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Constitution: Why and How? – Class 11 Political Science notes, important questions and MCQs

NCERT Class 11 Political Science, chapter 1. Notes, key terms, important questions with answers and MCQs.

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Chapter overview

A constitution is a body of fundamental rules that sets out how a country is governed. It coordinates people, specifies who makes decisions, limits the power of government, states the goals of society and expresses its identity. India's Constitution was framed by the Constituent Assembly between 1946 and 1949, adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950.

Functions of a constitution

  • It provides basic rules that create trust and coordination among members of society.
  • It specifies who has the power to make decisions and how the government is constituted.
  • It sets limits on the government through fundamental rights and other checks.
  • It enables the government to fulfil the aspirations of society and expresses the fundamental identity of the people.

Making of the Indian Constitution

  • The Constituent Assembly was elected indirectly by members of provincial assemblies in 1946 under the Cabinet Mission plan; after Partition it had 299 members.
  • It first met on 9 December 1946; Dr Rajendra Prasad was its President and Dr B.R. Ambedkar chaired the Drafting Committee.
  • Jawaharlal Nehru moved the Objectives Resolution on 13 December 1946, which outlined the basic values of the Constitution.
  • Decisions were taken through deliberation and consensus, and the Assembly drew on the national movement's ideals.

Borrowed features

  • From Britain: parliamentary government, rule of law and first-past-the-post elections.
  • From the USA: fundamental rights, judicial review and independence of the judiciary; from Ireland: Directive Principles of State Policy.
  • From Canada: a quasi-federal form with a strong centre and residuary powers with the Union; from France: liberty, equality and fraternity.

Key terms

Constitution
the body of fundamental rules according to which a state is governed
Constituent Assembly
the body of elected representatives that framed India's Constitution
Objectives Resolution
the resolution moved by Nehru in 1946 stating the basic aims of the Constitution
Drafting Committee
the committee chaired by B.R. Ambedkar that prepared the draft Constitution
Rule of law
the principle that everyone, including the government, is subject to law

Important questions with answers

Why do we need a constitution?2 marks

A constitution provides basic rules that allow coordination among members of society, specifies who has the power to make decisions, sets limits on the powers of government, enables the government to fulfil the aspirations of society, and expresses the fundamental identity of a people.

Write a short note on the Constituent Assembly of India.3 marks

The Constituent Assembly was elected in 1946 by members of provincial legislative assemblies under the Cabinet Mission plan. It first met on 9 December 1946 and had 299 members after Partition. Dr Rajendra Prasad was its President, and Dr B.R. Ambedkar chaired the Drafting Committee. It adopted the Constitution on 26 November 1949 after detailed debate.

Explain how the Indian Constitution was made and why it is regarded as an authoritative document.5 marks

The Indian Constitution was framed by the Constituent Assembly, whose members were elected in 1946 by the provincial legislative assemblies under the Cabinet Mission plan; after Partition it had 299 members. It first met on 9 December 1946, with Dr Rajendra Prasad as President. On 13 December 1946 Jawaharlal Nehru moved the Objectives Resolution, which set out the basic values of a sovereign, democratic republic guaranteeing justice, liberty and equality. Various committees prepared reports, and the Drafting Committee chaired by Dr B.R. Ambedkar prepared the draft, which was debated clause by clause. The Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950. It drew on the ideals of the national movement and borrowed useful features from other constitutions, such as parliamentary government from Britain, fundamental rights and judicial review from the USA, Directive Principles from Ireland and quasi-federalism from Canada, adapting them to Indian needs. It is regarded as authoritative because the Assembly was broadly representative of different regions, communities and opinions, decisions were taken through open deliberation and consensus, the process was transparent, and the Constitution established balanced institutions with checks and balances, so that people accepted it as legitimate.

Quick revision

  • Functions: coordination, decision-making, limits, aspirations, identity.
  • Constituent Assembly: indirect election, 299 members after Partition.
  • Rajendra Prasad (President), Ambedkar (Drafting Committee).
  • Borrowed features from UK, USA, Ireland, Canada, France.

Exam tips

  • Remember three dates: first meeting 9 December 1946, adoption 26 November 1949, commencement 26 January 1950.
  • Make a table of features and the countries they were borrowed from.

Practice MCQs

  1. The Constitution of India came into force on

    1. 15 August 1947
    2. 26 November 1949
    3. 26 January 1950
    4. 9 December 1946
    Show answer

    Answer: (c) 26 January 1950. It is celebrated as Republic Day.

  2. The chairman of the Drafting Committee was

    1. Jawaharlal Nehru
    2. Rajendra Prasad
    3. B.R. Ambedkar
    4. Sardar Patel
    Show answer

    Answer: (c) B.R. Ambedkar. He is called the chief architect of the Constitution.

  3. The President of the Constituent Assembly was

    1. Rajendra Prasad
    2. B.R. Ambedkar
    3. Nehru
    4. Maulana Azad
    Show answer

    Answer: (a) Rajendra Prasad. He later became India's first President.

  4. The Objectives Resolution was moved by

    1. B.R. Ambedkar
    2. Jawaharlal Nehru
    3. Rajendra Prasad
    4. Mahatma Gandhi
    Show answer

    Answer: (b) Jawaharlal Nehru. It was moved on 13 December 1946.

  5. The idea of Directive Principles of State Policy was borrowed from the constitution of

    1. USA
    2. Canada
    3. Britain
    4. Ireland
    Show answer

    Answer: (d) Ireland. They guide the state in making policy.

  6. Members of the Constituent Assembly were

    1. elected indirectly by provincial assemblies
    2. directly elected by the people
    3. appointed by the British
    4. nominated by the Congress
    Show answer

    Answer: (a) elected indirectly by provincial assemblies. This followed the Cabinet Mission plan.

  7. Which function of a constitution is served by fundamental rights

    1. limiting the powers of government
    2. specifying decision-making powers
    3. coordinating trade
    4. fixing taxes
    Show answer

    Answer: (a) limiting the powers of government. They protect citizens against misuse of power.

  8. Why is the Indian Constitution considered to have legitimacy despite indirect elections to the Assembly

    1. it was imposed by Britain
    2. it was written by one person
    3. the Assembly was broadly representative and reflected the consensus of the national movement
    4. it was never debated
    Show answer

    Answer: (c) the Assembly was broadly representative and reflected the consensus of the national movement. Its process was deliberative and inclusive.

All chapters of Class 11 Political Science

Written by Kundali IQ from standard, well-established facts to help with revision. This is not an official NCERT publication; always read your textbook too.