The Constitution of India An Introduction Class 7 Notes

The Constitution of India An Introduction Class 7 Notes

The Constitution of India An Introduction Class 7 Notes

1. Fundamental Rights: Basic rights guaranteed to all citizens by the Constitution.

2. Directive Principles of State Policy: Guidelines for the framing of laws by the government, inspired by the Irish Constitution.

3. Separation of Powers: The division of government's responsibilities into distinct branches to prevent any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.

4. Constituent Assembly: A body formed to draft the Constitution of India.

5. Republic Day: The day on which the Constitution of India came into effect, celebrated on January, 26th.

6. Fundamental Duties: Moral obligations of all citizens to help promote a spirit of patriotism and to uphold the unity of India.

7. Checks and Balances: Mechanisms that ensure fairness, responsibility, and accountability among the three branches of government.

8. Civilisational Heritage: The cultural and historical influences that shaped the Constitution.

9. Helium: It is a gas that doesn't react with paper or ink, helping to preserve the Constitution over time.

10. Constitution of India

1. Lays down fundamental Principles and laws
2. Indian Constitution - impacted by freedom struggle. civilisational heritage.
3. Key features - Democratic principles, respect for other's view, compromising capacity, nation's basic principles and laws, framework and roles of government organs, check and balance between organs, fairness and accountability of organs, rights and duties of citizens, long-term national goals

11. Civilisational Heritage

1. Respect for diverse views, sacredness of nature, respect for women
2. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, fundamental duties from history
3. Took good values from other countries
4. France (Liberty, equality, fraternity)
5. Ireland (Directive Principles)
6. USA (Independent Judiciary)

12. Cultural Illustrations

1. Scenes from Indian texts and epic (Ramayana, Mahabharata)
2. Represents legal document and cultural artefact
3. Nataraja, scenes from Mahabalipuram
4. Scenes of Bhagiratha's penance, descent of Ganga
5. Scenes of Mughal architecture, Nalanda university

13. Preamble

1. Created by people through their representatives
2. Republic - head is elected by people
3. Sovereign - People have ultimate authority
4. Justice - Unbiased, equal, no discrimination
5. Socialism - Sharing of wealth, reduçe inequality
6. Liberty -- Freedom of thought, expression, action
7. Secularism - No official religion, respect for all
8. Equality - Before law, equal opportunity
9. Democracy - Elected representative, accountability
10. Fraternity - Fostering unity in diversity

14. Key Features of Constitution

1. Three parts of government Judiciary, executive, legislative
2. Legislative (makes law), executive (implements laws), judiciary (ensures law is followed)
3. Three tier government - Central, State, Local (Panchayati system)
4. Describes responsibilities of each tier
5. Describes electoral system
6. Describes - fundamental right and duties and directive principles

15. Directive principles

1. Article 38 - Social, political, economic justice
2. Article 41 - Welfare government
3. Article 44 - Uniform Civil Code
4. Article 47 - Nutrition, Public health, living standard
5. Article 48-A - Environment, wildlife protection
6. Article 49 - Protection of monuments and things of national importance

16. Fundamental Duties

1. Respect constitution, National Flag and Anthem
2. Defend country
3. Preserve cultural heritage and environment
4. Strive for excellence

17. Fundamental Rights

1. Article 14 - Equality before law
2. Article 21 - Right to freedom. Protection of life and personal liberty
3. Article 21-A - Right to education, Right against exploitation

18. Constitution: Living Document

1. Evolve with the need of society
2. Can be amended
3. Changes influenced by public opinion

19. Application of Preamble

1. Sovereignty - Decision without external influence
2. Secularism - Free practice for all religion
3. Republic - Equal job opportunity, no discrimination based on creed, caste, sex, religion
4. Justice- Equal job opportunity, equitable,distribution, equality before law
5. Liberty - Freedom of thought and expression, follow, own belief
6. Fraternity - Sharing of resources, facilities and services

20. Constitution

Rulebook

1. Constitution is a rulebook to avoid disputes
2. Outlines basic national principles and laws
3. Defines framework and role of organs of goverment
4. Describes - types, organs, functions of goverment
5. Inciludes - principles for making law, implementing law, electing executive, forming judiciary

21. Values/Ideals in Constitution

1. Contains values - Equality, justice, fraternity, freedom
2. Forms the basis for laws and principles
3. Written, for diverse and complex society

22. Development of Constitution

1. Formed in 1946 ( 389 members later 299) (after partition - 15 women)
2. By Constituent Assembly (1946), Chaired by Rajendra Prasad
3. Took about 3 years (completed on 26th November 1949)
4. Adopted on 26th January, 1950, Republic Day
5. Drafting Committee headed by B.R. Ambedkar

23. Influences

1. By values of freedom struggles, cultural and civilisational heritage
2. By constitution of other countries
3. Ideals of freedom movement equality, justice, freedom, fraternity, culture
4. By ideas and experiences of leaders of freedom movement.

24. Structure and Principles

1. Ensures adult franchise
2. Separation of power between organs of government
3. Fundamental rights and duties
4. Relation and division of power between central and state governments
5. focus on unity in diversity