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Questions and Answers
What is one of the primary functions of a constitution?
What is one of the primary functions of a constitution?
- To create economic policies for a country
- To provide basic rules for societal coordination (correct)
- To decide the moral values of society
- To govern the citizens without limitations
Which of the following is NOT a function of the constitution?
Which of the following is NOT a function of the constitution?
- To set limits on government actions
- To dictate the fundamental rights of citizens
- To establish authoritative allocation of power
- To enforce strict punishments for violators (correct)
How does the constitution influence government authority?
How does the constitution influence government authority?
- It prohibits the division of government powers.
- It defines the limits of what the government can impose on citizens. (correct)
- It allows citizens to override any government decision.
- It grants unlimited power to the government.
What does the constitution help guard against?
What does the constitution help guard against?
Which organ of government does NOT derive authority from the constitution?
Which organ of government does NOT derive authority from the constitution?
What is a consequence of the constitution's role in society?
What is a consequence of the constitution's role in society?
In what way does the constitution affect decision-making power in society?
In what way does the constitution affect decision-making power in society?
Why is it necessary to have a set of basic rules within a constitution?
Why is it necessary to have a set of basic rules within a constitution?
What is the purpose of laws in society?
What is the purpose of laws in society?
Which bodies in India are responsible for creating laws?
Which bodies in India are responsible for creating laws?
What would likely happen without laws in society?
What would likely happen without laws in society?
What kind of authority does a referee have in a game like soccer?
What kind of authority does a referee have in a game like soccer?
What does the Constitution of India primarily serve as?
What does the Constitution of India primarily serve as?
Which of the following statements about laws is true?
Which of the following statements about laws is true?
What is indicated by the need for rules in different areas of life?
What is indicated by the need for rules in different areas of life?
What does the phrase 'glue that has kept society together' refer to?
What does the phrase 'glue that has kept society together' refer to?
What was a significant feature introduced by the Government of India Act (1919)?
What was a significant feature introduced by the Government of India Act (1919)?
Which act first introduced the principle of election into the legislative councils?
Which act first introduced the principle of election into the legislative councils?
What was one of the reasons for the partition of British India in 1947?
What was one of the reasons for the partition of British India in 1947?
What main change did the Government of India Act (1935) propose?
What main change did the Government of India Act (1935) propose?
Which event marked the enactment of the Constitution of India?
Which event marked the enactment of the Constitution of India?
What was a key aspect of the Indian Councils Act (1909)?
What was a key aspect of the Indian Councils Act (1909)?
Who served as the temporary president of the Constituent Assembly when it first met?
Who served as the temporary president of the Constituent Assembly when it first met?
What important role did Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar hold in the Constituent Assembly?
What important role did Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar hold in the Constituent Assembly?
Which date was chosen to commemorate the Purna Swaraj declaration?
Which date was chosen to commemorate the Purna Swaraj declaration?
Who had the discretion to appoint Indians to the legislative council as per the Indian Councils Act (1861)?
Who had the discretion to appoint Indians to the legislative council as per the Indian Councils Act (1861)?
How many members were in the Constituent Assembly?
How many members were in the Constituent Assembly?
Which feature of the Constitution of India was borrowed from the United Kingdom?
Which feature of the Constitution of India was borrowed from the United Kingdom?
What was the duration of the sessions held by the Constituent Assembly before adopting the Constitution?
What was the duration of the sessions held by the Constituent Assembly before adopting the Constitution?
Which country contributed the concept of Fundamental Duties to the Constitution of India?
Which country contributed the concept of Fundamental Duties to the Constitution of India?
On what date was the Constitution of India finally passed and accepted?
On what date was the Constitution of India finally passed and accepted?
Which provision was borrowed from Germany in the framing of the Constitution of India?
Which provision was borrowed from Germany in the framing of the Constitution of India?
What does secularism imply in the context of the Indian state?
What does secularism imply in the context of the Indian state?
What does the term 'democratic' refer to in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution?
What does the term 'democratic' refer to in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution?
Which statement correctly describes India as a republic?
Which statement correctly describes India as a republic?
What does the term 'sovereign' mean in the context of the Indian Constitution?
What does the term 'sovereign' mean in the context of the Indian Constitution?
The term 'socialist' in the Preamble indicates what?
The term 'socialist' in the Preamble indicates what?
How is the government characterized in a democracy?
How is the government characterized in a democracy?
Which of the following statements is true about the Preamble of the Constitution?
Which of the following statements is true about the Preamble of the Constitution?
What are the implications of India's secularism?
What are the implications of India's secularism?
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Study Notes
What Is Constitution?
- A constitution consists of rules that govern a society, similar to rules in games or workplaces.
- Laws are made by legislatures (Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha in India) to maintain order and protect property.
- Without laws, society risks falling into chaos or anarchy.
- Constitution serves as a framework to restrain the government’s power, ensuring it acts in society's interest.
Why Do We Need Constitution?
- Essential for governing a country effectively, defining the political system’s nature.
- Helps safeguard against issues that conflict with larger societal interests.
- All government branches (executive, legislature, judiciary) operate within constitutional boundaries.
- Establishes a clear allocation of power and functions, restricting governmental overreach.
Functions of a Constitution
- Provides basic rules for societal coordination.
- Defines decision-making authority and governmental structure.
- Sets limits on government actions concerning citizens’ rights.
- Facilitates social separation and promotes a just society.
The History of Constitution of India
- Indian Councils Act (1861) established a legislative council to assist the Governor-General.
- The 1892 Act increased legislative council size and introduced elections for more Indian members.
- The 1909 Act broadened council powers to discuss matters and ask questions.
- The 1919 Act introduced ‘diarchy’ at provincial levels, with elected Indians managing certain government areas.
- The Government of India Act (1935) proposed provincial autonomy and led to increased Indian participation in governance.
- Indian Independence Act (1947) transitioned power from British control to India and Pakistan, remaining under the Government of India Act (1935) until a new constitution was enacted.
- The Constitution of India came into effect on January 26, 1950, after being adopted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949.
The Framing of Constitution of India
- Constituent Assembly comprised 385 members: 292 elected and 93 nominated from princely states.
- Convened for public sessions over nearly three years before finalizing the Constitution.
- Major features borrowed from various countries, including:
- From the UK: Parliamentary system and cabinet governance.
- From the USA: Written constitution and fundamental rights.
- From Australia: Concurrent list for state relations.
- From USSR, Germany, Japan, Canada, and South Africa various governance and legal frameworks.
The Preamble to Constitution of India
- Secularism: India does not endorse any state religion, allowing freedom of practice and preventing religious discrimination.
- Democracy: The Constitution is established by the people, emphasizing government accountability and representative elections.
- Republic: The head of the state, the President, is elected rather than hereditary.
- Key concepts outlined in the Preamble:
- Sovereign: Independent in internal and external affairs.
- Secular: No preference for any particular religion.
- Socialist: Aims to prevent the concentration of wealth and power.
- Democratic: Governance by elected representatives of the people.
- Republic: No place for hereditary rulers, ensuring a republic government.
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