1

CHAPTER
What is Democracy,
Why is Democracy

School Level

Introduction
What is Democracy?
The word ‘Democracy’ has been derived from the Greek word ‘Democratic’. ‘Demos’ means people and ‘Kratia’ means rule.
So, democracy is the rule by the people.
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between.
Common Features of Democratic Government and Non-democratic Government
(a) Democratic Government
(i) Government formed by people’s representatives.
(ii) Representatives elected by a free and fair election.
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open manner; debate in the media, invitation to experts’
opinion, representations by the common man form a part
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and policy.
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protest is within the boundaries of law.
(b) Non-democratic Government
(i) There are no free and fair elections.
(ii) There is no free press.
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Features of Democracy
(a) Major decisions by elected leaders
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(b) A Democracy must be based on a free and fair election
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democratic country”.
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under military or dictator’s rule. But still it cannot be called democratic country.”
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if they wish so. So, a democracy must be based on a free and fair election where those currently in power have a fair chance
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244 Class-IX POLITICAL SCIENCE PW

(c) One person, one vote, one value
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without any discrimination based on sex, color, race, caste or class. Each person can cast one vote. All votes are counted.
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one value.
(d) Rule of Law and respect for rights
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and make him less accountable.
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to protest and take other political actions.
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(e) A democratic government rules within limits set by constitutional law and citizens rights.
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Why Democracy?
(a) Arguments in support of democracy
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(iii) Democracy provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts.
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(b) Arguments against the democracy
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(ii) Democracy is all about political competition and power play. There is no scope for morality.

What is Democracy, Why is Democracy 245

 (iii) So many people have to be consulted in a democracy that leads to delays.
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(v) Democracy leads to corruption because it is based on electoral competition.
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Broader Meanings of Democracy?

(a) Representative form of government.
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the people.
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(b) Nominal democracy and ideal democracy
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representatives.
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why we value democracy.

Role That Citizens Play in A Democracy?

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Democracy a Government by Discussion and Persuasion

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It is a government by persuasion because
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 NCERT Exercise
1. Here is some information about four countries. Based
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democracy? Why?
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the people.
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4. Each of these statements contains a democratic and
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there is a lesser possibility of famine in a democratic
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and starvation.
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different parts of the country.
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these is not a democratic method?
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policies.
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water.
What is Democracy, Why is Democracy 247
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is an undemocratic method.
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rule the country.
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people. What we need is the rule of the wise, even
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country. Firstly, because they do not form a
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people. Secondarily, people will not be allowed
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of society would be unfair.
(c) Those who say that the country should be ruled
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Besides, many even do not have any experience in
administration. Thus, it is very necessary for them
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interfere in the political affairs of the country.
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democracy as a value? Why?
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where the parents tell them to.
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248 Class-IX POLITICAL SCIENCE PW
Ans. (a) The statement made is an undemocratic statement
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voice her opinion to choose her partner. As per our
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(b) The statement made is undemocratic as the student
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his doubts. The best the teacher can do is to ask
the student to ask his doubt at the end of the class
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(c) The statement made is a democratic statement
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company, the employees are always entitled to ask
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decide if you would call it a democracy. Give reasons
to support your decision
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education and health.
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country.
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demonstrations and nationwide strikes in the
country to oppose these policies. Government has
arrested these leaders.
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Ans. (a  7ZRLPSRUWDQWIHDWXUHVRIGHPRFUDF\DUHUHJXODU
elections and universal adult franchise.
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expenses at the cost of the people.
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(e) A very important part of democracy is the freedom
of the press. Therefore, the total control of media
 shows that there is no freedom of speech and
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country is democratic in some manners, it is also
undemocratic in some ways.
10. As poor sections participate less in politics, the
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about the concerns of business persons and the rich.
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Introduction:
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inclusive society. However, the stark reality in many
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correlation between poverty and political participation
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make their voices heard in the corridors of power.
This essay delves into the dynamics of democracy and
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The Disparity in Political Participation:
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impoverished sections of society. As the report
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in poverty-stricken areas, the implications of this
disparity are profound.
Examples of this political underrepresentation abound.
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and employment opportunities take a backseat
as politicians, driven by electoral considerations,
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constituencies.
The Influence of Economic Disparities:
Economic disparities exacerbate the problem,
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needed to actively participate in the democratic process,
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policies that address the root causes of poverty.
poor is pronounced, the political landscape is heavily
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cater to the interests of business persons and the
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sections of society.
The Role of Grassroots Movements:
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the impoverished and the political system. Examples
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movements can have on policy formulation.
Conclusion:
Democracy and poverty are intricately connected, and
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for comprehensive reforms in the political system. To
truly uphold the principles of democracy, efforts must
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What is Democracy, Why is Democracy 249
 Quick Recall

Fill in the Blanks 2. List-I List-II

1. )RU BBBBBBBBBB GHPRFUDFLHV ZHUH YHU\ SRODUL]HG P. Democracy (i) Able to handle social
division and conflicts
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between. 4 1RQGHPRFUDWLF (ii) +DYHKLJKHUUDWHRI
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3. ,QDGHPRFUDF\WKHILQDOGHFLVLRQPDNLQJSRZHUPXVW differences
rest with those elected by the __________. S. Democratic (iv) 3URPRWHVHTXDOLW\
4. The _________ has the power to appoint the President UHJLPHQ DPRQJFLWL]HQV
of the country in China. (a  3 L 4 LL 5 LLL 6 LY
5. ,Q 3DNLVWDQ WKRXJK SHRSOH KDYH IRUPDOO\ KDYH DQ (b  3 LY 4 LLL 5 LL 6 L
HOHFWHGSDUOLDPHQWDQGJRYHUQPHQWEXWWKHUHDOSRZHU (c  3 LL 4 LY 5 L 6 LLL
is with ________. (d  3 LLL 4 L 5 LY 6 LL

Match the Following 3. List-I List-II

P. ,QFOXVLYH (i) Protection of one section’s
1. List-I List-II Governance ULJKWVLVDFUXFLDODVSHFW
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civic education and (TXLW\ DOOFLWL]HQVLQGHFLVLRQ
awareness. PDNLQJDGGUHVVLQJWKH
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FLWL]HQVWRDFWLYHO\ R. 0LQRULW\ (iii) Democracies work
participate in civic life and 5LJKWV WRZDUGVUHGXFLQJ
public affairs. economic disparities
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distribution of resources.
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opportunity to express S. Social (iv) Policies in a democracy
their preferences and Welfare strive to enhance the overall
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S. Civic (iv) Protection of individual (a  3 L 4 LL 5 LLL 6 LY
Education IUHHGRPVDOORZVFLWL]HQV (b  3 LL 4 LLL 5 L 6 LY
to express opinions (c  3 LY 4 LLL 5 LL 6 L
DQGHQJDJHLQSHDFHIXO (d  3 LLL 4 L 5 LY 6 LL
protest.
(a  3 LY 4 LLL 5 LL 6 L Assertion & Reason Type Questions
(b  3 L 4 LL 5 LLL 6 LY
(c  3 LL 4 LLL 5 LY 6 L Direction: In the following questions, a statement of
(d  3 LLL 4 L 5 LL 6 LY Assertion (A) is followed by a statement of Reason (R).
Mark the correct choice.

250 Class-IX POLITICAL SCIENCE PW

(a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and
Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion
(A).
(b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and
Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of
Assertion (A).
(c) Assertion (A) is true but Reason (R) is false.
(d) Assertion (A) is false but Reason (R) is true.
1. Assertion (A): Democracy promotes political
HTXDOLW\
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dominates the political landscape.
2. Assertion (A): 3URWHFWLRQ RI LQGLYLGXDO ULJKWV LV D
crucial aspect of democracy.
Reason (R): Democracy establishes a system of
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3. Assertion (A): The peaceful transfer of power is vital
for stability in a democracy.
Reason (R): 5HJXODU HOHFWLRQV LQ D GHPRFUDWLF
system allow for the peaceful transition of leadership,
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1. :KLFKRIWKHIROORZLQJFRXQWULHVFRXOGEHWHUPHGDV
democracy?
(a) Chile, before and after Pinochet’s rule
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(c  *KDQDGXULQJWKHSHULRGRI1NUXPDK¶VJRYHUQPHQW
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2. Democracy comes from a ____________ word
‘Democratic’.
(a) French (b) Russian
(c) German (d) Greek
3. 'HPRFUDF\LVDIRUPRIJRYHUQPHQWLQZKLFKWKHUXOHUV
(a) are hereditary
(b) are chosen after a battle
(c) are elected by the people
(d) are not present
Statement Type Questions
Read the following statements and select the correct
options.
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct.
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are incorrect.
(c) Statement-I is correct & Statement-II is incorrect.
(d) Statement-I is incorrect & Statement-II is correct.
1. Statement-I: The fundamental idea behind democracy
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Statement-II: 3ROLWLFDO HTXDOLW\ HQVXUHV WKDW HYHU\
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2. Statement-I: Representation ensures that diverse
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Statement-II: Elected representatives reflect
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3. Statement-I: 'HPRFUDF\ GLVFRXUDJHV FLWL]HQV WR
actively participate in civic life and public affairs.
Statement-II: Protection of individual freedoms
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peaceful protest.
4. ,QDBBBBBBBBBBBBIRUPRIJRYHUQPHQWWKHUXOHUVDUH
not elected by the people.
(a) Presidential
(b) Parliamentarian
(c  0RQDUFK\
(d  1RQHRIWKHVH
5. ____________ is a device that ensures we shall be
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(a  0HFKDQLFDOVDZ b) Democracy
(c) Guillotine (d) Axe
6. ,Q3DNLVWDQ*HQHUDO3DUYH]0XVKDUUDIDFTXLUHGSRZHU
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(a) Referendum
(b) Election
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(d) Public opinion
What is Democracy, Why is Democracy 251
 7. A democracy must be based on a free and fair election
where those currently in power
(a  DUHJRLQJWRFRQWLQXH
(b) will always remain in power
(c  DUHQHYHUJRLQJWREHHOHFWHGDJDLQ
(d  KDYHDIDLUFKDQFHRIORVLQJ
8. ,Q D GHPRFUDF\ HDFK DGXOW FLWL]HQ PXVW KDYH
____________ and each vote must have ________
(a) One vote, one value (b  7ZRYRWHHTXDOYDOXH
(c) Three vote, one value (d  1RQHRIWKHVH
9. 2YHUWKH\HDUV3UHVLGHQW0XJDEHLQ=LPEDEZHKDV
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the powers of the president and make him less
accountable.
(a  3ULPH0LQLVWHU b) Government
(c) Constitution (d) Political Boundary
10. $GHPRFUDWLFJRYHUQPHQWUXOHVZLWKLQOLPLWVVHWE\
BBBBBBBBBBBBODZDQGFLWL]HQ¶VULJKWV
(a) Presidents (b) Dictators
(c) Constitutional (d) Peoples
11. &ULWLFVDUJXHWKDW'HPRFUDF\LVDOODERXWSROLWLFDO
competition and power play there is no scope for
____________.
(a) people’s welfare
(b  LQGLYLGXDOJDLQV
(c) independent candidates
(d) morality
Very Short Answer Type Questions
1. :KLFKVWDWHLQ,QGLDKDVDVKDSHVLPLODUWR&KLOH",Q
which continent is Chile situated?
2. 0HQWLRQ DQ\ WZR LQGLFDWRUV ZKLFK VKRZHG WKDW
DIWHUWKHPLOLWDU\FRXSRI6HSWHPEHU&KLOH
became a non- democratic country.
3. :K\GLGWKH/HQLQ6KLS\DUGZRUNHUVLQ*GDQVNJRRQ
strike?
4. :KDWUHDVRQVZRXOG\RXJLYHWRVD\WKDWVROLGDULW\ZDV
YHU\SRSXODULQ"
5. 1DPH DQ\ IRXU FRXQWULHV ZKHUH XQLYHUVDO DGXOW
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252 Class-IX POLITICAL SCIENCE PW
12. ,I&KLQDKDGBBBBBBBBBBBBWKHQVRPDQ\SHRSOHPD\
QRWKDYHGLHGGXULQJWKHIDPLQHRI
(a  0XOWLSDUW\HOHFWLRQV
(b) An opposition party
(c) An independent press
(d) All of the above
13. ,QDQ\VRFLHW\SHRSOHDUHERXQGWRKDYHGL൵HUHQFHV
of opinions and interests. These differences are
particularly sharp in a country like ours which has an
____________.
(a  'HPRFUDWLFDOO\HOHFWHGJRYHUQPHQW
(b  $PD]LQJVRFLDOGLYHUVLW\
(c) Enormous population
(d  $PD]LQJODQGIHDWXUHV
14. 'HPRFUDF\LVEHWWHUWKDQRWKHUIRUPVRIJRYHUQPHQW
because it allows us to
(a) do whatever we want
(b  VSRLORXUFXOWXUDOKHULWDJH
(c) correct our own mistakes
(d) earn enormous money
15. True democracy will come to our country only when
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(a) Ever (b) Early
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6. 0HQWLRQ WKUHH HYHQWV ZKLFK FRQWULEXWHG WR WKH
establishment of democracy in the world.
7. Why is it necessary for people to discuss politics
without fear?
8. :KRDFTXLUHGSRZHULQ3DNLVWDQDIWHUWKH0LOLWDU\FRXS
in October 1999?
9. What do you mean by a nominal democracy?
10. What is veto power? Do you think it promotes world
democracy?
Short Answer Type Questions
1. ³,Q3DNLVWDQSHRSOHHOHFWWKHLUUHSUHVHQWDWLYHVWRWKH
national and provincial assemblies but still it cannot
be called a democratic country.” Give reasons.
 2. ³6LQFHLWVLQGHSHQGHQFHLQ0H[LFRKDVKHOG
elections every six years to elect its president. The
country has never been under a military or dictator
rule. But still it cannot be called democratic country”.
Give reasons.
3. ([SODLQWKHPDMRUIHDWXUHVRIGHPRFUDF\
4. 'HPRFUDF\LPSURYHVWKHTXDOLW\RIGHFLVLRQPDNLQJ
Explain.
5. 'HPRFUDF\SURYLGHVDPHWKRGWRGHDOZLWKGL൵HUHQFHV
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6. µ'HPRFUDF\LVEHWWHUWKDQRWKHUIRUPVRIJRYHUQPHQW
because it allows us to correct its own mistakes’
Explain.
7. 'HPRFUDF\HQKDQFHVWKHGLJQLW\RIFLWL]HQs. Explain.
Long Answer Type Questions
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Order, the President can dismiss the national and provincial
assemblies. The work of the civilian cabinet is supervised
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to the national and provincial assemblies. So, Pakistan has
had elections, elected representatives have some powers.
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on malpractices and fraud?
2. :KDW ZDV WKH PRWLYH WRZDUGV LVVXLQJ D µ/HJDO
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3. What were the amendments made in the Constitution
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1. :K\FDQQRW=LPEDEZHEHFDOOHGDGHPRFUDWLFFRXQWU\" Image Based Type Questions

Give reasons.
1.
2. ([SODLQWKHPDMRUIHDWXUHVRI'HPRFUDF\
3. Can we call China a democratic country?
4. µ'HPRFUDF\SURYLGHVDPHWKRGWRGHDOZLWKGL൵HUHQFHV
DQGFRQÀLFWV¶([SODLQ
5. ([SODLQWKHPDMRUDUJXPHQWVDJDLQVWGHPRFUDF\
6. Why do we prefer ‘Democracy’ over any other form
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7. ([SODLQWKHPDMRUIHDWXUHVRI'HPRFUDWLFJRYHUQPHQW  :KLFK RI WKH IROORZLQJ RSWLRQ EHVW VLJQLILHV WKLV
8. :KDWUROHGRWKHFLWL]HQVSOD\LQDGHPRFUDF\" cartoon?
9. :K\LVGHPRFUDF\FDOOHGDJRYHUQPHQWE\GLVFXVVLRQ (a) Election in US (b  (OHFWLRQLQ,UDT
and persuasion? (c) Election in China (d  (OHFWLRQLQ=LPEDEZH
10. 'LVWLQJXLVKEHWZHHQDQRPLQDOGHPRFUDF\DQGDQLGHDO 2.
democracy.

Case-Based Type Questions

Case Study-I
Read the information below and answer the questions
that follow.
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What is Democracy, Why is Democracy 253

 Competitive Level

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254 Class-IX POLITICAL SCIENCE PW

 Explanations

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School Level
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democracy activists said that the referendum held in
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Pakistan to be ruled.

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1. (c)
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2. (b)
assemblies.
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11. (d) 12. (d) 13. (b) 14. (c) 15. (c) 6. (b) 7. (d) 8. (a) 9. (c) 10. (d)

What is Democracy, Why is Democracy 255

 2
CHAPTER
Constitutional Design

School Level

Democratic Constitution in South Africa

(a) Struggle against Apartheid:
Apartheid referred to the policy of discrimination on the basis of race as practised by the government of South Africa.
The main features of this policy were as follows:
 All people were classified and separated on the basis of race.
 Each group had to live in a separate area.
 There were separate schools and universities, separate shopping centres, and separate coaches in trains.
 Marriage between persons belonging to two races was a criminal offence.
 There were restrictions on movement from one place to another. Non-whites had no voting rights.
 They had no role in the governance of the country.
In short, the policy of apartheid denied human rights and rendered the government of South Africa as among the most
oppressive regimes in the world in the 20th century.
(b) The End of the Policy of Apartheid:
 In 1912 the African National Congress was formed which aimed at establishing a non-racial democratic South
Africa. The movement was intensified in the 1950s. In the 1960s, the African National Congress was banned.
 The African National Congress organized its own army to fight against the racial regime. The UN condemned
the policy of South Africa. In the 1980s some western countries imposed sanctions against South Africa.
 By the end of the 1980s the international isolation of the government of South Africa was complete. With it
began the process of ending the apartheid.
 The ban on the African National Congress was lifted and its leaders released. Negotiations began between the
African National Congress and South Africa government for framing a new constitution which would give all
South Africans the right to vote.
 In April 1994, elections were held in South Africa as per the new provisions.
 The African National Congress won with a thumping majority and formed a non-racial democratic government.
 Finally, at the midnight of 26 April 1994, the new national flag of the Republic of South Africa was unfurled
making the newly born democracy in the world.
(c) Towards a new Constitution:
 The party that had ruled through oppression and brutal killings and the party that led the freedom struggle sat
together to draw up a common constitution.
 One of the finest constitutions the world has ever had. It gave to its citizens the most extensive rights available
in any country.
  The Constitution makes it clear that in the search for a solution to the problems, nobody should be excluded,
no one should be treated as a demon, everybody should become part of the solution, whatever they might have
done or represented in the past.
 The South African constitution inspires democrats all over the world, a state denounced by the entire world
till 1994 as the most undemocratic one is now seen as a model of democracy.
(d) Nelson Mandela- Gandhi of South Africa:
 Nelson Mandela was one of the most able, efficient and far-sighted leaders of the African national Congress.
 It was under his leadership that the struggle against apartheid reached its climax. Due to participation in the
movement against apartheid he was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964. He spent the next 28 years in
Robben Island, the most dangerous prison in the country.

Key feature of the democratic constitution in South Africa include:

Bill of Rights Multi-Party Democracy Cultural and Linguistic Diversity

Separation of Power Constitutional Court

Why do we Need a Constitution?

A Constitution of a country is a set of written rules that are accepted by all people living together in a country. The Constitution
is the supreme law that determines the relationship among people living in a territory (called citizens) and also the relationship
between the people and government. A constitution does many things:

Foster trust and coordination among people.

Specifies how the government will be constituted.

Why do we need a
Constitution?

Lays down limits on the Power of the government and tell us what
the rights of the citizens are.

Express the aspirations of the people about creating a good society.

(i) First, it generates a degree of trust and coordination among the citizens of country.
(ii) Second, it specifies how the government will be constituted, who will have power to take which decisions;
(iii) Third, it lays down limits on the powers of the government.
(iv) Fourth, it expresses the aspirations of the people about creating a good society.

Constitutional Design 257

Making of Indian Constitution
The making of the constitution for a huge and diverse country like India was not an easy affair because the people of India
were emerging from the status of subjects to that of citizens. The country was born through a partition on the basis of
religious differences. At Least ten lakh people were killed on both sides of the border in partition related violence. When the
constitution was being written, the makers of the constitution had anxieties about the present and the future of the country.
(a) The path to constitution:
Our national movement was not merely a struggle against a foreign rule. It was also a struggle to rejuvenate our country and
to transform our society and politics.

Key Timeline of Constitutional Process

Cabinet mission came to India on 24th March, 1946

Formation of constitution Assembly

First meeting on 9th December 1946

13th December 1946 an objective resolution was moved by

Nehru in assembly. It became the preamble of the constitution.

Proposal for creation of committees is tabled on 14 August 1947

29th August 1947 Drafting committee is established.

9th December 1947 Constitution assemble resumes work

1948-1949 Constituent assembly meets in session open to the public.

26 November 1949 Constituent assembly adopts final drafts making is official

26 January 1950 constitution come in to effect.

258 Class-IX POLITICAL SCIENCE PW

(b) The Constituent Assembly:
The Constitution of India was framed by a Constituent Assembly set up under the Cabinet Mission Plan, 1946. The
assembly consisted of 389 members representing provinces (292), states (93), the chief commissioner provinces (3)
and Baluchistan (1).

™
First the constitution assembly was officially demanded by M.N Roy in 1934
™
15 women were there in constitution assembly

(Structure of Constitution Assembly)

389 (November 1946)

296 British India after 93 Princely states

1946 Election ‰One seat Per million
‰Nominated

292 Governor's 4 Chief Commissioner's Province

Province (Delhi, Coory, Ajmer, Baluchistan)

208 Congress 73 Muslim league 11 + 4 Independent

™
Mahatma Gandhi was not part of constitution assembly
™
Members of cabinet mission were
A.V. Alexander
Stafford Cripps
Pethick Lawrence

(c) Why should we accept the Constitution made by the Constituent Assembly more than 50 years ago?
(i) The Constitution does not reflect the views of its members alone. it expresses a broad consensus of its time.
(ii) The Constituent Assembly represented the people of India. There was no universal adult franchise at that
time. So the Constituent assembly could not have been chosen directly by all the people of India. It was
elected mainly by the members of the existing Provincial Legislatures. This ensured a fair geographical share
of members from all the regions of the country. The Assembly represented members from different language
groups, castes, classes, religions and occupations.

Constitutional Design 259

 (iii) The manner in which the Constituent Assembly worked gives sanctity to the Constitution. The Constituent
Assembly worked in a systematic, open and consensual manner. First some basic principles were decided
and agreed upon. Then a Drafting Committee chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar prepared a draft constitution
for discussion.
(d) Indian Constitution: A Living Document:
Those who drafted the Indian Constitution felt that it has to be in accordance with people’s aspirations and changes
in society. They did not see it as a static and unalterable law. So, they made provisions to incorporate changes
from time to time. These changes are called constitutional amendments. Till date 106 amendments have been made
in the constitution. The amendment procedure provided in the constitution follows. There are three categories of
amendments:
(i) In the first category, amendments can be done by a simple majority of members present and voting before sending
it for the President’s assent. (can not comes under article 368)
(ii) In the second category, amendments require a special majority. such an amendment can be passed by each house
of Parliament by the two-thirds majority of the members of the house present and voting and then sent to the
President for his assent. (Under article 368)
(iii) The third category, amendments, is really difficult to pass. Besides the special majority mentioned in the second
category, the same has to be approved by at least 50 percent of the state legislatures. (Under article 368)

™
Idea of Preamble was inspired by the constitution of America.

(e) Philosophy of the constitution:

The foundation for India’s democracy was inspired and guided by the values
of freedom struggle.
The values embedded in the preamble of the Indian constitution based on
objective resolution of Jawaharlal Nehru.
(i) We the people of India – The constitution has been enacted by the
people through their representatives and not enforced by any ruler i.e.
ultimate power is with people of India.
(ii) Sovereign – The supreme right to make decisions is vested on people and
no external power can dictate the government of India.
(iii) Socialist – It is a ideology which support a political or economy philosophy
that says society as whole rather than private companies should control
goods and service.
(iv) Secular – Citizens can follow any religion and the government treats all
religious beliefs and practices with identical respect. (article 25-28)
(v) Democratic – The government runs on some basic rules with people
enjoying equal political rights, electing their rulers and holding them
accountable.
(vi) Republic – The head of the state is not a hereditary position but an
elected representative.
(vii) Justice – The government cannot discriminate against citizens based on their caste, religion and gender or social
status and work for the welfare of all, mainly of the underprivileged groups.

260 Class-IX POLITICAL SCIENCE PW

 (viii) Liberty – There are no unreasonable restrictions on the citizens on the way they wish to follow up their thoughts
in action.
(ix) Equality – The government should respite social inequalities and ensure equal opportunity and law for all.
(Article 14-18)
(x) Fraternity – All citizens must be considered as a part of the same family and no one is inferior e.g. (single
citizenship in India)
Extra Point
Important committees in constitution assembly.
Committee Chairmen
1. Union Power committee J.L Nehru
2. Rules of Procedure committee Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
3. Provincial committee Sardar Patel
4. Steering committee Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
5. Drafting committee Dr. B.R Ambedkar.
6. States committee Jawaharlal Nehru

™
Member of Drafting committee were
Alladi krishna swami ayyar.
N. Gopalaswami
B.R. Ambedkar
K.M Munshi
Md. Saadulla
B.L Mittal
D.P Khaitan

Key Fact of Constitution Assembly

‰First meeting of assembly held on 9 December 1946.
‰Chairmen of assembly.
Temporary – Dr. Sachidanand sinha for two days because he was senior most member of assembly.
Permanent – Dr. Rajendra Prasad
‰Objective resolution presented by J.L Nehru on 13 December 1946.
‰Vice chairmain of constitution Assembly
H.C. Mukhergee
B.N rau
‰Elephant was taken as a symbol of constitution assembly due to its huge size.
‰Prem Behari Raizada was calligrapher.
‰Nandlal beautified constitution.

Constitutional Design 261

Key Fact about Indian Constitution
‰Neither printed nor typed: World's longest hand written constitution
‰Originally written in italics styles with calligraphy in both English and Hindi by Prem Behari Narain Raizada.
‰Each Page was decorated by artists of Shanti niketan.
‰Original handwritten copies are preserved in the special helium-filled case in library of Indian Parliament.
‰Chief Architect and father of Indian constitution is Dr. B.R Ambedkar
‰284 members actually signed the constitution.
‰Total days consumed to draft Indian constitution- 2 years 11 months 18 days.
‰Originally contained 395 articles; Presently over 448 articles estimated cost Rs. 6.3 crores.
‰Total amendments till date are 106.

Important personalities
‰Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel (1875-1950) born: Gujarat. Minister of Home, Information and Broadcasting in
the Interim Government. Lawyer and leader of Bardoli peasant satyagraha. Played a decisive role in the integration
of the Indian princely states. Later: Deputy Prime Minister.
‰Abul Kalam Azad (1888-1958) born: Saudi Arabia. Educationist, author and theologian; scholar of Arabic.
Congress leader, active in the national movement. Opposed Muslim separatist politics. Later: Education Minister
in the first union cabinet.
‰T.T.Krishnamachari (1899-1974) born: Tamil Nadu. Member, Drafting Committee. Entrepreneur and Congress
leader. Later: Finance Minister in the Union Cabinet.
‰Rajendra Prasad (1884-1963) born: Bihar. President of the Constituent Assembly. Lawyer, known for his role in
the Champaran satyagraha. Three times the president of Congress. Later: the first President of India.
‰Jaipal Singh (1903-1970) born: Jharkhand A sportsman and educationist. Captain of the first national Hockey
team. Founder President of Adivasi Maha Sabha. Later: founder of Jharkhand Party.
‰H. C. Mukherjee (1887-1956) born: Bengal. Vice-Chairman of the Constituent Assembly. Reputed author and
educationist. Congress leader. Member of All India Christian Council and Bengal Legislative Assembly. Later:
Governor of West Bengal.
‰G. Durgabai Deshmukh (1909-1981) born: Andhra Pradesh. Advocate and public activist for women’s
emancipation. Founder of Andhra Mahila Sabha. Congress leader. Later: Founder Chairperson of Central Social
Welfare Board.
‰Baldev Singh (1901-1961) born: Haryana. A successful entrepreneur and leader of the Panthic Akali Party in the Punjab
Assembly. A nominee of the Congress in the Constituent Assembly. Later: Defence Minister in the Union Cabinet.
‰Kanhaiyalal Maniklal Munshi (1887-1971) born: Gujarat. Advocate, historian and linguist. Congress leader and
Gandhian. Later: Minister in the Union Cabinet. Founder of the Swatantra Party.
‰Shyama Prasad Mukherjee (1901-1953) born: West Bengal. Minister for Industry and Supply in the Interim
Government. Educationist and lawyer. Active in Hindu Mahasabha. Later: Founder President of Bhartiya Jan
Sangh.
‰Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964) born: Uttar Pradesh. Prime Minister of the interim government. Lawyer and
Congress leader. Advocate of socialism, democracy and anti-imperialism. Later: First Prime Minister of India.
‰Sarojini Naidu (1879-1949) born: Andhra Pradesh. Poet, writer and political activist. Among the foremost women
leaders in the Congress. Later: Governor of Uttar Pradesh.
‰Somnath Lahiri (1901-1984) born: West Bengal. Writer and editor. Leader of the Communist Party of India.
Later: Member of West Bengal Legislative Assembly.

262 Class-IX POLITICAL SCIENCE PW

Glossary
‰Apartheid: The official policy of racial separation and ill treatment of blacks followed by the government of South
Africa between 1948 and 1989.
‰Constituent Assembly: An assembly of people’s representatives that writes a constitution for a country. Constitution:
Supreme law of a country, containing fundamental rules governing the politics and society in a country.
‰Constitutional amendment: A change in the constitution made by the supreme legislative body in a country.
‰Draft: A preliminary version of a legal document. Philosophy: The most fundamental principles underlying one’s
thoughts and actions.
‰Preamble: An introductory statement in a constitution which states the reasons and guiding values of the constitution.
‰Treason: The offence of attempting to overthrow the government of the state to which the offender owes allegiance.
‰Tryst: A meeting or meeting place that has been agreed upon.

Constitutional Design 263

 NCERT Exercise
1. Here are some false statements. Identify the mistake 4. Match the following leaders with their roles in the
in each case and rewrite these correctly based on what making of the Constitution:
you have read in this chapter. List-I List-II
(a) Leaders of the freedom movement had an open P. Motilal Nehru (i) President of the
mind about whether the country should be Constitution Assembly
democratic or not after independence. Q. B.R. (ii) Member of the
(b) Members of the Constituent Assembly of India Ambedkar Constituent Assembly
held the same views on all provisions of the R. Rajendra (iii) Chairman of the
Constitution. Prasad Drafting Committee
(c) A country that has a constitution must be a S. Sarojini Naidu (iv) Prepared a Constitution
democracy. for India in 1928
(d) Constitution cannot be amended because it is the (a) P-(ii), Q-(iv), R-(i), S-(iii)
supreme law of a country. (b) P-(iii), Q-(i), R-(ii), S-(iv)
Ans. (a) Leaders of the freedom movement had an open (c) P-(i), Q-(iv), R-(ii), S-(iii)
mind about the country being democratic after
(d) P-(iii), Q-(ii), R-(i), S-(iv)
independence.
(b) Members of the Constituent Assembly worked Ans. List-I List-II
in a systematic, open, and consensual manner to P. Motilal Nehru (iv) Prepared a Constitution
resolve differences among them for India in 1928
(c) It is not necessary that a country having a Q. B.R. (iii) Chairman of the
constitution must be a democracy. The constitution Ambedkar Drafting Committee
of a country can even make provisions for R. Rajendra (i) President of the
dictatorship or monarchy. Prasad Constitution Assembly
(d) A Constitution can be amended to keep up with the S. Sarojini Naidu (ii) Member of the
changes in aspirations of the society. It can also be Constituent Assembly
changed keeping in mind the social, political, and
5. Read again the extracts from Nehru's speech ‘Tryst
economic conditions of the country.
with Destiny’ and answer the following:
2. Which of these was the most salient underlying
(a) Why did Nehru use the expression “not wholly or
conflict in the making of a democratic constitution in
in full measure” in the first sentence?
South Africa?
(b) What pledge did he want the makers of the Indian
(a)Between South Africa and its neighbours
Constitution to take?
(b)Between men and women
(c) “The ambition of the greatest man of our generation
(c)Between the white majority and the black minority has been to wipe every tear from every eye”. Who
(d)Between the coloured minority and the black was he referring to?
majority Ans. (a) The expression ‘not wholly or in full measure’
Ans. (c) Between the white majority and the black minority in the first sentence was used by Nehru because
3. Which of these is a provision that a democratic he thought that the task they had undertaken
constitution does not have? was incomplete and it wasn’t possible to fulfil
the pledges all at once but would be gradually
(a) Powers of the head of the state fulfilled.
(b) Name of the head of the state (b) The pledge that he wanted the makers of the Indian
(c) Powers of the legislature Constitution to take was to dedicate their lives to
(d) Name of the country the service of India, Indians, and humanity at large.
Ans. (b) Name of the head of the state (c) He was referring to Mahatma Gandhi.

264 Class-IX POLITICAL SCIENCE PW

 6. Here are some of the guiding values of the royalty. UK has a Constitutional monarchy, but it
Constitution and their meaning. Rewrite them by can also afford it–centuries and centuries of colonial
matching them correctly. exploitation of other countries has its benefits!
List-I List-II However, in my opinion, for countries like India and
Nepal, a Republican government is best suited.
P. Sovereign (i) Government will not
favour any religion. By all means, the Constitution offered by your king
can hardly be called democratic! It hardly gives any
Q. Republic (ii) People have the supreme powers to your Parliament or the civilian government
right to make decisions. or so I’ve heard. Nevertheless, whatever I might
R. Fraternity (iii) Head of the state is an think as a foreigner, the people of Nepal will be the
elected person. best judge of your country’s political future. Let’s see
S. Secular (iv) People should live like what happens.
brothers and sisters. P.S. – I have heard the Maoists are making some inroads
in the rural heartland of Nepal? I don’t personally
Ans. List-I List-II support violence of any kind and am a believer in
P. Sovereign (ii) People have the supreme democracy. However, the Maoists intrigue me to no limit.
right to make decisions. What is their attitude towards India? What do they think
Q. Republic (iii) Head of the state is an about the Chinese? Do let me know what you think.
elected person. Your Friend,
R. Fraternity (iv) People should live like AGNI Thapa
brothers and sisters. 8. Here are different opinions about what made India a
S. Secular (i) Government will not democracy. How much importance would you give
favour any religion. to each of these factors?
(a) Democracy in India is a gift of the British rulers.
7. A friend from Nepal has written you a letter
We received training to work with representative
describing the political exercises situation there.
legislative institutions under British rule.
Many political parties are opposing the rule of the
(b) Freedom Struggle challenged the colonial
king. Some of them say that the existing constitution
exploitation and denial of different freedoms to
given by the monarch can be amended to allow
Indians. Free India could not be anything but
more powers to elected representatives. Others are
democratic.
demanding a new Constituent Assembly to write a
republican constitution. Reply to your friend giving (c) We were lucky to have leaders who had democratic
convictions. The denial of democracy in several
your opinions on the subject.
other newly independent countries shows the
Ans. Dear Atul Thapa, important role of these leaders.
I read your letter. These are exciting times indeed for Ans. (a) Though I would acknowledge many good
you! My country has been independent for almost things were learned from the British rulers and
sixty years, and we have already gone through the democracy being one of them, I wouldn’t say that
whole process of the establishment of democracy. democracy was a gift given by them. Indians had
Fortunately, it has survived on this soil as well. I just to struggle a lot and make many sacrifices to attain
hope the same happens in Nepal. freedom from British rule. These circumstances
I find myself hoping that the demand for a new helped people to gain experience and training in
Constituent Assembly would take root in Nepal. A the working of the legislative institutions.
republican constitution has its benefits you know! (b) Yes, Free India could not be anything but democratic
In countries like yours and mine, there is already too because the people had already suffered a lot under
much wastage in terms of government expenditure. British rule. This made them realise that for people
Unfortunately, such is the reality of our national to have a say in ruling the country, it was necessary
culture. In addition, if Nepal has a Constitutional to make India a democratic country.
Monarchy, a lot of money would have to be spent (c) It is indeed true that we were lucky to have leaders
on maintaining the high standards of living for the who had deep democratic values. It is because of

Constitutional Design 265

 these ideals that India’s freedom struggle can be
considered as the only example of a bloodless
freedom struggle in contemporary history.
Therefore, absence of such ideals has made many
countries undemocratic.
9. Read the following extract from a conduct book
for ‘married women’, published in 1912. ‘God 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 the 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?
Ans. The given paragraph does not reflect the underlying
value in our Constitution. It refers to the patriarchal
views and endorses the thought of inequality in
genders.
It goes against the constitutional values because in
the paragraph women are shown as inferior, unequal
as weak and fragile who should serve men. However,
the Constitution has provided equal rights to women.
They enjoy the right to vote, can take up any job, and
are paid equal wages for the same work.
10. Read the following statements about a constitution. Give
reasons why each of these is true or not true.
(a) The authority of the rules of the constitution is the
same as that of any other law.
Fill in the Blanks
1. In ____________ the African National Congress
was formed which aimed at establishing a non-racial
democratic South Africa.
2. Cabinet mission came to India on _____________.
3. __________ women were there in constitution
assembly.
4. Idea of Preamble was inspired by the constitution of
__________.
266 Class-IX POLITICAL SCIENCE PW
(b) Constitution lays down how different organs of
the government will be formed.
(c) Rights of citizens and limits on the power of the
government are laid down in the constitution.
(d) A constitution is about institutions, not about
values.
Ans. (a) Not true. An ordinary law is passed by the
Parliament and can be changed by it on its
own will. On the other hand, the rules of the
Constitution have greater authority and the
Parliament has to abide by them. For amending
these rules, a special procedure has to be adopted.
(b) True. The Constitution has laid down the
framework for government formation. It has put
in place the structure, power, and functions of the
three organs of the government, i.e., executive,
legislative, and the judiciary.
(c) True. The rights of the citizens are laid down in
the Constitution as fundamental rights, which are
enforceable by law. The powers and functions of
the government are divided into the executive,
legislative, and judiciary. It is done to keep each
organ under check by the other organs to ensure
the power functioning of the government.
(d) Not True. The Constitution is the supreme law
of the country. It lays down the composition
powers and functions of the various institutions
of government. The Constitution is guided by
values which are found in the form of Preamble.
Principles and values such as equality, liberty,
fraternity, brotherhood, secularism, and justice are
included in the Preamble of the Constitution.
5. The head of the state In India is an __________
representative.
Match the Following
1. List-I List-II
P. Princely states (i) 208
Q. Congress (ii) 73
R. Muslim League (iii) 4
S. Chief commissioner provinces (iv) 93
 (a) P-(v), Q-(i), R-(iv), S-(ii), T-(iii) (a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and
(b) P-(iv), Q-(i), R-(v), S-(ii), T-(iii) Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(c) P-(v), Q-(ii), R-(iv), S-(i), T-(iii) (b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and
(d) P-(iv), Q-(i), R-(v), S-(ii), T-(iii) Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of
Assertion (A).
2. List-I List-II
P. Union Power (i) Dr. B.R Ambedkar. (c) Assertion (A) is true but Reason (R) is false.
committee (d) Assertion (A) is false but Reason (R) is true.
Q. Rules of Procedure (ii) Sardar Patel 1. Assertion (A): The preamble of the Indian Constitution
committee reflects the ideals of justice, liberty, equality, and
R. Provincial (iii) Dr. Rajendra fraternity.
committee Prasad. Reason (R): These ideals are essential for a democratic
S. Drafting committee (iv) J.L Nehru and inclusive society.
(a) P-(i), Q-(iv), R-(iii), S-(ii) 2. Assertion (A): The process of constitutional design
(b) P-(ii), Q-(i), R-(iv), S-(iii) involves making choices about the values that a society
(c) P-(iv), Q-(i), R-(iv), S-(ii) considers important.
(d) P-(i), Q-(iv), R-(ii), S-(iii) Reason (R): The Constitution serves as a fundamental
List-I List-II law that sets the framework for government and
3.
protects the rights of individuals.
P. Sovereign (i) An ideology which support
a political or economy 3. Assertion (A): Federalism is an essential feature of
philosophy that says the Indian Constitution.
society as whole rather Reason (R): Federalism ensures a division of powers
than private companies between the central and state governments, promoting
should control goods and unity while preserving regional autonomy.
service.
Q. Socialist (ii) The head of the state is not Statement Type Questions
a hereditary position but
an elected representative. Read the following statements and select the correct
R. Democratic (iii) The supreme right to options.
make decisions is vested (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct.
on people and no external (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are incorrect.
power can dictate the
(c) Statement-I is correct & Statement-II is incorrect.
government of India.
(d) Statement-I is incorrect & Statement-II is correct.
S. Republic (iv) The government runs on
some basic rules with 1. Statement-I: The Constitution does not reflect the
people enjoying equal views of its members alone. It expresses a broad
political rights, electing consensus of its time.
their rulers and holding Statement-II: Originally constitution written in
them accountable. italics styles with calligraphy in both English and
(a) P-(i), Q-(ii), R-(iii), S-(iv) Hindi by Prem Behari Narain Raizada.
(b) P-(iv), Q-(iii), R-(ii), S-(i) 2. Statement-I: Chief Architect and father of Indian
(c) P-(iii), Q-(i), R-(iv), S-(ii) constitution is Dr. B.R Ambedkar.
(d) P-(ii), Q-(iv), R-(i), S-(iii) Statement-II: 286 members actually signed the
constitution.
Assertion & Reason Type Questions 3. Statement-I: Chief Architect and father of Indian
Direction: In the following questions, a statement of constitution is Dr. B.R Ambedkar.
Assertion (A) is followed by a statement of Reason (R). Statement-II: 286 members actually signed the
Mark the correct choice. constitution.

Constitutional Design 267

 1. Nelson Mandela and seven other leaders were
sentenced to life imprisonment in _________ for daring
to oppose the apartheid regime in his country.
(a) 1864 (b) 1764
(c) 1924 (d) 1964
2. Apartheid was the name of a system of _________
unique to South Africa.
(a) Economic discrimination
(b) Social discrimination
(c) Racial discrimination
(d) Political discrimination
3. Which Organisation played the role of the umbrella
Organisation that led the struggle against the policies
of segregation in S. Africa?
(a) Indian National Congress
(b) United National Organisation
(c) African National Congress
(d) None of the above
4. Finally at the midnight of _________, the new national
flag of the Republican of South Africa was unfurled
marking the newly born democracy in the world.
(a) 26 April 1964 (b) 26 April 1994
(c) 26 April 1984 (d) 26 April 1974
5. _________ is the supreme law that determines the
relationship among people living in a territory and
also the relationship between the people and the
government.
(a) Government (b) Common people
(c) Constitution (d) Democracy
Very Short Answer Type Questions
1. Name any four democratic countries of the world.
2. Which of the following countries is not a democracy
– Great Britain, Canada and Myanmar and why?
268 Class-IX POLITICAL SCIENCE PW
6. The Indian constitution adopted many institutional
details and procedures from colonial laws like the
_________.
(a) Rowlatt Act
(b) Morley – Minto reforms
(c) Montague – Chelmsford reforms
(d) Government of India Act 1935
7. The drafting of the document called the constitution
was done by an assembly of elected representatives
called the _________.
(a) Parliament (b) Drafting committee
(c) Lok Sabha (d) Constituent Assembly
8. Drafting committee of the constituent assembly was
chaired by:
(a) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
(b) J.L. Nehru
(c) Mahatma Gandhi
(d) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
9. Values that inspired and guided the Indian freedom
struggle and were in turn nurtured by it, formed the
foundation for India’s democracy. These values are
embedded in the _________ of the Indian constitution.
(a) 8th Schedule (b) Preamble
(c) Article 13 (d) Volume 09
10. Those who crafted the Indian constitution felt that
it has to be in accordance with people’s aspirations
and changes in society. So, they made provision to
incorporate changes from time to time. These changes
are called _________.
(a) Constitutional amendments
(b) Reforms
(c) Changes in the constitution
(d) Revival of the constitution
3. Mention any four limitations of democracy.
4. ‘In a democracy the majority of people rule through
their elected representatives.’ Give reasons.
5. In Pakistan people elect their representatives to the
national and provincial assemblies but still it cannot
be called a democratic country? Give reasons.
 6. When did Zimbabwe gain independence? Which party
has ruled since then and who is its leader?
7. What is the most common form of democracy in
today’s world and why?
Short Answer Type Questions
1. What is the constitution? Why is it important?
2. What is apartheid?
3. Who is Nelson Mandela?
4. What changes have been brought in the constitution
of South Africa after 1994?
5. “The South African Constitution inspires democracy
all over the world.” why?
6. With reference to the Indian Constitution answer the
following questions:
(i) When was it passed?
(ii) When was it enforced?
(iii) Why was this date chosen?
7. With reference to Constituent Assembly answer the
following questions:
(i) When was its election held?
(ii) Who was its President?
(iii) Who was appointed the Chairman of the Drafting
Committee?
(iv) When was the Constitution passed by the
Constitution Assembly?
8. What is the importance of Preamble?
9. ‘A Constitution is a living document’. Justify.
10. “The Constitution Assembly was the representative
body of the people of India”. Explain with examples.
11. “The working of the Constituent Assembly has given
sanctity to the Constitution”. Explain.
12. India is a “Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic,
Republic”. Justify.
Long Answer Type Questions
1. How did the Policy of Apartheid come to an end?
2. Outline in brief the background in which the
constitution of independent India was formulated.
3. State the different steps in the framing of India’s
Constitution.
4. Mention the events that influenced the members of the
Constituent Assembly.
5. What do you mean by constitutional amendment?
What is the procedure for constitutional amendment?
6. Why should we accept the Constitution made by the
Constituent Assembly more than 50 years ago?
7. Explain the major factors which contributed to the
making of our Constitution.
Case-Based Type Questions
Case Study-I
Read the information below and answer the questions
that follow.
A Constitution is not merely a statement of values and
philosophy. As we noted above, a constitution is mainly about
embodying these values into institutional arrangements.
Much of the document called Constitution of India is about
these arrangements. It is a very long and detailed document.
Therefore, it needs to be amended quite regularly to keep
it updated. Those who crafted the Indian Constitution felt
that it has to be in accordance with people’s aspirations and
changes in society. They did not see it as a sacred, static
and unalterable law. So, they made provisions to incorporate
changes from time to time. These changes are called
Constitutional amendments. The Constitution describes
the institutional arrangements in a very legal language. If
you read the Constitution for the first time, it can be quite
difficult to understand. Yet the basic institutional design is
not very difficult to understand.
1. What are constitutional amendments?
2. Mention the two major aspects in the working of
institutional design.
3. In what way institutional design puts limits to what
the government can do?
Case Study-II
Read the information below and answer the questions
that follow.
Finally, the manner in which the Constituent Assembly
worked gives sanctity to the Constitution. The Constituent
Assembly worked in a systematic, open and consensual
manner. First some basic principles were decided and
agreed upon. Then a Drafting Committee chaired by Dr.
B.R. Ambedkar prepared a draft constitution for discussion.
Several rounds of thorough discussion took place on the
Draft Constitution, clause by clause. More than two thousand
amendments were considered. The members deliberated for
Constitutional Design 269
114 days spread over three years. Every document presented
and every word spoken in the Constituent Assembly has
been recorded and preserved. These are called Constituent
Assembly Debates. When printed, these debates are 12 bulky
volumes! These debates provide the rationale behind every
provision of the Constitution. These are used to interpret the
meaning of the Constitution.
1. The Constitution of India was passed and adopted (a) He was temporary chairmen of the assembly
by the Constituent assembly which of the following
(b) He was the permanent chairmen of the assembly
days?
(c) He was the speaker of the assembly
(a) 24th January,1949
(d) He was the chief architect of the constitution
(b) 26th January, 1950 2.
(c) 26th November,1949
(d) 26th November ,1950
2. The member of the Constituent Assembly were
(a) Nominated by the Governor-General.
(b) Directly elected by the people.
(c) Nominated by the Congress.
(d) Elected by the Legislatures of various provinces
and nominated by the rulers of princely states. The man shown in Image is Dr B.R Ambedkar, of
which committee he was chairman?
(a) Union power committee
Image Based Type Questions
(b) Drafting committee
1. The man seen in the image is Dr Rajendra Prasad what (c) Provincial committee
position he held in constitutional assembly? (d) Fundamental right subcommittee.

Competitive Level

Competitive Corner
1. Regarding the system of Apartheid, consider the
following statements:
(i) Apartheid was the name of a system of racial
discrimination unique to South Africa.
(ii) Nelson Mandela, was tried for treason by the white
South African government for daring to oppose the
apartheid regime in his country.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) (i) only
(b) (ii) only
(c) Both (i) and (ii)
(d) Neither (i) nor (ii)
2. Which of the following are the features of constitution?
(i) It generates a degree of trust and coordination that
is necessary for different kind of people to live
together.
(ii) It does not specify how the government will be
constituted.
(iii) It is the supreme law that determines the
relationship among people living in a territory
(called citizens).
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) (i) and (ii) only (b) (ii) and (iii) only
(c) (i) and (iii) only (d) (i), (ii) and (iii)

270 Class-IX POLITICAL SCIENCE PW

3. Consider the following statements: 7. Consider the following pairs:
(i) In 1928, Motilal Nehru and other Congress leaders List-I List-II
drafted a constitution for India. P. Kanhaiyalal (i) Founder of the
(ii) In 1941, the resolution at the Karachi session Maniklal Swatantra Party
of the Indian National Congress dwelt on how Q. Bhimrao R (ii) Founder of Republican
independent India’s constitution should look like. Ambedkar Party of India
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? R. Shyama P (iii) Founder President of
Mukherjee Bhartiya Jan Sangh
(a) (i) only (b) (ii) only
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly
(c) Both (i) and (ii) (d) Neither (i) nor (ii)
matched?
4. With reference to making of the constitution, consider (a) (i) only (b) (i) and (ii) only
the following statements: (c) (ii) and (iii) only (d) (i), (ii) and (iii)
(i) The drafting of the document called the constitution 8. Regarding the Preamble Of the constitution, consider
was done by an assembly of elected representatives the following statements:
called the Constituent Assembly. (i) The Constitution begins with a short statement
of its basic values called the Preamble to the
(ii) The Assembly adopted the Constitution on 26
constitution.
November 1947 but it came into effect on 26 (ii) Preamble contains the philosophy on which the
January 1950. entire Constitution has been built.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (iii) Preamble provides a standard to examine and
evaluate any law and action of government, to find
(a) (i) only (b) (ii) only out whether it is good or bad.
(c) Both (i) and (ii) (d) Neither (i) nor (ii) Which of the statements given above are correct?
5. Regarding the constituent assembly, consider the (a) (i) only (b) (i) and (ii) only
following statements: (c) (ii) and (iii) only (d) (i), (ii) and (iii)
(i) Constituent Assembly represented the people of 9. Consider the following with reference to the meaning
India. of various terms which feature in Preamble to the
Indian constitution.
(ii) The Constituent Assembly was chosen directly by
(i) Term Socialist means wealth is generated socially
all the people of India.
and should be shared equally by society.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (ii) Term Secular means all of us should behave as if
(a) (i) only (b) (ii) only we are members of the same family.
(iii) Term Liberty means there are no unreasonable
(c) Both (i) and (ii) (d) Neither (i) nor (ii) restrictions on the citizens in what they think, how
6. Consider the following statements: they wish to express their thoughts.
(i) Mahatma Gandhi was a member of the Constituent Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) (i) and (ii) only (b) (ii) and (iii) only
Assembly.
(c) (i) and (iii) only (d) (i), (ii) and (iii)
(ii) He wrote a magazine called 'Young India'.
10. Which statement is not correct in the case of "Sovereign
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? India"?
(a) (i) only (a) India is not dependent on any country
(b) India is not a colony of any other country
(b) (ii) only
(c) India is obliged to obey the UN in its internal affairs
(c) Both (i) and (ii) (d) India can give any part of its country to any other
(d) Neither (i) nor (ii) country

Constitutional Design 271

 Explanations

time to time. These changes are called constitutional

School Level amendments.
2. The two major aspects in the working of institutional
design are:
Quick Recall
(i) It lays down the procedure for choosing persons
Fill in the Blanks to govern the country, i.e., about elections.
1. 1910 2. 24th March, 1946 (ii) It defines who will have much power to take the
3. 15 4. America decision, i.e., distribution of power among the
5. elected Legislature, Executive and Judiciary.
3. Institutional design puts limits to what the government
Match the Following can do by providing some rights to the citizen that
1. (a) 2. (b) 3. (c) cannot be violated and are called fundamental rights.
Case Study-II
Assertion & Reason Type Questions
1. (c)
1. (a) 2. (a) 3. (a)
2. (d)
Statement Type Questions
1. (a) 2. (c) 3. (a) Image-Based Type Questions
1. (b)
Multiple Choice Questions
2. (b)
1. (d) 2. (c) 3. (c) 4. (b) 5. (c)
6. (d) 7. (b) 8. (d) 9. (b) 10. (a)
Competitive Level
Case-Based Type Questions
Competitive Corner
Case Study-I
1. The makers of the Constitution made a provision 1. (c) 2. (c) 3. (a) 4. (a) 5. (a)
for making amendments to the Constitution from 6. (b) 7. (d) 8. (d) 9. (c) 10. (c)

272 Class-IX POLITICAL SCIENCE PW