CBSE Class 11 Political Science: Constitution Why and How? NCERT Solutions

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 11 PDF

This chapter delves into the fundamental role and significance of a constitution, specifically focusing on the Indian context. It explores the essential functions a constitution performs, such as guaranteeing citizens' rights, delineating governmental powers, and expressing shared societal values. The solutions clarify why a constitution's authority often surpasses that of the parliament, highlighting its foundational nature and the process of its creation. It examines the characteristics of constitutions, including whether they must be written and their relevance in various political systems. Furthermore, the chapter discusses the credibility of the Indian Constitution's makers and how power is distributed to prevent its subversion. These NCERT Solutions provide clear explanations and reasoning, aiding students in grasping the core concepts for effective exam revision.

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BoardCBSE
ClassClass 11
SubjectPolitical Science
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
Chapter1. Constitution Why and How

Chapter summary

Chapter 1, 'Constitution Why and How?', provides an in-depth look at the purpose and structure of constitutions. It covers the essential functions of a constitution, the basis for its supreme authority, and clarifies common misconceptions about its nature and applicability. The solutions also analyze the Indian Constitution's formation, emphasizing the respect commanded by its framers and the strategic distribution of powers to safeguard against misuse. This chapter is crucial for understanding the foundational principles of governance and constitutional law.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the primary functions of a constitution in a state.
  • Analyze the reasons for a constitution's higher authority compared to parliament.
  • Differentiate between written and unwritten constitutions and their applicability.
  • Evaluate the role of ideals and values within a constitutional framework.
  • Explain how a constitution can provide a sense of national identity.
  • Assess the credibility of constitution-makers and their impact.
  • Describe the mechanisms for power distribution to prevent constitutional subversion.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Functions of a Constitution
  • Authority of a Constitution
  • Written vs. Unwritten Constitutions
  • Role of Ideals and Values
  • National Identity and Constitution
  • Credibility of Constitution Makers
  • Distribution of Powers
  • Checks and Balances
  • Indian Constitution Making
  • Constituent Assembly
  • Parliamentary Powers
  • Separation of Powers

Important topics

  • Functions of a Constitution
  • Authority of the Constitution over Parliament
  • Credibility of the Indian Constitution's Makers
  • Distribution of Power to Prevent Subversion
  • Role of Ideals and Values in a Constitution
  • Indian Constitution Making Process

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Which of these is not a function of the constitution?
  1. It gives a guarantee of the rights of the citizen.
  2. It marks out different spheres of power for different branches of government.
  3. It ensures that good people come to power.
  4. It gives expression to some shared values.
Solution: The correct option is (c). A constitution outlines the structure and powers of government and guarantees rights, but it cannot directly ensure that only 'good' or virtuous individuals will attain political power. The selection of leaders is a complex political process influenced by many factors beyond the scope of constitutional provisions.

Question 2

Which of the following is a good reason to conclude that the authority of the constitution is higher than that of the parliament?
  1. The constitution was framed before the parliament came into being.
  2. The constitution makers were more eminent leaders than the members of the parliament.
  3. The constitution specifies how parliament is to be formed and what are its powers.
  4. The constitution cannot be amended by the parliament.
Solution: The most compelling reason is (c). The constitution lays down the fundamental rules and principles that govern the establishment and functioning of the parliament itself. It defines the parliament's existence, its composition, its legislative powers, and its limitations. Therefore, the body that creates and defines another body must inherently possess a higher authority.

Question 3

State whether the following statements about a constitution are True or False.
  1. Constitutions need not always be written documents; they can be unwritten as well.
  2. Constitutions are required only in democratic countries.
  3. A constitution is a legal document that does not deal with ideals and values of society.
  4. A constitution gives its citizens a new identity.
Solution:
  1. True. While many constitutions are written documents, some countries, like the United Kingdom, have unwritten constitutions based on statutes, conventions, and judicial decisions.
  2. False. Constitutions are necessary in various forms of government, not exclusively democratic ones. They provide a framework for governance and power distribution even in authoritarian or military regimes.
  3. False. Constitutions are indeed legal documents, but they are also deeply intertwined with the ideals, values, aspirations, and moral principles that a society wishes to uphold.
  4. True. A constitution often articulates the fundamental identity of a nation and its people, defining their shared political and social character.

Question 4

State whether the following inferences about the making of the Indian Constitution are Correct or Incorrect. Give reasons to support your answer.
  1. The Constituent Assembly did not represent the Indian people since it was not elected by all citizens.
  2. Constitution making did not involve any major decision since there was a general consensus among the leaders at that time about its basic framework.
  3. There was little originality in the Constitution, for much of it was borrowed from other countries.
Solution:
  1. Incorrect. Although the Constituent Assembly was not elected by universal adult suffrage, it possessed significant public authority. This was due to the fact that its members were popular leaders who commanded widespread respect, and the people adopted the constitution by abiding by its provisions, thereby giving it their backing.
  2. False. The process of constitution-making involved numerous significant decisions and debates on fundamental principles. While the introduction of universal adult franchise was passed with little debate, almost every other issue foundational to a modern state was discussed with great sophistication and led to considerable debate among the leaders.
  3. False. The makers of the Indian Constitution did not hesitate to learn from the experiences and experiments of other countries. However, they adapted these provisions to suit India's specific problems and aspirations. Each provision was carefully considered and defended based on its suitability for India, demonstrating thoughtful assimilation rather than mere borrowing.

Question 5

Give two examples each to support the following conclusions about the Indian Constitution:
  1. The Constitution was made by credible leaders who commanded people's respect.
  2. The Constitution has distributed power in such a way as to make it difficult to subvert it.
Solution:
  1. The Constitution was made by credible leaders who commanded people's respect: The Constituent Assembly comprised eminent leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Maulana Azad, and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who were highly respected figures in the independence movement and represented diverse sections of society. Their leadership and the broad consensus they achieved gave the Constitution immense legitimacy and public authority, even without a direct referendum.
  2. The Constitution has distributed power in such a way as to make it difficult to subvert it: The Indian Constitution employs a system of checks and balances by horizontally fragmenting power across key institutions. For instance, power is divided between the Legislature (makes laws), the Executive (implements laws), and the Judiciary (interprets laws and upholds the Constitution). Furthermore, independent statutory bodies like the Election Commission are established to ensure fairness in critical areas, making it difficult for any single institution or group to gain absolute control and subvert the constitutional framework.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming constitutions are only written documents.
  • Believing constitutions are only necessary for democratic countries.
  • Overlooking the role of ideals and values in constitutional law.
  • Underestimating the originality of the Indian Constitution due to borrowed elements.

Revision tips

  • Focus on the core functions of a constitution as listed in Question 1.
  • Understand the arguments for the constitution's supremacy over parliament (Question 2).
  • Carefully review the True/False statements and their explanations to grasp nuances.
  • Pay attention to the reasoning provided for the correctness/incorrectness of inferences about the Indian Constitution's making.
  • Analyze the two examples given for the credibility of makers and power distribution.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Which of the following is NOT a primary function of a constitution?

Q2. A strong reason to believe the constitution holds higher authority than parliament is:

Q3. Which statement about constitutions is FALSE?

Q4. The Indian Constitution derives its authority primarily from:

Q5. How does the Indian Constitution prevent the subversion of power?

Frequently asked questions

What are the main functions of a constitution?

A constitution primarily guarantees citizens' rights, defines the powers and spheres of different government branches, and expresses the shared values of a society.

Why is the constitution considered to have higher authority than the parliament?

The constitution establishes the framework for the parliament, specifying how it is formed and what its powers are, thus holding a foundational and superior authority.

Does a constitution have to be a written document?

No, constitutions do not necessarily have to be written; they can also be unwritten, as seen in some countries.

Are constitutions only relevant for democratic countries?

No, constitutions exist and are required in various political systems, including those that are not fully democratic, such as pseudo-democracies or military rule.

How does the Indian Constitution ensure that power is not easily subverted?

It achieves this by intelligently fragmenting power across different institutions like the legislature, executive, and judiciary, ensuring a system of checks and balances.

What gives the Indian Constitution its authority, even without a referendum?

Its authority stems from the consensus and backing of its framers, who were eminent leaders commanding public respect, and the subsequent adoption by the people.

Important links

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