Our Constitution - Questions & Answers

Choose the correct answers to the questions from the given options.

1. Constitution is a comprehensive document containing the set of rules that describe the rights and duties of its citizens and the way the governance is to be carried out. Which of the following statements correctly describes the same?
(a) It ensures smooth governance for the welfare of its citizens.
(b) It regulates the position of the citizens.
(c) It dictates terms to the states working under the central government.
(d) It provides rules and regulations for the smooth functioning of various commercial establishment in the country.

Answer: (a) It ensures smooth governance for the welfare of its citizens.

2. The Constituent Assembly was truly national in character. In this context, identify the categories which were given membership of the Constituent Assembly.
(P) : General Category, Muslims and Sikhs.
(Q) : Christians, Anglo-Indians and Parsees
(R) : General Category and Sikhs.
(S) : Christians and Parsees.
(a) P and Q    (b) R and S    (c) P and R    (d) Q and S

Answer: (a) P and Q

3. How were members of the Constituent Assembly selected?
(a) Directly elected by the people
(b) Nominated by the Viceroy
(c) Indirectly elected by Provincial Legislative Assemblies
(d) Indirectly elected by the Provincial Council

Answer: (c) Indirectly elected by Provincial Legislative Assemblies

4. The Constituent Assembly of undivided India consisted of 389 members.
(a) 390    (b) 292    (c) 389    (d) 384

5. When was the first sitting of the Constituent Assembly held?
(a) December 5, 1946    (b) December 25, 1945
(c) December 9, 1946    (d) December 24, 1946

Answer: (c) December 9, 1946

6. Who presided over the first sitting of the Constituent Assembly?
(a) Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru    (b) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
(c) Dr. Sachidananda Sinha    (d) Dr. Rajendra Prasad

Answer: (c) Dr. Sachidananda Sinha

7. Arrange the following events in chronological order.
(A) : Independence of India.
(B) : Setting up of the Drafting Committee.
(C) : First sitting of the Constituent Assembly
(D) : Election to Provincial Assembly
(a) DCAB    (b) BACD    (c) ADCB    (d) DCBA

Answer: (a) DCAB

8. With reference to the picture of the members of the Constituent Assembly, who was elected Chairman of the Drafting Committee?
(a) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
(b) B.N. Rao
(c) Kewal Kishan
(d) S.N. Mookerji

Answer: (a) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

9. Who proposed the 'Objectives Resolution'?
(a) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
(b) Mahatma Gandhi
(c) Subhas Chandra Bose
(d) Jawaharlal Nehru

Answer: (d) Jawaharlal Nehru

10. The 'Objectives Resolution', proposed on December 13, 1946 and passed by the Constituent Assembly on January 22, 1947 highlighted the objectives of the Constitution. Which of the following were the national goals laid down?
(a) Free India would be a republic.
(b) Fundamental Rights to all citizens.
(c) Ideals of social, political and economic democracy to all citizens.
(d) All of the above.

Answer: (d) All of the above.

11. Name the legal sanction that allowed the Constituent Assembly to function post Partition.
(a) Objectives Resolution, 1946    (b) Indian Independence Act, 1947
(c) Poorna Swaraj Declaration, 1929    (d) Government of India Act, 1942

Answer: (b) Indian Independence Act, 1947

12. The Cabinet Mission Plan had ensured representation to General Category and Muslims and Sikhs.
(a) Anglo-Indians and Muslims
(b) Muslims and Sikhs
(c) Muslims, Christians and Sikhs.
(d) Scheduled Castes and Scheduled tribes

13. On the basis of which plan was the Constituent Assembly constituted?
(a) Cabinet Mission Plan    (b) Mountbatten Plan
(c) Cripps Mission    (d) None of the above.

Answer: (a) Cabinet Mission Plan

14. (A) The Constitution protects the interests of the citizens by restraining the government from taking arbitrary decisions.
(R) The Constitution regulates the position and powers of the three organs of the government—the legislative, the executive and the judiciary.
(a) (A) is true but (R) is false.
(b) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
(c) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(d) Both (A) and (R) are false.

Answer: (c) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

15. (A) The Constitution of India was adopted and passed by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949.
(R) After signing of the Constitution, all the clauses came into force with immediate effect.
(a) (A) is true but (R) is false
(b) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
(c) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(d) Both (A) and (R) are false.

Answer: (a) (A) is true but (R) is false

1. What is meant by the term Constitution?

Answer: The Constitution is a comprehensive document containing the set of rules that describe the rights and duties of its citizens and the manner according to which the governance of a country is to be carried out. It also regulates the position and powers of the three organs of the government.

2. Refer to the excerpt given above what do you understand by the headline 'New Constitution Adopted'? When did this event occur?

Answer: The headline 'New Constitution Adopted' means that the Constituent Assembly had officially passed, accepted, and signed the drafted Constitution for independent India. This significant event occurred on November 26, 1949.

3. What is known as the 'Objectives Resolution'? By whom was the 'Objectives Resolution' proposed?

Answer: The 'Objectives Resolution' was a key document that highlighted the core objectives of the Constitution and laid down national goals, such as making India a republic, granting Fundamental Rights, and securing social, political, and economic democracy. It was proposed by Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru on December 13, 1946.

4. Why was January 26 chosen for the commencement of the Constitution?

Answer: January 26 was specifically chosen because of its historical importance. At the Lahore Session of the Congress in December 1929, a resolution was passed declaring 'Poorna Swaraj' (Complete Independence) as the ultimate objective. Consequently, January 26, 1930, was fixed as the first Independence Day, and this day was celebrated every year until India actually won independence in 1947.

5. Write a short note on Dr. Ambedkar's contribution to the Indian Constitution.

Answer: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was a central figure in the framing of the Indian Constitution and served as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee. Under his leadership, the Constitution incorporated vital principles such as equality, fundamental rights for all citizens, and the abolition of untouchability. He played a crucial role in providing strong safeguards for backward and marginalized communities, thereby laying the robust foundation for social justice in India.

1. With reference to the making of the Indian Constitution, explain the following:
(a) Name the plan which proposed to set up the Constituent Assembly. How were the members of the Constituent Assembly elected?
(b) How was the membership of the Constituent Assembly reduced as a result of Partition of the country?
(c) How can you say that the Constituent Assembly gave adequate representation to all sections of the Indian Society?

Answer:
(a) The Cabinet Mission Plan (1946) proposed setting up the Constituent Assembly. The members were elected indirectly by the Provincial Legislative Assemblies (Lower House only). The Princely States were represented by members nominated by their rulers.
(b) Initially, the Constituent Assembly of undivided India consisted of 389 members. Following the Partition of the country and the creation of Pakistan, members representing territories that went to Pakistan withdrew. As a result, the membership of the Constituent Assembly of India was reduced to 299 members.
(c) The Constituent Assembly was truly national in character. The Cabinet Mission plan gave representation to three main categories: General, Muslims, and Sikhs. Furthermore, Indian National Congress leaders ensured that minorities like Anglo-Indians, Indian Christians, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes also got representation. Additionally, the Assembly prominently included 15 women members representing diverse backgrounds, proving it provided adequate representation to all sections of society.

2. With reference to the 'Objectives Resolution', explain the following:
(a) Who proposed the 'Resolution'? When was the Resolution passed by the Constituent Assembly? Name the Act that gave legal sanctity to the Constituent Assembly.
(b) State any three points of the 'Objectives Resolution'.
(c) List four principles that Babasaheb Ambedkar incorporated in the Constitution.

Answer:
(a) The 'Resolution' was proposed by Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. It was officially passed by the Constituent Assembly on January 22, 1947. The Indian Independence Act of 1947 gave legal sanctity to the Constituent Assembly.
(b) Three points of the 'Objectives Resolution' are:
(i) Free India will be nothing but a 'republic'.
(ii) The ideals of social, political, and economic democracy would be guaranteed to all people.
(iii) The republic would grant Fundamental Rights to citizens and safeguard the rights of minorities and backward classes.
(c) Four key principles incorporated include: granting Universal Adult Franchise to ensure political equality, securing Fundamental Rights (like Equality before Law and Freedom of Speech), abolishing untouchability to establish social justice, and introducing protective safeguards for marginalized and backward communities.

3. With reference to the given excerpt, answer the questions that follow.
(a) What major national event is reported here?
(b) What form of government is indicated by the word Republican?
(c) Explain the significance of the adoption of this Constitution for India.

Answer:
(a) The excerpt reports the historic adoption and passing of the Constitution of India by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949.
(b) The word 'Republican' indicates a democratic form of government where the head of the State is an elected President, rather than a hereditary monarch, and ultimate political power resides with the citizens.
(c) The adoption was highly significant because it ended British colonial rule completely, replacing colonial laws with a system framed by Indians for Indians. It formally established India as a sovereign democratic republic and gave the newly independent nation a clear political, legal, and moral framework for inclusive governance.

4. With reference to the given excerpt, answer the questions that follow:
(a) Which day is being celebrated in the picture? When is it celebrated and why?
(b) What is the purpose of celebrating this day?
(c) Why is the Constitution described as 'sacred document guiding India's progress'?

Answer:
(a) The picture shows the celebration of Constitution Day (Samvidhan Divas). It is celebrated on the 26th of November every year to commemorate the historic adoption of the Constitution of India on November 26, 1949.
(b) The main purpose of celebrating Constitution Day is to promote the core values, ideals, and principles enshrined in the Constitution among the citizens of India.
(c) It is described as a 'sacred document' because it provides the foundational moral and legal framework that protects citizens through Fundamental Rights, ensures equality and social justice, and holds the diverse nation together. It acts as the ultimate guide shaping India's ongoing progress as a modern, democratic, and inclusive republic.

1. The Constitution of India is the longest written Constitution in the world. What would have been the consequences if the Constitution of India was not written? Give reasons to support your answer.

Answer: If the Constitution of India was not written, the nation would lack a definitive legal and political framework for governance. Without clearly defined rules regulating the legislative, executive, and judiciary, there would be a high risk of the government taking arbitrary or dictatorial decisions. Additionally, the citizens of such a highly diverse country would not have guaranteed Fundamental Rights or safeguards for marginalized communities, which could lead to severe social injustices, inequality, and a breakdown of national unity and stability.

2. Do you think that the Constitution of India has an important role in maintaining the unity and integrity of India? Give reasons to support your answer.

Answer: Yes, the Constitution plays a crucial role in maintaining the unity and integrity of India. It successfully brought stability to a highly diverse country by clearly defining the federal structure of the government, the relations between the center and states, and the role of an independent judiciary. By granting Universal Adult Franchise, securing Fundamental Rights for all, and ensuring safeguards for minority and backward communities, it fosters a deep sense of inclusion, political equality, and brotherhood among all citizens regardless of their background.

3. Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar was a learned man with great foresight. Make a list of instances where his foresight came to our nation's aid in times of crisis.

Answer: Dr. Ambedkar's foresight significantly aided the nation by ensuring a strong central government within a federal structure to hold a vast and diverse country together during crises. His push for robust Fundamental Rights protected individual liberties from state overreach. Furthermore, his insistence on the complete abolition of untouchability and the introduction of constitutionally mandated safeguards (reservations) for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes proved vital in preventing social fragmentation and ensuring that political democracy was firmly backed by social democracy and justice.

4. The Indian Constitution has taken the best features from the Constitutions of countries around the world. Make a list of few of these features stating which country inspired them and how have they been modified to suit the needs of our country.

Answer: While extracting the best global features, India modified them to suit local needs: 1. Parliamentary System (inspired by the UK): Modified by making India a Republic with an elected President as the head of state, rather than a hereditary monarch. 2. Fundamental Rights (inspired by the USA): Modified by incorporating "reasonable restrictions" on these rights to ensure public order, morality, and the sovereignty of the nation. 3. Directive Principles of State Policy (inspired by Ireland): Adopted to act as specific guidelines for the Indian government to address vast socio-economic inequalities and establish a welfare state. 4. Concurrent List (inspired by Australia): Adopted to ensure flexible cooperation between the Union and State governments on shared subjects, while giving ultimate overriding power to the Center to maintain unity.

5. Trace how the Republic Day has been celebrated over the years.

Answer: The roots of Republic Day trace back to the Lahore Session of the Congress in December 1929, where the resolution for 'Poorna Swaraj' (Complete Independence) was passed. Following this, January 26, 1930, was designated as the first Independence Day and was celebrated with immense patriotic fervor every year until 1947. To honor the historical significance of this date, the Constitution of India formally came into effect on January 26, 1950. Since then, it has been celebrated annually as Republic Day, marked by grand parades, cultural displays, and military showcases that highlight India's democratic spirit, cultural diversity, and national unity.