CBSE 8 Polity Ch 1 The Indian Constitution Notes

Ch 1 – The Indian Constitution Notes

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Meaning of constitution

A Constitution is a written document of rules that tells how a country is run and how the government works and protects the rights of the people.

Why does a country need a constitution?

1. A Constitution is important for a country because it is a set of rules that explains how the country should be run. It also shows the values people believe in, like fairness, equality, and freedom, and helps to build the kind of country they want to live in.
2. The Constitution is a written document that contains the rules and describes the values and goals that guide the country we want to live in.
3. Every society has rules that make it unique. People work together in large societies with diverse communities to agree on these rules. In modern countries, this agreement is often written down as a constitution.

Adaptation of Nepal constitution

After the transition in the governing system in Nepal, the government started the process of making a new Constitution of Nepal because it did not reflect the ideals of the country, they needed to change all its Constitutive rules to usher in a new democratic society for which people had struggled for a long period. Nepal adopted a new constitution for its country in 2015.

Important function of the constitution

The important function of a Constitution is to define the nature of a country’s political system and democracy, in a democracy, we elect leaders to use power responsibly. The Constitution has rules to stop them from misusing it.

In a democracy it is to ensure that a dominant group does not use its power against other, less powerful people or groups, it usually contains rules that ensure that minorities are not excluded from anything available to the majority. The Constitution is made to prevent the majority from controlling or harming the minority

Indian constitution’s key feature

1. The Indian Constitution gives the right to equality, so no one is treated unfairly because of their religion, caste, gender, race, or birthplace. It also protects weaker groups from stronger ones.
2. India has included rules in the fundamental rights section of the constitution to stop leaders from misusing their power.
3. The Constitution protects us from decisions that could harm the country’s key values, after independence, it was agreed that India would be a democratic country where everyone has equal opportunities.
4. India needed a Constitution for democracy, and 300 members of the constituent assembly wrote it over three years starting in 1946. There were many different and opposing factors to consider, which made the task hard. Still, the Constitution was completed with unique features.

About Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar

Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar is known as the Father of the Indian constitution. He believed that his participation in the Constituent assembly helped the scheduled castes get some safeguards in the draft Constitution, but he also stated that although the laws might exist, scheduled castes still had reason to fear because the administration of these laws was in the hands of ‘caste Hindu officers’. He, therefore, urged scheduled castes to join the government in the civil services.

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A. Federalism

1. Federalism is an important part of our Constitution. This means our country has more than one level of government to manage different areas. We have the central government, state governments, and local governments in India. The local governments include municipal corporations in cities and the Panchayati Raj system in villages.
2. The Constitution gives states the right to manage some matters themselves, but they must follow central laws on national matters. The Constitution divides powers between the state and central governments.
3. The Constitution explains where each level of government can get money to do its work in India’s system of central government federalism. States are not fully controlled by the central government they get their powers from the Constitution. In India, everyone follows the laws made by each level of government.

B. Parliamentary Form of Government

The Indian Constitution has a system called a parliamentary system. This means people vote to choose leaders who make laws and run the government at all levels local, state, and national. Everyone who is 18 or older can vote, no matter their gender, religion, or background. This is called universal voting rights, and it ensures that all citizens have an equal say in choosing their leaders.

C. Separation of Powers

1. The Indian Constitution divides power among three parts of the government: the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary. This system helps them watch over each other and keeps the power balanced so that no one becomes too powerful.
2. The legislature is made up of leaders chosen by the people, like members of Parliament. The executive is a smaller group, including the President, Prime Minister, and their team, who make sure laws are followed and run the government. The judiciary is the system of courts, led by the Chief Justice, which makes sure no one breaks the rules or misuses their power.

D. Fundamental Rights 

The Fundamental Rights are like the “heart” of the Indian Constitution. These rights protect people from unfair actions by the government. They also make sure that everyone, including minority communities, is treated fairly. The Constitution gives these rights to protect all citizens, even if most people disagree with them.

Dr Ambedkar has discussed these rights. In addition to Fundamental Rights, the Constitution also has a section called Directive Principles of State Policy.

Right to EqualityAll citizens are treated equally, no matter their religion, caste, or gender. Everyone can use public places like shops and playgrounds. The government ensures fairness in jobs, and untouchability is banned.
Right to freedomThis includes the right to speak and express freely, form groups, travel and live anywhere in the country, and choose any job, profession, or business.
Right against ExploitationThe Constitution prohibits human trafficking, forced labour, and employment of children under 14 years of age.
Right to Freedom of ReligionReligious freedom is provided to all citizens, every person has the right to practise, profess and propagate the religion of their choice.
Cultural and Educational RightsThe Constitution states that all minorities, religious or linguistic, can set up their educational institutions to preserve and develop their own culture.
Right to Constitutional RemediesThis allows citizens to move the court if they believe that any of their Fundamental Rights have been broken by the government.

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E. Secularism

Secularism means the government does not support any one religion and treats all religions equally. People can follow any religion they want or not follow any religion at all. This helps everyone live together peacefully.

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