Worksheet Solutions: The Philosophy of Constitution | Political Science Class 11 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Fill in the Blanks

Q1: The Indian Constitution was designed to break the shackles of traditional _______.
Ans: social hierarchies
The Indian Constitution aimed to eliminate traditional caste-based social hierarchies and promote equality among all citizens.

Q2: The concept of _______ means mutual exclusion of state and religion.
Ans: secularism
Secularism in the Indian Constitution refers to the principle that the state should not interfere in religious affairs, and religious institutions should not influence the state's policies. It emphasizes the separation of religion and state.
 
Q3: The Indian Constitution grants rights to all _______ to establish and maintain their educational institutions.
Ans: religious communities such as the right
The Indian Constitution ensures that religious communities have the right to establish and manage their educational institutions while maintaining freedom of religion for both individuals and communities.

Q4: The first point to note about the Constitution is its commitment to _______.
Ans: individual freedom
The Indian Constitution places a strong emphasis on protecting individual freedoms and rights, such as freedom of expression and freedom from arbitrary arrest.

Q5: The Indian Constitution is criticized for being _______.
Ans: unwieldy
The criticism of being unwieldy is based on the perception that the Indian Constitution includes a vast number of details, practices, and statements in a single document, making it large in size.

Q6: The voice component of representation in the Indian Constitution is questioned due to the _______ franchise.
Ans: restricted
The voice component of representation is criticized because members of the Constituent Assembly were chosen through a restricted franchise, which means that not all citizens had the right to vote for their representatives.

Q7: The Indian Constitution is often criticized for being entirely an _______ document.
Ans: alien
Some critics argue that the Indian Constitution has borrowed many of its provisions from Western constitutions, and they view it as not fully aligned with the cultural ethos of the Indian people.

Q8: The Indian Constitution emphasizes peaceful and _______ measures for implementing its philosophy.
Ans: democratic
The Indian Constitution highlights the importance of using peaceful and democratic methods to realize its values and principles, avoiding violence or authoritarianism.

Q9: The Indian Constitution encourages equal respect between _______.
Ans: communities
The Indian Constitution promotes equal respect among various communities, regardless of their social or religious backgrounds, to ensure that no community systematically dominates others.

Q10: The Indian Constitution includes many details, practices, and statements, making it somewhat large in size, which leads to criticism of it being _______.
Ans: unwieldy
The Indian Constitution's comprehensive coverage of various details, practices, and statements contributes to its relatively large size, leading to criticisms of unwieldiness.

Match the Column

Q1: Match the concepts on the left with their corresponding descriptions on the right.

Ans: 1. Individual Freedom and Freedom from arbitrary arrest: The Indian Constitution places a strong emphasis on individual freedom, including freedom from arbitrary arrest, to protect citizens from unjust detention.
2. Social Justice and Linked to reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes: The Indian Constitution addresses social justice by providing reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to rectify historical injustices and promote equality.
3. Respect for Diversity and Minority Rights and Recognition of community-based rights: The Indian Constitution recognizes and respects community-based rights, ensuring that various communities have the freedom to establish and manage their educational institutions.
4. Secularism and Mutual exclusion of state and religion: The concept of secularism in the Indian Constitution emphasizes the mutual exclusion of the state from religious affairs and vice versa to protect individual freedom and citizenship rights.
5. Procedural Achievements and Reflects a faith in political deliberation and compromise: The Indian Constitution reflects a commitment to political deliberation and compromise, indicating a willingness to modify preferences and recognize the value of differences and disagreements.
6. Unwieldy and Based on the assumption that a country's constitution must be compact: The criticism of the Indian Constitution being unwieldy is based on the expectation that a country's constitution should be a compact, concise document.
7. Unrepresentative and Arises from a restricted franchise for the Constituent Assembly: The criticism of the Indian Constitution being unrepresentative is due to the fact that members of the Constituent Assembly were not elected by universal suffrage but through a restricted franchise.
8. Alien to Cultural Ethos and Alleges that the Indian Constitution is borrowed from Western constitutions: Some critics argue that the Indian Constitution borrowed many of its provisions from Western constitutions, leading to concerns about its cultural compatibility.
9. Centralized Idea of National Unity and A limitation of the Indian Constitution: The Indian Constitution's central idea of national unity is criticized as a limitation because it may not fully accommodate the diversity of India.
10. Gender Justice and An issue that the Indian Constitution appears to have glossed over: The Indian Constitution is critiqued for not adequately addressing gender justice, particularly within the family, which is seen as a significant issue.

Assertion and Reason Based

Q1: Assertion: The Indian Constitution is often criticized for being unwieldy.
Reason: This criticism is based on the assumption that a country's constitution should be a compact document.
(a) Assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(b) Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
(c) Assertion is false, but the reason is true.
(d) Both the assertion and reason are false.
Ans: (b)
The assertion is correct as the Indian Constitution is criticized for being unwieldy. The reason is also valid because the criticism is based on the assumption that a constitution should be concise and compact.

Q2: Assertion: The Indian Constitution is criticized for being unrepresentative.
Reason: The members of the Constituent Assembly were chosen by a restricted franchise, not by universal suffrage.
(a) Assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(b) Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
(c) Assertion is false, but the reason is true.
(d) Both the assertion and reason are false.
Ans: (b)
The assertion is true as the Indian Constitution is criticized for being unrepresentative due to the restricted franchise used to choose the Constituent Assembly members. The reason provides a valid explanation for this criticism.

Q3: Assertion: The Indian Constitution is criticized for being alien to the cultural ethos of the Indian people.
Reason: Some voices in the Constituent Assembly echoed this concern.
(a) Assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(b) Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
(c) Assertion is false, but the reason is true.
(d) Both the assertion and reason are false.
Ans: (b)
The assertion is accurate as some critics argue that the Indian Constitution is alien to the cultural ethos of the Indian people. The reason correctly explains that this concern was also expressed by some members of the Constituent Assembly.

Q4: Assertion: The Indian Constitution emphasizes peaceful and democratic measures for implementing its philosophy.
Reason: It reflects a faith in political deliberation and a spirit of compromise and accommodation.
(a) Assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(b) Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
(c) Assertion is false, but the reason is true.
(d) Both the assertion and reason are false.
Ans: (b)
The assertion is true as the Indian Constitution indeed promotes peaceful and democratic means. The reason provides an accurate explanation, stating that this approach reflects a commitment to political deliberation and compromise.

Very Short Answers Type Questions

Q1: What does the Indian Constitution emphasize in terms of individual freedom?
Ans: The Indian Constitution emphasizes individual freedom through fundamental rights.

Q2: How does the Indian Constitution address the issue of social justice?
Ans: The Indian Constitution addresses social justice through reservations for marginalized groups.

Q3: What is the main idea behind the concept of secularism in the Indian Constitution?
Ans: Secularism in the Indian Constitution means equal treatment of all religions by the state.

Q4: Why is the Indian Constitution criticized for being unwieldy?
Ans: The Indian Constitution is criticized for being unwieldy due to its length and complexity.

Q5: Explain the voice component of representation in the Indian Constitution.
Ans: The voice component of representation in the Indian Constitution involves citizens' participation in the democratic process.

Q6: Why is the Indian Constitution criticized for being unrepresentative?
Ans: The Indian Constitution is criticized for being unrepresentative because it may not fully reflect the diversity of the nation.

Q7: What is the key criticism regarding the cultural compatibility of the Indian Constitution?
Ans: The key criticism regarding cultural compatibility of the Indian Constitution is that it may not align with certain cultural and traditional values.

Q8: How does the Indian Constitution promote respect for diversity and minority rights?
Ans: The Indian Constitution promotes diversity and minority rights through affirmative action and protective measures.

Q9: What is the central idea of national unity in the Indian Constitution?
Ans: The central idea of national unity in the Indian Constitution is the preservation of the country's integrity and unity.

Q10: What is one limitation of the Indian Constitution in terms of gender justice?
Ans: A limitation of the Indian Constitution in terms of gender justice is the gap between constitutional provisions and their implementation.

Short Answers Type Questions

Q1: Describe the Indian Constitution's approach to individual freedom and provide an example.
Ans: The Indian Constitution upholds individual freedom through fundamental rights, such as freedom of speech and expression. For example, Article 19 guarantees the right to freedom of speech and expression.

Q2: Explain the relationship between social justice and the provisions for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the Indian Constitution.
Ans: Social justice in the Indian Constitution is achieved by providing reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in education and public employment, ensuring their representation and opportunities.

Q3: Define the concept of secularism in the Indian Constitution and how it differs from the western conception.
Ans: Secularism in the Indian Constitution means equal respect for all religions, whereas Western secularism often implies the separation of religion and state.

Q4: What are the criticisms regarding the representation in the Indian Constitution, considering voice and opinion components?
Ans: Criticisms of representation in the Indian Constitution include the dominance of major political parties, potentially limiting diverse voices. The opinion component may be criticized for limited public participation.

Q5: Discuss the argument that the Indian Constitution is an alien document, and explain the concerns raised in this regard.
Ans: The Indian Constitution is sometimes considered an alien document due to its colonial origins, raising concerns about its relevance to India's cultural and social context.

Q6: What are the procedural achievements reflected in the Indian Constitution, and how do they relate to political deliberation and compromise?
Ans: Procedural achievements in the Indian Constitution include the democratic election process and the amendment procedure, which promote political deliberation and compromise.

Q7: What is the central idea of national unity in the Indian Constitution, and why is it considered a limitation?
Ans: The central idea of national unity in the Indian Constitution is the preservation of a united and indivisible India. However, it can be a limitation when it clashes with regional and cultural diversity.

Q8: How does the Indian Constitution address the issue of gender justice, and what shortcomings are observed in this regard?
Ans: The Indian Constitution addresses gender justice through provisions like equal pay for equal work. Shortcomings include gender-based discrimination in many areas, including inheritance laws.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q1: Explain the significance of individual freedom in the Indian Constitution, providing historical context and examples of its implementation.
Ans: Individual freedom in the Indian Constitution is of paramount significance as it reflects the struggle for independence and self-governance against colonial rule. Historical figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru championed these rights. For example, the freedom of the press ensures a vibrant democracy where diverse opinions are expressed and debated.

Q2: Discuss the Indian Constitution's approach to social justice and its link to reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. How does this approach differ from classical liberalism?
Ans: The Indian Constitution's approach to social justice is rooted in affirmative action, particularly for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. This differs from classical liberalism, which focuses on individual rights without specific provisions for marginalized groups. Reservations and protective measures aim to rectify historical discrimination.

Q3: Analyze the concept of secularism in the Indian Constitution, contrasting it with the western conception. How does the Indian Constitution balance religious freedom and state intervention?
Ans: Secularism in the Indian Constitution aims to maintain equal respect for all religions while Western secularism often implies a clear separation of religion and state. The Indian Constitution balances religious freedom with state intervention by allowing the state to regulate religious institutions for social reform and preventing discrimination on religious grounds.

Q4: Assess the criticisms of the Indian Constitution, including its alleged unwieldiness, lack of representation, and cultural compatibility. Provide a comprehensive overview of these criticisms and their implications.
Ans: Criticisms of the Indian Constitution include its unwieldy length and complexity, which can hinder effective governance. It may not fully represent the diverse population, and some argue that it doesn't align with certain cultural values, potentially eroding its cultural compatibility. These criticisms can impact the constitution's implementation and effectiveness.