Short Answer Questions Answer

When the Constituent Assembly started the

Question 1
work of drafting the Constitution, Pt. Jawaharlal
What is meant by the term Constitution? Nehru proposed the 'Objectives Resolution' on
December 13, 1946. The Resolution highlighted
Answer the objectives and laid down the national goals.
The main points of the Objectives Resolution
Constitution is a comprehensive document were:
containing the set of rules that describe the
rights and duties of its citizens and the manner 1. Free India will be nothing but a 'republic'.
according to which the governance of a country 2. The ideals of social, political and
is to be carried out. It regulates the position and economic democracy would be
powers of the three organs of the Government guaranteed to all people.
— the legislative, the executive and the 3. The republic would grant Fundamental
judiciary; and states how they are inter-related. Rights to citizens.
4. The state would safeguard the rights of
Question 2 minorities and backward classes.
The Objectives Resolution was proposed by Pt.
According to the excerpt given below when was Jawaharlal Nehru.
the 'New Constitution Adopted'? Which clauses
came into force after signing of the Question 4
Constitution?
When was the constitution adopted and passed?
When did the constitution come into force?

Answer

The constitution was adopted and passed on

26th November, 1949.

The constitution come into force on 26th

January, 1950.

Answer Question 5

The Constitution was adopted and passed by the Why was January 26 chosen for the

Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949. commencement of the constitution?

After the signing of the Constitution, only the Answer

clauses relating to citizenship and some others

The date January 26 was chosen for the
came into force immediately. The Constitution
commencement of the constitution because of
as a whole came into force with effect from
its historical importance. At the Lahore Session
January 26, 1950.
of the Congress held in December 1929, a
resolution was passed which declared Poorna
Question 3
Swaraj or Complete Independence to be the
objective of the Congress. January 26, 1930 was
What is known as the 'Objectives Resolution'? By
fixed as the first Independence Day, which was
whom was the 'Objectives Resolution' proposed?
to be celebrated every year. Since then the day
was celebrated as Independence Day up to 1947. Structured Questions
Later, to maintain its importance January 26 was
chosen for enforcement of constitution and was Question 1
designated as Republic day.
With reference to the making of Indian
Question 6 Constitution explain the following:

Write a short note on Dr. Ambedkar's (a) Name the plan which proposed to set up the
contribution to the Indian Constitution. Constituent Assembly. How were the members
of the Constituent Assembly elected?
Answer
(b) How was the membership of the Constituent
Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, was one of the architects Assembly reduced as a result of Partition of the
of the constitution of India. As the chairman of country?
the Drafting Committee, he provided
constitutional guarantees and protections for (c) How can you say that the Constituent
civil liberties like freedom of religion, abolition Assembly gave adequate representation to all
of untouchability, and social rights for women in sections of the Indian society?
the Indian Constitution. He provided a job
Answer
reservation system for Scheduled Castes and
Tribes.
(a) The Cabinet Mission Plan (1946) proposed to
To shape India as a Sovereign Democratic set up the Constituent Assembly.
Republic that ensured individual liberty, dignity,
and national integrity, Dr. Ambedkar The members of the Constituent Assembly were
incorporated the following principles in the elected indirectly by the Provincial Legislative
Indian Constitution: Assemblies (Lower House only). Elections to the
Provincial Assembly were completed by July
1. Made the Indian constitution workable, 1946. The princely states were represented by
flexible and strong enough to hold the
the members nominated by the rulers of these
country together both in peace and in States. The Constituent Assembly of undivided
war. India consisted of 389 members (292 elected, 93
2. Provided special safeguards to the
nominated by the Princely states, 3 from Chief
minorities and certain classes, who are Commissioner Provinces and one from the
socially and educationally backward. British).
3. Incorporated the Right to Constitutional
Remedies to ensure that the (b) The Muslim League boycotted the
Fundamental Rights of the individuals Constituent Assembly to demand the creation of
are not infringed by the Center or the a separate state called Pakistan. Consequently
State governments. the members representing the territories which
4. Single citizenship, single judiciary and went to Pakistan withdrew from the Constituent
uniformity in fundamental laws to Assembly of India. As a result, the membership
integrate Indian society. Therefore, he of the Constituent Assembly of India stood at
proposed a strong Centre to maintain 299 against the original number of 389
territorial integrity and administrative members.
discipline.
5. Incorporated Directive Principles to (c) The wide-ranging membership of the
ensure social and economic democracy Constituent Assembly gave representation to all
and welfare of the people of India. shades of public opinion. The Cabinet Mission
plan had ensured representation to only three
categories — the General category, Muslims and country together both in peace and in
Sikhs. The Congress leaders had, however, war.
ensured that other communities like Anglo- 2. Provided special safeguards to the
Indians, Indian Christians Scheduled Castes and minorities and certain classes, who are
Scheduled tribes got representation. socially and educationally backward.
3. Incorporated the Right to Constitutional
Question 2 Remedies to ensure that the
Fundamental Rights of the individuals
With reference to the 'Objectives Resolution' are not infringed by the Centre or the
explain the following: State governments.
4. Incorporated Directive Principles to
(a) Who proposed the 'Resolution'? When was
ensure social and economic democracy
the Resolution passed by the Constituent
and welfare of the people of India.
Assembly? Name the Act that gave legal sanctity
to the Constituent Assembly.
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(b) State any three points of the 'Objectives Short Answer Questions
Resolution'.

Question 1
(c) List four principles that Babasaheb
Ambedkar incorporated in the Constitution.
What is meant by the term 'Single Citizenship'?

Answer
Answer

(a) The Resolution was proposed by Pt.

The term 'Single Citizenship' means that all
Jawaharlal Nehru on December 13, 1946.
Indians irrespective of the state of their
domicile are the citizens of India.
The Resolution was passed by the Constituent
Assembly on January 22, 1947.
Question 2
The Act that gave legal sanctity to the
Constituent Assembly was the Indian 'Fundamental Rights are universal in nature'.
Independence Act, 1947. This legal sanction Explain in one sentence.
enabled the Constituent Assembly to function
Answer
after India's independence. The Assembly
became a sovereign body.
Fundamental rights are universal in nature as
they are same for all human beings and don't
(b) Three points of the Objectives Resolution
make any distinction based on race, colour, sex,
are :
religion, etc.
1. Free India will be nothing but a 'republic'.
2. The ideals of social, political and Question 3
economic democracy would be
guaranteed to all people. How are the Fundamental Rights justiciable?

3. The Republic would grant Fundamental

Answer
Rights to citizens.
(c) The four principles that Babasaheb The Fundamental Rights are justiciable as a suit
Ambedkar incorporated in the Constitution are: can be filed in a high court or the Supreme Court
if Fundamental Rights are violated. Article 32
1. Made the Indian Constitution workable,
gives the right to constitutional remedies. This
flexible and strong enough to hold the
right is given to citizens to move supreme court 'Right Against Exploitation' is the Right that
for enforcement of other fundamental Rights upholds the dignity of the individual and
conferred on them. prohibits exploitation in many respects like
slavery, beggary and other forms of forced
Question 4 labour. It also prohibits, child labour (Article 24),
human trafficking and use of women or girls for
What is meant by the term 'Right to Equality'? immoral purposes.

Answer
Question 8

The term 'Right to Equality' means equality of

By which Act of the Parliament were the
every citizen before law irrespective of
Fundamental Duties included in the
economic status, caste, colour, creed, religion or
Constitution? Mention the Fundamental Duty
sex. This right provides equality of opportunity
which has been added by the Constitution (86th
for all citizens in matters relating to
Amendment) Act, 2002 which is an offshoot of
employment in an office under the central or
the Right to Education.
state government. It abolishes untouchability
and titles like Rai Sahib, Khan Bahadur, Answer
Maharaja, etc.
The Fundamental Duties were added to the
Question 5 Constitution by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976.

Mention one Fundamental Right granted to The Fundamental Duty which has been added by
citizens of India. the Constitution (86th Amendment) Act, 2002 is
"it is the duty of a parent or guardian to provide
Answer opportunities for education to his child or, as
the case may be, ward between the age of six
'The Right to Freedom' is one of the
and fourteen years".
Fundamental Rights granted to citizens of India.

Question 9
Question 6
To whom can the citizens of India file can
In the context of Fundamental Rights, give one
application if they wish to seek any information
example that shows India is a secular state.
from the government authorities?

Answer
Answer

'The Right to Freedom of Religion' is an example

The citizens of India can file an application
that India is a secular country. The Right to
under RTI with the Public Information Officers
Freedom of Religion gives Indian citizens the
(PIOs) and Assistant Public Information Officers
freedom to practice and preach religion of their
(APIOs) if they wish to seek any information
choice.
from the government authorities.

Question 7 Structured Questions

What is meant by the term 'Right Against

Question 1
Exploitation'?
Explain the following basic features of the
Answer
Indian Constitution:
(a) Single Citizenship. Question 2

(b) Universal Adult Franchise. With reference to the Fundamental Rights

answer the following:
(c) Fundamental Rights.
(a) Why are the Fundamental Rights so called?
Answer
(b) State their three characteristic features.
(a) Single Citizenship — The Indian Constitution
provides for a Single Citizenship. This means (c) Briefly explain the components of the Right
that all Indians irrespective of the state of their to Equality.
domicile are the citizens of India. A person born
in Punjab or Kerala can only be a citizen of India Answer
and not a citizen of the State of their domicile as
(a) The Fundamental Rights are so called
well. This has been done to ward off separatist
because they are the basic human rights which
tendencies and promote fraternity and unity
provide the conditions essential for the all-
among the people.
round development of a human being. Hence,
(b) Universal Adult Franchise — This means that they must be given to every person without any
all persons of 18 years of age and above have distinction on the basis of caste, creed, sex,
the right to vote irrespective of their caste, colour, religion etc.
colour, religion, etc. The constitution of
(b) The three characteristic features of
independent India replaced the British era
Fundamental Rights are:
communal electorate with joint electorate.
According to this system, resident voters of a 1. They protect people against unjust
constituency have to vote for the same discrimination.
candidate irrespective of caste or creed. 2. They don't make any distinction between
human beings.
(c) Fundamental Rights — The Fundamental
3. They can be suspended when the
Rights are given in Part-III of the constitution.
president declares a state of Emergency
They are basic human rights, which provide the
in the country.
conditions essential for the all-round
(c) The Right to Equality has political, social and
development of a human being. They protect
economic components. Following are the
people against unjust discrimination among
components of Right to Equality:
members of the community and give recognition
to dignity and equality of all human beings. The 1. Equality before law — Article-14
Indian Constitution provides 7 Fundamental guarantees both equality before law as
Rights to the citizens of India: well as equality in protection by law
irrespective of economic status, caste,
1. Right to Equality
colour, creed, religion or sex. Article-15
2. Right to Freedom
prohibits discrimination on grounds
3. Right Against Exploitation
mentioned above making such
4. Right to Freedom of Religion
discrimination a punishable offence.
5. Cultural and Educational Rights
2. Equality of Opportunity — Article-16
6. Right to Constitutional Remedies
provides for equality of opportunity for
7. Right to Education
all citizens in matters relating to
employment in an office under the State
or Central government. It also allows
making of reservations of posts in favour
 of Scheduled Castes and Tribes by cannot go against the laws of a particular
passing a law. territory where larger national interest is
3. Abolition of Untouchability — Article-17 involved.
abolishes untouchability and its practice
in any form. Any person preventing the Question 4
other from entering a place of public
worship, using a public well or a public Article 20 provides for Protection in Respect of
transport system, etc. can be punished Conviction for Offences. In this respect answer
by law. the following:
4. Abolition of Titles — Article-18 abolishes
(a) What protections are available to the citizens
all titles like Rai Sahib, Khan Bahadur,
against conviction?
Maharaja etc. These titles are considered
a negation of equal status for all.
(b) What is meant by Preventive Detention?
State the right of citizens in this respect.
Question 3
(c) Explain the limitations of the Right to
With reference to inclusion of Right to Freedom Protection.
in the Indian Constitution, state the following:
Answer
(a) State any three freedoms given under Article
19. (a) Under Article-20 the following protections
are available to a citizen:
(b) What do these freedoms imply?
1. Greater penalty than what is prescribed
(c) Explain the restrictions imposed on these under the law is prohibited.
rights. 2. No one can be punished or prosecuted
for the same offence twice.
Answer
3. A person cannot be compelled to be a
(a) Three freedoms given under Article 19 are: witness in the case where he himself is
accused of the offence.
1. Freedom of speech and expression (b) Preventive detention means keeping a
2. Freedom to assemble peacefully without person in custody on the grounds of the
arms. suspicion that some wrong actions may be done
3. Freedom to form associations and by the person concerned which will be
unions. prejudicial to the State. In case a person is
(b) These freedoms imply that the citizens of detained under Preventive Detention he can be
India are provided with freedom to live kept in custody for a period of three months
anywhere and move freely across India, practice without trial. Such a person has the following
any profession, assemble peacefully, form rights
associations etc. The state government cannot
make laws to curtail these freedoms. Freedom 1. Prevention Detention does not mean
of speech and expression is provided which that a person stands accused. It is only a
includes freedom of press. precautionary measure.
2. Detention beyond three months can be
(c) There are some restriction on the Right to extended only by an Advisory Board
Freedom. Right to Freedom does not mean that constituted for the purpose and
the State cannot make laws for the public good consisting of a judge of the High Court.
and protection of trade and profession. Similarly 3. Grounds of detention have to be
Right to reside and settle in any part of India specified and the detainee informed of
 these grounds. He also has the right to provide legal remedies to individuals who do not
make representation against the obtain adequate protection under ordinary
detention order. laws.
(c) The Right to protection has following
limitations: Question 6

1. Public Interest - The authority or the With reference to Fundamental Rights, answer
State can take recourse to public interest the following questions:
and refuse to disclose the grounds of
detention. (a) What are the components of the Right to
2. Power of the Parliament - The legislature Education?
or the Parliament has the power to
(b) How is the Right to Information an implied
specify the maximum period of
Fundamental Right?
Preventive Detention.

(c) Write a short note on Right to Privacy.

Question 5
Answer
With reference to the Right to Constitutional
Remedies, answer the following questions: (a) The components of the Right to Education
are:
(a) How has this right been given legal sanction?
1. Protection of language, script, culture of
(b) Why is this right important? minorities (Article-29).
2. Right to establish and administer
(c) Explain how writs issued by courts enforce
minority educational, social and cultural
this right.
institutions (Article-30).
Answer (b) An implied Fundamental Right is one which is
a part of a named Fundamental Right or
(a) Article 32 of the Indian constitution gives the partakes of the same basic nature and character
Right to Constitutional Remedies. This right is as that Fundamental Right. Since RTI is implicit
given to citizens to move the Supreme Court or in the Right to Freedom of Speech and
the High Courts for the enforcement of other Expression (Article-19), it is an implied
Fundamental Rights conferred on them. Also, Fundamental Right because if one does not
the Supreme Court and the High Courts are know the facts one cannot speak freely.
empowered to issue writs providing legal
remedies to individuals in case their (c) On August 24, 2017, the Supreme Court
Fundamental Rights are violated. confirmed that the right to privacy is a
fundamental right that does not need to be
(b) This Right is important because it ensures separately articulated but can be derived from
the protection of other rights provided by the Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution. It is a
constitution. According to Dr. Ambedkar, it is fundamental right about all information of a
the "heart and soul of the constitution". It is not person and the choice that he makes. It protects
just a right but a remedy. an individual from the scrutiny of the State in
their home, of their movements and over their
(c) The writs make the Right to Constitutional reproductive choice, choice of partners, food
Remedies the most important and also make it habits,etc.
an effective tool for their enforcement. This is
because a writ is a formal written order issued
by the Supreme Court and the High Courts to
Question 7

With reference to the Fundamental Duties,

answer the following:

(a) What are known as Fundamental Duties?

(b) Give any three Fundamental Duties.

(c) What is the importance of these Duties?

Answer

(a) The Fundamental Duties are the basic moral

and civic obligations which are expected from
the citizens. The Fundamental Duties and
Fundamental Rights go hand in hand. For
example, the right to freedom implies that we
have to maintain a self-restraint and accord
similar rights to others which we want for
ourselves.

(b) Three Fundamental Duties are:

1. To abide by the Constitution and respect

its ideals and institutions, the National
Flag and the National Anthem.
2. To cherish and follow the noble ideals
which inspired our national struggle for
freedom.
3. To uphold and protect the sovereignty,
unity and integrity of India.
(c) Importance of Fundamental Duties are:

1. To make the citizens aware of their social

and economic obligations.
2. To warn them to do and not to do certain
things in the interest of their country,
fellow citizens and themselves.
3. To protect and awaken the people to
their cultural heritage.
4. To tame the unruly elements in society.
5. To strengthen national harmony as they
stir up patriotism

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