Class 9 Civics Chapter 2 Extra Question Answers - Constitutional Design

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Q1. Which of the guiding values of the Constitution of India means that people have the supreme right to make decisions?
Ans: The guiding value of Sovereign signifies that:

• People possess the supreme right to make decisions.
• This applies to both internal and external matters.
• No external power can dictate the Government of India.

Q2. How many members did the Constituent Assembly have that wrote the Indian Constitution?
Ans: The Constituent Assembly that drafted the Indian Constitution comprised 299 members.

Q3. Name the President of the Constituent Assembly?
Ans: Dr Rajendra Prasad served as the President of the Constituent Assembly.

Q4. Is it true that non-democratic countries do not have a Constitution?
Ans: No, it is not true that non-democratic countries lack a Constitution. Most countries, regardless of their political system, have some basic rules known as a Constitution. Here are some key points:

• A Constitution establishes fundamental rules for governance.
• It defines the structure of government and the distribution of power.
• It outlines the rights of citizens and limits government powers.
• It reflects the aspirations of the people for a just society.

Q5. Name the Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee of India?
Ans: Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar, a distinguished lawyer and politician, served as the Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee of India.

Q6. Earlier to 1992, South Africa practiced a form of racial discrimination. What is it termed as?
Ans: The racial discrimination in South Africa before 1992 was known as apartheid.

Q7. In a republic, how is the Head of State decided or chosen?
Ans: In a republic, the Head of State is chosen through an election process. This means:

• The Head of State is an elected person.
• Citizens have the power to vote and decide who leads.
• This system ensures that the leader is accountable to the people.

Q8. Nelson Mandela remained in prison for treason for how many years?
Ans: Nelson Mandela spent approximately 27 years in prison, primarily on Robben Island, during the apartheid era in South Africa.

Q9. On which day did South Africa gain independence from the rule of the White minority?
Ans: South Africa gained independence from the rule of the White minority on 26th April 1994.

Q10. What is the title of the autobiography of Nelson Mandela?
Ans: The title of Nelson Mandela's autobiography is 'Long Walk to Freedom'.

Q11. Which national leader tried to draft a Constitution for India as far back as in 1928?

Ans: Pandit Moti Lal Nehru attempted to draft a Constitution for India in 1928.

Q12. When were the elections to the Constituent Assembly held in India?
Ans: The elections to the Constituent Assembly in India took place in July 1946.

Q13. In which country did a large number of 'Whites' settle and become the local rulers?
Ans: The country where a significant number of Whites settled and became the local rulers is South Africa.

Q14. Who said, '.... I shall work for an India in which the poorest shall feel that it is their country in whose making they have an effective voice. ......'?
Ans: Mahatma Gandhi made this statement.

Q15. Which organisation led the freedom movement in South Africa?

Ans: The African National Congress (ANC) was the main organisation leading the fight against the policies of segregation in South Africa. Key points include:

• The ANC united various groups, including workers' unions and the Communist Party.
• Many sympathetic white individuals also joined the ANC to oppose apartheid.
• International condemnation of apartheid grew, but the white government continued its oppressive rule.
• Protests, marches, and strikes were common methods of resistance by black, coloured, and Indian communities since the 1950s.

Q16. Which Indian politician bitterly criticized Mahatma Gandhi's vision?
Ans: Dr B.R. Ambedkar, a key figure in drafting the Indian Constitution, had a contrasting view to Mahatma Gandhi regarding the elimination of social inequalities. He often expressed strong criticism of Gandhi's vision.

• Ambedkar believed in a different approach to addressing inequalities.
• He highlighted the contradictions in Indian society, where political equality coexisted with social and economic inequality.
• Ambedkar's concerns were evident in his speeches, where he questioned the sustainability of political democracy without social equality.

Q17. From which country's Constitution have most countries of the world chosen to begin their Constitution with a Preamble?
Ans: Taking inspiration from the American model, many countries today begin their constitutions with a preamble.

• This preamble outlines the fundamental values of the nation.
• It serves as a guiding principle for the constitution.
• Countries aim to reflect their unique identities while adopting this structure.

Q18. Did all members of the Constituent Assembly of India hold the same views on all provisions of the Constitution?
Ans: No, the members of the Constituent Assembly of India did not share the same views on all provisions of the Constitution. However, they worked in a:

• Systematic manner
• Open discussions
• Consensual approach

Key points about their process include:

• Basic principles were established and agreed upon.
• A Drafting Committee, led by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, prepared the draft.
• Extensive discussions occurred on each clause of the draft.
• Over 2,000 amendments were considered.
• The Assembly met for 114 days over three years.

Q19. Why is India considered as a sovereign country?
Ans: India is considered a sovereign country for several reasons:

• The Constitution was created by the people through their representatives, not imposed by a king or foreign power.
• Citizens have the supreme right to make decisions on both internal and external matters.
• No outside authority can dictate the actions of the Indian government.

Q20. How do you define a country where citizens have complete freedom to follow any religion?
Ans: A country where citizens have complete freedom to follow any religion is known as a secular state.

Q21. Define the Preamble.
Ans: The Preamble is an introductory statement in a constitution that outlines its fundamental values and guiding principles. It serves several important functions:

• It expresses the core values that inspired the formation of the constitution.
• It acts as a guiding framework for interpreting the constitution.
• It reflects the aspirations of the people and the goals of the state.

Q22. Name the leader who used to write in the magazine 'Young India' in 1931.

Ans: Mahatma Gandhi wrote in the magazine 'Young India' in 1931.

Q23. Who is known as the Father of Indian Constitution?
Ans: Dr B.R. Ambedkar is recognised as the Father of the Indian Constitution.

Q24. What is 'Constituent Assembly Debates'?
Ans: The Constituent Assembly Debates refer to the comprehensive records of every document presented and every word spoken during the sessions of the Constituent Assembly. These debates are crucial for understanding the formation of the Indian Constitution.

• All discussions and documents were meticulously recorded and preserved.
• When compiled, the debates span 12 volumes.
• They provide the rationale behind each provision of the Constitution.
• These records are essential for interpreting the Constitution's meaning.

Q25. In which session of the Congress did Indian National Congress Plan on how independent India's Constitution should look like?
Ans: In the Karachi Session of 1931, the Indian National Congress outlined plans for the Constitution of independent India. Key points include:

• Focus on universal adult franchise.
• Emphasis on the right to freedom and equality.
• Commitment to protecting the rights of minorities.

Q26. When did the Indian Constitution come into force?
Ans: On 26 January 1950, the Indian Constitution officially came into force.

• The Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949.
• This day is celebrated annually as Republic Day.

Q27. In the Constituent Assembly, the first captain of the Indian hockey team also has a role. Who was he?
Ans: The first captain of the Indian hockey team who also served in the Constituent Assembly was Jaipal Singh.

Q28. Which country has the longest written Constitution of the world?
Ans: India has the longest written Constitution in the world.

Q29. On the basis of what did the system of apartheid divide people?
Ans: The system of apartheid divided people primarily based on their skin colour. Key points include:

• People were categorised into groups: blacks, coloured, and whites.
• The majority of the population, known as blacks, faced severe discrimination.
• Non-whites were treated as inferiors and denied basic rights.

Q30. 'I have fought against the white domination and I have fought against the Black domination''. Who said this sentence?
Ans: Nelson Mandela made the statement: "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination." This quote reflects his commitment to a democratic society where all individuals coexist in harmony and enjoy equal opportunities.

• Mandela was tried for treason by the white South African government.
• He, along with seven other leaders, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964 for opposing the apartheid regime.
• He spent 27 years in prison, primarily on Robben Island.