POLITICAL SCIEMCE
INDIAN DEMOCRACY, LESSON -1
CHAPTER KEY PONTS
- Ideals of constitution
- Federal characteristics of the Indian constitution
-Parliamentary democracy in India
CHAPTER SUMMARY-
-The Indian constitutioncame into force on 26january. India was governed in accordance with the govt. Of India Act,1935 from August 15, 1947 to 26 january, 1950
-The significant word ibthis chapter are sovereign, secular, socialist, democratic and republic.
-The wor dfederation is not mentioned in Indian constitution as found in the USA.India is, rather a union of states in the Article No-1 mentioned in constitution.
-The Govt. Of India Act introduced the Parliamentary form of govt. In India.
-Overal, India is a parliamentary democratic state.
TEXTUAL QUESTON ANSWERS: (EXERCISE)
Very short question and answer;
1) which political party won the elections held in 1945 in England ?
Answer-
The labour Party won the elections held in July, 1945 in England.
2) When did the Cabinet Mission came to India?
Answer-
The cabinet Mission came to India in March, 1946
3) Who was the first chairman of the Constituent Assembly ?
Answer-
Dr. Sachindananda Sinha was the first Chairman of the Constituent Assembly.
4) Who was the president of the drafting committee of Indian Constitution ?
Answer- Dr. B.R.Ambedkar
5) In which Constitutional amendment the words 'Socialist' and 'Secular' were incorporated in the Preamble ?
Answer- These two words were incorporated in the preamble of indian constitution by the 42nd constitutional Ammendment 1976.
6) From which Latin word has been the english word 'Federation' derived ?
Answer-
The english word 'federation' has been derived fromthe'latin' word 'foedus'. It's literal meaning is agreement or treaty.
7) which country is regarded as the homeland of 'federation; ?
Answer-
The United State of America.
8) Is there dual citizenship system in India ?
Answer-
No, there is no dual citizenship in India.
9) From which countr's constitution has been the concept of Indian parliamentary democracy followed ?
Answer-
From the constitution of England.
SHORT ANSWER-
Q.1) why did the British govt. Send the cabinet Mission to India ?
Answer-In the general election held in july, 1945 in england the labour party came to power. The new gevernment l\took the decision to decalre Independenace to India. Accordingly the labour party government of England felt the utmost necessity of constitution for the new democratic state of India.
With a view to creating a good atmosphere and for framming a new cnstitution of India, the cabinet Mission came to India in march, 1946.
Q.2) According to which Act, Indian administration was governed between 15 august 1947 to 26 january, 1950 and who did enact this act ?
Answer-
In accordance with the provisions of the Govt of India Act-1935 the Indian adminstration was governed between 15 August, 1947 to 26 january, 1950.
This Act was enacted by the British parliament.
Q.3) why are the words 'we the people of India' have been incorporated in the preamble ?
Answer-
The words 'we the people of india' have been incorporated in the preamble of the constitution for some special purpose. In fact, the makers of it made it crystal clear in definite terms that the actual authority of the constitution of India, are the people themselves. They are the main force behind the constitution.
Q.4) what is meant by the term 'sovereign' ?
Answer-
The term 'sovereign' means the supreme power. It further means that India is no longer under any control of external power.
Q.5) SAME AS VERY SHORT QUESTION AND ANSWER.
Q6.What is meant by 'Quashi-federal state ?
Answer-
The word 'quashi' means have some of the features, and 'federal' means - a system of govt. Where power is devided between the centre and other constituent units.
However, 'quashi-federal' menas nominal or relative federal system of government.
Q.7. Which Indian Act had introduced limited parliamentary democracy in pre independence India ?
Answer-
The govt. Of India Act, 1935 had also introduced a parliamentary form of govt. In a limited form in the pre-independence India.
LONG ANSWERS QUESTIONS--
Q.1) Discuss how the ideals of the Indian Constitution have been amnifested in it's Preamble ?
Answer-
The preamble if the introduction to the constitution. The mainfeatures of the constitution are found in the beginning. Here ideals and objectives of the constitution have been mentioned. So, the preamble of our constitution is regarede as the soul, the conscience. The threshhold and the key of Indian constitution.
However, each and every word bears the ideals, philosophy and objectives of our constitution. The makers of our constitution paid much attention to the rich Indian culture, civilization and heritage.
They have also made it clear that the actual authority of the constitution is the country people. The words like sovereign, secular, socialist, democratic and republic reflect the ideals and spirit of the constitution.
Q.2) write in detail about what is meant by sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic and republic .
Answer-
These words are discussed as follows-
A) Sovereign: Sovereignty is the supreme and absolute power of india like other states. Externally or internally india is not subordinate to any other state.
B) Socialist : In the year 1976, on 42nd Amendment, this word s incorporated in our constitution. It means there will be no inequality among the people of india. Equality will prevail in their income, status, lving standard, economic condition etc.
C) Secular: It has been mentioned in the constitution that India has not any state language.All religions are equal here in the eyes of the government.This word was also incorporated on 42nd amendment of the constitution.
D) Democratic: India is a democratic country where representatives are elected by poeple elect their representative through diret voting system.
E) Republic: The head of the state is elected by the people here. The post of head is not hirarchial or as like as kings or queens of many other country.
Q.3) Discuss the objective resolutions put forwarded by Pandit Nehru in relation to the Indian constitution.
Answer-
Pandit Nehru, the first prime Minister of India put forwarded a few objective resolutions of the constitution at the first sitting of the constituent Assembly. The date was 9th December, 1946.The Assembly accepted the resolutions on 22 january,1947.Those resolutions were adopted as the basis of making the constitutio.
The main points of the objective resolution are as follows:-
A) The constituent Assembly is determined to declare India as Independent Sovereign Republic.
B) A union of state shall be constituted with the britis-ruled India territory and the earst while princely kingdom willing to join the Indian territory.
C) Social, political and economic justice, equality, religious liberty, freedom of expression and opinion of Indian people will be duely recognised.
D) There shall be safeguards for the schedule caste, tribes, backward and minority people of India.
E) safeguard to freedom, sovereingthy and integriety of the country.
F) Concentration of International relation, world peace and welfare of the people.
G) The government and the constituent parts shall obtain their power form the people.
H)The indegenous princely states interested to join the Indian union shall enjoy the status of its constituent province through self-governance with the residuary power.
Q.4. Discuss the characteristics of the Indan federal system.
Answer-
The federal featurs are as follows-
A)Written constitution: our constitution is the longest written document conatining 395 articles and 12 sxhedules. It fulfils the basic requirements of a federal govt.
B) Supremacy of the constitution: The Indian constitution is supreme and above all. Any violation of it;s provision means going against the constitution.
C) Rigid constitution: Any provosion of the union-state relation can be amended by the joint session of the stae lagislature and of the union govt.Any amendment is passed by a two third majority of the members present.
D) Division of power: As per the 7th schedule of our constitution power may be distributed among the union list, state list and the concurrent list. The Union list has 97 subjects, the state list has 66 subjects and the concurrent list has 47 subjects.
E) Independent Judiciary: The supreme court is the apex court of the country.It gives the final verdict.
F) Bicameral legislature: The constitution of India provides for a bicameral legislature at the centre consisting of lok sabha and Rajya sabha. Lok sabha consisted of the elected representatives by the people. Whereas Rajya sabha consisted of the representatives elected by the state lagislative assemblies.
G) Dual government: India has a central and a state govt.
Q.5.Explain the important characteristics of the Parliamentary form of goct. In Inda.
Answer-
Parliamentary form of govt. Is that where there exists an close relationship between the executive and the lagislative departments.Here, the cabinate is the real executive.The main features of parliamentary form of govt are as follows:
1) Existance of titular or constitutional ruler: Here administration is carried out by the council of ministers. The president is the nominal head whereas the Prime Minister is the real head of the state.
2) Absence of seperation of power: The principle of seperation of power is not adopted in this form of govt.
3) Role of legislature; Lagislature or the lower house plays a vital role in the formation of the ministry. The leader of the majority party is appointed the PM.
4) collective responsibility: The legislatures may have two kinds of responsibility-individual and collective. They have accountability for their activities whether personal or collective.
5) Executive and legislature relationship: This relation is very close. The majority party members form the cabinet.
6) Leadership of the PM: The PM is ;Primus interpares'- the first among the equals. He possesses greater power than his cabinet colleagues.
7) Role of the opposition: The rople of the opposition party is very vital in parliamentary form of govt.They point out and if needed criticse the activities of the rulling party.
8) Cabinet dictatorship: In this govt, cabinet is the 'steering wheel of the ship of the state'.Naturally dictatorship is not possible in this form of govt.
EXTRA QUESTION AND ANSWERS::
1. How long did british rule over India ?
Answer- For nearly two centuries (from 1757-1947)
2. Name the political party that came to power in England in 1945.
Answer-The labour Party.
3.When did the British govt send the cabinet Mission to India ?
Answer- In march, 1946.
4.Who presided over the first sitting of the constient Assembly of India ?
Answer- Sacchindananda Sinha.
5. What is the basis of the federal system in India ?
Answer-The federal system in India was introduced in the basis of two-the govt. And the distribution of power.
6. What does the word 'federation' mean?
Answer- The word federation means 'Agreement or treaty'.
7. Where was the first federation system introduced ?
Answer- in the USA
8. Which constitution was followed while choosing federal system for India ?
Answer-The constitution of Canada.
9) What is preamble ?
Answer- Preamble is the introduction to the constitution.
10) When was sarkaria commission set up ?
Answer- In 1983
11) When Indian constitution came into force ?
Answer- on 26 january, 1950.
12. What is cooperative federation ?
Answer-cooperative federation means a system where the centre-state relationship is sound.
13.Where is heirarchial king or queen is found /
Answer- In England
14.What is called House of Lords ?
Answer- The Upper House of England is called House of Lords.
15.What is called the soul of Indian constitution ?
Answer- The Preamble.
MULTIPLA CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQ)
1. Is there sual citizenship in India ?
A) No b)yes c) going to be introduced d) one of the above.
Answer- a) No
2. Which party wn election in England in 1945.
A) The labour party
B) The Communist party
C) The workers party.
D) The royal party.
Answer- A) The labour party.
3. The word 'foedos 'mean-
A) War and Peace
B) war and agreement
C) War and destruction
D) Agreement and treaty.
Answer- D)Agreement and treaty
4. The wrd 'federation' comes from-
A) The greek word foedos
B) The American word foedos
C) The latin word foedos
D) The canadian word foedos.
Answer- C) The Latin word foedos.
5. The permanent President of the Constituent Assembly was-
A) Dr.B.R>Ambedkar
B) Dr.Rajendra Prasad
C) Jawaharlal Nehru
D) Gopal Krishna Golhlee.
Answer- A) Dr.B.R Ambedkar
6.The first meeting of the constituent Assembly was held on-
A)9th Dec/'1947
B) 10th Dec/1947
C) 9th Dec/1946
D) 9th Dec/1945.
Answer- c)9th Dec/1946
7. The largest democratic country in the world is-
A) India
B) Canada
C) England
D) China
Answer- A) India
8.Indian govt is-
A)Parliamentary
B)Presidential
C) Federal
D) Unitary
Answer- A) Parliamentary
