NCERT Solutions Class 11 Polity Chapter 10: The Philosophy of the Constitution

NCERT Solutions Class 11 Polity Chapter 10: The Philosophy of the Constitution– This article includes free NCERT Solutions Class 11 Polity Chapter 10: The Philosophy of the Constitution according to the latest CBSE Syllabus 2023-24, and guidelines.

It has been developed by the subject matter experts at GFG, to help the students of Class 11 create a solid conceptual base for NCERT Solutions Class 11 Polity Chapter 10: The Philosophy of the Constitution and help them solve questions for exams.

1. The following are certain laws. Are they connected with any value? If yes, then what is the underlying value? Give reasons.

(a) Both daughters and sons will have a share in the family property.

(b) There will be different slabs of sales tax on different consumer items.

(c) Religious instructions will not be given in any government school.

(d) There shall be no beggar or forced labor.

Answer:

(a) The concept of equality and social justice is exemplified by treating all children equally in terms of inheritance regardless of their gender.

(b) Economic justice is demonstrated through the prioritization of specific consumer goods for individuals, while discouraging the consumption of other items considered non-essential.

(c) Secularism is evident in the government’s impartiality towards any specific religion.

(d) The principle of social justice is demonstrated in efforts to eradicate forced labor and shield workers from exploitation.

2. Which of the options given below cannot be used to complete the following statement? Democratic countries need a constitution to:

(i) Check the power of the government.

(ii) Protect minorities from majority.

(iii) Bring independence from colonial rule.

(iv) Ensure that a long-term vision is not lost by momentary passions.

(v) Bring social change in peaceful manner.

Answer:

(iii) Bring independence from colonial rule.

While it’s true that some countries may draft a constitution upon gaining independence from colonial rule, the necessity of a constitution for democratic countries is not specifically to bring independence from colonial rule. Instead, it’s primarily to establish a framework for governance, protect individual rights, and ensure the functioning of democratic institutions.

3. The following are different positions about reading and understanding Constituent Assembly debates.

(i) Which of these statements argues that Constituent Assembly debates are relevant even today? Which statement says that they are not relevant?

(ii) With which of these positions do you agree and why?

a. Common people are too busy in earning livelihood and meeting different pressures of life. They can’t understand the legal language of these debates.

b. The conditions and challenges today are different from the time when the Constitution was made. To read the ideas of Constitution makers and use them for our new times is trying to bring past in the present

c. Our ways of understanding the world and the present challenges have not changed totally. Constituent Assembly debates can provide us reasons why certain practices are important. In a period when constitutional practices are being challenged, not knowing the reasons can destroy them.

Answer:

i.

(a) This statement implies the lack of relevance.

(b) Despite the argument that they are irrelevant, the debates of the Constituent Assembly remain pertinent today, as our Constitution’s history is intertwined with the contemporary context.

(c) It asserts the ongoing relevance of the Constituent Assembly debates.

ii.

(a) While I concur with the importance of the Constituent Assembly debates for understanding and interpreting the Constitution, they often employ legal terminology that might be challenging for the average person to grasp.

(b) I support this statement. Over the course of fifty-six years, our Constitution has undergone approximately 100 amendments, underscoring its dynamic nature.

(c) I also align with this perspective, as the fundamental challenges have persisted over time without substantial alteration.

4. Explain the difference between the Indian Constitution and western ideas in the light of

(a) Understanding of secularism.

(b) Articles 370 and 371.

(c) Affirmative action.

(d) Universal adult franchise.

Answer:

a. Indian secularism operates on the principle of principled distance, while Western secularism is characterized by mutual exclusion.

In India, every religion is treated equally to ensure every citizen’s equal treatment and dignity. Conversely, in the West, religion is kept separate from matters of the State, and vice versa.

b. Articles 370 and 371 grant special rights to the state of Jammu and Kashmir and the northeastern states, respectively, acknowledging their unique social and historical contexts. Such accommodation provisions are uncommon in Western nations.

c. Affirmative action in India is founded on the principle of social justice without compromising individual liberties. India implemented affirmative action two decades prior to its adoption in the U.S.

d. In India, every citizen aged 18 years or older is eligible to vote, whereas in established democratic countries, such as those in the West, the right to vote for women and the working class was granted in the 20th century following significant struggles.

5. Which of the following principles of secularism are adopted in the Constitution of India?

(a) that state will have nothing to do with religion

(b) that state will have close relation with religion

(c) that state can discriminate among religions

(d) that state will recognize rights of religious groups

(e) that state will have limited powers to intervene in affairs of religions

Answer:

(d) that state will recognize rights of religious groups

(e) that state will have limited powers to intervene in affairs of religions Q6. Match the

6. Match the following:

Answer:

(a)—(2)

(b)—(1)

(c)—(4)

(d)—(5)

(e)—(3)

7. This discussion was taking place in a class. Read the various arguments and state which of these do you agree with and why.

Jayesh: I still think that our Constitution is only a borrowed document.

Saba: Do you mean to sav that there is nothing Indian in it? But is there such a thing as Indian and western in the case of values and ideas? Take equality between men and women. What is western about it? And even if it is, should we reject it only because it is western?

Jayesh: What I mean is that after fighting for independence from the British, did we not adopt their system of parliamentary government?

Neha: You forget that when we fought the British, we were not against the British as such, we were against the principle of colonialism. That has nothing to do with adopting a system of government that we wanted, wherever it came from.

Answer:

Jayesh perceives a lack of originality in the Constitution of India, noting that many of its provisions have been borrowed from other countries’ constitutions or from the Government of India Act, 1935.

Saba contends that while there may be similarities in values and ideas, there is no discrepancy regarding the equality of men and women, suggesting that this alone is not a reason to reject it.

Jayesh, once again, opposes following British policies post-independence.

In response, Neha rebuts his argument by stating that our national movement was not aimed at the British, but rather against the principle of colonialism. Therefore, she argues, if any aspect from any source serves our interests, it should be adopted.

In conclusion, it can be inferred that there is no inherent flaw in borrowing provisions from other countries as long as they suit our needs.

8. Why is it said that the making of the Indian Constitution was unrepresentative? Does that make the Constitution unrepresentative? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer:

It has been argued that the formation of the Indian Constitution was unrepresentative due to the selection of Constituent Assembly members through a restricted franchise rather than universal suffrage.

However, this assertion overlooks the fact that the Constitution embodies the aspirations and perspectives of all sections of the nation.

Furthermore, the Constitution has established a democratic system of governance, including the position of a head of state, thereby ensuring representation and accountability.

9. One of the limitations of the Constitution of India is that it does not adequately attend to gender justice. What evidence can you give to substantiate this charge? If you were writing the Constitution today, what provisions would you recommend for remedying this limitation?

Answer:

The Constitution of India, despite its strengths, also exhibits limitations. It cannot be deemed flawless or devoid of imperfections.

Notably, there are deficiencies regarding gender justice within its framework. While equality before the law is a fundamental right for every citizen, the Constitution lacks specific provisions addressing gender equality, unlike its delineation of protections based on religion, caste, and class.

Although discrimination based on caste, class, language, and religion is prohibited, gender is not explicitly mentioned. While the Constitution emphasizes respect for women within its directive principles, it does not delineate specific rights for women, leaving their interpretation and defense to the judiciary.

Additionally, the Constitution overlooks the status of women within the family structure. Consequently, it fails to afford special privileges to nearly half of the population, unlike the provisions for affirmative action benefiting other socially marginalized groups and minorities.

Given the opportunity to draft the Constitution today, I would advocate for provisions aimed at empowering women.

Similar to existing reservation systems, I would propose the reservation of at least thirty-three percent of seats for women in both the central and state legislatures.

10. Do you agree with the statement that “it is not clear why in a poor developing country, certain basic socio-economic rights were relegated to the section on Directive Principles rather than made an integral feature of our Fundamental Rights”? Give reasons for your answer. What do you think are the possible reasons for putting socio-economic rights in the section on Directive Principles?

Answer:

It is ture that fundamental socio-economic rights were relegated to the section of directive principles. These rights should have been incorporated particularly for backward classes in the same manner as the cultural rights of minorities.

In a developing nation like India, maximizing the potential of human resources is paramount. Hence, it is imperative to address the socio-economic needs of all societal segments and ensure equal opportunities for every group.

One plausible reason for positioning socio-economic rights within the directive principles may have been the scarcity of resources in a newly liberated nation.

Incorporating socio-economic rights into fundamental rights would have imposed a significant burden on the state.

Moreover, the economic development trajectory of the newly independent country was already focused on planned development, aimed at extending benefits to all strata of society.

11. How did your school celebrate the Constitution Day on November 26th?

Usually, schools commemorate Constitution Day by organizing various activities to educate students about the significance of the constitution and the rights it guarantees. These activities might include:

1. Special assemblies or presentations discussing the history and importance of the constitution.
2. Classroom discussions about fundamental rights and duties enshrined in the constitution.
3. Competitions such as essay writing, debates, or quizzes focusing on constitutional topics.
4. Guest lectures by legal experts or constitutional scholars.
5. Creative projects such as poster making or skits highlighting key aspects of the constitution.
6. Pledge ceremonies reaffirming commitment to uphold the values and principles of the constitution.
7. Community outreach programs emphasizing civic engagement and awareness of constitutional rights.

Each school may have its own unique way of commemorating Constitution Day based on its resources, curriculum, and cultural context.

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State which of the following rights are part of individual freedom:

1. Freedom of expression
2. Freedom of religion
3. Cultural and educational rights of minorities
4. Equal access to public places

The rights that are part of individual freedom among the options provided are:

• Freedom of expression
• Freedom of religion
• Equal access to public places

Cultural and educational rights of minorities, while important for ensuring equal opportunities and preserving diversity, are not typically categorized as part of individual freedom in the same sense as the other rights listed. Instead, they are often considered under the broader umbrella of minority rights or cultural rights.

In conclusion, these NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Polity Chapter 10: The Philosophy of the Constitution provide invaluable assistance to students in comprehending the concepts outlined in the syllabus for CBSE 2023-24. Crafted by subject matter experts at GFG, these solutions aim to cultivate a robust conceptual understanding among Class 11 students, aiding them in effectively addressing exam queries.

By elucidating key principles and offering comprehensive solutions, these resources empower students to tackle exam questions with confidence and precision, thereby enhancing their academic performance.

Why are certain laws, such as equal inheritance rights for daughters and sons, connected with underlying values?

Certain laws reflect underlying societal values because they are designed to uphold principles such as equality, justice, and fairness. For example, equal inheritance rights for daughters and sons demonstrate the value of gender equality and social justice by treating all children equally in terms of inheritance regardless of their gender.

How does the Indian Constitution differ from Western ideas regarding secularism, affirmative action, and universal adult franchise?

The Indian Constitution differs from Western ideas in several aspects:

Secularism: Indian secularism operates on the principle of principled distance, treating all religions equally and ensuring state neutrality, while Western secularism often involves the separation of religion and state.

Affirmative Action: In India, affirmative action is rooted in social justice without compromising individual liberties, implemented earlier than in the West.

Universal Adult Franchise: India granted universal adult franchise from its inception, while Western countries gradually extended voting rights over time, often following significant struggles.

What principles of secularism are adopted in the Constitution of India, and how do they differ from other models?

The Constitution of India adopts principles of secularism such as recognizing the rights of religious groups and limiting state intervention in religious affairs. This differs from models in which the state might have close relations with religion or discriminate among religions. India’s secularism aims for equal treatment of all religions and maintains a principled distance from religious matters, ensuring state neutrality and fostering religious harmony.