Quick Review Flashcards - Click to flip and test your knowledge!
Question
What is the definition of a Constitution?
Answer
A comprehensive document containing the set of rules that describe the rights and duties of citizens and the manner of governance.
Question
Which three organs of government does the Constitution regulate the position and powers of?
Answer
The legislature, the executive, and the judiciary.
Question
How does the Constitution protect the interests of citizens regarding government actions?
Answer
By restraining the government from taking arbitrary decisions.
Question
What is the primary aim of a nation's Constitution for its citizens?
Answer
To ensure smooth governance for the welfare of its citizens.
Question
The principles of the Constitution distinguish a constitutional government from an absolute monarchy or a _____.
Answer
Dictatorship
Question
In which year did the Cabinet Mission arrive in India to put forward proposals for a Constituent Assembly?
Answer
1946
Question
How were members of the Provincial Legislative Assemblies elected to the Constituent Assembly?
Answer
Indirectly
Question
How were the Princely States represented in the Constituent Assembly?
Answer
By members nominated by the rulers of these States.
Question
What was the total membership of the Constituent Assembly of undivided India?
Answer
389 members
Question
Of the 389 members in the undivided Constituent Assembly, how many were elected?
Answer
292
Question
How many members were nominated by the Princely states to the undivided Constituent Assembly?
Answer
93
Question
On what date was the first sitting of the Constituent Assembly held?
Answer
9 December 1946
Question
Who presided over the first sitting of the Constituent Assembly as its oldest sitting member?
Answer
Dr Sachidananda Sinha
Question
Who was elected as the President of the Constituent Assembly on 11 December 1946?
Answer
Dr Rajendra Prasad
Question
Which political group boycotted the Constituent Assembly to demand a separate state called Pakistan?
Answer
The Muslim League
Question
Following the withdrawal of members representing Pakistan territories, what was the final membership of the Constituent Assembly of India?
Answer
299 members
Question
How many members were actually present on 26 November 1949 to sign the final Constitution?
Answer
284
Question
According to the Cabinet Mission plan, what were the three official categories for representation?
Answer
General category, Muslims, and Sikhs.
Question
Who were the two primary representatives for the Anglo-Indian community in the Assembly?
Answer
Mr Frank Anthony and Mr S.H. Prater.
Question
Name the two representatives for the Indian Christians in the Constituent Assembly.
Answer
Dr H.C. Mookerjee and Joseph D'souza.
Question
Which representative represented the Parsi community in the Assembly?
Answer
Dr H.P. Modi.
Question
Which two Muslim members remained in the Assembly despite the Muslim League's boycott?
Answer
Zafar Imam and Mohammad Saadulla.
Question
Who were the representatives for the Sikh community in the Assembly?
Answer
Sardar Hukum Singh and Ujjal Singh.
Question
How many women members were part of the 299-member Constituent Assembly?
Answer
15 members
Question
Name three prominent women members of the Constituent Assembly.
Answer
Sarojini Naidu, Sucheta Kriplani, and Vijay Lakshmi Pandit.
Question
Who proposed the 'Objectives Resolution' on 13 December 1946?
Answer
Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru
Question
On what date was the 'Objectives Resolution' passed by the Constituent Assembly?
Answer
22 January 1947
Question
The 'Objectives Resolution' declared that Free India would be a _____.
Answer
Republic
Question
Which three ideals of democracy were guaranteed to all people in the 'Objectives Resolution'?
Answer
Social, political, and economic democracy.
Question
What was the government's obligation toward minorities and backward classes according to the 'Objectives Resolution'?
Answer
To safeguard their rights.
Question
On which date is 'Constitution Day' (Samvidhan Divas) celebrated annually in India?
Answer
26th November
Question
Who became the Governor-General of India upon the enforcement of the Constitution, replacing Lord Mountbatten?
Answer
C. Rajagopalachari
Question
Who took over as the first President of the Indian Union?
Answer
Dr Rajendra Prasad
Question
On what date did the Constitution of India come into effect?
Answer
26th January 1950
Question
Why was the date 26th January specifically selected for the commencement of the Constitution?
Answer
Because of its historical importance as the first Independence Day celebrated in 1930.
Question
At which 1929 Congress session was the resolution for 'Poorna Swaraj' passed?
Answer
The Lahore Session
Question
What does the term 'Poorna Swaraj' mean?
Answer
Complete Independence
Question
On what date was the Drafting Committee of the Constitution set up?
Answer
29 August 1947
Question
When was the first draft of the Constitution completed?
Answer
February 1948
Question
In which month and year was the Constitution finally passed and adopted?
Answer
November 1949
Question
How many Articles were contained in the Constitution of India at the time of its commencement?
Answer
395 Articles
Question
How many Schedules were included in the Constitution at its commencement?
Answer
8 Schedules
Question
What decisive turning point did the enforcement of the Constitution mark in India's history?
Answer
The transition from colonial rule to a sovereign democratic republic.
Question
How did the Constitution change the status of the Head of State in India?
Answer
The Head of State became an elected President instead of the British monarch.
Question
The granting of the right to vote to every citizen regardless of caste, gender, religion, or wealth is known as _____.
Answer
Universal Adult Franchise
Question
What was the original minimum age for the right to vote under the Indian Constitution?
Answer
21 years
Question
Name three specific Fundamental Rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution.
Answer
Equality before Law, Freedom of Speech, and Freedom of Religion.
Question
How did the Constitution lay the foundation for social justice regarding the caste system?
Answer
By abolishing untouchability and introducing safeguards for backward communities.
Question
What is the purpose of an 'independent judiciary' as defined by the Constitution?
Answer
To ensure stability and a clear role for the judicial branch within a diverse country.
Question
Term: Amendment
Answer
Definition: An addition or alteration to the Constitution.
Question
Term: Democratic
Answer
Definition: A form of government in which people elect their representatives.
Question
Term: Fraternity
Answer
Definition: Brotherhood or friendship.
Question
Term: Ideal
Answer
Definition: A principle worth trying or living for.
Question
Who served as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee?
Answer
Dr B.R. Ambedkar
Question
What was the duration between the first sitting and the Independence of India for the Assembly?
Answer
9 December 1946 to 14 August 1947
Question
The Constitution of India replaced _____ laws with a system framed by Indians.
Answer
Colonial
Question
Which body acted as the provisional parliament until the first General Elections of 1951–52?
Answer
The Constituent Assembly
Question
What is the significance of 15th August 1947 in relation to the Constitution?
Answer
It was the day India achieved Independence.
Question
How did the 'Objectives Resolution' address the concept of rights for the future republic?
Answer
It stated the republic would grant Fundamental Rights to its citizens.
Question
Which community did Sardar Hukum Singh and Ujjal Singh represent?
Answer
The Sikh community