Constitutional Design - Class 9 Civics - Extra Questions

List out the special features of the Constitution of India

Indian constitution is the lengthiest constitution in the world. Also, it is an elaborate document containing fundamental rights, directive principles of state policy, fundamental duties of the citizens, federal in nature, rigid as well as flexible document.


Why do we need a Constitution in a democracy ? Explain any four reasons.

Constitution is a set of principles or precedents by which a state is governed.
Need:
1. It specifies the nature of state, a citizen lives in.
2. It specifies the ideals that state upholds.
3. It spells utmost goals of a state.
4. It is a source of power with limitations for the government so as to avoid absolute power.
5. It specifies a set of guidelines which help in smooth functioning of various units of the government.


Define Constitution.

Constitution is a set of principles or precedents by which a state is governed. When they are compiled into a single document, it is called codified written constitution for e.g of India. As opposed to this, Britain's Constitution is  written in numerous fundamental Acts of a legislature, court cases or treaties.


Key FeatureSignificance
Federalism
Separation of Powers
Fundamental Rights
Parliamentary Form of Government
The column on the left lists some of the key features of the Indian Constitution. In the other column write two sentences, in your own words, on why you think this feature is important:

Key features:

  • Federalism:
  1. It means more than one level of government. India has a three-tier government.
  2. We need a three-tier structure of government because of the diverse religious and cultural composition of its citizens. A government alone at the center could not be effective for everyone. 
  • Separation of Powers:
  1. In order to prevent the misuse of powers by the elected representatives, the Constitution advocates separation of powers. Each branch of the government has its powers fixed by the Constitution.
  2. The Constitution ensures that a balance of power is maintained between the legislature, executive, and judiciary. 
  • Fundamental Rights:
  1. Fundamental rights guarantees the rights of individuals against the state as well as against other individuals.
  2.  It protects minority communities and guarantees rights against the majority.
  • Parliamentary Form of Government:
  1. In a parliamentary form of government, the Constitution guarantees universal adult franchise for all citizens.
  2. It simply means every adult citizen has the right to vote irrespective of their caste, education, status, race. The idea of the universal adult franchise is based on equality. 


Why is the Constitution necessary in democratic countries? Give two reasons. 

Constitution is a set of principles or precedents by which a state is governed. It is a set of rules and regulations which places the government's power in the hands of the citizens in a democratic setup. It is important as it protects individual freedom, and its fundamental principles that govern a country.


Read the following extract from a conduct book for married women, published inGod has made the female species delicate and fragile both physically and emotionally, pitiably incapable of self-defence. They are destined thus by God to remain in male protection of father, husband and son all their lives. Women should, therefore, not despair, but feel obliged that they can dedicate themselves to the service of men. Do you think the values expressed in this para reflected the values underlying our constitution? Or does this go against the constitutional values?

The values expressed in the above paragraph is in dissonance with the values expressed in our Constitution regarding gender discrimination. Article 39 (d) of the Directive  Principles of State Policy provides for 'equal pay for equal work' which underscores the value of gender equality in workplaces. Moreover, Articles 14 to 18 spell out the Fundamental Right of every citizen to equality. Pursuant to both the Directive Principles of State Policy and Fundamental Rights, the Government of India has initiated many schemes and laws to protect and empower women from discrimination. 


A friend from Nepal has written you a letter describing the political situation there. Many political parties are opposing the rule of the king. Some of them say that the existing constitution given by the monarch can be amended to allow more powers to elected representatives. Others are demanding a new Constituent Assembly to write a republican constitution. Reply to your friend giving your opinions on the subject.

In my opinion second option is best. Making small amendments does not shift whole power in hands of representatives. This does not make total responsibility on elected representatives what will happen in next years. So, a new and well drafted constitution is right choice.


Class 9 Civics Extra Questions