<–2/”>a >Constitutional Developement in India question developed by pscnotes team
[WATU 2],
The Government of India Act, 1935
The Government of India Act, 1935 was a major constitutional document that governed British India and its princely states from 1935 to 1947. It was the culmination of a long process of constitutional reform that began in the late 19th century. The Act was passed by the British Parliament and came into effect on 1 April 1935.
The Act created a federal System of Government for India, with a central government and provincial governments. The central government was responsible for matters such as defense, foreign affairs, and communications. The provincial governments were responsible for matters such as Education, Health, and agriculture.
The Act also introduced a number of important reforms, including the introduction of universal adult suffrage, the creation of a federal court, and the establishment of a system of Responsible Government in the provinces.
The Government of India Act, 1935 was a significant step forward in the development of Indian Democracy. It laid the foundation for the independent Indian state that was created in 1947.
The Constituent Assembly
The Constituent Assembly was a body of elected representatives that was responsible for drafting the Constitution of India. The Assembly was convened on 9 December 1946 and its first session was held in New Delhi. The Assembly consisted of 389 members, of whom 292 were elected from British India and 93 were nominated by the princely states.
The Assembly was presided over by Dr. Rajendra Prasad. The main task of the Assembly was to draft a constitution for a free and independent India. The Assembly worked for two years and ten months, and finally adopted the Constitution on 26 November 1949. The Constitution came into effect on 26 January 1950.
The Preamble to the Constitution of India is a brief introductory statement that sets out the aims and objectives of the Constitution. The Preamble states that India is a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic. It also states that India is committed to Justice, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.
The Preamble is not a part of the operative part of the Constitution, but it has been interpreted by The Supreme Court as having a great deal of significance. The Supreme Court has held that the Preamble is a key to understanding the Constitution and that it should be used to interpret the Constitution.
The Fundamental Rights are a set of rights that are guaranteed to all citizens of India by the Constitution. The Fundamental Rights are contained in Part III of the Constitution. The Fundamental Rights are:
- Right to equality
- Right to freedom
- Right against exploitation
- Right to freedom of religion
- Cultural and educational rights
- Right to constitutional remedies
The Fundamental Rights are the most important rights in the Constitution. They are designed to protect the individual from the arbitrary power of the state. The Fundamental Rights are also designed to promote social justice and equality.
Directive Principles of State Policy
The Directive Principles of State Policy are a set of principles that are laid down in Part IV of the Constitution. The Directive Principles are not enforceable in a court of law, but they are nevertheless fundamental in the governance of the country. The Directive Principles are designed to guide the state in its policy-making.
The Directive Principles are:
- To secure a social order for the promotion of welfare of the people
- To provide adequate means of livelihood for all citizens
- To secure justice, social, economic and political, to all citizens
- To provide for free and compulsory education for all children up to the age of fourteen years
- To promote educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, and to protect them from social injustice and exploitation
- To organize village panchayats and endow them with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as units of self-government
- To promote the unity and Integrity of the nation
- To foster respect for international law and treaty obligations
- To promote international peace and security
Citizenship-2/”>Citizenship
The Constitution of India defines citizenship in Part II. The Constitution provides for two types of citizenship:
- Citizenship by Birth
- Citizenship by naturalization
Citizenship by birth is acquired by a person who is born in India or whose parents are Indian citizens. Citizenship by naturalization is acquired by a person who has been ordinarily resident in India for a period of at least 11 years and who has taken an oath or affirmation of allegiance to India.
The Union Executive
The Union Executive consists of the President, the Vice President, and the Council of Ministers. The President is the head of state of India. The Vice President is the second highest constitutional office in India. The Council of Ministers is the executive body of the Union Government. The
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Constitution of India, with short answers:
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What is the Constitution of India?
The Constitution of India is the supreme law of India. It was adopted on 26 November 1949, and came into effect on 26 January 1950. The Constitution provides for a parliamentary system of government, with a President as the head of state and a Prime Minister as the head of government. -
What are the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of India?
The Constitution of India guarantees six fundamental rights to all citizens: - Right to equality
- Right to freedom
- Right against exploitation
- Right to freedom of religion
- Cultural and educational rights
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Right to constitutional remedies
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What are the directive principles of state policy?
The directive principles of state policy are a set of principles that the government is supposed to follow in making laws and policies. They are not enforceable in court, but the courts can take them into account while interpreting the Constitution. -
What is the Preamble to the Constitution of India?
The Preamble to the Constitution of India is a statement of the aims and objectives of the Constitution. It states that India is a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic, and that it is committed to justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. -
What are the three organs of the government under the Constitution of India?
The three organs of the government under the Constitution of India are the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary. The legislature is responsible for making laws, the executive is responsible for implementing laws, and the judiciary is responsible for interpreting laws. -
What is the role of the President of India?
The President of India is the head of state of India. He/She is elected by an electoral college consisting of members of both houses of Parliament and the legislative assemblies of the states. The President has the power to appoint the Prime Minister and other members of the Council of Ministers, to dissolve Parliament, to give assent to bills passed by Parliament, and to pardon criminals. -
What is the Role of the Prime Minister of India?
The Prime Minister of India is the head of government of India. He/She is appointed by the President and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the government. The Prime Minister also has the power to recommend to the President the appointment of other ministers, to advise the President on matters of policy, and to preside over meetings of the Council of Ministers. -
What is the role of the Parliament of India?
The Parliament of India is the supreme legislative body of India. It consists of two houses: the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States). The Lok Sabha is directly elected by the people, while the Rajya Sabha is indirectly elected by the members of the legislative assemblies of the states and the Union Territories. The Parliament has the power to make laws, to approve the budget, to declare war, and to impeach the President. -
What is the role of the Supreme Court of India?
The Supreme Court of India is the highest court in India. It has the power to hear appeals from lower courts, to decide on the constitutional validity of laws, and to give advisory opinions to the government. The Supreme Court also has the power to strike down laws that it finds to be unconstitutional. -
What are some of the challenges facing the Indian Constitution today?
Some of the challenges facing the Indian Constitution today include: - The rise of religious fundamentalism
- The threat of terrorism
- The problem of Corruption
- The issue of caste discrimination
- The challenge of Economic Development
Despite these challenges, the Indian Constitution remains a strong and vibrant document. It has helped to create a stable and democratic country, and it has provided a framework for the peaceful resolution of disputes. The Constitution of India is a living document, and it will continue to evolve to meet the needs of the Indian people.
Question 1
The Indian Constitution was adopted on:
(a) 26 November 1949
(b) 26 January 1950
(c) 15 August 1947
(d) 12 March 1948
Answer
(b) 26 January 1950
Question 2
The Indian Constitution is based on the principle of:
(a) Federalism
(b) Unitary government
(c) Parliamentary democracy
(d) Presidential democracy
Answer
(a) Federalism
Question 3
The President of India is elected by:
(a) The people of India
(b) The members of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha
(c) The members of the Electoral College
(d) The members of the Parliament and the State Legislatures
Answer
(c) The members of the Electoral College
Question 4
The Prime Minister of India is appointed by:
(a) The President of India
(b) The Vice President of India
(c) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
(d) The Chief Justice of India
Answer
(a) The President of India
Question 5
The Supreme Court of India is the highest court in the country. It has:
(a) One Chief Justice and 30 judges
(b) One Chief Justice and 25 judges
(c) One Chief Justice and 20 judges
(d) One Chief Justice and 15 judges
Answer
(b) One Chief Justice and 25 judges
Question 6
The Indian Constitution guarantees certain fundamental rights to all citizens. These rights include:
(a) Right to equality
(b) Right to freedom
(c) Right against exploitation
(d) All of the above
Answer
(d) All of the above
Question 7
The Indian Constitution also provides for certain directive principles of state policy. These principles are:
(a) To secure justice, liberty, equality and fraternity for all citizens
(b) To promote the welfare of the people
(c) To raise the level of Nutrition and the standard of living of the people
(d) All of the above
Answer
(d) All of the above
Question 8
The Indian Constitution has been amended several times since it was adopted in 1950. The first amendment was made in:
(a) 1951
(b) 1952
(c) 1953
(d) 1954
Answer
(a) 1951
Question 9
The most recent amendment to the Indian Constitution was made in:
(a) 2019
(b) 2020
(c) 2021
(d) 2022
Answer
(a) 2019
Question 10
The Indian Constitution is a living document that has been amended several times to reflect the changing needs of the country. It is a symbol of the unity and diversity of India and it has played a vital role in the country’s progress.
Answer
True