NCERT Solutions Class 8 Social Science (Civics) Chapter 1 The Indian Constitution

NCERT Solutions Class 8 Social Science (Civics – Social and Political Life – III)

The NCERT Solutions in English Language for Class 8 Social Science (Civics – Social and Political Life – III) Chapter – 1 (The Indian Constitution) has been provided here to help the students in solving the questions from this exercise.

Civics (Social and Political Life – III)

• Chapter – 2 — Understanding Secularism
• Chapter – 3 — Why Do We Need A Parliament?
• Chapter – 4 — Understanding Laws
• Chapter – 5 — Judiciary
• Chapter – 6 — Understanding Our Criminal Justice System
• Chapter – 7 — Understanding Marginalisation
• Chapter – 8 — Confronting Marginalisation
• Chapter – 9 — Public Facilities
• Chapter – 10 — Law and Social Justice

Chapter – 1 (The Indian Constitution) 

1. Why does a democratic country need a Constitution?
Answer –  A democratic country needs a Constitution because:

• It lays out the important guidelines that govern decision making within the various societies of the country.
• It lays down the ideals that form the basis of the kind of country that its citizens aspire to live in.
• It serves as an asset of rules and principles as the basis by which the country has to be governed.
• It provides rules to safeguard the interests of minorities and prevent any kind of domination by the majority on minorities.
• It lays down rules that guard against the misuse of power by any politician leader.
• It also provides rights to its citizens and protects their freedom.

2. Look at the wordings of the two documents given below. The first column is from the 1990 Nepal Constitution. The second column is from the more recent Constitution of Nepal.

What is the difference in who exercises ‘Executive Power’ in the above two Constitutions of Nepal?
Answer – The difference between Consitution of Nepal in 1990 and 2007:
In 1990 the Executive power was vested among majesty and his council of members but in 2007 it was vested only to council of Ministers.
It needs to be changed as Nepal is no longer now a monarchy. It is a democratic country now. According to democracy new rules are to be made that should be more favourable for the people.

3. What would happen if there were no restrictions on the power of elected representatives?
Answer – If there are no restrictions on the power of the elected representatives the leaders might misuse the powers given to them. The Constitution provides safeguards against this misuse of power by our political leaders. The Consitution lays down rules that guard the citizens against the misuse of power. 

4. In each of the following situations, identify the minority. Write one reason why you think it is important to respect the views of the minority in each of these situations.
(a) In a school with 30 teachers, 20 of them are male.
Answer – The female teachers are in minority. It is important to respect the views of the female teachers because they are equally qualified males and equally contributing to run the school.

(b) In a city, 5 per cent of the population are Buddhists.
Answer – The Buddhists are in minority. The Buddhists are peace-loving people. Like other religious groups they have also the right to preserve and develop their own culture. Their views should be respected by non-Buddhists too.

(c) In a factory mess for all employees, 80 per cent are vegetarians.
Answer – The minority here are the 20 per cent of non-vegetarians having food at the factory mess. It is important that the food prepared in the factory mess must be prepared for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians.

(d) In a class of 50 students, 40 belong to more well-off families.
Answer – 20% students are poorer and therefore are in minority. The students belonging to well off families should behave well and honor the feeling of their poorer classmates.

5. The column on the left lists some of the key features of the Indian Constitution. In the other columns, write two sentences, in your own words, on why you think this feature is important.

Answer –

6. Write down the names of the Indian States, which share borders with the following neighbouring nations:
(a) Bangladesh
(b) Bhutan
(c) Nepal

Answer – Following are the states and countries which have a common frontier.