Class VIII Civics

Chapter - 1 The Indian Constitution

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Civics

Other Chapters
  1. The Indian Constitution
Study notes for The Indian Constitution
Chapter end exercise
Q 1.

Why does a democratic country need constitution?

Ans.

In a democratic country, the people from every society irrespective of their social, religious, economic and cultural background have a direct role in electing their representatives who form the government. A democratic country need a constitution since it plays a crucial in many aspects which are as follows::

  1. It lays out the important guidelines that govern decision making within the various societies of the country.
  2. It lays down the ideals that form the basis of the kind of country that its citizens aspire to live in.
  3. It serves as asset of rules and principles as the basis by which the country has to be governed.
  4. It provides rules to safeguard the interests of minorities and prevent any kind of domination by the majority on minorities.
  5. It lays down rules that guard against the misuse of power by any politician leader.
  6. It also provides rights to its citizens and protects their freedom
Chapter end exercise
Q 2.

Look at the wordings of the two documents given below. The first coloumn is from the 1990 Nepal Constitution. The second coloumn is from the more recent Interim Constitution of Nepal.

 

1990 Constitution of Nepal

Part 7:Executive

2007 Interim Consitution

Part 5:Executive
Article 35: Executive Power: The executive power of the Kingdom of Nepal shall be vested in His Majesty and the Council of ministers Article 37: Executive Power: The executive power of Nepal shall be vested in the Council of Ministers.

What is the difference in who exercises 'Executive Power' in the above two Constitutions of Nepal? Keeping this in mind, why do you think Nepal need a new Constitution today?

Ans.

The difference between Consitution of Nepal in 1990 and 2007:


In 1990 the Executive power was vested among majesty and his council of members but in 2007 it was vested only to council of Ministers.

It needs to be changed as Nepal is no longer now a monarchy. It is a democratic country now. According to democracy new rules are to be made that should be more favourable for the people.

Chapter end exercise
Q 3.

What would have happened if there were no restrictions on the power of elected representatives?

Ans.

In democracy people choose their leaders so that they can exercise power responsibly on their behalf. But there is always the possibility that these leaders might misuse their authority as per their wish which cannot be allowed in democracy. This misues of autority can result in gross injustice and breakdown of democratic system.
Hence as a safeguard against the misuse of power by our political leaders it is necessary to have restiction on their power.

Chapter end exercise
Q 4.

In each of the following situations, identify the minority. Write one reason why you think it is important to respect the views of the minority in each of these situations.
a. In a school with 30 teachers, 20 of them are male.
b. In a city, 5 percent of the population are Buddhists.
c. In a factory mess for all employees, 80% are vegetarians.
d. In a class of 50 students, 40 belon to more well-off families.

 

Ans.


a. Minority - Female teachers
The female teachers must be allowed to raise their voice so that their teaching efforts must not be hindered.

b. Minority - Buddhists
All persons have the right to choos religion and others have to respect for that.

c. Minority - Non Vegetarians
Everybody has the right to choose the type of food they want.

d. Minority - Under priviliged
Citizens cannot be discriminated by their birth so their views have to respected.

Chapter end exercise
Q 5.

The coloumn on the left lists some of the key features of the Indian Constitution. In the other coloumn write two sentences, in your own words, on why you think this feature is important

Key Feature Significance
Federalism  
Separation of Powers  
Fundamental Rights  
Parliamentary Form of Government  
Ans.

 

Key Feature Significance
Federalism
  1. It ensures National unity.
  2. It allows individual progress.
Separation of Powers
  1. Power is not in the hand of single authority.
  2. 3 organs of power keep a check on one another hence maintaining a good balance.
Fundamental Rights
  1. They protect the citizens from the absolute and arbitrary use power be state.
  2. The conform to a humane society.
Parliamentary Form of Government
  1. People play direct role in electing the representatives for running the state.
  2. People play direct role in electing the representatives for the Nation as well.
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