Samacheer Kalvi 10th Social Science Chapter 18 Exercise Solutions — Indian Constitution | KalviGavani

(a) 15 August 1947 (b) 26 November 1949 (c) 26 January 1950 (d) 2 October 1950

(a) Jawaharlal Nehru (b) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (c) Dr. Rajendra Prasad (d) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

(a) Article 14 (b) Article 21 (c) Article 32 (d) Article 51A

(a) Sovereign Republic (b) Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic (c) Democratic Republic (d) Socialist Republic

(a) Part III (b) Part IV (c) Part IVA (d) Part V

(a) Article 14 (b) Article 19 (c) Article 21 (d) Article 32

(a) 8 (b) 9 (c) 10 (d) 11

(a) 8 (b) 10 (c) 12 (d) 14

(a) Right to Equality (b) Right to Freedom (c) Right to Property (d) Right against Exploitation

(a) M.N. Roy (b) Jawaharlal Nehru (c) Mahatma Gandhi (d) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

A Constitution is needed because it defines the structure and powers of government, limits the authority of rulers, protects the fundamental rights of citizens, and provides a framework for peaceful governance. Without a Constitution, there would be no legal boundary on government power and no guarantee of citizens' rights.

The Preamble reflects the philosophy and objectives of the Constitution. It declares India as a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic and guarantees justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity to all citizens. It serves as the guiding vision for interpreting the Constitution and was confirmed as part of the Constitution by the Supreme Court.

Fundamental Rights are basic rights guaranteed to all citizens by the Constitution under Articles 12–35. They are justiciable, meaning citizens can approach courts if these rights are violated. Three Fundamental Rights are: (1) Right to Equality (Article 14–18), (2) Right to Freedom (Article 19–22), and (3) Right against Exploitation (Article 23–24).

Fundamental Rights are justiciable and enforceable by courts, while Directive Principles are non-justiciable and serve as guidelines. Fundamental Rights are contained in Part III (Articles 12–35), while Directive Principles are in Part IV (Articles 36–51). Fundamental Rights protect individual liberties, while Directive Principles aim at social and economic welfare.

Fundamental Duties are the moral obligations of every citizen listed under Article 51A. They were added to the Constitution by the 42nd Amendment in 1976 on the recommendation of the Swaran Singh Committee. Originally ten duties were listed; an eleventh was added by the 86th Amendment in 2002.

The Indian Constitution divides powers between the Centre and the states, which is a federal feature. However, the Centre holds more power — it can override state laws during emergencies, appoint the Governor, and change state boundaries. A single Constitution, single citizenship, and a strong Centre during emergencies make it unitary in spirit.

Secularism means the state does not have any official religion and treats all religions equally. The state does not discriminate against any citizen on the basis of religion. Every person has the right to profess, practise, and propagate any religion. This principle is enshrined in the Preamble and in the Right to Freedom of Religion (Articles 25–28).

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was a scholar, social reformer, and the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly. He played the leading role in drafting the Constitution and defending its provisions in the Assembly debates. He is called the "Father of the Indian Constitution" for his central contribution to its framing.

• Written Constitution: The Indian Constitution is the longest written Constitution in the world, originally containing 395 Articles, 22 Parts, and 8 Schedules.
• Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic: The Preamble declares the nature of the Indian state. India is internally and externally sovereign, treats all religions equally, and follows democratic governance.
• Federal with Unitary Features: Powers are divided between the Centre and states, but the Centre is stronger. During emergencies, the government becomes unitary in character.
• Fundamental Rights: Six categories of justiciable rights (Articles 12–35) protect individual liberty and equality.
• Directive Principles: Non-justiciable guidelines (Articles 36–51) direct the government towards welfare policies.
• Fundamental Duties: Eleven duties under Article 51A remind citizens of their obligations.
• Independent Judiciary: The judiciary is independent of the executive and legislature, ensuring the rule of law and protection of rights.
• Single Citizenship: Every Indian is a citizen of India alone, promoting national unity.
• Flexible and Rigid: Some parts can be amended by simple majority, others need special majority or state ratification, making it both flexible and rigid.
• Emergency Provisions: The Constitution provides for three types of emergencies — National, State, and Financial — showing its unitary tilt during crises.

• Right to Equality (Articles 14–18): Guarantees equality before law, prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth, and abolishes untouchability and titles.
• Right to Freedom (Articles 19–22): Includes six freedoms — speech, assembly, movement, residence, profession, and property (subject to reasonable restrictions). Also includes protection against arbitrary arrest and detention.
• Right against Exploitation (Articles 23–24): Prohibits human trafficking, forced labour (begar), and child labour in hazardous industries below the age of 14.
• Right to Freedom of Religion (Articles 25–28): Guarantees freedom of conscience, right to profess, practise, and propagate religion, and ensures the state does not favour any religion.
• Cultural and Educational Rights (Articles 29–30): Protects the interests of minorities by giving them the right to conserve their culture, language, and script, and to establish educational institutions.
• Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32): Empowers citizens to move the Supreme Court for enforcement of Fundamental Rights. Dr. Ambedkar called it the "heart and soul" of the Constitution.

• The Directive Principles are contained in Part IV (Articles 36–51) of the Constitution, inspired by the Irish Constitution.
• They are non-justiciable — courts cannot enforce them, but they are fundamental in governance and the government must apply them while making laws.
• Socialist Principles: Include equitable distribution of wealth, equal pay for equal work, protection of children, and promotion of cottage industries.
• Gandhian Principles: Include organising village panchayats, promoting educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and prohibiting intoxicating drinks.
• Liberal-Intellectual Principles: Include separation of judiciary from executive, promotion of international peace, and uniform civil code.
• Their importance lies in guiding the government towards a welfare state. They complement Fundamental Rights — while Rights protect individual liberty, Directive Principles promote social and economic democracy.
• Several laws and policies such as the Minimum Wages Act, MGNREGA, and Panchayati Raj are based on Directive Principles.
• Though non-justiciable, courts consider them while interpreting laws, and over time many have been implemented through legislation.

• The Constituent Assembly was formed in 1946 under the Cabinet Mission Plan with 389 members elected by provincial legislatures.
• Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as its President (Chairman).
• Several committees were formed to prepare reports on different aspects — the Union Powers Committee, Fundamental Rights Committee, and Union Constitution Committee.
• The Drafting Committee, chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, was the most important. It prepared the draft based on the reports of other committees.
• The Assembly held 11 sessions over 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days. The draft was discussed clause by clause and amendments were considered.
• The Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950.
• The Assembly borrowed features from several constitutions — Fundamental Rights from the USA, Directive Principles from Ireland, Parliamentary system from Britain, and emergency provisions from Germany.
• The Constituent Assembly represented diverse regions, communities, and interests, making the Constitution a document of consensus.

• Fundamental Duties are listed under Article 51A (Part IVA) and were added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976 on the recommendation of the Swaran Singh Committee.
• There are currently eleven duties. They are non-justiciable but serve as a reminder of citizens' obligations to the nation.
• Duty 1: Abide by the Constitution and respect the National Flag and National Anthem — every citizen must respect the symbols and laws of the country.
• Duty 2: Cherish and follow the noble ideals that inspired the national freedom struggle — citizens should uphold values of liberty, equality, and justice.
• Duty 3: Uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India — citizens must not engage in activities that threaten national unity.
• Duty 4: Defend the country and render national service when called upon — citizens should be ready to serve the nation during emergencies.
• Duty 5: Promote harmony and common brotherhood among all people transcending religious, linguistic, and regional diversities — citizens should work against communalism and casteism.
• The 86th Amendment (2002) added the 11th duty: providing opportunities for education to children aged 6–14 years.
• Though not legally enforceable, courts have considered Fundamental Duties while delivering judgments, giving them indirect legal significance.

• The amendment procedure is given in Article 368, which gives Parliament the power to amend the Constitution.
• Simple Majority: Some provisions (like creation of new states, citizenship rules) can be amended by a simple majority of Parliament — not treated as amendments under Article 368.
• Special Majority: Most provisions require a special majority — a majority of the total membership of each House plus two-thirds of members present and voting.
• Special Majority plus State Ratification: Certain provisions affecting federal structure (like election of President, distribution of powers, representation of states) require ratification by at least half of the state legislatures after being passed by Parliament with a special majority.
• The Constitution is thus partly flexible (simple majority) and partly rigid (special majority and state ratification).
• There is no separate body for amending the Constitution — Parliament itself performs this function.
• As of now, the Constitution has been amended more than 100 times, showing its living and adaptable nature.
• The Supreme Court held in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973) that Parliament cannot alter the "Basic Structure" of the Constitution, placing a judicial check on the amendment power.