CIVICS(VIII) -1 INDIAN CONSTITUTION (LESSON NOTES)

CIVICS-1

INDIAN CONSTITUTION

(LESSON NOTES)

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v CONSTITUTION-

Ø The document of rules and regulation according to which a country is governed is called as constitution.

Ø All democratic country has the constitution but it is not necessary that all country which have constitution are democratic.

v NEED OF CONSTITUTION

Ø A Constitution serves as a set of rules and principles that all persons in a country agree.(example story-Nepal)

Ø It also define the nature of a country’s political system( example story-Nepal)

Ø The Constitution also provides safeguards against the authority who have the power.(Ex-Class room story)

Ø Constitution also ensures that a dominant group does not use its power against less powerful people.(example-Football Match Story)

v CONSTITUTION OF NEPAL

Ø Nepal was a monarchy. The previous Constitution of Nepal, which had been adopted in 1990, reflected the fact that the final authority rested with the King.

Ø . In October 2002, King Gyanendra, began taking over different aspects of the government with the army’s assistance.

Ø The King then finally took over as the head of government in February 2005.

Ø In November 2005, the Maoists joined other political parties to sign a 12-point agreement.

Ø This agreement signaled to the larger public an imminent return

Ø to democracy and peace.

Ø  In 2006, this people’s movement for democracy began gaining immense force.

Ø A people’s movement in Nepal fought for several decades to establish democracy and in 2006 they finally succeeded in putting an end to the powers of the King.

Ø Now the people have to write a new Constitution to establish Nepal as a democracy.

v INDIAN CONSTITUTION

Ø Indian constitution was framed by constituent assembly.

Ø The first meeting was held on 9 dec 1946.

Ø Head of constituent assembly was Dr Rajendra Prasad.

Ø Indian constitution was made in 2 years, 11 months and 18 days.

Ø Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar is known as the Father of the Indian Constitution because he was the chairmen of drafting committee.

Ø It was completed on 26 Nov 1949.

Ø It implemented on 26 Jan 1950.

              

v FEATURES OF INDIAN CONSTITUTION-

Ø FEDERALISM:

§  It refers that in a country there are more than two level of government.

§  It helps the country to take decision at lower level.

§  In India there are three level of Government-

·       Central level

·       state level

·       Local level

Ø PARLIAMNATRY FORM OF GOVERNMENT

§  It refers that all persons elect their leaders through Universal Adult Franchise

§  All persons have equal political rights irrespective of gender, religion and caste.

§  The leaders will take the decision in welfare of people.

Ø SEPARATION OF POWERS:

§  According to the Constitution, there are three organs of the State.

·       Legislature,

·       The executive

·       The judiciary.

§  The legislature refers to our elected representatives.

§  The executive is a smaller group of people who are responsible for implementing laws and running the government.

§  The judiciary, refers to the system of courts in this country.

Ø FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS:

§  The basic rights which are very essential for all human beings and guaranteed by the constitution are called as Fundamental Rights.

§   It protect citizens against the arbitrary and absolute exercise of power by the State.

§  Indian constitution provide 6 fundamental rights as

Ø 1. Right to Equality:

§  All persons are equal before the law.

§  This means that all persons shall be equally protected by the laws of the country.

Ø 2. Right to Freedom:

§  This includes the right to freedom of speech and expression, the right to form associations, the right to move freely and reside in any part of the country, and the right to practise any profession, occupation or business.

Ø 3. Right against Exploitation:

§  The Constitution prohibits trafficking, forced labour, and children working under 14 years of age.

Ø 4. Right to Freedom of Religion:

§  Religious freedom is provided to all citizens. Every person has the right to practise, profess and propagate the religion of their choice.

Ø 5. Cultural and Educational Rights:

§  The Constitution states that all minorities, religious or linguistic, can set up their own educational institutions in order to preserve and develop their own culture.

Ø 6. Right to Constitutional Remedies:

§  This allows citizens to move the court if they believe that any of their Fundamental Rights have been violated by the State.

Ø SECULARISM:

§  A secular state is one in which the state does not officially promote any one religion as the state religion.

§  All religions are treated equally.

v FIRST CABINET

Dr Rajendra Prasad	President of the Constituent Assembly.
Shri Jairamdas Daulatram,	Minister for Food and Agriculture;
Rajkumari Amrit Kaur	Health Minister;
Dr John Mathai	Finance Minister;
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel	Deputy Prime Minister , Home minister
Shri Jagjivan Ram	Labour Minister.