NCERT Class 7 Social Science Exploring Society India and Beyond Part 1 Chapter 10 The Constitution of India An Introduction PDF Download

Chapter 10: The Constitution of India - An Introduction

I would like to point out that if we are able to act according to the Constitution which has been adopted..., I am sure we shall be able very soon to make our country great. This is a goal which is within our power to reach, but its realisation would require hard physical and mental labour and above all great moral regeneration.

We have prepared a democratic Constitution. But the successful working of democratic institutions requires in those who have to work with them willingness to respect the viewpoint of others, capacity for compromise and accommodation.

- Dr. Rajendra Prasad, first President of India

[Figure 10.1: Glimpses from the Republic day Parade, See in your textbook]

It was yet another chilly January morning in Delhi, much like every Republic Day. Ma's voice echoed through the house, "Wake up! It's time, or you'll miss the parade!" Papa, already up, switched on the television to Doordarshan and called out, "Kumar, Niharika, come quickly! The parade has started!" The children jumped out of their warm beds, rushing to sit in front of the television, eager not to miss even a moment of the Republic Day Parade.

The sight of the majestic marching bands, vibrant displays, and the unfurling of the tricolour at Kartavya Path filled the room with pride and excitement.

This day carries a deep significance - it marks the coming into effect of the Indian Constitution on 26 January 1950.

The book in the picture is our Constitution. To keep it safe, it is carefully preserved in a helium-filled glass case in Parliament. But what exactly is a constitution, and why is it so important?

Let's Remember

Recall that in Grade 6, we saw the meaning of the word 'constitution' - a document that lays down the basic principles and laws of a nation. In small groups of three, list all the questions that come to your mind about a country's constitution.

[Figure 10.2: The Constitution of India carefully preserved in a helium-filled glass case, See in your textbook]

Teacher's Note

When you think of the Constitution, remember it is not just a piece of paper sitting in a glass case. It is a living document that guides every law made in our country and every decision taken by the government. The Constitution is so important that government officials take oaths to follow it before they start their jobs.

The Constitution of India is the document that many of the important officials of our country pledge to uphold. The president takes an oath to preserve, protect, and defend it. The prime minister, council of ministers, and judges promise to follow its provisions.

What Is a Constitution?

A simple answer is that it is a document that spells out a nation's basic principles and laws. It lays out:

• the framework of the three organs of the government (legislature, executive, and judiciary) and their roles and responsibilities;
• checks and balances amongst the three organs of government to ensure fairness, responsibility and accountability;
• the rights and duties of the citizens;
• an outline of the long-term goals and aspirations of the nation.

Why do we need a constitution?

Let's Explore

Imagine that your school has reached the final tournament in kabaddi at the state-level. The opponent is a strong team that has won the tournament two years in a row. They are aiming to win a third time, a hat-trick. The match is on, and a player from your team has just got one of the players from the other team 'out'; then a dispute breaks out. The player from the other team insists that she had already crossed into her team area before your team player caught her. The referee has seen that the player from the other team was indeed 'out'. To settle the dispute amicably, she pulls out a little official rulebook. The team captains confer with the referee and look at the rules. They then agree that the player was indeed 'out', and your team has won the state-level trophy.

Teacher's Note

The rulebook in the kabaddi example works exactly like our Constitution. Just as the rulebook settles disputes fairly and makes sure everyone follows the same rules, the Constitution does the same for our entire country. Without such rules written down, people would argue about what is right and wrong, but with a constitution, everyone has to follow the same basic principles.

Key Points

• A constitution is a document that sets out a nation's basic principles, laws, and the structure of government.
• The Indian Constitution was adopted on 26 January 1950 and is carefully preserved in a helium-filled glass case in Parliament.
• A constitution creates rules and fairness by defining the powers of the three organs of government (legislature, executive, and judiciary) and protecting the rights of citizens.
• The Constitution establishes checks and balances to ensure that no single part of government becomes too powerful.
• Like a rulebook in a game, a constitution settles disputes and ensures everyone is treated fairly according to the same set of principles.

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