M.E.

S INDIAN SCHOOL, DOHA - QATAR

Notes 2024- 2025

Section: Boys’& Girls’ Date: 25.04.2024

Class& Div. : VIII(All Divisions) Subject: Social Science

Lesson / Topic: Chapter 1: The Indian Constitution (Social and Political Life -III)
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I CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER:

1. The demand for the formation of a Constituent Assembly was made for the first time in
1934 by

a) Indian National Congress

b) Socialist Party

c) Bharatiya Janata Party

d) Aam Aadmi

2. It is not necessary that all countries that have a Constitution are

a) Republic

b) Democratic

c) Federal

d) Monarchy

3. What tells us about the fundamental nature of our society?

a) Constitution

b) Judiciary

c) Legislative

d) Executive

4. Who is responsible for implementing laws and running the government?

a) Judiciary

b) Legislature

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c) Executive

d) Supreme Court

5. The Freedom of Speech and Expression comes under which Fundamental Rights.

a) Right to Equality

b) Right to Freedom

c) Right Against Exploitation

d) Cultural and Educational Rights

II FILL IN THE BLANKS:

1. Dr.B.R. Ambedkar was the chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent
Assembly.

2. King Gyanendra took over as the head of government in February 2005 in Nepal.

3. In a Democracy we choose our leaders so that they can exercise power responsibly on our
behalf.

4. The Right to Constitutional Remedies is one of the Fundamental Rights guaranteed by the
Indian Constitution.

5. Ideal refers to a goal or principle in its most excellent or perfect form.

6. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar believed that his participation in the Constituent Assembly helped the
Scheduled Castes get some safeguards in the draft constitution.

7. Federalism refers to the existence of more than one level of government in the country.

8. Fundamental Rights protect citizens against the arbitrary and absolute exercise of power.

9. A Secular State is one in which the state does not officially promote any one religion as
the state religion.

10. Tyranny refers to the cruel and unjust use of power or authority.

III ANSWER THE FOLLOWING

1. Define the term constitution.

Ans:

➢ A constitution can be defined as a document outlining the basic laws or principles

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 by which a country is to be governed.

➢ It is an agreement on certain ideals that the citizens believe that their country
should uphold.

➢ It tells us what the fundamental nature of society is.

2. How does the Indian Constitution safeguard the minorities of the country?

Ans:

➢ The Indian Constitution ensures that the dominant group does not use its powers
against other, less powerful people or groups.

➢ The constitution contains certain rules that ensure that the minorities are not
excluded from anything that is routinely available to the majority.

➢ It also prevents the domination of the majority over the minority.

3. Why does a democratic country need a constitution?

Ans:

A democratic country needs a constitution because:

➢ A constitution puts down certain principles that form the basis of the kind of country
that we as citizens aspire to live in.

➢ A constitution tells us the fundamental nature of our society.

➢ A constitution helps us 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 defines the nature of a country’s political system by laying out
certain important guidelines that govern the decision-making process.

➢ The constitution prevents tyranny or domination by the majority over a minority.

4. What would happen if there were no restrictions on the power of elected

representatives?

Ans:

If there were no restrictions on the power of elected representatives then:

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 ➢ These leaders (representatives) might misuse their authority.

➢ This misuse of authority can result in gross injustice and mismanagement.

5. Explain the key features of the Indian Constitution.

Ans:

a) Federalism:

➢ This refers to the existence of more than one level of government in the country.

➢ In India, we have governments at the state level and at the center. Panchayati Raj is
the third tier of the government.

b) Parliamentary Form of Government:

➢ The Constitution of India guarantees universal adult suffrage for all citizens.

➢ The people of India have a direct role in electing their representatives.

➢ These representatives are accountable to the people.

➢ Also, every citizen of the country, irrespective of his/her social background, can also
contest in elections.

c) Separation of Powers:

➢ According to the Constitution, there are three organs of government.

➢ These are the legislature which makes laws, the executive which implements laws
and the judiciary which interprets the laws.

d) Fundamental Rights:

➢ Fundamental Rights protect citizens against the arbitrary and absolute exercise of
power by the State.

➢ The Constitution, thus, guarantees the rights of individuals against the State as well
as against other individuals.

e) Secularism:

➢ A secular state is one in which the state does not officially promote any one religion
as the state religion.

➢ It means to give respect to all religions.

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6. Enlist the Fundamental Rights enshrined in the constitution of India.

Ans:

➢ Right to Equality

➢ Right to Freedom

➢ Right against Exploitation

➢ Right to Freedom of Religion

➢ Cultural and Educational Rights

➢ Right to Constitutional Remedies

7. Describe Fundamental Rights.

The Fundamental Rights in the Indian constitution include:

➢ 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.

➢ Right to Freedom: This includes the right to freedom of speech and expression, the
right to move freely and reside in any part of the country and the right to practice any
profession, occupation or business.

➢ Right against Exploitation: The Constitution prohibits human trafficking, forced labor
and employment of children under 14 years of age.

➢ Right to Freedom of Religion: Religious freedom is provided to all citizens. Every

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

➢ 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.

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

***THE END***

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