Worksheet – 3
Year: 2016-17
Topic: Constitutional Design
Class: IX (A & B)
Subject: Political Science
NAME: ___________________________________
Date: __________________
Q A. Answer the following questions in one word or a sentence.
1. What is Apartheid? The racial discrimination followed in South Africa on the basis of
skin colour from 1948 to 1989 is known as Apartheid.
2. Who was Nelson Mandela? Nelson Mandela was a prominent leader of South Africa
who fought against apartheid and played a significant role in making Africa independent
from the rule of whites. He was also the first President of the Republic of South Africa.
3. For how many years Nelson Mandela was imprisoned and in which jail? Nelson Mandela
was imprisoned for 28 years in the most dreaded jail of Africa – the Robben island.
4. On what charge was Nelson Mandela imprisoned? treason
5. Both India as well as South Africa was colonized by Europeans. Mention a similarity and a
difference between two on the basis of the nature of colonialism. Similarity – both were
colonized to expand the trade of Europeans. Dissimilarity – Unlike India most of the
Europeans settled in South Africa and became the local rulers.
6. Name the organization that played a key role in attaining South Africa independence.
African National Congress
7. What do you mean by whites, blacks and coloured people in reference to South Africa?
Whites – the Europeans who settled in South Africa, Blacks – the natives of South Africa
and Coloured – the migrants from India.
8. When did South Africa become independent? At the midnight of 26th April 1994.
9. Why does the Constitution of South Africa inspire democrats all over the world? The
Constitution of South Africa inspires democrats all over the world South Africans believe
in the goodness and have faith on human beings.
10. What is a Constitution? A Constitution is a set of rules accepted by all of the members
of the organization. / It is a framework that defines fundamental principles, structures,
procedures, powers and duties of government institutions.
11. Name the assembly of the elected representatives which drafted the Indian Constitution.
Constituent Assembly
12. What was the Constituent Assembly?? An assembly of the elected representatives who
drafted the Constitution was known as the Constituent Assembly.
13. Who was the President of the Constituent Assembly? Dr. Rajendra Prasad
14. Who was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee? Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar
15. When was the drafting of Constitution started? Drafting of Constitution was started in
December 1946.
16. When was the drafting of Constitution completed? Drafting of Constitution got
completed in November 1948.
17. When was our Constitution adopted or passed by the Constituent Assembly? Our
Constitution was adopted or passed by the Constituent Assemblyon 26th November 1949.
18. When was our Constitution enforced or came into effect? Our Constitution was enforced
or came into effect on 26th January 1950.
19. How many members were there in the Constituent Assembly that wrote the Indian
Constitution? 299.
20. State the duration for the framing of the Indian Constitution. The Indian Constitution was
framed in 2 years 11 months and 18 days.
21. For how many days the Constituent Assembly met?. 114 days
22. What are Constituent Assembly debates? After the completion of the drafting of the
Constitution in November 1948, several rounds of thorough discussions took place that
were recorded and preserved as the Constituent Assembly debates. These were printed in
12 volumes and are used to interpret the meaning of the Constitution.
23. When and where did the Congress decide to fight for the ‘Poorna Swaraj’ (complete
independence). The Congress decided to fight for the „Poorna Swaraj‟ in the Lahore
Session in 1929.
24. In which magazine did Gandhiji express his vision about the Constitution of India? Young
India
25. Who often criticized Mahatma Gandhi and his visions? Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
26. Name the White President who released Nelson Mandela from jail and started negotiating
with African National Congress for independence. F.W. De Clerk
27. What is Preamble? Preamble is a short statement of the basic values of the Constitution
given in its beginning.
28. What are Constitutional Amendments? The changes that have been made in the
Constitution for making it compatible to the contemporary society are known as the
Constitutional Amendments.
29. How many articles are there in the Indian Constitution? 399 Articles
30. What is a country called where citizens have complete freedom to follow any religion?
Secular State
31. Why India is called a republic state? India is called a republic because its head is an
elected person.
32. What do we call the country where people have supreme right to make decisions in internal
as well as external matters? Sovereign State
33. What do we call an introductory statement which contains the philosophy and guiding
values on which the entire constitution has been built? Preamble
34. Mention any one feature of a Foreign Constitution which inspired the constitution makers
of the Indian Constitution. Practice of parliamentary democracy in Britain. / Ideals of the
French Revolution / The Bill of Rights in the US / The socialist revolution in Russia
35. How the British rule helped in establishing democratic institutions in India? British Rule
had Provincial Legislatures and Ministries in India because of the Government of India
Act, 1935. Though they had fewer powers and were not fully democratic, they gave
experience to Indians in setting institutions based on democratic principles.
Q B. Answer the following questions.
1. What would happen in South Africa if the black majority had decided to take revenge
on the whites for all their oppression and exploitation?
Ans. If the black majority had decided to take revenge on the whites for all their oppression
and exploitation in South Africa then :
Violence would have erupted. In South Africa.
Bloodshed would have taken place.
A great loss of life and property would have taken place.
A civil war within the country would have taken place.
2. What is meant by Segregation of blacks by whites in South Africa?
Ans. In South Africa, apartheid had been practiced that had led to the racial discrimination
between blacks and whites in the following ways :
All the public places like trains, buses, schools, hospitals, beaches, etc. were separated for
the whites and blacks.
Even the churches were separate for the twos.
The blacks were forbidden from living in the areas of whites.
These policies of differentiation were known as segregation.
3. What do you mean by political equality?
Ans. The condition where
Every citizen enjoys the fundamental rights without any discrimination on the basis of caste,
creed, religion, gender, race, economic status, etc.
Has equal voting rights irrespective of the economic status,
is known as the political equality.
4. Explain the term „apartheid. What were its implications? / How was the Apartheid
system oppressive for the blacks? How did the people of South Africa struggle against it?
Ans. The racial discrimination followed in South Africa on the basis of skin colour is known as
Apartheid. Its implications were / In the following ways it was oppressive for the blacks :
It was imposed by white Europeans on South Africa.
Whites ruled over South Africa and considered blacks as inferiors.
Blacks and coloured couldn’t live in the area of whites.
They were allowed to work in the areas of whites only with permit.
They did not have right to vote.
All the public places or facilities like – churches, trains, buses, hospitals, schools, cinemas,
beaches even public toilets were separate for whites and blacks.
They were not allowed to form associations and protests against whites.
The South Africans struggled against it in the following ways :
 They formed many organizations that protests against the government under the parent
organization called African National Congress.
 They launched protests marches and strikes.
 Many sensitive whites also joined the struggle with ANC.
 Many workers’ unions and the communist party too joined the movement.
As the agitation in the entire country increased so the white government had to give in finally
and the prominent leader of ANC – Nelson Mandela was released from jail after 28 years.
Discriminatory laws were annulled (cancelled) and the multi-racial government was formed.
5. Explain the efforts made to form a constitution after attaining democracy in South
Africa. / What problems existed in the making of the South African Constitution? What
compromises were made? / Explain the necessity of a Constitution in the newly born
democracy in South Africa.
Ans : After the end of the white rule, both, blacks and whites in South Africa had their own
fears and anxieties. It was not going to be easy to trust each other as the oppressor and the
oppressed both decided to stay together as equals. Blacks wanted the rule of majority with the
social and political equality. Whites wanted to protect their privileges and properties. So to
overcome the problems :
They ( black majority and white minority) decided to build up a new South Africa, after
attaining independence.
Blacks decided to forgive whites and gave them equal rights as the citizens of South Africa.
Whites decided to give blacks the equal status as they have. They agreed to the rule of
majority and the principle of one person one vote.
Blacks also agreed to protect the property of whites and accepted them as the citizens of the
country.
6. “The South African Constitution inspires democrats all over the world”. Justify the
statement. / Explain the five characteristics of South African Constitution.
Ans. It has been rightly said that the South African Constitution inspires democrats all over the
world because :
It gave the citizens the most extensive rights available in any country.
All the communities sat together, befriended and came to a common solution.
It is based on the equality of races and sexes, democracy and social justice.
It believed in the goodness of human beings.
It had decided to forgive and forget the past and determined to work hard.
7. What is the importance of one person, one vote and one value?
Ans. The principle of one person, one vote and one value stresses on the political equality. It
mean that everyone in the country irrespective of the caste, gender and income earned is
allowed to vote for his/ her own representative. The choice and opportunity is available to all
its citizens without any discrimination on the basis of the caste, creed, colour, gender, etc. The
principle of one person, one vote and one value should be followed in a democracy.
8 Examine three basic guidelines agreed upon before the drafting of Indian
Constitution. / The constitution drafted by Motilal Nehru in 1928 and the resolution
passed in Karachi session of Congress in 1931 were committed to which basic values?
Ans. The basic guidelines that were agreed upon before the drafting of the Indian Constitutions
were / Both of them had agreed upon following points as the basic values :
 Universal Adult Franchise has to be followed.
 Right to freedom and equality has to be given to every citizen.
 It will see the protection of the rights of minorities.
 The Constitution will guarantee justice, fraternity and liberty.
 It will set out the Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles and the Fundamental Duties.
9 „The manner in which the Constituent Assembly worked gives sanctity to the
constitution.‟ Justify. / Assess the constitution made by the Constituent Assembly to form
the Indian Constitution
Ans. The Constituent Assembly had worked very much according to the principles of
democracy. It could be justified through the following points: / The Constituent Assembly had
made one of the finest Constitutions a democracy could have. It can be proved on the following
basis :
First some basic principles were decided and agreed upon.
Then the 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. (These debates were preserved as the Constitutional Debates in 12 volumes.)
Around 2000 amendments were made in the draft.
All the decisions were taken with the majority of votes.
Finally, on 26th November 1949 the Constituent Assembly has approved the Constitution.
The work over the Constitution lasted for 2 years, 11 months and 18 days of which the
Assembly had worked for 114 days.
10. “The making of the Indian Constitution for huge and diverse country like India was
not an easy affair.” Justify the statement. / “Framing of Indian Constitution was no fewer
struggles than that of Africa.” Justify the statement. / Highlight any five circumstances
under which the Indian Constitution was drawn up. / What difficulties were faced by the
country while framing the Constitution?
Ans. It had been rightly stated that the making of the Indian Constitution for huge and diverse
country like India was not an easy affair due to following reasons :
Independent India was born through the partition of the country on the basis of the regional
differences.
Nearly 10 lakhs people were killed on the either side of the border due to communal riots.
The people were confused as they were emerging from the status of subjects to the citizens.
The British had left it to the Princely states whether they wanted to join India, Pakistan or
remain independent.
The future of the country was not certain and secure.
The makers of the country had anxieties about the present and future of the country.
There were differences of opinion among the makers of the Constitution about the path that
India should take immediately after independence.
11. How has the Indian Constitution embodied the basic values into its institutional
arrangements? Describe. / Why do we need a Constitution? / Explain the role of the
Constitution in a country.
Ans. Even though India being a diverse country, the basic values of the Indian Constitution are
seen into its institutional arrangements :
/ The Constitution is a significant document for a
country as :
The Constitution has designed a procedure for electing the rulers of the country.
It clearly defines the powers of the government.
It has also defined the limitations of the government.
It clarifies the rights of the citizens that can’t be defied.
It also mentions the duties of the citizens.
It has been made rigid as well as flexible, for it can be amended according to the
contemporary needs.
12 .“The Indian Constitution reflects the views of various social groups and political
parties.” Explain it by giving suitable arguments. / Describe the composition of the
Constituent Assembly.
Ans.
The Indian Constitution was enforced by the Constituent Assembly that consisted of people
from various regions, castes, classes, religions, background, professions, etc.
There were people like Dr. B.R.. Ambedkar, Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad, K.M. Munshi,
Sarojini Naidu, Vijaylaxmi Pandit, Shyama Prasad Mukharjee, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, T.T.
Krishnamachari etc. with diverse talents and ideologies.
Though it was dominated by the members of the Indian National Congress, it had members
from other social and political groups.
Even though there was difference of ideologies but nowhere there was any difference in its
basic values.
As the representatives were varied in nature, it was able to address the needs of a large and
diverse country like India.
13In spite of the diversity, India as a whole is regarded as a closely knitted society.
Discuss this statement by throwing light on the Constitutional design of India.
Ans. In reference with the Constitutional design of India, India truly observes the unity in
diversity and is a close knitted society due to following reasons :
It is the Our Constitution’s design that promotes the national integration.
Our Constitution has declared India a Secular state and there is no preferred state religion.
It has ensured every citizen the Fundamental Rights.
Every community has been given right to preserve its language and culture.
It also protects the rights of minorities.
14. Describe the features of the Indian Constitution. / What are the salient features of the
Indian Constitution? / Explain the terms Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic and
Republic in reference to the Indian Constitution. / Why is India called a Secular,
Democratic Republic? Support your answer with reasons.
Ans. The salient features of the Indian Constitution are : / India is rightly called a Sovereign,
Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic as :
1. It is the world’s lengthiest Constitution. It has 395 Articles and 12 Schedules.
2. It declares India to be a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular and Democratic Republic.
Sovereign – The country is free to take decisions in its internal as well as external affairs.
Socialist – This word was added in the Preamble under 42nd Amendment of the Constitution in
the year 1976. According to it, the administration in the country should be run in such a way
that there exits socio-economic equality. It means that it is the responsibility of the government
to see that the distribution of wealth has to be there in the country for equality in the economic
status.
Secular - This word too was added in the Preamble under 42nd Amendment. It means that the
country does not have a religion of its own. All religions are treated equally and protected by
the government. All the citizens are free to follow the religion of their choice.
Democratic – It means the country has peoples rule and is governed by the representatives of
the people. It also ensures political equality by adopting the Universal Adult Franchise – one
person, one vote, one value.
Republic - The ruler of the country is an elected one for a definite period and not by heredity.
3. It is Federal in nature with unitary base. – It declares India to be a Federal nation, i.e.
having a union or central government at the centre and the state government in different states (
provinces). The powers of the government are divided into
a. the Union list – Defence, Foreign Affairs, Currency, Post, Railways, etc.
b. the State list – Agriculture, Jail, Police, etc.
c. the Concurrent list – Marriage, Divorce, Social Security, etc.
In case of the conflict between the state law and the central law, the central law will prevail.
4. Parliamentary form of government - The President is the nominal head and the actual
government is run by the Prime Minister and his Council of Ministers (Cabinet of Miniisters).
5. Fundamental Rights and Duties- It guarantees the 6 major Fundamental Rights to the
Indian citizens. By 42nd amendment of the Constitution,, 10 Fundamental Duties have been
added to it.
6. Directive Principles of State Policy – It has listed Directive Principles of State Policy
which are guide lines for the Central, State and Local Government for establishing a welfare
state.
7. Partly rigid and Partly Flexible – The members of the Constituent Assembly do not see
the Constitution as a sacred, static document that can’t be changed. So they made provisions to
bring about changes as and when needed by the society. Also being a very long and detailed
document it is needed to be updated from time to time. These changes that are done in the
Constitution after following a prescribed process are called the Constitutional Amendments.
8. Single Citizenship – Unlike USA, where a person besides being a citizen of the USA, is a
citizen of the State he resides in, India offers the single citizenship o its citizens.
9. Universal Adult Franchise – Every Indian citizen above 18 years irrespective of his/ her
caste, creed, sex, religion, economic status or place of birth is entitled to vote.
15. Highlight any three ideals enshrined in the Indian Constitution. / Explain the
objectives of the Indian Constitution. / What are the principles, ideals or objectives of the
Indian Constitution incorporated in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution?
Ans. The objectives/ ideals / principles of the Indian Constitution outlined in the Preamble are
– Justice – All the citizens of India are entitled to social, economic and political justice.
Social Justice –
a. All the citizens are equal before law irrespective of their caste, creed, sex, religion,
economic status or place of birth.
b. The state can’t differentiate against any of its citizens.
c. All have equal access to public property.
d. All have equal opportunity for the government employment.
Economic Justice –
a. Wealth of the nation should be distributed for the maximum benefit of the citizens.
b. All must have equal opportunity for earning their livelihood.
c. Means of production and distribution should be used for the general welfare of the state.
Political Justice –
a. Universal Adult Franchise has been granted to Indian Citizens.
b. There is policy of one person, one vote, one value.
c. There would be no elections on the basis of caste or creed.
B. Liberty – ( Explain Liberty as the keyword of Preamble.)
There is liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship to every citizen of India. There
are no unreasonable restrictions on the citizens in what they think, how they wish to express
their thoughts and the way they wish to follow up their thoughts in action.
C. Equality – ( Discuss the concept of equality under the objectives of the Indian
Constitution. / Explain Equality as the keyword of Preamble)
a. The Constitution makes all the citizens equal before Law.
b. Nobody is discriminated on the basis if caste, creed, sex, colour or religion. ( Article 15).
c. All have equal opportunity for the government employment. (Article 16).
d. The practice of untouchability has been abolished (Article 17).
e. All the titles accept the academic and military have been abolished. (Article 18).
D. Fraternity – The Constitution ensures the brotherhood among its citizens and maintains the
dignity of citizens.
16. Why the Indian Constitution is considered to be one of its kind? / Write any three
reasons for accepting the Constitution made by the Constituent Assembly more than
60 years ago. / Why do we accept the Constitution made more than 60 years ago? /
Why do Indians still have faith in the Constitution enforced more than sixty years
ago?
Ans. Indian Constitution is unique in nature due to / Indians still accept the Constitution
enforced more than sixty years ago as :
1. The Constitution does not reflect the views of the members of Constituent Assembly alone.
2. It expresses a broad consensus (agreement) of its time.
3. Over the last sixty nine years, several groups have questioned some provisions of the
Constitution, but no large social group or political party has questioned its legitimacy
(authority or legality).
4. The Assembly was represented by the people of India who were diverse in social, political
and economic respects.
5. The Constituent Assembly had drafted and enforced the Constitution through a very
democratic process.
6. It had worked in a systematic, open and consensual manner.
7. The various institutions created by the Constitution have by and large, proved workable and
enduring.
8. The principles and ideals of the Constitution are practically viable even today.
17. Mention a few features of the Foreign Constitutions which inspired the constitution
makers of the Indian Constitution.
Ans. Following are the some of the features of the Foreign Constitutions that had inspired the
makers of the Indian Constitution :
a. Practice of Parliamentary Democracy in Britain.
b. Ideals of the French Revolution
c. The Bill of Rights in the US / The socialist revolution in Russia
18. How the British rule helped in establishing democratic institutions in India?
Ans. British Rule had Provincial Legislatures and Ministries in India because of the
Government of India Act, 1935. Though they had fewer powers and were not fully democratic,
they gave experience to Indians in setting institutions based on democratic principles.
19. What provision has been made to incorporate changes in the Indian Constitution and
why?
Ans. – The members of the Constituent Assembly do not see the Constitution as a sacred, static
document that can’t be changed. So they made provisions to bring about changes as and when
needed by the society. Also being a very long and detailed document it is needed to be updated
from time to time. These changes that are done in the Constitution after following a prescribed
process are called the Constitutional Amendments.
The reasons for making amendments in the Constitution are :
a. It has to be in accordance with people’s aspirations.
b. It needs to absorb the emerging issues.
c. It needs to adjust with the social and cultural changes in the society.
The amendments in the Indian Constitution can be done in three ways on the basis of the type
of the law :
a. Certain provisions can be amended by a simple majority in the parliament.
b. Certain provisions can be amended by a two-third majority of the Parliament.
c. The provisions related to the division of powers between the centre and the states can be
amended by the two-third majority of the Parliament and ratification (approval) by the fifty
percent of states before sending the bill to the President.
20. The Preamble of Indian Constitution provides philosophy and values of the
Constitution. Explain any three values you derive from it. / Explain the significance of
the Indian Constitution. / Why is the Preamble of Indian Constitution very
important? State any three guiding principles of the embedded in the Preamble of the
Indian Constitution.
Ans. –
The Preamble of the Indian Constitution outlines the fundamental values and the philosophy
on which our Constitution is based.
It is the Preamble that has declared our country to be a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular and
Democratic Republic.
It ensures equality to all the citizens in front of law and government.
It provides justice to all in terms of social, political and economic aspects.
It gives liberty to all.
It safeguards fraternity among all and maintains dignity of human beings.
It helps to differentiate between good and bad.
It forms the soul of the Constitution.
21. How has the Indian Constitution embodied the basic values into its institutional
arrangements? Describe.
Ans. Even though India being a diverse country, the basic values of the Indian Constitution are
seen into its institutional arrangements in the following ways :
It has included the values like inclusion of universal adult franchise, right to freedom and
equality and the protection of the rights of minority guided the freedom struggle.
It has declared our country to be a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular and Democratic
Republic.
It ensures equality to all the citizens in front of law and government.
It provides justice to all in terms of social, political and economic aspects.
It gives liberty to all.
It safeguards fraternity among all and maintains dignity of human beings.
22.How values of freedom struggle were embedded in the Preamble of the Indian
Constitution? Explain.
Ans. – Values of freedom struggle were embedded in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution
as :
The values like inclusion of universal adult franchise, right to freedom and equality and the
protection of the rights of minority guided the freedom struggle.
The freedom struggle was not only the freedom from the foreign rule but was also to
rejuvenate the country by transforming the society and politics.
These values are embedded in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution.
They guide all the articles of the Constitution.