INDIAN SCHOOL SALALAH
CLASS 8 SOCIAL SCIENCE - SPL NOTES
CHAPTER 1 THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION
QUESTION AND ANSWER
1. Why does a democratic country need a constitution?
- A constitution tells us what the fundamental nature of our society is. It is a set of
rules and principles that all persons in a country can agree upon as the basis of the
way in which they want the country to be governed.
- It defines the nature of a country’s political system. In democratic societies, the
constitution often lays down rules that guard against the misuse of power by the
political leaders.
- In a democracy, a Constitution is to save us from ourselves. It means that at times
we feel strongly an issue that might go against our larger interests and the
Constitution helps us guard against this.
2. Write a note on federalism in India.
- Federalism refers to the existence of more than one level of government in the
country.
- In India, we have governments at the State level and at the Centre. Panchayat Raj is
the third tier of government.
- Under federalism, the states are not merely agents of the federal government but
draw their authority from the constitution as well. All persons in India are governed
by the laws and policies made by each of these levels of government.
3. Explain the features of parliamentary form of government.
- The different tiers of government consist of representatives elected by the people
and every citizen of the country, irrespective of his/her social background, can also
contest in election.
- The constitution of India guarantees Universal Adult Suffrage for all citizens.
- The representatives are accountable to the people. Prime Minister is head of the
government.
4. What do you mean by separation of powers?
- According to the constitution, there are three organs of the state.
- These are the legislature, the executive and the judiciary.
- The constitution says that each of these organs should exercise different powers.
- The legislature refers to our elected representatives. The executive is a smaller
group of people who are responsible for implementing laws and running the
government.
- The judiciary refers to the system of courts in the country.
5. Fundamental Rights protect citizens against the arbitrary and absolute exercise of
power by the State. Explain.
- The section on Fundamental Rights has often been referred to as the ‘conscience of
the Indian Constitution.
- It ensures that a set of written rights would guard against the misuse of state power.
- The Constitution thus, guarantees the rights of individuals against the state as well
as against other individuals.
- The constitution also guarantees the rights of minorities against the majority.
- Fundamental Rights therefore, protect citizens against the arbitrary and absolute
exercise of power by the state.
6. What are the Fundamental Rights guaranteed by the Constitution of India?
a. Right to Equality
b. Right to Freedom
c. Right against Exploitation
d. Right to Freedom of Religion
e. Cultural and Educational Rights
f. Right to Constitutional Remedies
7. Write a note on preamble of Indian constitution.
The ‘Preamble’ of the Constitution of India is a brief introductory statement that sets
out the guiding purpose and principles of the document, and it indicates the source
from which the document which derives its authority, meaning, the people. It was
adopted on 26 November 1949 by the Constituent Assembly of India and came into
effect on 26th January 1950.
8. What are the Fundamental Duties guaranteed by the Constitution of India?
Article 51A of the Indian Constitution in Part IV-A provides eleven Fundamental Duties.
These fundamental duties are mentioned below:
• To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag
and the National Anthem,
• To cherish and follow the noble ideals that inspired the national struggle for freedom,
• To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India,
• To defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so,
• To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of
India transcending religious, linguistic, and regional or sectional diversities and
to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women,
• To value and preserve the rich heritage of the country’s composite culture,
• To protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and
wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures,
• To develop a scientific temper, humanism, and the spirit of inquiry and reform,
• To safeguard public property and to abjure violence,
• To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that
the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavor and achievement, and
• To provide opportunities for education to his child or ward between the age of six and
fourteen years (added by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2002).
