The Indian Constitution

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Topics In Chapter

Need of Constitution in a country
Key Features of Indian Constitution

→ Introduction

→ Various Key Features of Indian Constitution

Fundamental Rights

Why Does a Country Need a Constitution?

A Constitution helps serve as a set of rules and principles that all persons in a country can agree upon as the basis of the way in which they want the country to be governed.
The constitution also defines the nature of a country’s political system.

For example , Nepal’s earlier Constitution stated that the country was to be ruled by the King and his council of ministers.

The Constitution often lays down rules that guard against this misuse of power by our political leaders.

For example : In the Indian Constitution, many laws contained in the section on Fundamental Rights.

In a democracy, the Constitution also ensures that a dominant group does not use its power against other, less powerful people or groups.
The Constitution helps to protect us against certain decisions that we might take that could have an adverse effect on the larger principles that the country believes in.

For Example , it is possible that many people who live in a democracy might come to strongly feel that party politics has become so harsh that we need a strong dictator to set this right however, in the long run, dictatorial rule will be not fit.

Key Features of Indian Constitution

Introduction

The long experience of oppressive rule under the colonial state convinced Indians that free India should be a democracy in which everyone should be treated equally and be allowed to participate in government.
The Constituent Assembly was formed in 1946 which comprised of 300 members who met periodically for the next three years to write India’s Constitution.

→ Various things are kept in mind while drawing up Constitution as the country was made up of several different communities who spoke different languages, belonged to different religions, and had distinct cultures.

Various Key features of India Constitution

1. Federalism

It means existence of more than one level of government in the country. In India, there are three level of government - centre, state and Panchayati Raj. The Constitution defines the power of each government.

2. Parliamentary Form of Government

Constitution of India guarantees universal adult suffrage for all citizens means that the people of India have a direct role in electing their representatives. Also, every citizen of the country, irrespective of his/her social background, can also contest in elections.

3. Separation of Powers

According to the Constitution, there are three organs of the State - the legislature, the executive and the judiciary.

The legislature refers to our elected representatives.
The executive are group of people who are responsible for implementing laws and running the government.
The judiciary refers to the system of courts in this country.

→ Each organ check other acts as a check on the other organs of the State which ensures the balance of power between all three.

4. Fundamental Rights

These rights protect citizens against the arbitrary and absolute exercise of power by the State. These rights are given to individuals against the State as well as against other individuals.

→ The Constitution also guarantees the rights of minorities against the majority.

5. Secularism

A secular state is one in which the state does not officially promote any one religion as the state religion. India, officially do not have any religion.

Directive Principle Of State Policy

This section ensure greater social and economic reform. It serve as a guide to the independent Indian State to institute laws and policies that help reduce the poverty of the masses.

Fundamental Rights

1. Right To Equality

All persons are equal before the law. This means that all persons shall be equally protected by the laws of the country.

→ It also states that no citizen can be discriminated against on the basis of their religion, caste or sex.

2. Right to Freedom

This includes the right to freedom of speech and expression , the right to form associations , the right to move freely and reside in any part of the country , and the right to practise any profession, occupation or business .

3. Right against Exploitation

The Constitution prohibits trafficking, forced labour, and children working under 14 years of age .

4. Right to Freedom of Religion

Every person has the right to practise, profess and propagate the religion of their choice.

5. Cultural and Educational Rights

The Constitution states that all minorities, religious or linguistic , can set up their own educational institutions in order to preserve and develop their own culture.

6. Right to Constitutional Remedies

This allows citizens to move to the court if they believe that any of their Fundamental Rights have been violated by the State .

MCQs

1. Right against exploitation does not include which prohibition?

(a) Prohibition of trafficking

(b) Prohibition of forced labor

(d) Prohibition of untouchability

► (d) Prohibition of untouchability

2. Who is the father of the Indian Constitution?

(a) Mahatma Gandhi

(b) Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

(d) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

► (d) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

3. Panchayati Raj is the tier of which government?

(a) First

(b) Second

(d) Fourth

► (c) Third

4. When did our Constitution was adopted and was enforced?

(a) 26 January, 1950

(b) 15 August, 1947

(d) 26 November, 1949

► (a) 26 January, 1950

5. Which court issue the Writs?

(a) District Courts

(b) Panchayats

(d) Supreme Court/High Courts

► (d) Supreme Court/High Courts

6. What implies all the citizens of a country are equal before law?

(a) Parliamentary rule

(b) Independence of the judiciary

(d) Fundamental rights

► (c) Right to equality

7. Which of the following includes in a parliamentary form of government?

(a) The Council of Ministers exercises all powers headed by the Prime Minister.

(b) The head of the State, President, enjoys real powers .

(d) Right to vote is limited.

► (a) The Council of Ministers exercises all powers headed by the Prime Minister.

8. What do you mean by Right to equality?

(a) Rich people are higher than poorer

(b) All are equal before law

(d) None of these

► (b) All are equal before law

9. What defines the introduction to our constitution?

(a) Preamble

(b) Sovereignty

(d) None of these

► (a) Preamble

10. What do you mean by secular state?

(a) Don’t have any official religion

(b) Don’t have any king

(d) None of these

► (a) Don’t have any official religion

11. What are the Fundamental Rights provided by the Constitution of India?

(a) Right to equality

(b) Right to freedom

(d) All of the above

► (d) All of the above

12. What is the name of the Kingship or rule of a king?

(a) Democracy

(b) Constitution

(d) None of these

► (c) Monarchy

13. Which defines the set of rules to govern country?

(a) Preamble

(b) Sovereignty

(d) None of these

► (c) Constitution

14. What is Sovereignty?

(a) Freedom to establish new country

(b) Freedom to govern oneself

(d) None of these

► (b) Freedom to govern oneself

15. What is the significance of the Preamble in the Indian Constitution?

(a) States the objectives of the president

(b) States the objectives of the election

(d) None of these

► (c) States the objectives of the Constitution

16. What do you mean by republican form of government?

(a) No king in republic

(b) No British in republic

(d) None of these

► (a) No king in republic

17. In which year the Fundamental duties were included in the Constitution?

(a) 1972

(b) 1976

(d) 1970

► (b) 1976

18. Define Preamble?

(a) Idol of lion

(b) Format of rules

(d) None of these

► (c) Introduction to our constitution