Below are the NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science Civics Chapter 1 The Indian Constitution to aid students in their exam preparation and achieve good marks in board exams. This chapter delves into the Indian Constitution, explaining its significance and providing three detailed reasons for its necessity. By studying this chapter, students will gain a thorough understanding of the key features of the Indian Constitution.
Our provided NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science Civics Chapter 1 The Indian Constitution consist of comprehensive answers to the exercise questions. These solutions have been meticulously prepared by our team of expert faculty members at PadhaiKendra. They are presented in a clear and understandable manner, enabling students to grasp the various approaches to answering the questions.
Students can easily download the NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Civics from our website and can keep them for future reference as well. These solutions will serve as valuable resources for their exam preparation.
1. Why does a democratic country need a Constitution?
Ans. A democratic country requires a Constitution for several important reasons:
- The Constitution outlines the foundational ideals that citizens strive to uphold in their country.
- It defines the fundamental essence and principles of society.
- The Constitution establishes the nature and functioning of the political system within the country.
- It establishes a framework of rules that enables people from diverse religious and communal backgrounds to peacefully coexist with one another.
2. Look at the wordings of the two documents given below. The first column is from the 1990 Nepal Constitution. The second column is from the more recent Constitution of Nepal.
| 1990 Constitution of Nepal Part 7: Executive | 2015 Constitution of Nepal Part 7: Federal Executive |
|---|---|
| Article 35: Executive Power: The executive power of the Kingdom of Nepal shall be vested in his Majesty and the Council of Ministers | Article 75: Executive Power: The Executive Power of Nepal shall, pursuant to this Constitution and law, be vested in the Council of Ministers |
What is the difference in who exercises ‘Executive Power’ in the above two Constitutions of Nepal?
Ans. In Article 35 of the 1990 Constitution of Nepal, the authority to govern the nation, establish regulations, and manage the country is vested in the King and the Ministers appointed by the King.
However, according to Article 75 of the 2015 Constitution of Nepal, the governance, administration, and management of the country will be based on the laws outlined in the Constitution itself, under the supervision of the Ministers.
3. What would happen if there were no restrictions on the power of elected representatives?
Ans. In a democracy, the citizens hold the responsibility of electing their leaders. However, there is always a possibility that these leaders might abuse their authority and utilize it for inappropriate purposes. Consequently, the constitution incorporates provisions to safeguard the country against such potential misuse of power.
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.
Ans. In this particular context, the minority group consists of the 10 female teachers who are teaching at the school. It is crucial to consider the perspectives of these female teachers because even though they represent a minority, their opinions hold significant value. Any decision made should not disregard or cause discomfort to the female teachers, even if it aligns with the views of the majority.
(b) In a city, 5 percent of the population are Buddhists.
Ans. In this scenario, the minority group refers to the 5 percent Buddhist population residing in the city. It is important to acknowledge and respect their viewpoints. Being a religious minority with distinct beliefs, they should not be subjected to disrespect. Any decision made should take into consideration the religious sentiments of the Buddhist population.
(c) In a factory mess for all employees, 80 percent are vegetarians.
Ans. In this situation, the minority group consists of 20 percent of non-vegetarians who have meals at the factory mess. It is crucial to ensure that the food prepared in the factory mess caters to both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. The aim should be to accommodate the dietary preferences and requirements of both groups.
(d) In a class of 50 students, 40 belong to more well-off families.
Ans. In this scenario, the minority group comprises the 10 students who come from less privileged backgrounds. It is essential to consider their perspectives because they may face challenges in contributing to the various expenses required by the school. They should not be subjected to humiliation or discomfort due to their financial limitations.
5. The column on the left lists some of the key features of the Indian Constitution. In the other column write two sentences, in your own words, on why you think this feature is important:
| Key Feature | Significance |
|---|---|
| Federalism | |
| Separation of Powers | |
| Fundamental Rights | |
| Parliamentary Form of Government |
Ans.
| Key Feature | Significance |
|---|---|
| Federalism | It holds importance because in a diverse country like India, there are people residing at various levels and a single level of government cannot effectively govern them all. Therefore, establishing separate governments for different levels is necessary. The Panchayati Raj system governs the villages, the state government is responsible for governing the states, and the Central Government is accountable for governing the entire country. |
| Separation of Powers | The governance of a country is divided into three organs: the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary. Each of these organs possesses distinct powers and fulfills specific functions. To prevent the abuse of power by any single branch of government, the Constitution mandates that each organ exercises separate and distinct powers. This separation of powers ensures a system of checks and balances within the government. |
| Fundamental Rights | Fundamental Rights are a collection of rights provided by the Constitution to every citizen of the country. These rights encompass the Right to Freedom, the Right to Equality, the Right against Exploitation, the Right to Freedom of Religion, Cultural and Educational Rights, and the Right to Constitutional Remedies. These rights ensure that every citizen is entitled to equality, prohibiting discrimination based on caste, culture, or religion. They guarantee equal educational opportunities and ensure that all individuals are treated equally under the law. |
| Parliamentary Form of Government | In a democratic government, citizens of a country hold the right to elect their representatives. During the formulation of the Constitution, it was ensured that every citizen, regardless of caste, color, creed, or religion, would possess the right to choose their leaders through universal adult suffrage. Universal adult suffrage ensures that the right to vote is extended to all citizens without any discrimination. |
6. Write down the names of the Indian States, which share borders with the following neighbouring nations:
(a) Bangladesh
(b) Bhutan
(c) Nepal
Ans.
(a) Bangladesh: West Bengal, Meghalaya, Assam, Tripura, Mizoram
(b) Bhutan: Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh
(c) Nepal: Uttrakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim