NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Civics Chapter 2 Constitutional Design Questions and Answers

The NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science Civics Chapter 2, “Constitutional Design,” offer insightful answers to the questions presented in this chapter. These solutions are a valuable resource for students seeking to comprehend the intricacies of India’s constitutional framework. They provide in-depth explanations and clarity on fundamental concepts related to the design of the Indian Constitution, enabling students to grasp the significance of its various provisions and principles. These answers serve as an indispensable tool for a comprehensive understanding of this pivotal chapter in the curriculum.

Constitutional Design Questions and Answers Class 9

Exercise With Answers

Q1. Here are some false statements. Identify the mistake in each case and rewrite these correctly based on what you have read in this chapter.

(a). Leaders of the freedom movement had an open mind about whether the country should be democratic or not after independence.

(b). Members of the Constituent Assembly of India held the same views on all provisions of the Constitution.

(c). A country that has a constitution must be a democracy.

(d). Constitution cannot be amended because it is the supreme law of a country.

Ans: (a) The leaders of the freedom movement were firm in their belief that India should be a democratic nation following its independence. This conviction stemmed from their arduous struggle for independence from British rule. In his capacity as President of the Indian National Congress during the Faizpur session of 1936, Jawaharlal Nehru reaffirmed this commitment to democracy, stating that “the Congress stands today for full democracy in India and fights for a democratic state.”

(b) Not all members of the Constituent Assembly held identical viewpoints regarding the constitution’s provisions. While some favored the adoption of a unitary form of government, others supported a federal system. Most of the issues were extensively debated during the Assembly’s meetings, with decisions made either through voting or by reaching a consensus.

(c) The existence of a constitution in a country does not automatically indicate that the country is a democracy. It is possible for a country’s constitution to facilitate a dictatorship or military rule.

(d) The statement that there exists an unchangeable constitution is false. In every country, the constitution can be amended to reflect evolving social, economic, and political conditions. A constitution may be either flexible or rigid, but the process for amending it is usually included within the constitution itself. For instance, the Constitution of India specifies the procedure for its amendment in Article 368. Since its adoption in 1950, around one hundred amendments have been passed in the Indian constitution to date.

Q2. Which of these was the most salient underlying conflict in the making of a democratic constitution in South Africa?

(a) Between South Africa and its neighbours

(b) Between men and women

(c) Between the white majority and the black minority

(d) Between the coloured minority and the black majority

Ans. (d) Between the coloured minority and the black majority.

Q3. Which of these is a provision that a democratic constitution does not have?

(a) Powers of the head of the state

(b) Name of the head of the state

(c) Powers of the legislature

(d) Name of the country

Ans. . (b) Name of the head of the state.

Q4. Match the following leaders with their roles in the making of the Constitution:

(a) Motilal Nehru(i) President of the Constituent Assembly
(b) B.R. Ambedkar(ii) Member of the Constituent Assembly
(c) Rajendra Prasad(iii) Chairman of the Drafting Committee
(d) Sarojini Naidu(iv) Prepared a Constitution for India in 1928

Ans. 

(a) Motilal NehruPrepared a Constitution for India in 1928
(b) B.R. AmbedkarChairman of the Drafting Committee
(c) Rajendra PrasadPresident of the Constituent Assembly
(d) Sarojini NaiduMember of the Constituent Assembly

Q5. Read again the extracts from Nehru’s speech ‘Tryst with Destiny’ and answer the following:

(a) Why did Nehru use the expression “not wholly or in full measure” in the first sentence? (b) What pledge did he want the makers of the Indian Constitution to take? (c) “The ambition of the greatest man of our generation has been to wipe every tear from every eye” Who was he referring to?

Ans. (a) Since the pledge to free India was being taken for the last so many years, so there was no need to repeat that again. Therefore During his speech, “Tryst with Destiny,” Jawaharlal Nehru used the phrase “not wholly or in full measure” to express his belief that nation-building is a difficult task that cannot be accomplished overnight. Thus, he emphasized the need for a gradual process of nation-building.

(b) To pledge oneself to serve India and its citizens, as well as the broader cause of humanity, with utmost commitment.

(c) The people of India.

Q6. Here are some of the guiding values of the Constitution and its meaning. Rewrite them by matching them correctly.

SovereignThe government will not favour any religion
RepublicPeople have the supreme right to make decisions
FraternityHead of the state is an elected person
SecularPeople should live like brothers and sisters

Ans.

SovereignPeople have the supreme right to make decisions
RepublicHead of the state is an elected person
FraternityPeople should live like brothers and sisters
SecularThe government will not favour any religion

Q7. A friend from Nepal has written you a letter describing the political situation there. Many political parties are opposing the rule of the king. Some of them say that the existing constitution given by the monarch can be amended to allow more powers to elected representatives. Others are demanding a new Constituent Assembly to write a republican constitution. Reply to your friend giving your opinions on the subject.

Ans. Dear [Your friend’s name],

Thank you for sharing with me the current political situation in Nepal. I understand that there are various political parties in Nepal that are opposing the rule of the king and have different opinions regarding the existing constitution.

In my opinion, the existing constitution given by the monarch can be amended to allow more powers to elected representatives. This would be a practical and feasible solution that could address the concerns of those who feel that the current constitution doesn’t provide enough power to elected representatives.

However, if the majority of the people in Nepal demand a new Constituent Assembly to write a republican constitution, then that option should be considered as well. A new constitution could provide a more comprehensive and inclusive framework for governance, and it could help establish a more democratic and representative government.

Ultimately, the decision on whether to amend the current constitution or write a new one should be made by the people of Nepal through a democratic process. It’s important for all parties involved to engage in constructive dialogue and work towards a peaceful resolution that benefits the people of Nepal.

I hope that Nepal can soon find a stable and prosperous path towards democracy and progress.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

Q8. Here are different opinions about what made India a democracy. How much importance would you give to each of these factors? 

(a) Democracy in India is a gift of the British rulers. We received training to work with representative legislative institutions under the British rule.

(b) Freedom Struggle challenged the colonial exploitation and denial of different freedoms to Indians. Free India could not be anything but democratic.

(c) We were lucky to have leaders who had democratic convictions. The denial of democracy in several other newly independent countries shows the important role of these leaders.

Ans. (a) Democracy in India wasn’t bestowed by the British rulers, but rather achieved through a long, arduous struggle and numerous sacrifices made by the Indian people to gain freedom from British rule. While under British rule, Indians gained valuable experience and training in the workings of legislative institutions, which proved advantageous when India established its own democratic institutions. This history demonstrates the Indian people’s commitment to democracy and their hard-fought journey towards self-governance.

(b) India, having endured the hardships of British colonial rule, could only have emerged as a democratic nation.

(c) ) It is true that Indians were lucky to have leaders who had strong democratic convictions. As far back as in 1928, Motilal Nehru and some other Congress leaders drafted a constitution for India. In 1931, the resolution at the Karachi session of the Indian National Congress dwelt on how independent India’s constitution should look like. Both these documents were committed to the inclusion of Universal Adult Franchise, rights to freedom and equality and to protect the rights of the minorities in the constitution of free India.

Q9. Read the following extract from a conduct book for ‘married women’, published in 1912. God has made the female species delicate and fragile both physically and emotionally, pitiably incapable of self-defence. They are destined thus by God to remain in male protection-of father, husband and son- all their lives. Women should, therefore, not despair, but feel obliged that they can dedicate themselves to the service of men’. Do you think the values expressed in this para reflected the values underlying our constitution? Or does this go against the constitutional values?

Ans: The above paragraph contradicts the core constitutional values that are enshrined in the Preamble of our Constitution. The Preamble, which begins with the phrase “We, the people of India,” applies equally to both men and women, securing justice, social, economic, and political to all citizens, regardless of gender, religion, or caste. It requires that social inequalities be reduced and mandates that the government work towards the welfare of all. The values of justice, equality, liberty, and fraternity, as given in the Constitution, do not align with the position of women as described in the above paragraph.

Q10. Read the following statements about a constitution. Give reasons why each of these is true or not true.

(a) The authority of the rules of the constitution is the same as that of any other law.

(b) Constitution lays down how different organs of the government will be formed.

(c) Rights of citizens and limits on the power of the government are laid down in the constitution

(d) A constitution is about institutions, not about values

Ans. (a) It is not true. A regular law can be passed and altered by Parliament at its discretion, whereas the provisions of the Constitution hold greater authority and even Parliament is obligated to comply with them. To amend these rules, a special procedure must be followed.

(b) It is true, The supreme law, the Constitution, has established guidelines for the creation of various branches of the government.

(c) It is true, the Constitution has granted Fundamental Rights to every citizen of India.

(d) Not true, A constitution pertains to both institutions and values, and our Constitution’s Preamble encompasses numerous values.

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