This MCQ module is based on: The Constitution of India — An Introduction
TOPIC 33 OF 42
The Constitution of India — An Introduction
🎓 Class 7
Social Science
CBSE
Theory
Ch 10 — The Constitution of India
⏱ ~15 min
🌐 Language: [gtranslate]
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The Constitution of India — An Introduction
NCERT Exploring Society: India and Beyond | Chapter 10 — Governance and Democracy
Founding Vision
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. The successful working of democratic institutions requires willingness to respect the viewpoint of others, capacity for compromise and accommodation.
— Dr. Rajendra Prasad, First President of India
What Is a Constitution?
Definition
Constitution: A document that lays down the basic principles, laws, and framework for governing a nation. It defines the structure of government, the rights and duties of citizens, and the values the country commits to uphold.
Every Republic Day on 26 January, India celebrates the day the Constitution came into effect in 1950. The original hand-written Constitution is preserved in a helium-filled glass case in Parliament to protect it from deterioration.
A constitution is essentially the 'rulebook' for a country. Just as a game needs rules that all players agree to follow, a country needs a constitution that sets out how the government will function and how citizens' rights will be protected. The constitution covers:
Government Framework
Defines the three organs — legislature, executive, judiciary — their roles, responsibilities, and checks on each other.
Rights & Duties
Spells out the fundamental rights of citizens and the duties they owe to the nation.
Values & Ideals
States the nation's long-term goals such as equality, justice, liberty, and fraternity.
Guiding Principles
Provides guidelines for the government on matters like welfare, education, and environmental protection.
LET'S EXPLORE — Why Do We Need Rules?
L3 Apply
Imagine your school has reached the state-level kabaddi final. During the match, a dispute breaks out — one team says a player was 'out,' the other disagrees. The referee pulls out the official rulebook, and both captains agree to accept the decision based on the rules.
- What might have happened if there was no official rulebook?
- What is needed to ensure everyone agrees to follow the rules?
- Think of a game you play often — list the rules you follow. What challenges would arise without them?
Guidance
Without a rulebook, disputes would have no fair resolution, leading to arguments, unfairness, and eventually the breakdown of the game itself. Similarly, without a constitution, there would be no agreed framework for governance, no protection of rights, and potential chaos. Everyone must agree to follow the rules for the system to work — this is the social contract at the heart of any constitution.
Don't Miss Out
The Constitution of India has 25 parts and 12 schedules — it is the world's largest written constitution. When it first came into effect, it had 22 parts and 8 schedules. The increase reflects amendments made over the years to address new challenges and needs.
Writing the Constitution of India
As India fought for independence from British rule, its leaders recognised the need to plan how the new nation would govern itself. A Constituent Assembly? was formed in 1946 to draft the Constitution. Initially comprising 389 members (later 299 after Partition), including 15 women, these representatives came from India's diverse regions, professions, and social groups.
9 December 1946
Constituent Assembly Formed
Members elected by provincial legislative assemblies began the work. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected Chairman.1946-1949
Three Years of Deliberation
The Drafting Committee, chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, prepared the initial text. Extensive debates and discussions shaped every provision.26 November 1949
Constitution Adopted
The completed document was formally adopted by the Constituent Assembly.26 January 1950
Constitution Comes into Effect
India became a Republic. This date is celebrated annually as Republic Day.Art & Heritage
The Constitution is not just a legal document but also a work of art. Calligrapher Prem Behari Narain Raizada wrote the entire text by hand, while artist Nandalal Bose and his team illustrated its pages with scenes from Indian history — from the Indus Valley civilisation to the freedom movement.
What Shaped the Indian Constitution?
1. The Indian Freedom Movement
Many key ideals from the freedom struggle — equality, justice, freedom, fraternity, and preservation of cultural heritage — were enshrined in the Constitution. Numerous freedom fighters served as members of the Constituent Assembly, carrying their experience directly into the drafting process.
2. India's Civilisational Heritage
Fundamental principles deeply rooted in Indian culture found their way into the Constitution: acceptance of diverse viewpoints, respect for Nature, the pursuit of knowledge, respect for women, and concepts like vasudhaiva kutumbakam (the world is one family) and sarve bhavantu sukhinah (may all beings be happy). Ancient governance practices — from the janapadas to the concept of rajadharma — also influenced the inclusion of Fundamental Duties.
3. Learnings from Across the World
Following the Indian tradition of a no bhadrah kratavo yantu vishwatah (let noble thoughts come from all sides), the Constitution makers studied constitutions from many countries:
| Country / Source | What India Borrowed |
|---|---|
| France | Ideals of liberty, equality, fraternity (from the 1789 French Revolution) |
| Ireland | Directive Principles of State Policy |
| USA | Independent judiciary; concept of fundamental rights |
| UK | Parliamentary system of government |
| Australia | Concurrent list; freedom of trade between states |
Three Pillars That Shaped Our Constitution
L2 UnderstandFreedom
Movement
Movement
Civilisational
Heritage
Heritage
Global
Learnings
Learnings
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THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA
LET'S EXPLORE — Constitution Makers from Your Region
L3 Apply
In small groups, try to find the names of people from your region who participated in making the Constitution. Use books from your school library, ask your teacher or elders, or explore the Sansad website.
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Competency-Based Questions
Scenario: A new country, 'Navadesh,' has just gained independence. Its leaders must decide how to govern. They form an assembly of 200 members from all regions and communities to write a constitution. They study the constitutions of India, France, and the USA for inspiration.
Q1. The assembly that Navadesh formed is similar to which body in India's history?
L2 UnderstandQ2. Navadesh wants to include guidelines for the government to work towards reducing poverty and improving public health. From which country's constitution could they draw inspiration for this?
L3 ApplyQ3. Why was it important that the Constituent Assembly included members from diverse backgrounds?
L4 AnalyseQ4 (Creative). Design a simple 'constitution' for your classroom — include at least 3 rules, 2 rights for students, and 1 duty.
L6 Create🌸 Variety Question Block
A. True or False
1. The Indian Constitution was adopted on 15 August 1947.
2. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee.
3. The Constituent Assembly had only 50 members.
4. India's Directive Principles of State Policy were inspired by the Irish Constitution.
B. Match the Following
Column A
Column B
1. Dr. Rajendra Prasad
(a) Chairman of the Drafting Committee
2. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
(b) Hand-wrote the Constitution
3. Prem Behari Narain Raizada
(c) Chairman of the Constituent Assembly
4. Nandalal Bose
(d) Illustrated the Constitution's pages
C. Think and Write
Imagine you are a member of the Constituent Assembly in 1946. Write a short speech (5-6 sentences) about what values you believe the new Constitution should uphold and why.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Constitution of India — An Introduction in Class 7 Civics NCERT?
This topic is part of the NCERT Class 7 Civics curriculum. NCERT Exploring Society: India and Beyond | Chapter 10 — Governance and Democracy. Students learn fundamental concepts through interactive activities, diagrams, and competency-based questions aligned with the latest CBSE examination pattern.
What are the main topics covered in this lesson on The Constitution of India — An Introduction?
This lesson covers the following key topics: What Is a Constitution?, Writing the Constitution of India, What Shaped the Indian Constitution?. Each section includes detailed explanations, interactive activities, and practice questions to help students build a thorough understanding of the subject matter as per the NCERT syllabus.
What are the important definitions in Class 7 Civics The Constitution of India — An Introduction?
Key definitions covered in this lesson include: Every Republic Day on 26 January, India celebrates the day the Constitution came into effect in 1950. The original hand-written Constitution is preser. Understanding these definitions is essential for answering both objective and descriptive questions in CBSE examinations.
How is The Constitution of India — An Introduction relevant to CBSE Class 7 board exams?
This topic is directly relevant to CBSE Class 7 examinations as questions from this chapter regularly appear in board papers. Students should focus on understanding the key concepts, practising map work where applicable, and attempting competency-based questions to prepare effectively.
What is the connection between 1. The Indian Freedom Movement and 2. India's Civilisational Heritage?
In the NCERT textbook, 1. The Indian Freedom Movement and 2. India's Civilisational Heritage are interconnected topics within this chapter. Understanding their relationship helps students analyse questions that require comparing and contrasting different aspects of the subject, which is a common pattern in CBSE competency-based examinations.
How can I score well in Class 7 Civics The Constitution of India — An Introduction?
To score well, read the NCERT chapter thoroughly and understand all key concepts, definitions, and examples. Practise the competency-based questions provided in this interactive lesson. Pay attention to maps, diagrams, and timelines. Review the exercise questions and attempt them independently before checking answers. Focus on analytical and application-based questions as CBSE emphasises higher-order thinking skills.
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