CBSE Class 9 Social Science: Constitutional Design NCERT Solutions

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This chapter, "Constitutional Design," for CBSE Class 9 Social Science, delves into the fundamental principles and processes behind creating a constitution. The NCERT Solutions provide clear explanations and answers to key questions, helping students understand the historical context, the challenges faced, and the core values that shaped India's constitution. It covers topics like the role of leaders in the freedom movement, the Constituent Assembly's debates, the significance of democratic values, and the guiding principles of the Indian Constitution. These solutions are designed to clarify complex ideas, reinforce learning, and assist students in their exam preparation by offering detailed and accurate answers to the textbook exercises.

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BoardCBSE
ClassClass 9
SubjectSocial Science
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 19

Chapter summary

Chapter 19, "Constitutional Design," focuses on the foundational aspects of constitution-making. The NCERT Solutions cover the aspirations of freedom movement leaders, the deliberations within the Constituent Assembly, and the core tenets of a democratic constitution. It explains concepts like sovereignty, republic, fraternity, and secularism, and clarifies the roles of key figures in drafting the constitution. The solutions also touch upon the South African constitution-making process as a comparative example, highlighting the resolution of deep-seated conflicts.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the role of the freedom movement leaders in shaping the idea of a democratic India.
  • Identify the key debates and agreements within the Constituent Assembly.
  • Explain the meaning of core constitutional values like Sovereign, Republic, Fraternity, and Secular.
  • Recognize the importance of a constitution in a democracy.
  • Analyze the challenges and conflicts involved in constitution-making, using South Africa as an example.
  • Match key figures with their contributions to the Indian Constitution.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Constitutional Design
  • Freedom Movement Leaders' Vision
  • Constituent Assembly
  • Drafting Committee
  • Key Figures in Constitution Making
  • Guiding Values of the Constitution
  • Sovereign
  • Republic
  • Fraternity
  • Secular
  • South African Constitution Making
  • Democratic Principles

Important topics

  • Guiding Values of the Constitution (Sovereign, Republic, Fraternity, Secular)
  • Role of the Constituent Assembly and Drafting Committee
  • Key Leaders and their Contributions
  • Meaning of a Democratic Constitution
  • Comparison with South Africa's Constitutional Design

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Here are some false statements. Identify the mistake in each case and rewrite these correctly based on what you have read in this chapter:
  1. Leaders of the freedom movement had an open mind about whether the country should be democratic or not after independence.
Solution:

(a) The statement is incorrect. The leaders of the freedom movement were largely in agreement and shared a strong consensus that India should adopt a democratic form of government after achieving independence. They envisioned a nation where power resided with the people and their elected representatives.

  1. Members of the Constituent Assembly of India held the same views on all provisions of the Constitution.

(b) This statement is also not entirely accurate. While the members of the Constituent Assembly agreed on the fundamental principles and the overall vision for the constitution, they did have diverse opinions and engaged in extensive debates on many specific provisions and details of the Constitution.

(c) A country that has a constitution must be a democracy.

(c) The correct understanding is the reverse: A country that is a democracy must have a constitution. A constitution is essential for establishing and maintaining democratic practices, outlining rights, and defining governmental powers.

  1. Constitution cannot be amended because it is the supreme law of a country.

(d) This statement is incorrect. While the constitution is the supreme law, it is not immutable. Constitutions are designed to be amended to reflect the evolving needs, values, and aspirations of the society they govern. The Indian Constitution itself provides mechanisms for amendment.

Question 2

Which of these was the most salient underlying conflict in the making of a democratic constitution in South Africa?
  1. Between South Africa and its neighbours
  2. Between men and women
  3. Between the white majority and the black minority
  4. Between the coloured minority and the black majority
Solution:

The most significant underlying conflict during the making of South Africa's democratic constitution was (d) Between the white minority and the black majority. The nation grappled with the deep-seated divisions and inequalities created by apartheid, where the white minority had historically oppressed the black majority. The new constitution aimed to bridge this divide and ensure equality and justice for all citizens, regardless of race.

Question 3

Which of these is a provision that a democratic constitution does not have?
  1. Powers of the head of the state

(b) Name of the head of the state

  1. Powers of the legislature
  2. Name of the country
Solution:

A provision that a democratic constitution does not necessarily have is (b) Name of the head of the state. While constitutions define the powers of the head of state (like the President or Prime Minister) and the legislature, and they always name the country, the specific name of the head of state is usually determined by elections or appointments within the framework, rather than being a fixed constitutional provision.

Question 4

Match the following leaders with their roles in the making of the Constitution:
  1. Motilal Nehru i President of the Constituent Assembly

(b) B.R. Ambedkar ii Member of the Constituent Assembly

  1. Rajendra Prasad iii Chairman of the Drafting Committee
  2. Sarojini Naidu iv Prepared a Constitution for India in 1928
Solution:

Here is the correct matching of the leaders with their roles in the making of the Constitution:

  1. Motilal Nehru (iv) Prepared a Constitution for India in 1928 (along with other leaders, this was an early attempt at outlining a constitution).
  2. B.R. Ambedkar (iii) Chairman of the Drafting Committee (He was the chief architect of the Constitution's draft).
  3. Rajendra Prasad (i) President of the Constituent Assembly (He presided over the proceedings of the Constituent Assembly).
  4. Sarojini Naidu (ii) Member of the Constituent Assembly (She was an active participant and a prominent member of the Assembly).

Question 5

Read again the extracts from Nehru's speech 'Tryst with Destiny' and answer the following:
  1. Why did Nehru use the expression "not wholly or in full measure" in the first sentence?
Solution:

(a) Jawaharlal Nehru used the expression "not wholly or in full measure" to convey that the task of achieving complete independence and establishing a just and prosperous nation was a monumental and ongoing process. He acknowledged that while independence was achieved, the complete realization of the dreams and aspirations of the people, such as eradicating poverty and inequality, would take time and sustained effort beyond his own lifetime.

(b) What pledge did he want the makers of the Indian Constitution to take?

(b) He wanted the makers of the Indian Constitution to take a solemn pledge to dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to the service of India and its people. This pledge involved committing their lives to building a strong, democratic, and equitable nation, and to working for the welfare of humanity at large.

  1. "The ambition of the greatest man of our generation has been to wipe every tear from every eye". Who was he referring to?

(c) In this profound statement, Jawaharlal Nehru was referring to Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi's life mission was dedicated to the upliftment of the poor and oppressed, and his ultimate goal was to alleviate the suffering of every Indian, symbolizing a deep commitment to humanitarianism and social justice.

Question 6

Here are some of the guiding values of the Constitution and their meaning. Rewrite them by matching them correctly.
  1. Sovereign i Government will not favour any religion.
  2. Republic ii People have the supreme right to make decisions.
  3. Fraternity iii Head of the state is an elected person.
  4. Secular iv People should live like brothers and sisters.
Solution:

Here is the correct matching of the guiding values of the Constitution with their meanings:

  1. Sovereign (ii) People have the supreme right to make decisions. (This means India is independent and has the ultimate authority to govern itself, both internally and externally.)
  2. Republic (iii) Head of the state is an elected person. (This signifies that the head of the country is not a hereditary monarch but is chosen through elections.)
  3. Fraternity (iv) People should live like brothers and sisters. (This promotes a sense of unity and common brotherhood among all citizens.)
  4. Secular (i) Government will not favour any religion. (This means the state treats all religions equally and does not promote or discriminate against any particular faith.)

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the name of the head of state with the powers of the head of state.
  • Assuming that a constitution automatically implies democracy without understanding the reciprocal relationship.
  • Believing that constitutions cannot be amended, overlooking the need for adaptation to societal changes.
  • Misinterpreting the consensus among freedom fighters regarding a democratic future.

Revision tips

  • Focus on understanding the 'why' behind each constitutional principle, not just the 'what'.
  • Pay close attention to the definitions and examples provided for terms like Sovereign, Republic, Fraternity, and Secular.
  • Review the roles of key figures like Nehru and Ambedkar to grasp their contributions.
  • Compare the South African constitution-making process with India's to understand conflict resolution in democratic design.
  • Practice rewriting the false statements correctly to solidify understanding of constitutional concepts.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What was the primary consensus among Indian freedom movement leaders regarding the nation's future?

Q2. Which of the following best describes the relationship between a country and its constitution in a democracy?

Q3. Who chaired the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution?

Q4. The term 'Republic' in the context of the Indian Constitution signifies:

Q5. What does 'Fraternity' mean in the context of the Indian Constitution's guiding values?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main focus of the 'Constitutional Design' chapter for Class 9 Social Science?

This chapter explains the process and principles behind creating a constitution, focusing on India's journey, the values embedded in its constitution, and the roles of key figures involved in its drafting.

Why is it important for a democracy to have a constitution?

A constitution provides the framework for a democracy by defining the powers of the government, outlining citizens' rights, and establishing the fundamental principles upon which the country is governed.

Who were some of the key individuals involved in making the Indian Constitution?

Key figures include Jawaharlal Nehru, B.R. Ambedkar (Chairman of the Drafting Committee), and Rajendra Prasad (President of the Constituent Assembly), among many others who contributed through debates and drafting.

What do the terms 'Sovereign', 'Republic', 'Fraternity', and 'Secular' mean in the Indian Constitution?

'Sovereign' means supreme power, 'Republic' means the head of state is elected, 'Fraternity' means a sense of brotherhood, and 'Secular' means the state does not favour any particular religion.

How do these NCERT Solutions help students prepare for exams?

The solutions provide clear, step-by-step answers to textbook questions, helping students understand complex concepts, remember key facts, and practice applying their knowledge, which is crucial for exam success.

Can a constitution be changed?

Yes, constitutions can be amended. This is important to allow the constitution to adapt to the changing needs and aspirations of society over time.

Important links

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