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The Constitution and Social Change – Class 12 Sociology notes, important questions and MCQs

NCERT Class 12 Sociology, chapter 9. Notes, key terms, important questions with answers and MCQs.

Chapter overview

The Indian Constitution is not only a legal document but also an instrument of social change. It embodies values of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity, and provides tools such as Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles and institutions to transform an unequal society. Laws, courts, public interest litigation and Panchayati Raj have been used to bring social justice. Social movements and citizens use the Constitution to claim rights.

Constitution as a tool of change

The Constitution translates the ideals of the freedom movement into law; the Preamble promises justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.
Fundamental Rights protect individuals and groups, and Directive Principles guide the state towards social and economic justice.
Constitutional norms can be used to reinterpret customs; courts have expanded the meaning of rights, for example the right to life includes the right to livelihood and dignity.

Law, courts and Panchayati Raj

Public interest litigation (PIL), since the 1980s, allows any person or group to approach courts on behalf of those who cannot, making justice more accessible.
The 73rd and 74th Amendments (1992) gave constitutional status to Panchayats and municipalities and reserved one-third of seats for women and seats for SCs and STs.
Panchayati Raj brings democracy to the grassroots, though dominant groups sometimes control it; women's participation has grown.

Key terms

Constitutional norm: a basic value or principle set by the Constitution
Public interest litigation: a case filed in court for the public good or for disadvantaged people
Panchayati Raj: the system of rural local self-government
Gram Sabha: the assembly of all adult voters of a village
Social justice: fair distribution of opportunities and resources, especially for the disadvantaged

Important questions with answers

What is public interest litigation?2 marks

Public interest litigation is a case filed in a court, often the Supreme Court or a High Court, by any person or group for the public good or on behalf of disadvantaged people who cannot approach the court themselves. It has made justice more accessible.

What changes did the 73rd Amendment bring?3 marks

The 73rd Amendment (1992) gave constitutional status to Panchayats, created a three-tier system, required regular elections every five years, reserved at least one-third of seats for women and seats for SCs and STs, created State Election Commissions and Finance Commissions, and recognised the Gram Sabha.

How has the Constitution been used as an instrument of social change?5 marks

The Indian Constitution was designed not merely to govern but to transform a society marked by caste, gender and economic inequalities. Its Preamble promises justice, social, economic and political, along with liberty, equality and fraternity. Fundamental Rights abolish untouchability, prohibit discrimination, forbid forced labour and child labour in hazardous work, and protect minority rights, while Directive Principles direct the state to reduce inequality, provide livelihood and promote education and welfare of weaker sections. Constitutional norms provide a standard against which customs and laws can be judged, so discriminatory practices can be challenged. Courts have played a major role: through public interest litigation, which since the 1980s allows anyone to bring cases on behalf of the poor or the public, courts have acted on bonded labour, prisoners' rights and environmental protection, and have interpreted the right to life to include livelihood, dignity, education and a clean environment. Laws such as those against dowry and domestic violence, and reservations in education, jobs and legislatures, flow from constitutional values. The 73rd and 74th Amendments created Panchayati Raj and urban local bodies with reservation for women, SCs and STs, bringing democracy to the grassroots. Social movements also use the Constitution to claim rights. However, change depends on implementation and awareness, and dominant groups can resist.

Quick revision

Constitution as an instrument of social change.
Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles.
PIL and judicial activism.
Panchayati Raj and women's reservation.

Exam tips

Remember the 73rd Amendment (Panchayats) and 74th Amendment (municipalities), both 1992.
Give one example of how courts expanded the right to life.

Practice MCQs

Rural local self-government in India is called
1. municipality
2. Panchayati Raj
3. zila parishad only
4. cantonment board
Show answer
Answer: (b) Panchayati Raj. It has three tiers.
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment concerns
1. municipalities
2. Panchayats
3. the President
4. the judiciary
Show answer
Answer: (b) Panchayats. It was passed in 1992.
The assembly of all adult voters in a village is the
1. Lok Sabha
2. Rajya Sabha
3. Gram Sabha
4. Vidhan Sabha
Show answer
Answer: (c) Gram Sabha. It is the base of Panchayati Raj.
The share of seats reserved for women in Panchayats under the 73rd Amendment is at least
1. one-fourth
2. one-third
3. one-half
4. one-tenth
Show answer
Answer: (b) one-third. Many states now reserve half.
A case filed in court for the public good is called
1. a criminal case
2. a civil suit for property
3. an appeal by the state
4. public interest litigation
Show answer
Answer: (d) public interest litigation. It widened access to justice.
The Preamble promises justice, liberty, equality and
1. fraternity
2. wealth
3. monarchy
4. religion
Show answer
Answer: (a) fraternity. Fraternity means a sense of brotherhood.
Courts have interpreted the right to life under Article 21 to include
1. livelihood, dignity and a clean environment
2. only physical survival
3. the right to own any property
4. the right to vote
Show answer
Answer: (a) livelihood, dignity and a clean environment. This expanded rights.
Why is the Constitution called an instrument of social change
1. it provides norms and tools to transform an unequal society towards justice
2. it only describes society
3. it prevents all change
4. it applies only to the government
Show answer
Answer: (a) it provides norms and tools to transform an unequal society towards justice. It guides reform.

All chapters of Class 12 Sociology

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.