History and Civics Question Bank for Class IX – “Constitution of India”

12 Short Questions with Answers on “the Constitution of India” for Class IX Students (History and Civics ):

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Q1. Mention two reasons for the Constitution of India being regarded as the lengthiest Constitution in the world.

Ans: The Constitution of India is regarded as the lengthiest Constitution in the world because

i. It specifies not only the structure and powers of the Union Government but also incorporates all the provisions regarding State Governments and the relationship between them;

ii. It determines the scope and functions of the three organs of the Government – the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary.

Q2. How many Articles were originally incorporated in the Constitution?

Ans: Our Constitution originally had 395 Articles.

Q3. Mention the lists into which the subjects of administration have been classified.

Ans: The subjects of administration have been clearly classified into three lists: the Union List—97 items, the State List—66 items and the Concurrent List-47 items.

Q4. Why has the Constitution been made partly rigid and partly flexible?

Ans: The Constitution has been made partly rigid and partly flexible in order to give stability and permanency to the Constitution and at the same time to allow it to adapt itself to the changing circumstances and needs of the country.

Q5. Mention two federal characteristics of our Constitution.

Ans: Two federal characteristics of our Constitution are—

i. Dual Government – one at the Centre and one each for every State

ii. Distribution of Powers between the Union and the State

Q6. Mention any two Fundamental Rights.

Ans: Right to Equality and Right against Exploitation are the two Fundamental Rights.

Q7. Explain the terms: a) Independent Judiciary b) Joint Electorate

Ans: a) Independent Judiciary: Our Constitution has established an independent and impartial judiciary where judges are independent of the control and influence of the Executive, and are free to give their judgement even if the decision goes against the Government.

b) Joint Electorate: Under the system of joint electorate, members of different communities living in a constituency elect a common candidate.

Q8. Mention two ways in which the Constitution has made the Union stronger than the State.

Ans: i.Though in principle both the Union and State Governments have the authority to make laws on subjects enumerated in the Concurrent List, in case of a conflict between a Union law and a State law, the law made by the Union Parliament would prevail and the State law would become ineffective

ii. There is only one citizenship, i.e. Union citizenship. There is no State citizenship

Q9. What is the official language of India?

Ans: The Constitution of India declares Hindi in Devnagari script as the official national language.

Q10. Mention one distinction between a written and an unwritten Constitu­tion.

Ans: A written Constitution is one which contains written laws and procedures and includes most of the principles according to which a Government should function, e.g. India.

An unwritten Constitution, on the other hand, is primarily based on unwritten conventions, traditions and practices, e.g. Britain

Q11. Name four prominent features of the Constitution of India.

Ans: The four prominent features of the Indian Constitution are:

i. Quasi-Federal

ii. Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties

iii. Parliamentary or Cabinet System

iv. Directive Principles of State Policy

Q12. Give two instances showing that the Indian Constitution is ‘federal in form, unitary in spirit’.

Ans: In theory, both the Union and State Governments have the authority to make laws on subjects enumerated in the Concurrent List. But quite often in practice, the Indian Constitution is ‘federal in form, unitary in spirit.’ For example,

i. In case of conflict between a Union law and a State law, the law made by the Union Parliament would prevail and the State law would become ineffective. Union Government can supersede the authority of the States in normal as well as in times of emergency

ii. There is a Centralized Planning for the whole country and the States are financially dependent on the Centre.