Exercise Solutions Available
Step-by-step answers for all textbook questions in this chapter
The Constitution of India — Exercise Solutions
Use this page alongside the official Samacheer Kalvi textbook. Solve every exercise question on your own first, then check the solutions below.
I. Choose the Correct Answer (MCQs)
Q1. The Constitution Day is celebrated on ______
- (a) January 26
- (b) August 15
- (c) November 26
- (d) December 9
Constitution Day (Samvidhan Divas) is celebrated on November 26 to mark the adoption of the Constitution by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949. The Constitution came into force on January 26, 1950.
Q2. The Constituent Assembly accepted the Constitution of India in the year ______
- (a) 1946
- (b) 1950
- (c) 1947
- (d) 1949
The Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution on November 26, 1949. It came into force on January 26, 1950.
Q3. There are ______ amendments made in the Constitution of India till 2016.
- (a) 101
- (b) 100
- (c) 78
- (d) 46
As of 2016, there were 101 amendments to the Indian Constitution. (Note: the number has increased since then.)
Q4. Which of the following is not a fundamental right?
- (a) Right to freedom
- (b) Right to equality
- (c) Right to vote
- (d) Right to education
Right to vote is not a Fundamental Right — it is a Constitutional Right (under Article 326). The six Fundamental Rights are: Right to Equality, Right to Freedom, Right against Exploitation, Right to Freedom of Religion, Cultural and Educational Rights, and Right to Constitutional Remedies.
Q5. An Indian citizen has the right to vote at ______
- (a) 14 years
- (b) 18 years
- (c) 16 years
- (d) 21 years
Every Indian citizen who has attained the age of 18 years has the right to vote under Universal Adult Franchise.
II. Fill in the Blanks
1. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was selected as the chairman of the Constituent Assembly. 2. The father of the Constitution of India is Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. 3. Law of the country protects our fundamental rights. 4. The Constitution of India came into existence on 26th January 1950.
III. Match the Following
| # | Column A | Column B | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Independence Day | (a) November 26 | (c) August 15 |
| 2 | Republic Day | (b) April 1 | (d) January 26 |
| 3 | Constitutional Day of India | (c) August 15 | (a) November 26 |
| 4 | Right to Education | (d) January 26 | (b) April 1 |
IV. Answer the Questions Under the Caption — Constituent Assembly
Q1. In which year was the Constituent Assembly formed?
The Constituent Assembly was formed in December 1946 under the Cabinet Mission Plan. Elections were held to elect representatives from different provinces.
Q2. How many members were in the Drafting Committee?
The Drafting Committee was formed on August 29, 1947, with the task of drafting the Constitution. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the chief architect.
Q3. How many women were part of the Constituent Assembly?
Notable women members included Sarojini Naidu, Sucheta Kripalani, Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, and Durgabai Deshmukh.
Q4. When was the Constitution of India completed?
It was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on this date, though it came into force on January 26, 1950.
V. Short Answer Questions
Q1. Why was January 26 adopted as Republic Day?
Q2. What is the Constitution of India?
- Defines the structure, powers, and duties of the government (Union and State)
- Guarantees Fundamental Rights to all citizens
- Lists the Fundamental Duties of citizens
- Includes Directive Principles of State Policy as guidelines for governance
- Is holistic in nature — covering all aspects of governance and citizens' rights
Q3. List out the special features of the Constitution of India.
| S.No. | Feature | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Preamble | The preface of the Constitution stressing justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity |
| 2 | Sovereign | India is not subject to any external power; it has supreme authority over its territory |
| 3 | Socialist | The state works to reduce economic inequality and ensure social welfare |
| 4 | Secular | The state does not favour any religion; all religions are treated equally |
| 5 | Democratic | The government is elected by the people through Universal Adult Franchise |
| 6 | Republic | The head of state (President) is elected, not hereditary |
| 7 | Parliamentary form | The Constitution provides a Parliamentary form of government at the Centre and the States |
The Constitution borrows provisions from nearly 60 countries, making it the longest written Constitution in the world.
Q4. What are the Fundamental Rights?
| S.No. | Fundamental Right | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Right to Equality | All citizens are equal before the law; no discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth |
| 2 | Right to Freedom | Freedom of speech and expression, assembly, association, movement, residence, and profession |
| 3 | Right against Exploitation | Prohibits forced labour, child labour, and human trafficking |
| 4 | Right to Freedom of Religion | Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice, and propagation of religion |
| 5 | Cultural and Educational Rights | Protection of minority interests; right to establish and administer educational institutions |
| 6 | Right to Constitutional Remedies | Right to approach the Supreme Court for enforcement of Fundamental Rights |
Note: Right to Property was originally a Fundamental Right but was removed by the 44th Amendment (1978). It is now a legal right under Article 300A.
Q5. List out the Fundamental Duties that you would like to fulfil.
1. Respecting the National Flag and National Anthem 2. Respecting and protecting the Constitution 3. Cherishing the ideals of the freedom struggle 4. Defending the country and being ready for national service 5. Promoting harmony and common brotherhood among all people 6. Preserving the rich heritage of our composite culture 7. Protecting the natural environment — forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife 8. Developing scientific temper and humanism 9. Safeguarding public property and abjuring violence 10. Striving for excellence in all activities 11. Providing education to children between 6–14 years (added by the 86th Amendment)
Q6. What is Preamble?
- States that India is a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic
- Ensures Justice — social, economic, and political
- Ensures Liberty — of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship
- Ensures Equality — of status and opportunity
- Promotes Fraternity — assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the nation
- Declares that the Constitution derives its authority from the people of India
Q7. What do you understand by Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity?
| Concept | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Liberty | Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship. Citizens are free to think, speak, and practise their religion without fear. |
| Equality | Equality of status and opportunity. No one is discriminated against on the basis of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. |
| Fraternity | Assuring the dignity of the individual and promoting the unity and integrity of the nation. Citizens should treat each other as brothers and sisters. |
Q8. Define: Sovereign
VI. Detailed / Long Answer Questions
Q1. Describe the making of the Indian Constitution.
Formation of the Constituent Assembly
- The Constituent Assembly was formed in December 1946 under the Cabinet Mission Plan
- It had 299 members representing different provinces and communities
- Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the Chairman (President) of the Constituent Assembly
- There were 15 women members in the Assembly
Drafting Committee
- The Drafting Committee was formed on August 29, 1947, with 8 members
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee
- He is known as the "Father of the Indian Constitution"
Key Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| December 1946 | Constituent Assembly formed |
| August 29, 1947 | Drafting Committee formed |
| November 26, 1949 | Constitution adopted by the Constituent Assembly |
| January 26, 1950 | Constitution came into force (Republic Day) |
Sources
The Indian Constitution borrows provisions from nearly 60 countries, including:
- USA — Fundamental Rights, Judicial Review, Preamble
- UK — Parliamentary system, Rule of Law
- Ireland — Directive Principles of State Policy
- France — Liberty, Equality, Fraternity
- South Africa — Amendment procedure
- Australia — Concurrent List
The Indian Constitution is the longest written Constitution in the world.
Q2. Explain the Preamble of the Indian Constitution.
The Preamble is the introduction to the Constitution. It declares:
"We, the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic and to secure to all its citizens: JUSTICE, social, economic and political; LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; EQUALITY of status and of opportunity; and to promote among them all FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation..."
Key Words Explained
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Sovereign | India is an independent country; no external power can dictate its policies |
| Socialist | The state works to reduce economic inequality and ensure social welfare |
| Secular | The state does not favour or promote any religion; all religions are treated equally |
| Democratic | The government is elected by the people through Universal Adult Franchise (voting age 18+) |
| Republic | The head of state (President) is elected, not hereditary |
| Justice | Social, economic, and political fairness for all citizens |
| Liberty | Freedom of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship |
| Equality | Equal status and opportunity for all, without discrimination |
| Fraternity | Brotherhood, dignity of the individual, and unity and integrity of the nation |
Note: The words "Socialist" and "Secular" were added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976.
Q3. Explain the difference between Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties.
| Aspect | Fundamental Rights | Fundamental Duties |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Basic human rights guaranteed by the Constitution to all citizens | Moral obligations of citizens towards the nation |
| Number | 6 rights | 11 duties |
| Enforceability | Enforceable by courts; a citizen can approach the Supreme Court | Not directly enforceable by courts; moral in nature |
| Nature | Negative (restrict the state from acting against citizens) | Positive (expected behaviour from citizens) |
| Borrowed from | USA (Bill of Rights) | USSR (now Russia) Constitution |
| Location | Part III (Articles 12–35) | Part IVA (Article 51A) |
| Added by | Original Constitution (1950) | 42nd Amendment (1976) |
VII. Projects and Activities
Q1. Prepare rules for your class.
Q2. List your duties at:
(a) School:
- Participate in learning opportunities sincerely
- Attend school regularly and on time
- Respect teachers and fellow students
- Follow school rules
(b) Home:
- Honour and respect parents
- Help with household chores
- Maintain personal hygiene — brush teeth, wash hands
- Care for younger siblings
(c) Society:
- Teach the illiterate to read and write
- Take part in literacy campaigns
- Keep public places clean
- Help those in need
Q3. Discuss: Equality, Child Labour, Right to Education
- Equality: Equal rights for all people regardless of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. Abolition of all special rights and privileges. No discrimination.
- Child Labour: Employment of children that deprives them of their childhood, education, and dignity. The Constitution prohibits child labour under Article 24 (no child below 14 years shall be employed in factories, mines, or hazardous work).
- Right to Education: Every individual, irrespective of race, gender, social origin, religion, or age, is entitled to free and compulsory elementary education (Article 21A, added by the 86th Amendment, 2002). The Right to Education Act came into force on April 1, 2010.
Q4. Kailash Satyarthi (India) and Malala Yousafzai (Pakistan) — Nobel Peace Prize 2014
- Kailash Satyarthi — Indian children's rights activist who has worked to end child labour and promote education for all children
- Malala Yousafzai — Pakistani activist for female education who survived a Taliban assassination attempt and continued advocating for girls' right to education
VIII. Additional Important Questions
Fill in the Blanks: 1. The Constitutions of nearly 60 countries have been adopted by our Constitution. 2. Sovereignty refers to the ultimate power of the country. 3. Executive is collectively responsible to the legislature. 4. The chief architect of the Drafting Committee was Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. 5. The Constitution provides a Parliamentary form of government.
Define:
- Universal Adult Franchise: Every Indian citizen who has attained 18 years of age has the right to vote, irrespective of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
- Directive Principles: Certain guidelines to be followed while the government frames laws. They are not enforceable by courts but are fundamental in governance.
- Democracy: A type of government in which representatives are elected by the people through voting. The word comes from Greek — "Demos" (people) + "Kratos" (rule).
- Secular: A state which does not discriminate against anyone on religious grounds. The state treats all religions equally and does not promote any particular religion.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Confusing Constitution Day with Republic Day. Constitution Day = November 26 (adoption in 1949); Republic Day = January 26 (came into force in 1950). These are different events.
2. Saying "Right to Vote is a Fundamental Right." It is NOT. Right to Vote is a Constitutional Right under Article 326. The six Fundamental Rights are: Equality, Freedom, against Exploitation, Freedom of Religion, Cultural & Educational, and Constitutional Remedies.
3. Mixing up the number of Drafting Committee members. The Drafting Committee had 8 members (not 7 or 9), with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as chairman.
4. Confusing Constituent Assembly formation with Constitution adoption. Constituent Assembly formed = 1946; Constitution adopted = November 26, 1949; Constitution came into force = January 26, 1950.
5. Forgetting that "Socialist" and "Secular" were added later. These two words were not in the original Preamble. They were added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976.
6. Confusing the Chairman of the Constituent Assembly with the Chairman of the Drafting Committee. Dr. Rajendra Prasad = Chairman of the Constituent Assembly; Dr. B.R. Ambedkar = Chairman of the Drafting Committee.
7. Saying Right to Property is a Fundamental Right. It was removed by the 44th Amendment in 1978. It is now only a legal right under Article 300A.
Exam Checklist
Before your exam, make sure you can:
- [ ] Define the Constitution of India and explain its significance as the supreme law of the land
- [ ] Explain the Preamble — Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic — with the meaning of each term
- [ ] List and explain all six Fundamental Rights with examples
- [ ] List and explain the Fundamental Duties (at least 6–7 key ones)
- [ ] Differentiate between Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties (enforceable vs. moral, Part III vs. Part IVA)
- [ ] Identify key dates: Constituent Assembly formed (1946), Constitution adopted (Nov 26, 1949), came into force (Jan 26, 1950), Constitution Day (Nov 26), Republic Day (Jan 26)
- [ ] Name the key people: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (Father of Constitution, Chairman of Drafting Committee), Dr. Rajendra Prasad (Chairman of Constituent Assembly)
- [ ] Explain why January 26 was chosen as Republic Day (Purna Swaraj resolution, 1930)
- [ ] Explain the difference between Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, and Republic
- [ ] Define key terms: Universal Adult Franchise, Directive Principles, Democracy, Secular
- [ ] Discuss Equality, Child Labour, and Right to Education with constitutional provisions
- [ ] Remember that Right to Vote is a Constitutional Right (not Fundamental), and Right to Property is now a legal right (not Fundamental)