NCERT CLASS 8 CIVICS CHAPTER 1: THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION

 NCERT CLASS 8 CIVICS CHAPTER 1: THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION

1. Why does a democratic country need a Constitution?                                                                                            Ans: A democratic country needs a Constitution for the following reasons:

• To provide a framework for the functioning of the government and its various organs.
• To define and distribute the powers and responsibilities of different levels of government and public officials.
• To establish the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens and ensure their protection.
• To establish a system of checks and balances to prevent any one person or group from having too much power.
• To provide a mechanism for amending the Constitution when necessary to reflect changing circumstances.

2. What is the difference in who exercises ‘Executive Power’ in the above two Constitutions of Nepal of 1990 and 2015?                                                                                                                         Ans:   The difference in who exercises 'Executive Power' in the two Constitutions of Nepal is as follows:

• The 1990 Nepal Constitution vested executive power in the King.
• The more recent Constitution of Nepal vests executive power in the President, who is elected by an electoral college consisting of Members of Parliament and members of the Provincial Assemblies.

3. What would happen if there were no restrictions on the power of elected representatives?

   Ans:If there were no restrictions on the power of elected representatives, they could become authoritarian and abuse their power. This could lead to violations of citizens' rights, corruption, and other forms of misconduct. A Constitution and a system of checks and balances help prevent such abuses of power and ensure that elected representatives are accountable to the people.

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 per cent of the population are Buddhists.

(c) In a factory mess for all employees, 80 per cent are vegetarians.

(d) In a class of 50 students, 40 belong to more well-off families.

 Ans:  In each of the following situations, the minority is:

 (a) Female teachers (assuming the total number of teachers is 30) Reason to respect the views of the minority: Gender equality and diversity are important values that should be reflected in all aspects of society, including the workplace.

 (b) Buddhists Reason to respect the views of the minority: Protecting the rights and interests of minority communities is an essential component of a democratic society.

 (c) Non-vegetarians Reason to respect the views of the minority: Freedom of choice in matters of food and diet is a basic human right that should be respected and protected.

 (d) Students from less well-off families Reason to respect the views of the minority: Ensuring equal educational opportunities for all is essential for building a fair and just society.

5. Discuss the key features of the Indian Constitution and their significance.                                               Ans:  Key Features of the Indian Constitution and their significance are:

• Federalism: It allows for the distribution of powers between the central government and the state governments, ensuring that each level of government has its own sphere of authority. This helps to promote greater participation and representation of diverse groups within the country.
• Separation of Powers: This helps to ensure that no single branch of government becomes too powerful and can act as a check on the other branches. This promotes accountability and helps to prevent abuses of power.
• Fundamental Rights: These are a set of basic rights and freedoms that are guaranteed to all citizens, and they are essential for protecting individual liberties and preventing discrimination.
• Parliamentary Form of Government: This provides a mechanism for representative democracy, where citizens elect representatives who then make decisions on their behalf. It helps to ensure that the government is accountable to the people and reflects their needs and interests.