The Indian Constitution - Class 8 Civics - Extra Questions

What is a Constitution? What are its functions?

A Constitution of a country is a set of written rules that are accepted by all people living together in a country. Constitution is the supreme law that determines the relationship among people living in a territory and also the relationship between the people and government. A constitution performs several functions:

(i) It generates a decree of trust and coordination that is necessary for different kind of people to live together.
(ii) It species how the government will be constituted, who will have power to take 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.


Why does a democratic country need a Constitution?

A democratic country needs a Constitution because:
→ It lays out the important guidelines that govern decision making within the various societies of the country.
→ It lays down the ideals that form the basis of the kind of country that its citizens aspire to live in.
→ It serves as an asset of rules and principles as the basis by which the country has to be governed.
→ It provides rules to safeguard the interests of minorities and prevent any kind of domination by the majority on minorities.
→ It lays down rules that guard against the misuse of power by any politician leader.
→ It also provides rights to its citizens and protects their freedom.


How is the Constitution a significant document?

A Constitution does many things:
  • First, it generates a degree of trust and coordination that is necessary for different kind of people to live together;
  • Second, it specifies how the government will be constituted, who will have power to take which decisions;
  • Third, it lays down limits on the powers of the government and tells us what the rights of the citizens are;
  • Fourth, it expresses the aspirations of the people about creating a good society.


Class 8 Civics Extra Questions