untouchable status 2. Why is he popularly known as the chief of architect of Indian Constitution? For his influential role in framing of the Indian Constitution 3. Dr. Ambedkar was a multi-dimensional personality. Justify the statement. Yes he was a champion of human rights a multi dimensional personality a great thinker, a philosopher and at the top a devoted reformer. Tick the correct option: 4. He did his Ph.D. in economics from which universities? 1) Elphinstone College Bombay Scanned with CamScanner2) Columbia University 3) Government Law college Bombay 4) Columbia University and London School of Economics Scanned with CamScanner