NCERT Solutions Class 7 Social Science Exploring Society Part 1 Chapter 10 The Constitution of India

Question 1. What is a constitution, and why do we need one?
Answer: A constitution serves as a foundational document that outlines the core ideas, laws, and organizational framework of a nation's government. It describes what the legislature, executive, and judiciary do, as well as listing the rights and responsibilities of the people living in that country. A constitution is necessary because:
(1) It creates a uniform system for running the country.
(2) It makes sure fairness, responsibility, and fair treatment happen by dividing power among different parts of government.
(3) It sets out important ideals such as freedom, fairness, and justice.
(4) Similar to game rules, it allows everyone to work under the same agreed standards, creating peace and order in a nation with many different groups of people.
In simple words: A constitution is a rule book that tells us how a country runs and what rights people have.

Exam Tip: Always mention the four key reasons - framework, balance of powers, guiding values, and fairness - when answering "why we need a constitution" questions.

Question 2. How was the Indian Constitution prepared?
Answer: India's Constitution came into being through work done by the Constituent Assembly, which started in 1946. It originally had 389 members, which reduced to 299 following the Partition, with 15 of those being women. Members came from all parts of India and had many different professions and backgrounds. Important details include:
(1) Dr. Rajendra Prasad held the position of head of the Constituent Assembly.
(2) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar directed the Drafting Committee's work.
(3) Creating the Constitution took a span of three years, ending on 26 November 1949.
(4) On 26 January 1950, the Constitution became active - a date now remembered as Republic Day.
In simple words: Many people from across India worked together for three years to write the Constitution, which came into effect on 26 January 1950.

Exam Tip: Remember the key dates (1946 - Constituent Assembly formed, 1949 - Constitution completed, 1950 - came into effect) and the names of major figures like Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

Question 3. How did our freedom struggle and civilisational heritage influence the Constitution?
Answer: India's independence movement and long cultural history deeply shaped how the Constitution was written:
(1) The freedom struggle promoted principles like fairness, fair treatment, freedom, and brotherhood, which are now at the heart of the Constitution.
(2) Many Assembly members had fought for independence and brought those beliefs and values into the Constitution's framework.
(3) Customs from ancient India, such as honoring many different ways of life, the value of learning, and honest leadership, influenced parts like Fundamental Duties and the focus on fair treatment and fairness.
(4) Ancient ideas like vasudhaiva kutumbakam (all the world is one family) and sarve bhavantu sukhinah (let all be happy) were built into the document's main purpose.
(5) While the Constitution drew lessons from other nations, it adapted them to suit India's own special circumstances and needs.
In simple words: India's fight for freedom and ancient values taught leaders what the Constitution should promise its people.

Exam Tip: Use examples from both ancient India (women leaders, philosophers) and the freedom movement (non-violence, equality ideals) to show how history shaped the Constitution.

Question 4. What are the key features of the Constitution of India? Why is it still relevant, even though it was written more than seventy years ago?
Answer: The Indian Constitution has several major features that give it shape and purpose:
(1) The government has three main parts - the legislature (creates laws), the executive (carries out laws), and the judiciary (explains what laws mean).
(2) Powers are kept separate to help maintain fairness and equal treatment.
(3) Governance works in three tiers - national, regional, and village-level (Panchayati Raj).
(4) Fundamental Rights protect freedom, human respect, and equal status.
(5) State Policy Guidelines work as standards for social and economic fairness.
(6) Fundamental Duties outline what every citizen must do.
(7) The Preamble describes an India that is democratic, non-religious in governance, and focused on equality.
(8) The Constitution can be updated, helping it stay current with new times.

The Constitution stays important today because:
(1) It continues to guard the freedoms of every person.
(2) It offers a system for governing a large, varied nation.
(3) Its core beliefs - fairness, equality, and freedom - do not change with time.
(4) It can be modified to meet fresh difficulties and shifts in society.
(5) It mirrors what the nation's people want and grows along with India as a living, changing document.
In simple words: The Constitution has eight key features that divide power and protect rights. It is still useful because its main ideas never become old, and it can change when needed.

Exam Tip: When explaining relevance, link each feature to a modern example (e.g., amendment for GST shows how it adapts; Supreme Court rulings show how it protects rights today).

Question 1. Imagine that your school has reached the final tournament in kabaddi at the state-level. The opponent is a strong team that has won the tournament two years in a row. They are aiming to win a third time, a hat-trick. The match is on, and a player from your team has just got one of the players from the other team 'out1; then a dispute breaks out. The player from the other team insists that she had already crossed into her team area before your team player caught her. The referee has seen that the player from the other team was indeed 'out'. To settle the dispute amicably, she pulls out a little official rulebook. The team captains confer with the referee and look at the rules. They then agree that the player was indeed 'out', and your team has won the state-level trophy. Discuss in your group what might have happened if there was no official rulebook that the referee and the team captains could refer to. What is required to ensure everyone agrees to abide by the rulebook? What might happen if the team captains did not agree to refer to the rulebook at all? Think of a game that you play often and list the rules you follow. Each group will then present their set of rules to the rest ofthe class. Listen to each presentation, discuss the rules, and work together to decide on a common set of rules for the game. What challenges do you face in reaching a consensus on rules that everyone agrees with? What could be the 'rulebook' for a country? How would it be made? (page 211 – 212)
Answer: If there had been no official rulebook at the kabaddi match, settling the dispute between the teams would have been very hard. Each side would have gone on disagreeing over what took place, and the match might have finished in disorder or even violence. Without set rules that are clear, nobody can work out who is correct and who is wrong. It is crucial to have rules that all players and team captains accept and follow to keep the game fair.

To make sure everyone follows the rulebook, players and team captains must respect both the rules themselves and the person running the match. Rules should be told clearly to both teams before the game starts. When there is a disagreement during play, the referee and team captains should look together at the rulebook - just as they did in the kabaddi match - to arrive at a fair answer.

If the team captains would not follow the rulebook, the fight might keep going. The game would stop being fair, and players would not feel content with what happened. People could start breaking the rules or making their own rules, which would spoil the joy and true spirit of the game. In any game we play often - like kho-kho, cricket, or football - there are certain rules we stick to. In cricket, for instance, we know how many overs each side gets, how a batter gets sent out, and how points are tracked.

Once everyone settles on these rules, the game stays fair and brings fun to all players. At times, it may be hard to decide on rules, mostly when some players ask to change them. Yet by talking to each other with patience and thinking things through calmly, we can come up with a common set of rules everyone is willing to follow.

Just as games have rulebooks, a country also needs a rulebook. This rulebook is known as the Constitution. It shows how the state works, what freedoms citizens enjoy, and the way disputes get settled. It comes from work by leaders and thinkers who put together rules for the whole nation. Both the state and all the people must follow the Constitution so that the country stays peaceful, fair, and just.
In simple words: A country needs rules just like a game does. The Constitution is the rulebook for a country. It tells us how government works and what our rights are.

Exam Tip: Draw clear parallels between game rules and constitutional rules to show understanding. Always mention the consequences of not following the rulebook (chaos, unfairness, conflict) and benefits of having one (order, fairness, peace).

Question 2. In small groups, try to find out the names of people from your region who may have participated in the making of the Constitution. What sources can you use to gather this information? (Hint: Look for books in your school or local library. You could also ask your teacher, parents and other elders in the neighbourhood. Explore https://sansad.in/ls/about/ constituent-assembly) (page 215)
Answer: Do it yourself.
In simple words: Search in your library, talk to older people around you, or go online to find out about Constitution makers from your area.

Exam Tip: This is a research-based activity. Focus on documenting your findings with sources cited and prepare to present them in class.

Question 3. Read the quotation given below. Which article of the Constitution do you think she was referring to? Why do you think she said that the equality of women was not a new concept for India? Discuss in the class. "Sir, the women of India are happy to step into their rightful heritage of complete equality with men in all spheres of life and activity. I say so because I am convinced that this is no new concept which has been postulated for the purposes of this Constitution, but is an ideal that has long .been cherished by India, though social conditions for some time had tragically debased it in practice. This Constitution affirms that ideal and gives the solemn assurance that the rights of women in law will be wholly honoured in the Indian Republic." -BegumAizaz Rasul, 22 November 1949,during the Constituent Assembly's debates (page 221)
Answer: Begum Aizaz Rasul was talking about Article 14 of the Indian Constitution, which promises that all people get the same standing under the law and the same protection of the laws, no matter their gender, caste, faith, or personal background. This means the law treats men and women the same way and fairly.

She made the point that women having equal standing was not a fresh idea in India because, looking back at India's ancient history and customs, women held a valued spot in the community and were treated with respect.

Throughout history, there were many powerful women who held positions of authority, worked as teachers and thinkers, and served as warriors. Yet as time went by, customs became unfair to women, and they stopped being treated as equals. Begum Aizaz Rasul felt that the Constitution was aiding India go back to what it used to believe in by making things fair and equal for women again. Her words demonstrate how the Constitution gave women the legal right to be treated fairly and with dignity as citizens of the new Indian nation.
In simple words: Article 14 says men and women are equal. Begum Aizaz Rasul said this was not new to India because ancient India respected women, even though that respect had been lost over time.

Exam Tip: Quote specific historical examples of powerful ancient Indian women (queens, scholars, warriors) and discuss how the Constitution helped restore those values. Mention Article 14 and Article 15 (prohibition of discrimination) together for a fuller answer.

Question 4. There was a time when people were not allowed to fly the national flag at their homes. This changed in 2004 when a citizen felt it was his right to express pride in his country and challenged the rule in court. The Supreme Court agreed, saying that Hying the flag is part of the Fundamental Right to Freedom of Expression. We can now fly the tricolour with pride, keeping in mind that it should never be dishonoured. (page 223)
Answer: In the past, citizens could not put the national flag up at their own homes because it was not seen as something they were allowed to do privately. In 2004, a citizen took this rule to the highest court and claimed that flying the flag to show love for one's nation is a Fundamental Right under the Freedom of Expression part of the Constitution, which is Article 19.

The highest court said yes and determined that putting up the national flag is covered by the Right to speak freely and share thoughts, as long as it is treated with honor and respect. From that point on, every Indian citizen may fly the tricolour flag, but they must follow the Flag Code of India so that the flag is not treated badly.
In simple words: A person went to court in 2004 and won the right to fly the Indian flag at home. The court said this was part of freedom of expression.

Exam Tip: Highlight how this case shows the Constitution being flexible and alive - it protects rights even in ways not initially thought of by the framers. Mention both the right (freedom of expression) and the responsibility (respecting the flag through the Flag Code).

Question 5. We studied the Panchayati Raj System in Grade 6 This was not a part of the original Constitution; it was integrated in it in 1992 with the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act. (page 223)
Answer: The Panchayati Raj System did not exist when the Constitution was first written:
(1) The government added it formally in 1992 using the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act.
(2) This change brought about:
    - A three-part system of local rule: Gram Panchayat (village), Panchayat Samiti (block), and Zila Parishad (district).
    - Reserved slots for women and people from Scheduled Castes and Tribes.
    - Fixed-term elections, clear duties, and powers given to local government organizations.
(3) This change helped spread government power to the grassroots level and boosted the idea of rule by the people at the neighborhood level in India.
In simple words: The Panchayati Raj System was added to the Constitution in 1992 to give local villages more control over their own affairs.

Exam Tip: Note that this is an example of constitutional amendment showing the Constitution's flexibility. Always mention the three tiers and the significance of reservations for marginalized groups.

Question 6. Can you find out the amendments made to the Constitution in the past ten years? (page 223)
Answer: Here are some important Constitutional Amendments from 2014-2024:

In simple words: Recent amendments have made changes to taxes, job reservations, and the powers of state governments.

Exam Tip: These amendments show that the Constitution is a living document that changes with society. Be prepared to explain what each amendment means and why it was important for India.

Question 7. Below is the list of features given in the Preamble. Read them closely from the image above and write down examples of the application of these values in daily life around you. Two have been completed to help you with the exercise.
Answer:

In simple words: The Preamble's values show up in everyday life when we vote freely, practice our religion, get fair jobs, and treat everyone equally no matter who they are.

Exam Tip: When filling out such tables, always tie each Preamble value to a specific real-world example from your community or daily observation. This shows deep understanding beyond memorization.

Question 1. "The Constituent Assembly had representatives from diverse backgrounds in India." Why do you think it was important to have a diverse set of representatives from all over India?
Answer: Having a varied group of representatives was important because India is made up of many different groups with their own languages, faiths, customs, and beliefs. A mixed group of representatives meant that people from every part of the country and every type of society had a voice when making the Constitution. This helped make sure that the hopes, needs, and concerns of all groups were thought about carefully. As a result, the Constitution became something that accepted many different ideas and was just, and it showed how India's many communities could live together.
In simple words: A diverse Constituent Assembly made sure that people from all parts and groups in India had a say in making the Constitution.

Exam Tip: Emphasize how diversity led to inclusivity in the document. Mention specific groups (regional, religious, caste-based) and how their representation strengthened the Constitution's legitimacy.

Question 2. Read the statements below carefully and identify which key features values in the Constitution of India arc reflected in each statement. (a) Sheena, Rajat, and Harsh are standing in a line. They arc excited to cast their first vote in the general elections. (b) Radha, Imon, and Harpreet study in the same class in the same school. (c) Parents must make arrangements to ensure their children's education. (d) People of all castes, genders, and religions can use the village well.
Answer:
(a) Key Feature - Value: Universal Adult Franchise - This shows the belief of giving every grown-up person the right to vote, no matter what caste, faith, or gender they belong to, as set out in the Constitution.

(b) Key Feature - Value: Right to Education - This shows what the Constitution pushes for - giving free and required schooling for children aged 6 to 14 years under Article 21 A.

(c) Key Feature - Value: Fundamental Duty - This mirrors the responsibility that the Constitution tells parents they should carry - making sure their children learn and do well.

(d) Key Feature - Value: Equality before Law - This shows the constitutional belief in treating all people fairly, which means stopping unfair treatment based on caste, gender, or faith.
In simple words: (a) shows voting rights for all, (b) shows the right to school, (c) shows parents' duty to educate, (d) shows that all are equal in using public things.

Exam Tip: When matching constitutional principles to real situations, use specific article numbers (Article 21A for education, Article 14 for equality) to strengthen your answers.

Question 3. It is said that 'All citizens in India are equal before the law'. Do you think this is a fact? If yes, why? If not, why not? Formulate your arguments.
Answer: Yes, the idea that all citizens are treated the same under the law is a fact according to the Constitution of India. Every person who lives as a citizen must get the same handling by the law, no matter what their caste, religion, gender, or wealth situation may be. This promise is locked into the first Fundamental Right - the Right to Equality - which bans unfair treatment.

However, in real situations, gaps between groups still show up - for example, gaps in money, prejudice in society, and unfair handling of some people. These challenges can change how different groups in the country feel about their fairness. These facts point out a space that exists - between what the law states and how fairness actually works in people's lives. They suggest that while the law makes promises about fairness, making sure fairness really happens everywhere stays a work in progress.
In simple words: The law says everyone is equal, but in real life, some people still face unfair treatment because of their background or money.

Exam Tip: This is a critical thinking question. Present both sides - the constitutional promise and the practical reality - to show a balanced, mature understanding of equality in India.

Question 4. You have learnt that 'India is the only country that provided universal adult franchise to its citizens from the beginning.' Can you explain why India did it?
Answer: India put voting rights for all grown-up citizens into place from the start to make sure that every person, no matter their class, gender, or schooling, would have an equal say in how the state runs. This choice came from the beliefs of the freedom struggle, which worked to tear down colonial rule that kept the majority of people out of making big choices. By giving everyone the right to vote, India took democracy to its fullest meaning, making sure every person could help shape their nation and had a real voice in running it.
In simple words: India gave everyone the right to vote from the start because it believed all people should have an equal say in choosing their leaders.

Exam Tip: Connect universal adult franchise to India's struggle for independence - show how the freedom movement's values directly translated into this democratic choice, which was radical for its time.

Question 5. How did the freedom struggle inspire the making of the Constitution of India? How did India's civilisational heritage inspire some of the key features in the Constitution of India? Explain.
Answer: The independence movement left a deep mark on the Constitution, as it carried through beliefs about fairness, equality, and freedom that lay at the center of the push for freedom. Many leaders - like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and B.R. Ambedkar - who took major parts in the independence movement dreamed of a democratic land that accepted everyone, where no one would face oppression or unfair handling.

India's long history also shaped the Constitution by bringing in beliefs like non-violence, acceptance of other views, respect for the fact that many groups live together, and honesty in how people in power act. By encouraging a system with no national religion, fair treatment, and respect for what each person can do, the Constitution takes root in India's lengthy record of thought and values that guide what is right and wrong.
In simple words: The freedom struggle taught leaders to value fairness and freedom. India's ancient history taught the importance of accepting many beliefs and treating everyone fairly.

Exam Tip: Cite specific leaders and their contributions (Gandhi's non-violence, Ambedkar's focus on equality, Nehru's secular vision) and ancient Indian concepts (vasudhaiva kutumbakam, ashoka's edicts) to strengthen your answer.

Question 6. Do you think we, as a society, have achieved all the ideals of the Constitution? If not, what can we each do as citizens to move our country closer to these ideals?
Answer: While India has taken big steps toward meeting what the Constitution promises, work still needs to happen in places such as treating men and women equally, closing gaps in money between rich and poor, getting rid of unfair treatment based on caste, and looking after groups that the system has left behind.

As people living in the country, we are able to help by learning about the rights we have and what we owe, joining in democratic action, and working to make a nation where more people feel they have a fair shot and no unfair treatment happens. We should also teach others, welcome people of all types, and talk in a kind, thoughtful way about problems where some groups face harder times than others and where fairness has not yet been reached.
In simple words: We have not fully achieved the Constitution's goals yet, but each person can help by respecting others' rights, taking part in voting, and fighting unfair treatment.

Exam Tip: This is an evaluative question requiring critical reflection. Provide concrete examples of unfulfilled promises and practical citizen actions (voting, education, reporting discrimination) rather than abstract ideals.

Question 7. Read the clues carefully to solve the crossword on the next page to uncover important concepts from the Indian Constitution.
Answer:
Across:
2. Legislature
7. Fundamental Duties
8. Supreme Court
9. Republic
10. Amendment

Down:
1. Constituent Assembly
3. Preamble
4. Constitution
5. Helium
6. Fundamental Rights
In simple words: These terms are the main building blocks of India's Constitution - they explain how government is organized and what freedoms and duties exist.

Exam Tip: Learning these key terms and their definitions will strengthen your overall understanding of constitutional concepts. Make flashcards for quick revision.