Indian Constitution | Civics
Chapter 1: 10th Social Science - Civics - Indian Constitution
V. Answer in Detail
1. Explain the salient features of the Constitution of India.
- It is the lengthiest of all the written constitutions of the world
- It has borrowed most of its provisions from the constitutions of various countries
- It is partly rigid and partly flexible
- It establishes a federal system of government
- It makes India as a secular state
- It provides an independent judiciary
- It introduces Universal adult franchise. The voting right is given at the age of 18 without any discrimination.
2. Point out the Fundamental Rights.
There are Six Fundamental Rights.
They are
- Right to Equality
- Right to Religion
- Right to Freedom
- Cultural and Education Rights
- Right against Exploitation
- Right to constitutional Remedies
Right to Equality:
- Equality before law.
- Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
- Equality in public appointment.
- Abolition of untouchability.
Right to Freedom:
- Freedom of speech and expression, assembly, association, movement, residence and profession.
- Protection of life and property.
- Right to elementary education
- Right against arrest and detention in certain cases.
Right against Exploitation:
- Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour.
- Prohibition of employment of children in factories.
Right to religion:
- Right to free profession, practice and propagation of religion.
- Freedom to manage religious affairs.
- Freedom from payment of taxes for the promotion of any religion.
Cultural and Educational Rights:
- Protection of language, script and culture of minorities.
- Right to minorities to establish and administer educational institutions.
Right to Constitutional Remedies:
- It allows individuals to seek redressal for the violation of their fundamental rights.
3. Write briefly on the Right to Constitutional Remedies.
- A writ is an order or command issued by a court in writing under its seal.
- It is in the nature of a command or prohibition from performing certain acts.
- Both the Supreme Court and the High Courts are empowered to issue writs such as Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Quo Warranto and Certiorari.
- So the Supreme Court is called the 'Guardian of the Constitution'.
Types of Writs:
Habeas Corpus: Safeguards people from illegal arrests.
Mandamus: It protects the petitioner who requires legal help to get his work done by respective public authorities.
Prohibition: It prohibits a subordinate court from acting beyond its jurisdiction.
Certiorari: It quashes an order issued by a subordinate court by overstepping its jurisdiction.
Quo Warranto: It prevents usurpation of public office through illegal manner.
4. Mention the differences between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy.
Fundamental Rights
- It was derived from the Constitution of the USA.
- Even the Government cannot take away or abridge these rights.
- These are enforceable by a court of law.
- These have legal sanctions.
- These rights strengthen political democracy in the country.
Directive Principles of State Policy
- It was drawn on the model of the Constitution of Ireland.
- These are mere instructions to the Government.
- These are not enforceable in any court.
- These have moral and political sanctions.
- The implementation of these principles ensures social and economic democracy.
VI. Project and activity
1. Collect information about the various members of the Constituent Assembly and their social background.
2. Collect the pictures of the Members of the Drafting Committee and their social background.