Framing of Constitution and its Features Class 9 GSEB Solutions Social Science Chapter 8

Gujarat Board Class 9 Social Science Framing of Constitution and its Features Textbook Questions and Answers

1. Answer the following Questions Briefly:

Question 1. Which ideals are stated in the Preamble of Indian Constitution?
Answer:
Following ideas are stated in the Preamble:

1. Sovereign
2. Socialist
3. Secular
4. Democratic
5. Republic
6. Justice
7. Liberty
8. Fraternity
9. Equality.

Question 2. What is Adult Suffrage?
Answer:
Any citizen who is above 18 years of age and above possesses right to vote in the election of Parliament, Legislative Assemblies or Local Self-Government Bodies, without any discrimination, and economic standard is Adult Suffrage.

Question 3. Indian Constitution is federal. Discuss.
Answer:

1. The Indian constitution has some federal characteristics. The dual system of the government i.e; Union Government and the state Governments.
2. The Constitution has clearly marked areas of functioning for both the kinds of governments and marked the clear division of powers i.e; Union List, State List and Concurrent List.
3. The key point of a federal constitution includes the compulsion of a written document as the constitution, rigid procedure of amendment, distribution of powers between state and centre and Supremacy of judiciary.
4. Thus, all the characteristics that have included in Indian constitution Hence, Indian Constitution is federal.

Question 4. State the characteristics of Parliamentary Government.
Answer:

1. India has a Parliamentary system of government.
2. In this system, the Parliament is supreme authority representing people.
3. The highest legislature of country which is at the Union level is called the Parliament.
4. The Parliament is bicameral which means it had two houses- the Upper House and
   the Lower House.
5. The Upper House is called the Rajya Sabha and the Lower House is known as the Lok Sabha.
6. As per the Constitution, the governance is carried out in the name of the President at the Union and the Governor in the States.
7. However, in really the actual administration at the Union level is carried by the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister and at the State level is carried out by the Council of Ministers and the Chief Minister of the State.
8. The Council of Ministers is responsible and answerable to the legislature formed of representatives of the people.
9. The Rajya Sabha consists of 250 members, out of which 12 are nominated by the President from the field of art, science literature, etc.
10. The Rajya Sabha is a permanent House and it cannot be completely dissolved. Members of the Rajya Sabha are selected for a term of six years out of which one- third members retire every two years.
11. Lok Sabha consists more members than the Rajya Sabha and is more powerful, superior and decisive.

Question 5. What is Unified Judicial System?
Answer:

1. A judicial system in which all the courts of a country follow one common court laws and procedures is called unified judicial system. India has a unified judicial system.
2. The Supreme Court of India is the highest court of our judicial system and hence, it is also called the Apex Court.
3. The Supreme Court regulates the High Courts at different states and also all other lower courts.
4. The Indian judiciary is independent of the Executive and Legislature and is also the defender and guardian of the Constitution.

Question 6. Explain the provisions for Constitutional Amendments.
Answer:
Constitutional provisions can be amended three ways-

1. Amendments can be made by a simple majority of members present and voting in the parliament.
2. Certain amendments require a special majority, that is g- (two-third) majority of members present and voting.
3. Concerning the Union-State relations, the special majority that is J- and the concurrence not less that 50% of state Legislature is required.

Question 7. Political equality is incomplete without social and economic equality. Why
Answer:

1. Political equality means that everyone is treated in the same way in the political sphere.
2. This means that every citizen is considered equal under the law, every citizen gets the right to vote, contest election and demand justice.
3. Unless all the citizens are treated equally irrespective of their caste, religion, economic status, education and gender, they cannot be considered as treated socially equal.
4. Moreover, every citizen should get equal opportunity to work and share the resources of the nation. This refers to economic equality.
5. Thus, we can say that political equality can only be attained only when a person is given social and economic equality too.

2. Explain the statements:

Question 1. Preamble is an extract of Indian Constitution.
Answer:

1. Preamble is the soul of the Indian Constitution.
2. It is the key to understand the Indian Constitution.
3. Preamble verbalize the fundamental objectives of the Constitution.
4. Aims, ideas and principles of the Preamble give a clear insight of the ‘Rule of Welfare’.
5. The ideals of justice, equality liberty fraternity, dignity of individual and unity and integrity of the nation are expressed in the Preamble.
6. Therefore, it is said that the Preamble is the extract of the Indian Constitution.

Question 2. Preamble is the key to understanding of the amendments of the Constitution.
Answer:

1. Preamble means introduction of our Constitution.
2. It is the core and important part of the Constitution.
3. It highlights the comment of the Constitution.
4. Whenever amendments are made to the Constitution they can be referred at the Preamble. Moreover based on the amendments made in the Constitution at times even the Preamble is amended.
5. For example, in 1976, the words ‘Socialist’, ‘Secular’, ‘Unity’ and ‘Integrity of the Nation’ were added to the Preamble.
6. Thus, Preamble is the key to understand of the amendments of the Constitution.

Question 3. Preamble serves as compass.

Answer:

1. Preamble means introduction.
2. There is an introduction or say Preamble at the beginning of our Constitution.
3. Preamble is the core and important part of Constitution.
4. The words written in the Preamble highlight the soul of the Constitution.
5. The Preamble consists of clear ideas about aims and ideals of the Constitution.
6. Therefore, it gives a clean insight of the ‘Rule of Welfare’.
7. It depicts the mind and objective of the Constitution makers.
8. Thus, by reading and studying the Preamble one can get a clear idea about the Constitution of India.
9. Hence, the Preamble serves as compass.

Question 4. Indian Constitution is the inclusion of federal unitary.
Answer:

1. The constitution of India has components of both federal and unitary constitution.
2. The unitary nature of the Indian constitution can be stated through various facts. The state governments are ruled by the central government when it comes to the derivation of powers.
3. The states do not have separate constitutions of their own.
4. The state governors are appointed by the President.
5. The union low prevails in case of conflicts. There exists a single judiciary system in India. The greatest power lies with the supreme court.
6. The Indian constitution also has federal characteristics. The dual system of the government and the division of powers is a federal characteristic.
7. Thus, Indian constitution is the inclusion of both federal and unitary, that makes it quasi federal. It has been done for a common goal of creating of fair governance.

Question 5. India is a secular country.
Answer:

1. India is a secular country. It can never become one particular religious country as per the provision of the Constitution.
2. India cannot involve any secular activity with religious activity.
3. The citizen of the country has a freedom to choose his/her religion.
4. The country cannot discriminate a citizen on religious basis.
5. Equal job opportunities and political rights to the citizens are given without any religious discrimination.

Question 6. India is a democratic republic country.
Answer:

1. In a democratic country, the power of country does not lie within a group of people but lies within the people i.e., entire population of the country.
2. Thus, democracy means by the people, for the people and of the people.
3. According to Indian Constitution, the ultimate sovereignty of power lies with its people.
4. People elect their desired candidate and that candidate runs the administration of India. This means that India is a republic country.
5. The country does not function as per the regime of any one particular person but it functions as per people.
6. Indian, administration is truly democratic i. e. irrespective of the social, economic or political status of a person, he is treated equal in the eyes of law.
7. Moreover, each citizen enjoys equal right of participation in the activities of the country.
8. In India the Constitution gives its people the power to cast their vote according to their free will and hence instill their belief in the Constitution.
9. Moreover, Parliamentary system, right to hold election, selection of members of assembly, independent and impartial justice and existence of the Election Commission are provisions which truly make our country a democratic and a republic country.

Question 7. India is a integral and indivisible federation.
Answer:

1. A federal system of government is a system in which several states form a unity but remain independent in internal affairs.
2. India is a Union of states. The word ‘Federal’ is actually not present anywhere in our Constitution. Thus, India calls itself ‘Union of States’.
3. India is a Union of States and no states have right to separate itself from the union. This means that the states of India are not divisible or separable from the country India.
4. Although, India is a Union of States, yet it has some elements of federal government too. For example, in Indian federation, there are two sets of governments – the Union Government and the States Governments.
5. Every state and union territory has their own will to accept a policy or not. Hence, India is also called a country with integral and indivisible federal structure.

Question 8. Constitution of India is the most extensive and detailed written document in the world.
Answer:

1. Members of the Assembly has discussed threadbare, each and every detail of its provisions keeping in concern the matters of Constitution of different countries.
2. In this Constitution there are 295 Articles and 8 Appendices after amendments with 395 Articles and 9 Appendices, the Constitution was framed.
3. The Constitution provides for citizenship, rights and duties of the people directive principles of the state polity, union- state relations, election and emergency provisions.
4. Thus, the Constitution of India is the most detailed and elaborated national document.

3. Explain the below-given terminology of words:

Question 1. Dual Citizenship:
Answer:
It is a person’s citizenship status, in which a person is concurrently regarded as a citizen of more than one state under the laws of those states. For example USA.

In India there is only single citizenship irrespective of any region or state of the country. Only citizens of Jammu and Kashmir have dual citizenship; one for India and another for the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Question 2. Parliamentary system:
Answer:
In a parliamentary system, the Parliament is a supreme authority representing people. The Legislature at the Union is the Parliament in India. It is a system of democratic governance of a state where the executive derives its democratic legitimacy from its ability to command the confidence of the legislature, typically a parliament, and is also held accountable to that Parliament. In a parliamentary system, the head of state is usually a person distinct from the head of government.

Question 3. Responsible Government
Answer:
It refers to a government that is responsible to the people. It is a parliamentary form of government, where the executive is responsible to the legislature for its policies and act. For example; the council of Minister in India is responsible to the Legislature for its policies and acts. Ultimately responsible to the people, because council of Ministers is responsible to lok sabha.

Question 4. Union List
Answer:
It is a list which include subject of national importance such as defense of the country, such as foreign affairs, banking etc. It is comprises of 100 subject (earlier 97 subjects)

Question 5. State List
Answer:
It contains subject of state and local importance. It contains 61 items or subjects (earlier 66 subjects) subjects like law and order, state government institutions, agriculture and irrigation, health, land, etc are included.

Question 6. Concurrent List:
Answer:
The constitition of India provides for a third list that is called the concurrent list. It contains 52 subjects eartier 47 subject that of common concern of both centre and state Governments. The centre and the state can pass the laws on these subjects. The list includes subjects like criminal and civil procedure, marriage and divorce, education, economic planning, trade union, etc.

Question 7. Residuary Power:
Answer:
The subjects which are not specifically alloted to Union or state are included in Residuary Power. The central government is given the power to legislate on these residuary subjects. The financial distribution of resources is done between Union Government and State Governments are included.

Question 8. Socilist:
Answer:
The constitution of India added the term socialist by 42nd Amendment, 1976. The principle of socialistic pattern directs social, economic and political equality for citizens as given in the Pareamble. It is regarded as a prime feature of the state.

Question 9.
Judicial Review:
Answer:
It is the chief characteristic of the constitution. Judicial review administers the working of Union and State within jurisdiction. Without disrespecting the powers of parliament, the constitution has made an effort to harmonize the principles of Judicial Review. Parliamentary amendments, external orders, ordinance or judicial judgment are given for judicial review.

Question 10. Democracy
Answer:
The word democracy is derived from Greek word ‘Demos’ means people and Kratos means power. It means people power. In other wood democracy is a system in which the government of a country is elected by the people. Democracy is such an arrangement in which there is equal justice for people to social, economical and political and having equal rights of participation.

4. Choose the correct option from the given below:

Question 1. When was the Indian constitution framework completed?
A. In the year 1948
B. In the year 1949
C. In the year 1950
D. In the year 1947
Answer:
B. In the year 1949

Question 2. How many subjects are there in Central List?
A. 66
B. 47
C. 97
D. 87
Answer:
C. 97

Question 3. How many Articles and Appendices are there in Indian Constitution?
A. 285-11
B. 395-9
C. 495-13
D. 345-8
Answer:
B. 395-9

Question 4. Who was the Chairman of Constitutional Framework Committee?
A. Kaniyalal Munshi
B. Rajendra Prasad
C. Shyama Prasad
D. Sardar Patel
Answer:
B. Rajendra Prasad

Question 5. When Indian Constitution came into existence?
A. 26th Nov, 1949
B. 26th Jan, 1950
C. 15th August, 1947
D. 9th Dec, 1946
Answer:
B. 26th Jan, 1950

Question 6. How many members were there in the formation of constitutional committee?
A. 389
B. 545
C. 250
D. 166
Answer:
A. 389

Question 7. India is a republic country because
A. It is a sovereign country
B. It is a democratic country
C. Prime Minister is elected for certain tenure
D. People have religious freedom
Answer:
B. It is a democratic country