Constitutional Design Class 9 Questions and Answers

Constitutional Design Class 9 Questions and Answers – This NCERT Solutions study guide is meant to support students as they learn about Constitutional Design in Class 9 Civics, Chapter 2. In a democracy, the government is constrained by a set of fundamental laws and values that are spelled out in the Constitution. This chapter discusses the underlying principles of the Constitution, the roles of leaders in its drafting, and several related subjects.

Constitutional Design Class 9 Questions and Answers

1. 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.

Answer –

1. The leaders of the freedom movement in India had a shared belief that after independence, the country should be a democratic nation.
2. The members of the constituent assembly, who were responsible for drafting the Constitution of India, also held similar views on the fundamental principles that should guide the nation.
3. It is necessary for a democratic country to have a Constitution, which serves as a set of guiding principles and rules for the government and its citizens.
4. This document can be amended over time to meet the changing needs and desires of the people.

2. 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

3. 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

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

Answer –

5. 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?

Answer –

a. In his speech “Tryst with Destiny,” Jawaharlal Nehru acknowledged that the task of nation-building would be difficult and could not be accomplished quickly. He therefore believed that it should be approached gradually.
b. Nehru encouraged those responsible for creating the Indian Constitution to commit themselves to serving India and its people, as well as to the greater cause of humanity.
c. Nehru was referring to Mahatma Gandhi, who is considered the father of the nation.

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

Answer –

7. A friend from Nepal has written you a letter describing the political exercises 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.

Answer –

Dear Friend,

Thank you for writing to me about the political situation in Nepal. It sounds like there is a lot of disagreement among political parties about the role of the king and the nature of the country’s constitution.

I believe that it is important for all voices to be heard in any political process, and that includes those who are advocating for greater powers for elected representatives as well as those who support the formation of a new Constituent Assembly to draft a republican constitution. It is crucial that any changes to the existing constitutional framework are made in a transparent and democratic manner, and that they reflect the will of the people.

I understand that these are complex and sensitive issues, and that finding a solution that satisfies everyone may be difficult. However, I believe that it is worth striving for a solution that is fair and just for all citizens of Nepal.

I hope that these thoughts are helpful, and that the political situation in Nepal can be resolved peacefully and in a way that benefits the entire nation.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

8. 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 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.

Answer –

a. During the struggle for independence from British rule, the value of democracy was embraced as a fundamental principle for the nation. The Indian Councils Act allowed for Indian participation in legislative councils, laying the foundation for democratic institutions in independent India.
b. The freedom struggle opposed colonial exploitation and advocated for the creation of laws through consensus, rather than imposing them on others.
c. The struggle for independence in India was characterized by non-violent tactics such as satyagraha and ahimsa, which were used to peacefully resist British rule and secure the freedom and rights of Indians.

9. 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 the 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?

Answer – Our Constitution guarantees fundamental rights to all citizens, regardless of their gender, caste, sexual orientation, place of birth, or religion. In addition, various laws have been enacted to ensure that women are afforded equal rights and protections under the law.

10. 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.

Answer –

a. True, the Constitution is the supreme law of the land and sets forth the roles, powers, and responsibilities of the different branches of government.
b. True, the Constitution establishes the fundamental rights of all citizens of India.
c. True, the Constitution holds certain values, such as justice, liberty, fraternity, and equality, upon which all institutions in the country are based. These values are outlined in the preamble to the Constitution.
d. False, the Constitution does not just hold values, it also lays out the rules and procedures for the functioning of the government and the protection of individual rights.

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