NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Civics Chapter 1: The Indian Constitution

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Civics Chapter 1: NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Civics Chapter 1 are made to help students understand the chapter in a simple and clear way. This chapter, titled The Indian Constitution, explains why a country like India needs a Constitution and how it helps in running the government smoothly. It also talks about the key values, such as equality, justice, and freedom, that are mentioned in the Constitution. 

These NCERT solutions include all the important Class 8 Civics Chapter 1 questions and answers in an easy-to-understand format, which makes learning more effective for students. They are useful not only for exam preparation but also for regular revision. By using these solutions, students can learn how to write proper answers in the exam. Whether you are studying the chapter for the first time or revising it before tests, The Indian Constitution Class 8 questions and answers provided here will help you understand the topic and answer them easily.

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NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Civics Chapter 1: The Indian Constitution

Q1. Why does a democratic country need a constitution?

Ans. A democratic country needs a constitution for the following purposes:

• It lays down rules that guard against the misuse of power by our political leaders.

• The constitution guarantees the right to equality to all persons and no citizens can be discriminated against on grounds of religion.

• Constitution provides certain fundamental rights as well as certain duties to the citizens.

• The constitution also ensures that a dominant group does not use its power against other less powerful people or groups.

Q2. Look at the workings of the two documents given below. The first column is from the 1990 Nepal Constitution. The second column is from the more recent Interim Constitution of Nepal.

Q3. What is the difference in who exercises ‘Executive power’ in the above two Constitutions of Nepal? Keeping this in mind, why do you think Nepal needs a new Constitution today?

Ans. According to Constitution of Nepal 1990; the executive power is vested solely in the hands of King. He could exercise his powers as desired. On the other hand according to Interim Constitution of 2007, executive power will be vested in the council of minister.

It means the Parliamentary democracy will function in Nepal. Nepal needs a new constitution which will decide the functions and powers of different heads of government. It will also divide the functions of legislative, executive and judiciary.

Q4. What would happen if there were no restrictions on the power of elected representatives?

Ans. If there were no restrictions on the power of elected representatives then there will also be possibility that the elected representatives misuse their power. The misuse of authority and power can be lead to gross injustice.

Q5. 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.

In a school with 30 teachers, 20 of them are male.

In a city, 5 per cent of the population is Buddhists.

In a factory mess for all employees, 80 per cent are vegetarians.

In a class of 50 students, 40 belong to more well-off families.

Ans. Female teachers are in minority. The views of female teachers should be respected. Female teachers can understand the psychology of children better. Female teachers have to work at home as well as at schools. So their work-spirit should be considered with respect.

Buddhists are in minority. India is a secular country. So right of minority religions should be protected. They should be free to practice their own religious practices which encourage peace and non-violence.

Non-vegetarian workers are in minority. Factory mess should daily prepare food for 20% non-vegetarian minority workers. Everybody has the right to eat food according to own choice. When non-vegetarians (minority group) also get food of their own choice, this will create better work atmosphere in the factory.

20 per cent students are poorer and in minority. The majority of richer students should behave well with the poor students and so that they do not get inferiority complex. There will be then better study atmosphere in the class.

Q6. The column on the left lists some of the key features of the Indian Constitution. In the other column write two sentences in your own words, on why you think this feature is import.

Key Feature

• Significance

• Federalism

• Separation of Powers

• Fundamental Rights

• Parliamentary Form of Government

Ans. Federalism: It is important in our country with vast number of communities such that a system of government which did not involve only persons sitting in the capital take decisions for the whole country. It has dual objectives to safeguard and promote unity of the country, while at the same time accommodate regional diversity.

Separation of Powers: In order to prevent the misuse of power by any one branch of the state, the Constitution says that each of these organs should exercise different powers. Through these each organs acts as a check on the other organs of the state and thus ensures the balance of power between all the three.

Fundamental Rights: Fundamental rights protect citizens against the arbitrary and absolute exercise of power by the state. Thus, the Constitution attempts to strike a balance between the individual liberty and social control.

Parliamentary form of Government: Every citizen of the country, irrespective of his/her social background, can contest in elections. This helps encourage a democratic mind set and breaks the clutches of traditional caste, class and gender hierarchies.

Q7. Colour in the following countries in the Map:

• Colour India in red

• Colour Nepal in green

• Colour Bangladesh in yellow

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Intext Question

Page 6

Q.1 Discuss with your teacher what you understand by the term ‘constitutive’. Provide one example of ‘constitutive rules’ from your everyday life.

Ans. The term ‘Constitutive’ means fundamental. One example of Constitutive rule- A football should not touch the ball with his hand. This is a constitutive rule of the game of football.

Q2. Why do the people of Nepal want a new Constitution?

Ans. Nepal needs a new constitution today because it is no longer a monarchy. The older constitution vested power in the king, the when the country is now a democracy, a new constitution is needed to reflect the “democratic” ideals of Nepal that the peoples movement desired and fought for. In order to achieve this, all its constitutive rules must be changed.

Page 7

Q1. In what way is the class monitor misusing his power?

Ans. A monitor misuse his power may send his security guard to beat up his neighbours for a personal reason or ask the police not to take action against a relative who has committed a crime.

Q2. In which of the following situations is a minister misusing his power:

refuses to sanction a project of his ministry for sound technical reasons;

threatens to send his security staff to rough up his neighbour;

calls up the police station asking them not to register a complaint that is likely to be filed against his relative.

​Ans. Minister misusing his power in following situations:

Threatens to send his security staff to rough up his neighbour;

Calls up the police station asking them not to register a complaint that is likely to be filed against his relative.

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Page 13

Q1. Discuss the difference between State and Government with your teacher.

Ans. The difference is that the state - at least in the UK is non-party political. Simply put all the things that don't change at election time - the police, the schools (your teacher is a state - not government - employee), the civil service.

The government is the ruling party of the day - at the present Labour - and it is very party political.

A simple way to work it out is to watch an episode of 'Yes, Minister'.

The Minister (Hacker) is government.

The Civil Servant (Sir Humphrey Appleby) is state.

Bernard is actually state (being a civil servant) but does quite a bit of government business - like reminding the minister to vote in the House of Commons - showing the division between the two isn't always crystal clear.

Page 14

Q1. Which Fundamental Rights will the following situations violate:

If a 13-year old child is working in a factory manufacturing carpets.

If a politician in one state decides to not allow labourers from other states to work in his state.

If a group of people are not given permission to open a Telugu-medium school in Kerala.

If the government decides not to promote an officer of the armed forces because she is a woman.

Ans. Right against Exploitation

Right to Freedom

Cultural and Educational Right

Right to Equality.

Page 15

Q1. The Constitution also mentions fundamental duties. Find out with the help of your teacher what these include and why it is important for citizens in a democracy to observe these.

Ans. These are mainly included in right to freedom which says right to form association but our fundamental duties are not to pen it on a government land.

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Summary of The Indian Constitution

1. Purpose of the Constitution: The chapter begins by explaining what a Constitution is and why India needs one. A Constitution is a set of written rules that explains how a country should be governed.

2. Guiding Principles: The Indian Constitution provides rules for running the country, protects citizens' rights, and maintains unity and peace in a diverse nation.

3. Key Functions of the Constitution:

• It tells how the government will be formed.

• It defines the powers of different parts of the government.

• It protects the rights of citizens.

• It promotes equality and justice.

4. Importance in a Democracy: In a democracy like India, the Constitution ensures that no group or person misuses power. It protects the weak and gives equal rights to all.

5. The Making of the Indian Constitution: The chapter talks about how the Constitution was made after independence. It was prepared by the Constituent Assembly, which included leaders from different parts of the country.

6. Key Features of the Indian Constitution (Class 8 Civics Chapter 1 Answers focus on these):

1. Federalism – Power is divided between central and state governments.

2. Parliamentary Form of Government – People elect leaders through voting.

3. Separation of Powers – The government is divided into three parts: Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary.

4. Fundamental Rights – Six main rights are given to all citizens:

• Right to Equality

• Right to Freedom

• Right against Exploitation

• Right to Freedom of Religion

• Cultural and Educational Rights

• Right to Constitutional Remedies

5. Secularism – The government does not promote any one religion.

6. Independent Judiciary – Courts are free from government control and protect the rights of citizens.

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Class 8 Civics Chapter 1 FAQs

Q1. What is a Constitution?

Ans: A Constitution is a set of rules that explains how a country is governed and protects the rights of its citizens.

Q2. Why does a democratic country need a Constitution?

Ans: A Constitution helps in giving power to the people, limits misuse of power, and ensures equality, justice, and freedom for everyone.

Q3. Who made the Indian Constitution?

Ans: The Indian Constitution was made by the Constituent Assembly, which included leaders from all over India.

Q4. When did the Indian Constitution come into effect?

Ans: The Indian Constitution came into effect on 26th January 1950.

Q5. What are the six Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution Class 8 chapter?

Ans: Right to Equality

• Right to Freedom

• Right against Exploitation

• Right to Freedom of Religion

• Cultural and Educational Rights

• Right to Constitutional Remedies