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The NCERT Class 11 Political Science Chapter 1: Constitution: Why and How? from the textbook Indian Constitution at Work explores the role of a constitution in governing diverse societies. It discusses why constitutions are essential, their key functions and the authoritative process of creating the Indian Constitution. This section provides detailed solutions to the chapter’s exercise questions, offering clear explanations to help students understand complex political concepts and prepare for exams.
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NCERT Solutions Class 11 Indian Constitution at Work Chapter 1: Constitution: Why and How?
This section provides clear solutions for Class 11 Indian Constitution at Work Chapter 1: Constitution: Why and How?. The detailed explanations below help students understand the subject thoroughly.
Exercise
- Which of these is not a function of the Constitution?
(a) It gives a guarantee of the rights of the citizen.
(b) It marks out different spheres of power for different branches of government.
(c) It ensures that good people come to power.
(d) It gives expression to some shared values.
- Which of the following is a good reason to conclude that the authority of the constitution is higher than that of the parliament?
(a) The constitution was framed before the parliament came into being.
(b) The constitution makers were more eminent leaders than the members of the parliament.
(c) The constitution specifies how parliament is to be formed and what its powers are.
(d) The constitution cannot be amended by the parliament.
- State whether the following statements about a constitution are True or False.
(a) Constitutions are written documents about the formation and power of the government.
(b) Constitutions exist and are required only in democratic countries.
(c) Constitution is a legal document that does not deal with ideals and values.
(d) A constitution gives its citizens a new identity.
- State whether the following inferences about the making of the Indian Constitution are Correct or Incorrect. Give reasons to support your answer.
(a) The Constituent Assembly did not represent the Indian people since it was not elected by all citizens.
(b) Constitution making did not involve any major decision since there was a general consensus among the leaders at that time about its basic framework.
(c) There was little originality in the Constitution, for much of it was borrowed from other countries.
- Give two examples each to support the following conclusions about the Indian Constitution:
(a) The Constitution was made by credible leaders who commanded peoples’ respect.
(b) The Constitution has distributed power in such a way as to make it difficult to subvert it.
(c) The Constitution is the locus of people’s hopes and aspirations.
- Why is it necessary for a country to have a clear demarcation of powers and responsibilities in the constitution? What would happen in the absence of such a demarcation?
- Why is it necessary for a constitution to place limitations on the rulers? Can there be a constitution that gives no power at all to the citizens?
- The Japanese Constitution was made when the US occupation army was still in control of Japan after its defeat in the Second World War. The Japanese constitution could not have had any provision that the US government did not like. Do you see any problem in this way of making the constitution? In which way was the Indian experience different from this?
- Rajat asked his teacher this question: “The constitution is a fifty-year-old and therefore outdated book. No one took my consent to implement it. It is written in such tough language that I cannot understand it. Tell me why I should obey this document?” If you were the teacher, how would you answer Rajat?
- In a discussion on the experience of the working of our Constitution, three speakers took three different positions:
(a) Harbans: The Indian Constitution has succeeded in giving us a framework of democratic government.
(b) Neha: The Constitution made solemn promises of ensuring liberty, equality, and fraternity. Since this has not happened, the Constitution has failed.
(c) Nazima: The Constitution has not failed us. We have failed the Constitution.
Do you agree with any of these positions? If yes, why? If not, what is your own position?
Also Read:
- NCERT Class 11 Political Science Chapter 2: Freedom Notes (Free PDF)
- NCERT Class 11 Political Science Chapter 3 Political Theory: Equality Solutions (Free PDF)
Solutions
- To determine which option is not a function of the constitution, we must consider its core roles: ensuring coordination, allocating decision-making powers, limiting government authority, enabling societal aspirations, and expressing collective identity. Let’s evaluate each option:
(a) It gives a guarantee of the rights of the citizen: This is a function of the constitution. Constitutions, like India’s, guarantee fundamental rights (e.g., freedom of speech) to protect citizens from arbitrary state actions.
(b) It marks out different spheres of power for different branches of government: This is a function of the constitution. It allocates powers among the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary, as seen in India’s separation of powers.
(c) It ensures that good people come to power: This is not a function of the constitution. A constitution establishes processes for electing representatives (e.g., through elections in India), but it does not guarantee the moral quality of those elected, as this depends on voters’ choices.
(d) It gives expression to some shared values: This is a function of the constitution. It defines a collective identity through shared values, such as equality and justice in India’s Preamble.
Answer: (c) It ensures that good people come to power.
Explanation: The constitution provides a framework for governance but does not control the character of elected leaders, making option (c) incompatible with its functions.
- To conclude why the constitution’s authority is higher than Parliament’s, we must assess its foundational role in governance:
(a) The constitution was framed before the parliament came into being. While true, this is not the primary reason for its higher authority.
(b) The constitution makers were more eminent leaders than the members of the parliament. This is subjective and not a valid basis for constitutional authority.
(c) The constitution specifies how parliament is to be formed and what are its powers: This is the best reason. The constitution establishes Parliament’s structure (e.g., through elections) and defines its legislative powers, making it the supreme legal framework.
(d) The constitution cannot be amended by the parliament: This is incorrect, as Parliament can amend the constitution with a special majority, though within the basic structure.
Answer: (c) The constitution specifies how parliament is to be formed and what its powers are.
Explanation: The constitution’s authority lies in its role as the source of Parliament’s existence and powers, ensuring its supremacy in governance.
- Let’s evaluate each statement based on the nature of constitutions:
(a) Constitutions are written documents about the formation and power of the government: True. Constitutions, like India’s, are written documents that outline the structure and powers of government institutions (e.g., Parliament, Judiciary).
(b) Constitutions exist and are required only in democratic countries: False. Constitutions exist in both democratic and non-democratic countries to provide governance frameworks, though their content varies.
(c) The Constitution is a legal document that does not deal with ideals and values: False. Constitutions embody ideals and values, such as India’s commitment to justice, liberty, and equality in its Preamble and Directive Principles.
(d) A constitution gives its citizens a new identity: True. A constitution shapes a collective political identity, as India’s does by promoting a non-ethnic, democratic identity based on equality.
- Let’s assess the inferences about the making of the Indian Constitution:
(a) The Constituent Assembly did not represent the Indian people since it was not elected by all citizens: Incorrect. Though indirectly elected by Provincial Legislative Assemblies, the Constituent Assembly was representative, including diverse communities (e.g., Muslims, Sikhs, Scheduled Castes). Its legitimacy stemmed from the nationalist movement’s public support and inclusive deliberations.
(b) Constitution making did not involve any major decision since there was a general consensus among the leaders at that time about its basic framework: Incorrect. While there was consensus on principles like democracy, the Assembly debated complex issues like federalism and fundamental rights over 166 days, indicating significant decision-making.
(c) There was little originality in the Constitution, for much of it was borrowed from other countries: Incorrect. The Constitution borrowed elements (e.g., the parliamentary system from the UK), but it was original in adapting these to India’s diverse context, incorporating unique features like the Directive Principles.
Explanation: These answers highlight the representative, deliberative, and adaptive nature of the Indian Constitution’s creation.
- Let’s provide examples for each conclusion about the Indian Constitution:
(a) The Constitution was made by credible leaders who commanded peoples’ respect:
- Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the Assembly’s President, was a respected nationalist leader, lending credibility to the process.
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Chairman of the Drafting Committee, was revered for his expertise and advocacy for social justice.
(b) The Constitution has distributed power in such a way as to make it difficult to subvert it:
- The separation of powers among the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary, with judicial review, prevents any single branch from dominating.
- The Election Commission’s autonomy ensures fair elections, safeguarding democratic integrity.
(c) The Constitution is the locus of people’s hopes and aspirations:
- The Directive Principles promote welfare and equality, addressing aspirations like reducing caste discrimination.
- The Preamble’s emphasis on liberty, equality, and fraternity reflects India’s vision for an inclusive society.
- A clear demarcation of powers and responsibilities in a constitution is necessary to ensure effective governance, prevent conflicts, and maintain accountability. It specifies the roles of institutions (e.g., India’s Parliament for legislation, the Judiciary for interpretation), ensuring coordination and checks and balances. Without such demarcation, overlapping authority could lead to chaos, power struggles, or arbitrary rule, causing insecurity and instability among citizens. For example, unclear roles might result in multiple institutions claiming legislative power, disrupting governance.
Explanation: This highlights the constitution’s role in fostering stable, coordinated governance.
- A constitution must place limitations on rulers to prevent abuse of power and protect citizens’ rights, such as India’s fundamental rights (e.g., freedom of speech), which ensure accountability and safeguard democracy. A constitution giving no power to citizens is theoretically possible, but would likely be authoritarian, lacking legitimacy and participation. India’s Constitution empowers citizens through voting and rights, ensuring democratic engagement.
- The Japanese Constitution’s creation under US occupation raises concerns about its legitimacy, as external influence may not reflect the Japanese people’s will, potentially reducing public acceptance. For example, provisions aligned with US interests might not address local needs. In contrast, India’s Constitution was framed by a representative Constituent Assembly rooted in the nationalist movement, engaging in inclusive deliberations over 1946–1949. This ensured alignment with India’s diverse needs and public consensus, unlike Japan’s externally influenced process.
- As the teacher, I would tell Rajat: The Indian Constitution, though drafted in 1950, remains relevant as a living document, adaptable through amendments to address modern needs. Its legitimacy comes from the Constituent Assembly’s representation of India’s people, backed by the nationalist movement. Its precise language ensures legal clarity to protect your rights, like education. You should obey it because it enables democracy, safeguards freedoms, and allows participation through voting, ensuring a just society.
- Let’s evaluate the three positions:
(a) Harbans: The Indian Constitution has succeeded in giving us a framework of democratic government. I support this. The Constitution establishes democratic institutions like Parliament and an independent Judiciary, ensuring free elections and checks on power, as seen in universal suffrage.
(b) Neha: The Constitution made solemn promises of ensuring liberty, equality, and fraternity. Since this has not happened, the Constitution has failed: I oppose this. The Constitution provides mechanisms (e.g., fundamental rights, Directive Principles) to achieve these goals, but their incomplete realisation reflects implementation challenges, not constitutional failure.
(c) Nazima: The Constitution has not failed us. We have failed the Constitution: I partially support this. The Constitution’s effectiveness depends on society’s commitment to its values. Issues like inequality persist due to failures in implementation, not the document itself.
My Position: The Indian Constitution is a successful democratic framework, providing tools like rights and institutions to pursue justice and equality. Its partial realisation reflects societal and institutional shortcomings, which can be addressed through active civic engagement.
Download NCERT Solutions Class 11 Political Science Indian Constitution at Work Chapter 1: Constitution: Why and How?
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Also Read:
- NCERT Class 11 Political Science Chapter 2 Political Theory: Freedom Solutions (Free PDF)
- NCERT Class 11 Political Science Chapter 3: Equality Notes (Free PDF)
Download NCERT Solutions of all Chapters of Class 11 Political Science: Political Theory here:
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