Class 7 Social Science Chapter 10 NCERT Book - The Constitution of India- An Introduction

 Page 1


209
Governance and Democracy
10 – The Constitution of India — An Introduction
The Constitution of 
India?—?An Introduction
1. What is a constitution, and why do 
we need one?
2. How was the Indian Constitution 
prepared?
3. How did our freedom struggle and 
civilisational heritage influence the 
Constitution?
4. What are the key features of the 
Constitution of India? Why is it still 
relevant, even though it was written 
more than seventy years ago? 
The Big 
Questions
CHAPTER
10
I would like to point out that if we are able to act according to the 
Constitution which has been adopted..., I am sure we shall be able 
very soon to make our country great. This is a goal which is within 
our power to reach, but its realisation would require hard physical 
and mental labour and above all great moral regeneration.
We have prepared a democratic Constitution. But the successful 
working of democratic institutions requires in those who have to 
work with them willingness to respect the viewpoint of others, 
capacity for compromise and accommodation.
— Dr. Rajendra Prasad, first President of India
Fig 10.1. Glimpses from the Republic day Parade 
Chapter 10.indd   209 Chapter 10.indd   209 08-04-2025   12:54:57 08-04-2025   12:54:57
Page 2


209
Governance and Democracy
10 – The Constitution of India — An Introduction
The Constitution of 
India?—?An Introduction
1. What is a constitution, and why do 
we need one?
2. How was the Indian Constitution 
prepared?
3. How did our freedom struggle and 
civilisational heritage influence the 
Constitution?
4. What are the key features of the 
Constitution of India? Why is it still 
relevant, even though it was written 
more than seventy years ago? 
The Big 
Questions
CHAPTER
10
I would like to point out that if we are able to act according to the 
Constitution which has been adopted..., I am sure we shall be able 
very soon to make our country great. This is a goal which is within 
our power to reach, but its realisation would require hard physical 
and mental labour and above all great moral regeneration.
We have prepared a democratic Constitution. But the successful 
working of democratic institutions requires in those who have to 
work with them willingness to respect the viewpoint of others, 
capacity for compromise and accommodation.
— Dr. Rajendra Prasad, first President of India
Fig 10.1. Glimpses from the Republic day Parade 
Chapter 10.indd   209 Chapter 10.indd   209 08-04-2025   12:54:57 08-04-2025   12:54:57
210
Exploring Society: India and Beyond | Grade 7 Part 1
It was yet another chilly January morning in Delhi, much like every 
Republic Day. Ma’s voice echoed through the house, “Wake up! It’s 
time, or you’ll miss the parade!” Papa, already up, switched on the 
television to Doordarshan and called out, “Kumar , Niharika, come 
quickly! The parade has started!” The children jumped out of their 
warm beds, rushing to sit in front of the television, eager not to 
miss even a moment of the Republic Day Parade.
The sight of the majestic marching bands, vibrant displays, and 
the unfurling of the tricolour at Kartavya Path filled the room 
with pride and excitement. 
This day carries a deep significance?—?it marks the coming into 
effect of the Indian Constitution on 26 January 1950. 
 The book in the picture is our Constitution. To keep it safe, it is 
carefully preserved in a helium-filled glass case in Parliament.   
But what exactly is a constitution, and why is it so important?
Helium 
is a gas that 
doesn’t react 
with paper or 
ink, helping to 
preserve the 
Constitution 
over time.
LET’S REMEMBER
Recall that in Grade 6, we saw the meaning of the word 
‘constitution’ — a document that lays down the basic 
principles and laws of a nation. In small groups of three, list 
all the questions that come to your mind about a country’s 
constitution.  
Fig. 10.2. The Constitution of India carefully preserved in a helium-filled glass case
Chapter 10.indd   210 Chapter 10.indd   210 08-04-2025   12:54:58 08-04-2025   12:54:58
Page 3


209
Governance and Democracy
10 – The Constitution of India — An Introduction
The Constitution of 
India?—?An Introduction
1. What is a constitution, and why do 
we need one?
2. How was the Indian Constitution 
prepared?
3. How did our freedom struggle and 
civilisational heritage influence the 
Constitution?
4. What are the key features of the 
Constitution of India? Why is it still 
relevant, even though it was written 
more than seventy years ago? 
The Big 
Questions
CHAPTER
10
I would like to point out that if we are able to act according to the 
Constitution which has been adopted..., I am sure we shall be able 
very soon to make our country great. This is a goal which is within 
our power to reach, but its realisation would require hard physical 
and mental labour and above all great moral regeneration.
We have prepared a democratic Constitution. But the successful 
working of democratic institutions requires in those who have to 
work with them willingness to respect the viewpoint of others, 
capacity for compromise and accommodation.
— Dr. Rajendra Prasad, first President of India
Fig 10.1. Glimpses from the Republic day Parade 
Chapter 10.indd   209 Chapter 10.indd   209 08-04-2025   12:54:57 08-04-2025   12:54:57
210
Exploring Society: India and Beyond | Grade 7 Part 1
It was yet another chilly January morning in Delhi, much like every 
Republic Day. Ma’s voice echoed through the house, “Wake up! It’s 
time, or you’ll miss the parade!” Papa, already up, switched on the 
television to Doordarshan and called out, “Kumar , Niharika, come 
quickly! The parade has started!” The children jumped out of their 
warm beds, rushing to sit in front of the television, eager not to 
miss even a moment of the Republic Day Parade.
The sight of the majestic marching bands, vibrant displays, and 
the unfurling of the tricolour at Kartavya Path filled the room 
with pride and excitement. 
This day carries a deep significance?—?it marks the coming into 
effect of the Indian Constitution on 26 January 1950. 
 The book in the picture is our Constitution. To keep it safe, it is 
carefully preserved in a helium-filled glass case in Parliament.   
But what exactly is a constitution, and why is it so important?
Helium 
is a gas that 
doesn’t react 
with paper or 
ink, helping to 
preserve the 
Constitution 
over time.
LET’S REMEMBER
Recall that in Grade 6, we saw the meaning of the word 
‘constitution’ — a document that lays down the basic 
principles and laws of a nation. In small groups of three, list 
all the questions that come to your mind about a country’s 
constitution.  
Fig. 10.2. The Constitution of India carefully preserved in a helium-filled glass case
Chapter 10.indd   210 Chapter 10.indd   210 08-04-2025   12:54:58 08-04-2025   12:54:58
211
Governance and Democracy
10 – The Constitution of India — An Introduction
The Constitution of India is the document that many of the 
important officials of our country pledge to uphold. The  
president takes an oath to preserve, protect, and defend it. The 
prime minister, council of ministers, and judges promise to 
follow its provisions.
What Is a Constitution?
A simple answer is that it is a document that spells out a nation’s 
basic principles and laws. It lays out:
 ? the framework of the three organs of the government 
(legislature, executive, and judiciary) and their roles and 
responsibilities;
 ? checks and balances amongst the three organs of government 
to ensure fairness, responsibility and accountability;
 ? the rights and duties of the citizens; 
 ? an outline of the long-term goals and aspirations of the 
nation.
Why do we need a constitution?
LET’S EXPLORE 
Imagine that your school has reached the final tournament in 
kabaddi at the state-level. The opponent is a strong team that 
has won the tournament two years in a row. They are aiming 
to win a third time, a hat-trick. The match is on, and a player 
from your team has just got one of the players from the other 
team ‘out’; then a dispute breaks out. The player from the other 
team insists that she had already crossed into her team area 
before your team player caught her. The referee has seen that 
the player from the other team was indeed ‘out’. To settle the 
dispute amicably, she pulls out a little official rulebook. The 
team captains confer with the referee and look at the rules. 
They then agree that the player was indeed ‘out’, and your 
team has won the state-level trophy.  
Chapter 10.indd   211 Chapter 10.indd   211 08-04-2025   12:54:58 08-04-2025   12:54:58
Page 4


209
Governance and Democracy
10 – The Constitution of India — An Introduction
The Constitution of 
India?—?An Introduction
1. What is a constitution, and why do 
we need one?
2. How was the Indian Constitution 
prepared?
3. How did our freedom struggle and 
civilisational heritage influence the 
Constitution?
4. What are the key features of the 
Constitution of India? Why is it still 
relevant, even though it was written 
more than seventy years ago? 
The Big 
Questions
CHAPTER
10
I would like to point out that if we are able to act according to the 
Constitution which has been adopted..., I am sure we shall be able 
very soon to make our country great. This is a goal which is within 
our power to reach, but its realisation would require hard physical 
and mental labour and above all great moral regeneration.
We have prepared a democratic Constitution. But the successful 
working of democratic institutions requires in those who have to 
work with them willingness to respect the viewpoint of others, 
capacity for compromise and accommodation.
— Dr. Rajendra Prasad, first President of India
Fig 10.1. Glimpses from the Republic day Parade 
Chapter 10.indd   209 Chapter 10.indd   209 08-04-2025   12:54:57 08-04-2025   12:54:57
210
Exploring Society: India and Beyond | Grade 7 Part 1
It was yet another chilly January morning in Delhi, much like every 
Republic Day. Ma’s voice echoed through the house, “Wake up! It’s 
time, or you’ll miss the parade!” Papa, already up, switched on the 
television to Doordarshan and called out, “Kumar , Niharika, come 
quickly! The parade has started!” The children jumped out of their 
warm beds, rushing to sit in front of the television, eager not to 
miss even a moment of the Republic Day Parade.
The sight of the majestic marching bands, vibrant displays, and 
the unfurling of the tricolour at Kartavya Path filled the room 
with pride and excitement. 
This day carries a deep significance?—?it marks the coming into 
effect of the Indian Constitution on 26 January 1950. 
 The book in the picture is our Constitution. To keep it safe, it is 
carefully preserved in a helium-filled glass case in Parliament.   
But what exactly is a constitution, and why is it so important?
Helium 
is a gas that 
doesn’t react 
with paper or 
ink, helping to 
preserve the 
Constitution 
over time.
LET’S REMEMBER
Recall that in Grade 6, we saw the meaning of the word 
‘constitution’ — a document that lays down the basic 
principles and laws of a nation. In small groups of three, list 
all the questions that come to your mind about a country’s 
constitution.  
Fig. 10.2. The Constitution of India carefully preserved in a helium-filled glass case
Chapter 10.indd   210 Chapter 10.indd   210 08-04-2025   12:54:58 08-04-2025   12:54:58
211
Governance and Democracy
10 – The Constitution of India — An Introduction
The Constitution of India is the document that many of the 
important officials of our country pledge to uphold. The  
president takes an oath to preserve, protect, and defend it. The 
prime minister, council of ministers, and judges promise to 
follow its provisions.
What Is a Constitution?
A simple answer is that it is a document that spells out a nation’s 
basic principles and laws. It lays out:
 ? the framework of the three organs of the government 
(legislature, executive, and judiciary) and their roles and 
responsibilities;
 ? checks and balances amongst the three organs of government 
to ensure fairness, responsibility and accountability;
 ? the rights and duties of the citizens; 
 ? an outline of the long-term goals and aspirations of the 
nation.
Why do we need a constitution?
LET’S EXPLORE 
Imagine that your school has reached the final tournament in 
kabaddi at the state-level. The opponent is a strong team that 
has won the tournament two years in a row. They are aiming 
to win a third time, a hat-trick. The match is on, and a player 
from your team has just got one of the players from the other 
team ‘out’; then a dispute breaks out. The player from the other 
team insists that she had already crossed into her team area 
before your team player caught her. The referee has seen that 
the player from the other team was indeed ‘out’. To settle the 
dispute amicably, she pulls out a little official rulebook. The 
team captains confer with the referee and look at the rules. 
They then agree that the player was indeed ‘out’, and your 
team has won the state-level trophy.  
Chapter 10.indd   211 Chapter 10.indd   211 08-04-2025   12:54:58 08-04-2025   12:54:58
212
Exploring Society: India and Beyond | Grade 7 Part 1
Discuss in your group what might have happened if there was 
no official rulebook that the referee and the team captains 
could refer to. What is required to ensure everyone agrees 
to abide by the rulebook? What might happen if the team 
captains did not agree to refer to the rulebook at all?  
Think of a game that you play often and list the rules you 
follow. Each group will then present their set of rules to the 
rest of the class. Listen to each presentation, discuss the rules, 
and work together to decide on a common set of rules for the 
game. What challenges do you face in reaching a consensus 
on rules that everyone agrees with?
What could be the ‘rulebook’ for a country? How would it be 
made?
Our Constitution is something like a rulebook for the country.  
DON’T MISS OUT
Just as your textbook has many sections and chapters, the 
Constitution of India has 25 parts and 12 schedules. Each 
part has sections within it. It is the world’s largest written 
constitution. When it came into effect, it had 22 Parts and 8 
schedules. You don’t need to remember these numbers, but 
can you guess why they have increased since 1950?    
The basic rules and principles in a constitution determine what 
kind of government will be there, how it will be formed, and 
how it will function. This includes many principles we saw in 
the previous chapter, such as how the legislature, executive 
and judiciary are formed and how they work. A constitution  
describes, for example, how laws are to be made and 
implemented, who elects the executive, how the judiciary is 
made, and what rights and duties individual citizens have. 
Many constitutions, including the Indian Constitution, also state 
the values and ideals the country is committed to?—?for instance, 
Chapter 10.indd   212 Chapter 10.indd   212 08-04-2025   12:54:58 08-04-2025   12:54:58
Page 5


209
Governance and Democracy
10 – The Constitution of India — An Introduction
The Constitution of 
India?—?An Introduction
1. What is a constitution, and why do 
we need one?
2. How was the Indian Constitution 
prepared?
3. How did our freedom struggle and 
civilisational heritage influence the 
Constitution?
4. What are the key features of the 
Constitution of India? Why is it still 
relevant, even though it was written 
more than seventy years ago? 
The Big 
Questions
CHAPTER
10
I would like to point out that if we are able to act according to the 
Constitution which has been adopted..., I am sure we shall be able 
very soon to make our country great. This is a goal which is within 
our power to reach, but its realisation would require hard physical 
and mental labour and above all great moral regeneration.
We have prepared a democratic Constitution. But the successful 
working of democratic institutions requires in those who have to 
work with them willingness to respect the viewpoint of others, 
capacity for compromise and accommodation.
— Dr. Rajendra Prasad, first President of India
Fig 10.1. Glimpses from the Republic day Parade 
Chapter 10.indd   209 Chapter 10.indd   209 08-04-2025   12:54:57 08-04-2025   12:54:57
210
Exploring Society: India and Beyond | Grade 7 Part 1
It was yet another chilly January morning in Delhi, much like every 
Republic Day. Ma’s voice echoed through the house, “Wake up! It’s 
time, or you’ll miss the parade!” Papa, already up, switched on the 
television to Doordarshan and called out, “Kumar , Niharika, come 
quickly! The parade has started!” The children jumped out of their 
warm beds, rushing to sit in front of the television, eager not to 
miss even a moment of the Republic Day Parade.
The sight of the majestic marching bands, vibrant displays, and 
the unfurling of the tricolour at Kartavya Path filled the room 
with pride and excitement. 
This day carries a deep significance?—?it marks the coming into 
effect of the Indian Constitution on 26 January 1950. 
 The book in the picture is our Constitution. To keep it safe, it is 
carefully preserved in a helium-filled glass case in Parliament.   
But what exactly is a constitution, and why is it so important?
Helium 
is a gas that 
doesn’t react 
with paper or 
ink, helping to 
preserve the 
Constitution 
over time.
LET’S REMEMBER
Recall that in Grade 6, we saw the meaning of the word 
‘constitution’ — a document that lays down the basic 
principles and laws of a nation. In small groups of three, list 
all the questions that come to your mind about a country’s 
constitution.  
Fig. 10.2. The Constitution of India carefully preserved in a helium-filled glass case
Chapter 10.indd   210 Chapter 10.indd   210 08-04-2025   12:54:58 08-04-2025   12:54:58
211
Governance and Democracy
10 – The Constitution of India — An Introduction
The Constitution of India is the document that many of the 
important officials of our country pledge to uphold. The  
president takes an oath to preserve, protect, and defend it. The 
prime minister, council of ministers, and judges promise to 
follow its provisions.
What Is a Constitution?
A simple answer is that it is a document that spells out a nation’s 
basic principles and laws. It lays out:
 ? the framework of the three organs of the government 
(legislature, executive, and judiciary) and their roles and 
responsibilities;
 ? checks and balances amongst the three organs of government 
to ensure fairness, responsibility and accountability;
 ? the rights and duties of the citizens; 
 ? an outline of the long-term goals and aspirations of the 
nation.
Why do we need a constitution?
LET’S EXPLORE 
Imagine that your school has reached the final tournament in 
kabaddi at the state-level. The opponent is a strong team that 
has won the tournament two years in a row. They are aiming 
to win a third time, a hat-trick. The match is on, and a player 
from your team has just got one of the players from the other 
team ‘out’; then a dispute breaks out. The player from the other 
team insists that she had already crossed into her team area 
before your team player caught her. The referee has seen that 
the player from the other team was indeed ‘out’. To settle the 
dispute amicably, she pulls out a little official rulebook. The 
team captains confer with the referee and look at the rules. 
They then agree that the player was indeed ‘out’, and your 
team has won the state-level trophy.  
Chapter 10.indd   211 Chapter 10.indd   211 08-04-2025   12:54:58 08-04-2025   12:54:58
212
Exploring Society: India and Beyond | Grade 7 Part 1
Discuss in your group what might have happened if there was 
no official rulebook that the referee and the team captains 
could refer to. What is required to ensure everyone agrees 
to abide by the rulebook? What might happen if the team 
captains did not agree to refer to the rulebook at all?  
Think of a game that you play often and list the rules you 
follow. Each group will then present their set of rules to the 
rest of the class. Listen to each presentation, discuss the rules, 
and work together to decide on a common set of rules for the 
game. What challenges do you face in reaching a consensus 
on rules that everyone agrees with?
What could be the ‘rulebook’ for a country? How would it be 
made?
Our Constitution is something like a rulebook for the country.  
DON’T MISS OUT
Just as your textbook has many sections and chapters, the 
Constitution of India has 25 parts and 12 schedules. Each 
part has sections within it. It is the world’s largest written 
constitution. When it came into effect, it had 22 Parts and 8 
schedules. You don’t need to remember these numbers, but 
can you guess why they have increased since 1950?    
The basic rules and principles in a constitution determine what 
kind of government will be there, how it will be formed, and 
how it will function. This includes many principles we saw in 
the previous chapter, such as how the legislature, executive 
and judiciary are formed and how they work. A constitution  
describes, for example, how laws are to be made and 
implemented, who elects the executive, how the judiciary is 
made, and what rights and duties individual citizens have. 
Many constitutions, including the Indian Constitution, also state 
the values and ideals the country is committed to?—?for instance, 
Chapter 10.indd   212 Chapter 10.indd   212 08-04-2025   12:54:58 08-04-2025   12:54:58
213
Governance and Democracy
10 – The Constitution of India — An Introduction
equality and justice for all, fraternity, pluralism and freedom. In 
fact, it is these values and ideals that usually form the basis for 
the laws and principles in a constitution. 
Some of the important things that most constitutions contain: 
 Constitution
Values and 
ideals of a 
society
 Political 
system
Rights and 
duties of  
citizens 
 Structure and 
formation of the 
government
Functions of different 
parts of the government
 Guiding principles for 
government
Writing the Constitution of India
While India was struggling for independence from British 
rule, it was necessary to start planning for how we would 
govern ourselves. There were many important questions to be 
answered in a large, culturally diverse and complex country like 
India: What type of government should we have? What rules 
and principles should guide us? Who should have the right to 
vote? How should we decide on disputes? 
I wish your labours success, and invoke Divine blessings 
that your proceedings may be marked not only by 
good sense, public spirit, and genuine patriotism, but 
also by wisdom, toleration, justice, and fairness to all; 
and above all with a vision which may restore India to 
her pristine glory, and give her a place of honour and 
equality amongst the great nations of the world. 
— Dr . Sachidananda Sinha,  
President of the Constituent Assembly at the start of  
the process  of the writing of the Constitution 
Chapter 10.indd   213 Chapter 10.indd   213 08-04-2025   12:54:58 08-04-2025   12:54:58