In this post of Class 8 Ncert The Indian Constitution notes, we have discussed various aspects of the Indian Constitution which includes needs of the Constitution in a democratic country, historical perspective and important features of the Indian Constitution that covers federalism, parliamentary form of government, separation of powers, fundamental rights and secularism.
The Indian Constitution Class 8 Ncert Notes
Introduction
India is a vast and diverse country in which different communities of people live together .To maintain social harmony and unity of the country ,a society needs constitutive rules that are usually available in a written form which contains set of rules or laws and formed by consensus.
Constitution
Constitution is a written document which contain the set of rules according to which country is governed.In today’s world , all the democratic countries are likely to have a constitution but it does not mean that all the countries that have constitution are democratic in nature
Need of the constitution
Constitution serves several purposes for which it is required
1. It lays out certain ideals that form the basis of the kind of country that we as a citizen aspire to live in.
2.It define the nature of a country’s political system.
In countries which have democratic form of government, constitution lays out certain important guidelines that govern decision making within the societies. In a democracy people choose their leaders who can exercise their power on behalf of them . In case of any misuse of authority by the representatives or leaders, constitution provide safeguard so that justice can be done.
3. Constitution also ensure that a dominant group does not use its power against other,less powerful people or groups.
Constitution contains rules that ensure that minorities are not excluded from anything that is routinely available to the majority by protecting fundamental rights.
Tyranny of the majority can be seen in different ways
Inter community- It refers to one community dominating another community.
Intra community- Member of one community dominating others within the same community
Key features of the Indian constitution
The long experience of authoritarian rule under the colonial state convinced Indian that free India should be democratic country in which everyone should be treated equally and be allowed to participate in government.
A group of 300 people who became the member of the constituent assembly that was constituted in 1946 and match will decay for the next 3 years to write Indian constitution in a pragmatic manner. The makers of the Indian constitution had kept in mind that our country was made up of different community which diverse and various aspect like religion language culture caste and other differences so they drafted the Indian constitution in such a manner that give a visionary document that reflect respect for every community and maintaining unity in diversity. They tried to touch every concern of diversity unity, socio-economic reform and representation so that balance would be maintained with the commitment of transforming independent India into a strong and democratic society.
Features of the Indian Constitution
1. Federalism
Federalism means the existence of more than one level of government in the country.
There are three levels of government 1 union or the central government at the national level
2. State government at the state or the regional level
3. Local self government known as panchayati Raj at village level
Constitution contains list that gives the different subjects or the issue that each tier of government can make laws upon. In federal system ,states are not the subordinate of the federal or union government but draw its power and authority from the constitution.
2. Parliamentary Form of Government
It is a democratic government in which parliament includes elected representatives have all the authority to take decisions. The head of the government who is chosen by all the elected representatives as leader of the house known as prime minister who is the executive head of the government who take decisions in the government .This form of government is also known as Prime Ministerial form of government.
3.Separation of powers
There are three organs of the government namely 1. Legislature– it refers to the body of elected representative who make legislation or loss.
2. Executive – It is a group of people who are responsible for implementing the laws and running the government.
3. Judiciary– It refers to the system of courts in the country which prevent the misuse of power by any one organ of the government is, legislature and executive.Each organ has separate powers but each organ act as a check on the other organs of the Government and this ensures the balance of power among all three organs of the government
4.Fundamental Rights
Fundamental rights is referred to as a conscience of the Indian constitution. These rights protect citizens against the arbitrary and absolute exercise of power by the state and guarantees the rights of an individual against the state as well as against other individual in the country. Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution
1. Right to equality(Article 14-18 )
2. Right to freedom (Article 19-22)
3. Right against exploitation (Article 23-24)
4. Right to freedom of religion (Article 25-28)
5. Cultural and educational rights (Article 29-30)
6. Right to constitutional remedies(Article 32)
Dr Ambedkar said that there are two fold objective of the fundamental rights . First , every citizen of the country must be in a position to claim this fundamental rights and secondly these rights must be binding upon every authority of the state that has the power to make laws and execute the laws.
Direct principles of State policy are given in the constitution that ensures social and economic equality and serve as a guide to the Indian state to make laws and policies that leads to reduction of poverty of the masses and promote socio-economic development
Secularism
A state that does not have an official religion or does not promote any particular religion. It means that state does not interfere in the matters of religion except in some specific areas.History of the country and its experience determines the kind of constitution that country would adopt for itself. There is a mechanism in the constitution that allows amendment over the years to reflect new concerns of the society.
Class 8 Ncert The Indian Constitution Notes