April 10, 2026
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Chapter 3: Constitutional Design
Complete NCERT Solutions (Exercise) | CBSE Class 9 Social Science Political Science
NCERT Exercise Questions
14 marksNCERT Page 53
Here are some false statements. Identify the mistake in each case and rewrite these correctly based on what you have read in this chapter.
(a) Leaders of the freedom movement had an open mind about whether the country should be democratic or not after independence.
(b) Members of the Constituent Assembly of India held the same views on all provisions of the Constitution.
(c) A country that has a constitution must be a democracy.
(d) Constitution cannot be amended because it is the supreme law of a country.
(a) Leaders of the freedom movement had an open mind about whether the country should be democratic or not after independence.
(b) Members of the Constituent Assembly of India held the same views on all provisions of the Constitution.
(c) A country that has a constitution must be a democracy.
(d) Constitution cannot be amended because it is the supreme law of a country.
Answer:
(a) Correct statement: Leaders of the freedom movement were clear that independent India should be a democratic country.
(b) Correct statement: Members of the Constituent Assembly had different views on many provisions of the Constitution, but they worked through discussion and consensus.
(c) Correct statement: A country may have a constitution but may not be democratic. A constitution becomes democratic only when it reflects democratic principles and people’s rights.
(d) Correct statement: The Constitution can be amended according to the procedure laid down in it. It is supreme, but not unchangeable.
(a) Correct statement: Leaders of the freedom movement were clear that independent India should be a democratic country.
(b) Correct statement: Members of the Constituent Assembly had different views on many provisions of the Constitution, but they worked through discussion and consensus.
(c) Correct statement: A country may have a constitution but may not be democratic. A constitution becomes democratic only when it reflects democratic principles and people’s rights.
(d) Correct statement: The Constitution can be amended according to the procedure laid down in it. It is supreme, but not unchangeable.
21 markNCERT Page 53
Which of these was the most salient underlying conflict in the making of a democratic constitution in South Africa?
(a) Between South Africa and its neighbours
(b) Between men and women
(c) Between the white minority and the black majority
(d) Between the coloured minority and the black majority
(a) Between South Africa and its neighbours
(b) Between men and women
(c) Between the white minority and the black majority
(d) Between the coloured minority and the black majority
Answer: (c) Between the white minority and the black majority.
31 markNCERT Page 53
Which of these is a provision that a democratic constitution does not have?
(a) Powers of the head of the state
(b) Name of the head of the state
(c) Powers of the legislature
(d) Name of the country
(a) Powers of the head of the state
(b) Name of the head of the state
(c) Powers of the legislature
(d) Name of the country
Answer: (b) Name of the head of the state.
Match the Following
43 marksNCERT Page 53
Match the following leaders with their roles in the making of the Constitution.
Answer:
| Leader | Role |
|---|---|
| Motilal Nehru | Prepared a Constitution for India in 1928 |
| B.R. Ambedkar | Chairman of the Drafting Committee |
| Rajendra Prasad | President of the Constituent Assembly |
| Sarojini Naidu | Member of the Constituent Assembly |
Short Answer Questions
55 marksNCERT Page 53
Read again the extracts from Nehru’s speech ‘Tryst with Destiny’ and answer the following:
(a) Why did Nehru use the expression “not wholly or in full measure” in the first sentence?
(b) What pledge did he want the makers of the Indian Constitution to take?
(c) “The ambition of the greatest man of our generation has been to wipe every tear from every eye”. Who was he referring to?
(a) Why did Nehru use the expression “not wholly or in full measure” in the first sentence?
(b) What pledge did he want the makers of the Indian Constitution to take?
(c) “The ambition of the greatest man of our generation has been to wipe every tear from every eye”. Who was he referring to?
Answer:
(a) Nehru used the expression “not wholly or in full measure” because the goals of freedom, equality and justice had not yet been completely achieved. Independence was only the beginning of a long journey.
(b) He wanted the makers of the Constitution to pledge themselves to the service of India and its people. He wanted them to work for ending poverty, ignorance, disease and inequality.
(c) He was referring to Mahatma Gandhi.
(a) Nehru used the expression “not wholly or in full measure” because the goals of freedom, equality and justice had not yet been completely achieved. Independence was only the beginning of a long journey.
(b) He wanted the makers of the Constitution to pledge themselves to the service of India and its people. He wanted them to work for ending poverty, ignorance, disease and inequality.
(c) He was referring to Mahatma Gandhi.
63 marksNCERT Page 53
Here are some of the guiding values of the Constitution and their meaning. Rewrite them by matching them correctly.
Answer:
| Guiding Value | Correct Meaning |
|---|---|
| Sovereign | People have the supreme right to make decisions. |
| Republic | Head of the state is an elected person. |
| Fraternity | People should live like brothers and sisters. |
| Secular | Government will not favour any religion. |
Opinion-Based Questions
75 marksNCERT Page 54
A friend from Nepal has written you a letter describing the political situation there. Many political parties are opposing the rule of the king. Some of them say that the existing constitution given by the monarch can be amended to allow more powers to elected representatives. Others are demanding a new Constituent Assembly to write a republican constitution. Reply to your friend giving your opinions on the subject.
Answer: Dear friend, I think Nepal needs a constitution made by the people’s representatives through a Constituent Assembly. A constitution given by the monarch may allow some reforms, but it does not fully reflect the will of the people. In a democracy, the people should be the source of authority. Therefore, a republican constitution written by an elected Constituent Assembly would be more democratic. It would give legitimacy to the political system and protect people’s rights better than a constitution granted by the king.
85 marksNCERT Page 54
Here are different opinions about what made India a democracy. How much importance would you give to each of these factors?
(a) Democracy in India is a gift of the British rulers. We received training to work with representative legislative institutions under the British rule.
(b) Freedom Struggle challenged the colonial exploitation and denial of different freedoms to Indians. Free India could not be anything but democratic.
(c) We were lucky to have leaders who had democratic convictions. The denial of democracy in several other newly independent countries shows the important role of these leaders.
(a) Democracy in India is a gift of the British rulers. We received training to work with representative legislative institutions under the British rule.
(b) Freedom Struggle challenged the colonial exploitation and denial of different freedoms to Indians. Free India could not be anything but democratic.
(c) We were lucky to have leaders who had democratic convictions. The denial of democracy in several other newly independent countries shows the important role of these leaders.
Answer:
(a) This factor has limited importance. British rule introduced some representative institutions, but these were not truly democratic because Indians did not have full freedom or equal political rights.
(b) This factor is very important. The freedom struggle was based on the demand for liberty, equality, participation and self-rule. Therefore, independent India naturally moved towards democracy.
(c) This factor is also very important. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, B.R. Ambedkar, Rajendra Prasad and others believed in democracy, discussion and social justice. Their convictions helped India build and preserve a democratic Constitution.
(a) This factor has limited importance. British rule introduced some representative institutions, but these were not truly democratic because Indians did not have full freedom or equal political rights.
(b) This factor is very important. The freedom struggle was based on the demand for liberty, equality, participation and self-rule. Therefore, independent India naturally moved towards democracy.
(c) This factor is also very important. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, B.R. Ambedkar, Rajendra Prasad and others believed in democracy, discussion and social justice. Their convictions helped India build and preserve a democratic Constitution.
95 marksNCERT Page 54
Read the following extract from a conduct book for ‘married women’, published in 1912. ‘God has made the female species delicate and fragile both physically and emotionally, pitiably incapable of self-defence. They are destined thus by God to remain in male protection – of father, husband and son – all their lives. Women should, therefore, not despair, but feel obliged that they can dedicate themselves to the service of men’. Do you think the values expressed in this para reflected the values underlying our constitution? Or does this go against the constitutional values?
Answer: The values expressed in this passage go against the values of the Indian Constitution. The passage treats women as inferior, dependent and incapable of independent life. The Constitution, however, is based on equality, dignity, liberty and justice. It gives equal rights to men and women and does not accept discrimination on the basis of gender. Therefore, the ideas in the passage are undemocratic and unconstitutional.
105 marksNCERT Page 54
Read the following statements about a constitution. Give reasons why each of these is true or not true.
(a) The authority of the rules of the constitution is the same as that of any other law.
(b) Constitution lays down how different organs of the government will be formed.
(c) Rights of citizens and limits on the power of the government are laid down in the constitution.
(d) A constitution is about institutions, not about values.
(a) The authority of the rules of the constitution is the same as that of any other law.
(b) Constitution lays down how different organs of the government will be formed.
(c) Rights of citizens and limits on the power of the government are laid down in the constitution.
(d) A constitution is about institutions, not about values.
Answer:
(a) Not true. The Constitution is the supreme law of the country. Other laws get their authority from the Constitution and must not violate it.
(b) True. The Constitution explains how institutions such as the legislature, executive and judiciary are formed and how they function.
(c) True. A Constitution protects citizens’ rights and sets limits on government power so that rulers cannot act arbitrarily.
(d) Not true. A Constitution is about institutions as well as values. The Preamble of the Indian Constitution clearly expresses values such as justice, liberty, equality, fraternity, secularism and democracy.
(a) Not true. The Constitution is the supreme law of the country. Other laws get their authority from the Constitution and must not violate it.
(b) True. The Constitution explains how institutions such as the legislature, executive and judiciary are formed and how they function.
(c) True. A Constitution protects citizens’ rights and sets limits on government power so that rulers cannot act arbitrarily.
(d) Not true. A Constitution is about institutions as well as values. The Preamble of the Indian Constitution clearly expresses values such as justice, liberty, equality, fraternity, secularism and democracy.
Project / Activity
ActivityProjectNCERT Page 54
Follow the newspapers for any report on a discussion on any constitutional amendment or demand for any constitutional amendment. You could, for example, focus on the demand for constitutional amendment for reservation for women in legislatures. Was there a public debate? What reasons were put forward in favour of the amendment? How did different parties react to the constitutional amendment? Did the amendment take place?
NCERT Activity: This is a newspaper-based activity. Students should collect news reports, editorials and opinion pieces on any constitutional amendment or demand for amendment. They should note the issue, arguments in favour, arguments against, political party responses, public debate and whether the amendment was passed.
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