The Constitution of India — An Introduction
1. What is the main purpose of a constitution?
Answer: A constitution is a document that outlines a nation’s basic principles, laws, the framework of government, rights and duties of citizens, and long-term goals, ensuring fairness, accountability, and governance.
2. Why is the Indian Constitution preserved in a helium-filled glass case?
Answer: The Indian Constitution is preserved in a helium-filled glass case in Parliament to protect it from damage, as helium is a non-reactive gas that prevents deterioration of the paper and ink.
3. Who was the Chairman of the Constituent Assembly that drafted the Indian Constitution?
Answer: Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the Chairman of the Constituent Assembly.
4. What is the significance of 26 January 1950 in India?
Answer: On 26 January 1950, the Indian Constitution came into effect, marking the day India became a republic, celebrated annually as Republic Day.
5. What are the three organs of government mentioned in the Constitution?
Answer: The three organs of government are the legislature (makes laws), the executive (implements laws), and the judiciary (ensures laws align with the Constitution).
6. How does the Constitution ensure fairness among the three organs of government?
Answer: The Constitution establishes checks and balances among the legislature, executive, and judiciary to ensure fairness, responsibility, and accountability.
7. What are Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution?
Answer: Fundamental Rights are basic rights guaranteed to every citizen, such as the right to equality, freedom, education, and protection against exploitation, enforceable by courts.
8. What are Fundamental Duties, and why are they important?
Answer: Fundamental Duties are responsibilities of citizens, like respecting the Constitution, preserving heritage, and protecting the environment, important for fostering national unity and progress.
9. What are Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)?
Answer: Directive Principles of State Policy are guidelines for the government to achieve social, economic, and political justice, such as ensuring welfare, education, and environmental protection, though not enforceable in court.
10. Why is the Indian Constitution called a living document?
Answer: The Indian Constitution is called a living document because it can be amended through rigorous parliamentary debates to meet the country’s evolving needs, such as adding Fundamental Duties in 1976.
11. How did the Indian freedom movement influence the Constitution?
Answer: The Indian freedom movement inspired values like equality, justice, freedom, and fraternity, which were enshrined in the Constitution, with many freedom fighters contributing as Constituent Assembly members.
12. What role did India’s civilizational heritage play in shaping the Constitution?
Answer: India’s civilizational heritage, including concepts like vasudhaiva kutumbakam (world is one family), respect for diversity, and duties in governance, influenced principles like Fundamental Duties and unity in diversity.
13. How did the Constituent Assembly ensure diversity in its membership?
Answer: The Constituent Assembly included 299 members from diverse regions, professions, and social groups, including 15 women, to represent India’s cultural and social diversity.
14. What is the Preamble of the Indian Constitution?
Answer: The Preamble is an introductory statement that outlines the core values of the Constitution, such as sovereignty, socialism, secularism, democracy, justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.
15. Why is India described as a sovereign nation in the Preamble?
Answer: India is sovereign because its people have the supreme right to make decisions on internal and external matters without interference from any external power.
16. What does the term ‘secular’ mean in the context of the Indian Constitution?
Answer: Secular means that citizens have the freedom to follow any religion, there is no official state religion, and the government treats all religious beliefs with equal respect.
17. How does the Constitution promote equality among citizens?
Answer: The Constitution promotes equality through Fundamental Rights like Article 14 (equality before law) and by ensuring equal opportunities in jobs and education, regardless of caste, gender, or religion.
18. What is the significance of the illustrations in the Indian Constitution?
Answer: The illustrations, created by Nandalal Bose and his team, depict scenes from Indian history, like Mohenjo-daro, the Ramayana, and Nalanda, reflecting India’s rich cultural heritage and making the Constitution a work of art.
19. Why was the concept of universal adult franchise introduced in India from the beginning?
Answer: Universal adult franchise was introduced to ensure every adult citizen had the right to vote, reflecting the democratic ideals of equality and participation championed during the freedom struggle.
20. How can citizens contribute to achieving the ideals of the Constitution?
Answer: Citizens can contribute by following Fundamental Duties, respecting diversity, protecting the environment, promoting equality, and participating in democratic processes like voting and providing feedback on laws.
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