The Making of the Constitution: NBSE Class 12 History answers

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Get summary, textual answers, solutions, notes, extras, PDF to NBSE Class 12 (Arts) History (Themes in Indian History) chapter 12 “The Making of the Constitution”. However, the educational materials should only be used for reference and students are encouraged to make necessary changes.

Introduction

The period surrounding India’s independence and partition was a tumultuous and challenging time, marked by a mix of hope, disappointment, and significant obstacles. Despite the spirit of unity demonstrated in popular risings and the struggle against British rule, the Congress and Muslim League failed to reach a consensus on religious and social harmony. This led to a series of riots and violence, culminating in the tragic partition of India and the subsequent mass migration of millions of people. The newly formed Indian government was faced with the enormous task of integrating princely states into the Indian Union and rehabilitating the countless refugees displaced by the creation of Pakistan. Amidst these difficult circumstances, the Constituent Assembly began its work to frame the Constitution of independent India, demonstrating the resilience and courage of a nation determined to overcome adversity.

Exercise/textual questions and answers

Very Short Answer Type Questions

1. How did Dr. Ambedkar justify the incorporation of the directive principles of state policy in the Constituent Assembly?

Answer: Dr. Ambedkar said the Directive Principles were meant to be the basis of all legislative and executive actions, not just pious declarations.

2. How did Dr. Ambedkar justify the incorporation of emergency powers of the President of India in the Constituent Assembly?

Answer: Emergency powers were accepted as necessary to safeguard the Constitution, despite not harmonising with its democratic pattern.

3. What important suggestion of the Drafting Committee was incorporated in the Constitution by Constituent Assembly?

Answer: The Draft proposed that residuary powers should reside in the Union, a departure from the Objective Resolution, and this was accepted.

4. Give the names of any three committees appointed by the Constituent Assembly to deal with different aspects of the constitution.

Answer:

• The Union Power Committee
• The Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights and Minorities
• The Committee on the Union and Provincial Constitutions

5. Describe any two basic values of the Indian Constitution.

Answer:

• India is a secular state with no state religion and guarantees religious freedom.
• India is a democratic state where people are the source of power and have the right to vote.

Short Answer Type Questions

1. Describe briefly how the problems of the refugees from Pakistan were solved by the Government of Indian Republic.

Answer: Nearly five million Hindus and Muslims were evacuated from Punjab (West Pakistan), Baluchistan, NWFP, and Sindh within a few months from September to December 1947 and resettled in various parts of India.

2. Write a note on the Preamble of the Indian Constitution.

Answer: The Preamble declares that India is a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic. It aims to secure justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity for its citizens and to promote the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation.

3. Describe the role of the Constituent Assembly before August 15, 1947.

Answer: The Constituent Assembly met under the chairmanship of Dr. Sachidanand Sinha and elected Dr. Rajendra Prasad as its permanent chairman. The Assembly was tasked with framing the Constitution and was composed of eminent political leaders and scholars, representing all classes of the country.

4. What were the Ideals expressed in the Objective Resolution?

Answer: The Resolution ensured that safeguards would be provided for minorities, backward and tribal areas, and depressed and other classes. It proclaimed that the ancient land would attain its rightful and honoured place in the world and contribute to world peace and welfare of mankind.

5. How did the different groups define the term minority?

Answer: B. Pocker Bahadur argued that minorities existed in India and needed to be well represented within the political system for peace and harmony. However, many nationalists feared this might lead to divided loyalties and hinder forging a strong nation. Some Muslims, like Begum Afzal Rasul, opposed separate electorates as they felt it isolated minorities from the majority and hampered their political influence.

Long Answer Type Questions

1. Describe the history of framing of the Indian Constituent Assembly.

Answer: The idea of a Constituent Assembly for framing a constitution was implicit in the demands of the Swarajist Party and the Nehru Committee of 1928. But it was only in 1934 that the Indian National Congress officially adopted the demand of a Constituent Assembly for framing the Indian Constitution. The demand for a Constituent Assembly was repeated in the historic statement of the Working Committee of the Congress on September 14, 1939. But the British Government paid no heed to it. However, the shock of the World War made the British Government realise that the Indians would not be satisfied with anything less. The substance of the demand of a Constituent Assembly was conceded in the August, 1940 statement of the Government. The Cripps Mission of 1942 contained a concrete proposal on the part of the British Government to set up a constitution-making body charged with the task of framing a new constitution for India immediately after the War, consisting of Indians alone. The Cripps Mission proposals were rejected by the leaders of all the political parties of India. It was in February, 1946 that Mr. Clement Attlee, the British Prime Minister, categorically admitted the right of the Indians to frame their own constitution. The Constituent Assembly which framed the present constitution of India was set up in 1946, under the Cabinet Mission Plan.

2. What historical factors shaped the vision of the constitution?

Answer: Every country in the world has its constitution. The government and the administration is run according to the basic laws laid down in the constitution. It also states rights and duties of the country’s citizens. It lays down the structure of the government. It states the powers and functions of the legislature, executive and the judiciary. It is thus the backbone of the whole structure of a country. In the independent India, the work of framing its constitution was entrusted to a Constituent Assembly. Evolution of the idea of Constituent Assembly in India. The idea of a Constituent Assembly for framing a constitution was implicit in the demands of the Swarajist Party and the Nehru Committee of 1928. But it was only in 1934 that the Indian National Congress officially adopted the demand of a Constituent Assembly for framing the Indian Constitution. The demand for a Constituent Assembly was repeated in the historic statement of the Working Committee of the Congress on September 14, 1939. But the British Government paid no heed to it. However, the shock of the World War made the British Government realise that the Indians would not be satisfied with anything less. The substance of the demand of a Constituent Assembly was conceded in the August, 1940 statement of the Government. The Cripps Mission of 1942 contained a concrete proposal on the part of the British Government to set up a constitution-making body charged with the task of framing a new constitution for India immediately after the War, consisting of Indians alone. The Cripps Mission proposals were rejected by the leaders of all the political parties of India. It was in February, 1946 that Mr. Clement Attlee, the British Prime Minister, categorically admitted the right of the Indians to frame their own constitution.

3. Describe the different arguments given in favour of the protection of oppressed groups.

Answer: The question arose in the Assembly that should the oppressed groups have any special rights. What rights should the minorities have? The members had no collective answer to any of these questions. There was a clash of opinions. Nehru had declared that the makers of the constitution had to “fulfil the passions that lie in the hearts of the masses.” The different groups expressed their will in different ways, and made different demands. The conflicting views had to be debated and reconciled before a consensus could be reached. B. Pocker Bahadur, a member from Madras, made a powerful plea for continuing separate electorates. He argued that minorities existed in India and they could not be washed away. If the minorities were to be allowed to live in peace and harmony, they should be well represented within the political system. The demand for separate electorates enraged some of the nationalist leaders. They held that the British introduced separate electorates to divide the people. R.V. Dhulekar told B. Pocker Bahadur that with the help of it, the British misguided the people. Separate electorates were a poison that had entered the body politic of the country declared Sardar Vallabhabhai Patel, “Do you want peace in this land? If so, do away with the separate electorates.” Behind all these arguments against separate electorates was the concern with making a unified nation-state. For the political unity of the country, every individual had to be moulded into a citizen of a state, each group had to be assimilated within the nation. Even though the importance of community rights was being recognised, there was a lurking fear among many nationalists that this might lead to divided loyalties. It would make it difficult to forge a strong nation. All the Muslims did not support the demand for separate electorates. For instance, Begum Afzal Rasul felt that separate electorates were self-destructive since they isolated the minorities from the majority. The Muslims needed to take an active part in the democratic process so that they had a decisive voice in the political system.

4. What connection did some of the members of the Constituent Assembly make between the political situation of the time and the need for a strong centre?

Answer: It meant that there was no universal adult franchise. The vision that Jawaharlal Nehru was trying to outline on 13 December, 1946 in the Objective Resolution was the vision of the constitution of the Indian sovereign republic. The question arose in the Assembly that should the oppressed groups have any special rights. What rights should the minorities have? The members had no collective answer to any of these questions. There was a clash of opinions. Nehru had declared that the makers of the constitution had to “fulfil the passions that lie in the hearts of the masses.” The different groups expressed their will in different ways, and made different demands. The conflicting views had to be debated and reconciled before a consensus could be reached. B. Pocker Bahadur, a member from Madras, made a powerful plea for continuing separate electorates. He argued that minorities existed in India and they could not be washed away. If the minorities were to be allowed to live in peace and harmony, they should be well represented within the political system. The demand for separate electorates enraged some of the nationalist leaders. They held that the British introduced separate electorates to divide the people. R.V. Dhulekar told B. Pocker Bahadur that with the help of it, the British misguided the people. Separate electorates were a poison that had entered the body politic of the country declared Sardar Vallabhabhai Patel, “Do you want peace in this land? If so, do away with the separate electorates.” Behind all these arguments against separate electorates was the concern with making a unified nation-state. For the political unity of the country, every individual had to be moulded into a citizen of a state, each group had to be assimilated within the nation. Even though the importance of community rights was being recognised, there was a lurking fear among many nationalists that this might lead to divided loyalties. It would make it difficult to forge a strong nation. All the Muslims did not support the demand for separate electorates. For instance, Begum Afzal Rasul felt that separate electorates were self-destructive since they isolated the minorities from the majority. The Muslims needed to take an active part in the democratic process so that they had a decisive voice in the political system.

5. Write an essay on the Constituent Assembly of India.

Answer: The Constituent Assembly of India was the sole constitutional authority for the union as well as for the states. In the words of Dr. Ambedkar, “The Constitution of the Union and the States is a single frame which neither can get out of and within which they must work” (Constituent Assembly Debates, Vol. VIII, Page 44). The most remarkable feature of the proceedings of the Assembly was the passing of the resolution on Aims and Objectives moved by Pt. Nehru on December 13, 1946. Pt. Nehru described the Resolution as “a solemn pledge to our people”. It gave expression to the aspirations and ideals for which the people of India had worked and struggled and embodied the broad objectives which the Constituent Assembly was to set before itself. The Constituent Assembly was thus to frame a democratic constitution for India. The Resolution ensured that safeguards would be provided for minorities, backward and tribal areas, and depressed and other classes. And finally, the Resolution proclaimed that the “ancient land” would attain its rightful and honoured place in the world and make its full and willing contribution to the promotion of world peace and the welfare of mankind. (Constitutional Assembly Debates, Vol. I, page 57). In the words of Dr. M.K.M. Munshi, ‘The Resolution cast the horoscope of our Sovereign Democratic Republic.” It declared that the Assembly’s firm and solemn resolve laid down that this Republic would be a union of autonomous units in which residuary powers should be with the latter. The Draft Constitution was published in the form of a book in February, 1948. An eight-month interval was allowed for its discussion all over the country. Next, the Constituent Assembly discussed it thoroughly clause by clause. During the discussions, no fewer than 7635 amendments were tabled and as many as 2473 were actually discussed. It held eleven sessions and took two years, eleven months and eight days to frame the Constitution of the Indian Republic. The twelfth and the final session of the Constitutional Assembly was held on January 24, 1950, and Dr. Rajendra Prasad was unanimously elected as the first President of the Indian Union. In an impressive ceremony, the members of the Constituent Assembly signed the embossed and illuminated copies of the Constitution. The Constitution came into force on the Republic Day, January 26, 1950. On the same day, Dr. Rajendra Prasad assumed the office of the President of the Indian Republic.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who said, “On the basis of number, Harijans are not in minority”?

A. Nagappa
B. B. Pokar Bahadur
C. G.B. Pant
D. Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru

Answer: A. Nagappa

2. Who demanded justice for women?

A. Hansa Mehta
B. Tara Bhai Deshmukh
C. Sarojini Naidu
D. Rajkumari Amrit Kaur

Answer: A. Hansa Mehta

3. Who gave the concept of Hindustani language?

A. Pt. Nehru
B. Mahatma Gandhi
C. R.V. Dhulekar
D. Durgabai

Answer: B. Mahatma Gandhi

4. When did Muslim league demand to dissolve Constituent Assembly?

A. 29 Jan. 1947
B. 26 Jan. 1946
C. 25 Jan. 1946
D. 16 July 1947

Answer: A. 29 Jan. 1947

5. When was the last meeting of Interim Government held?

A. 14 Aug. 1947
B. 12 July 1946
C. 2 Nov. 1946
D. 16 July 1947

Answer: D. 16 July 1947

Competency-Based Questions

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Match the following:

Column-I (Leaders) (i) Jawaharlal Nehru (ii) B.R. Ambedkar (iii) Rajendra Prasad (iv) B. N. Rau

Column-II (Role in the Constituent Assembly) (A) President of the Constituent Assembly (B) Constitutional Advisor (C) Chairman of the Drafting Committee (D) Worked on the ‘Objective Resolution’

Options:

A. (i) (C), (ii) (B), (iii) (A), (iv) (D)
B. (i) (C), (ii) (D), (iii) (A), (iv) (B)
C. (i) (D), (ii) (C), (iii) (A), (iv) (B)
D. (i) (B), (ii) (C), (iii) (D), (iv) (A)

Answer: C. (i) (D), (ii) (C), (iii) (A), (iv) (B)

2. Study the following statement carefully:

“I believe separate electorates will be suicidal to the minorities and will do them tremendous harm. If they are isolated forever, they can never convert themselves into a majority and the feeling of frustration will cripple them even from the very beginning.”

Who among the following made the above statement?

A. Dr. Ambedkar
B. Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru
C. Govind Ballabh Pant
D. Sardar Patel

Answer: C. Govind Ballabh Pant

3. Consider the given statements regarding Constituent Assembly and select the correct from the following options:

A. Motilal Nehru moved resolution of National flag in the Constituent Assembly
B. G.B. Pant was the Legal Advisor
C. Sardar Patel was the Constitutional Advisor
D. K.M. Munshi was called as Frontier Gandhi

Answer: C. Sardar Patel was the Constitutional Advisor

4. Which among the following is correct in relation to separate electorate.

A. B.K. Pokar Bahadur was in favour of keeping separate electorate system.
B. Sardar Ballabh Bhai Patel was against separate electorate.
C. Govind Ballabh Pant was also against it.
D. All the above points are true.

Answer: D. All the above points are true.

5. Consider the given statements regarding Constituent Assembly and select the correct from the following options:

A. Motilal Nehru moved resolution of National flag in the Constituent Assembly.
B. G.B. Pant was the Legal Advisor.
C. Sardar Patel was the Constitutional Advisor.
D. K.M. Munshi was called as Frontier Gandhi.

Answer: C. Sardar Patel was the Constitutional Advisor.

Case-based Questions

1. Read the following passage and answer any three questions by choosing the correct option.

The Constituent Assembly debates help us understand the many conflicting voices of those who took part in the discussions while framing the Constitution. The members articulated many demands and ideas. They tell us about the ideals that were invoked and the principles that the makers of the Constitution operated with. But in reading these debates, we need to be aware that the ideals invoked were very often re-worked according to what seemed appropriate within a context. At times, the members of the Assembly also changed their ideas as the debate unfolded over three years. Hearing others argue, some members rethought their positions, opening their minds to contrary views, while others changed their views in reaction to the events around.

1. What do we understand by the Constituent Assembly disputes?

(i) What kind of opposing voices were raised in the making of the constitution.
(ii) What kind of demand was wanted
(iii) Both (i) and (ii)
(iv) We should not do dispute.

Answer: Both (i) and (ii)

2. What ideals and principles tell us about the Constituent Assembly?

(i) About the principle of constitution makers
(ii) About the ideals of if the constitution makers
(iii) Both of the above
(iv) About the character of the members of the Constituent Assembly.

Answer: Both of the above

3. What do we need to remember to understand the controversies?

(i) The ideals were changed according to specific context
(ii) Some members changed their views with discussion held in three years
(iii) Both of above
(iv) Fighters sacrifice.

Answer: Both of above

4. What role did the controversies of the house of representatives play in the creation of India?

(i) Strengthens the constitution
(ii) Made the country strong
(iii) Both of above
(iv) Increase disharmony in people

Answer: Both of above

2. Govind Vallabh argued that in order to become loyal citizens, people had to stop focusing only on community and self:

“For the success of democracy one must train himself in the art of self-discipline. In democracies, one should care less for himself and more for others. There cannot be any divided loyalty. All loyalties must exclusively be centred round the state. If in a democracy, you create rival loyalties or you create a system in which any individual or group, instead of suppressing his extravagance, cares nought for larger or other interests, then democracy is doomed.”

a. Explain the qualities of a good citizen.

Answer: For the success of democracy one must train himself in the art of self-discipline. In democracies, one should care less for himself and more for others. There cannot be any divided loyalty. All loyalties must exclusively be centred round the state.

b. Explain why all loyalties must be centred round the state.

Answer: All loyalties must exclusively be centred round the state. If in a democracy, you create rival loyalties or you create a system in which any individual or group, instead of suppressing his extravagance, cares nought for larger or other interests, then democracy is doomed.

c. Examine the circumstances which may lead democracy to a doom.

Answer: If in a democracy, you create rival loyalties or you create a system in which any individual or group, instead of suppressing his extravagance, cares nought for larger or other interests, then democracy is doomed.

Extra/additional questions and answers

1. When did India achieve her independence and what were the two separate states formed?  

Answer: India achieved her independence on 15th August, 1947, and the country was partitioned into two separate states: India and Pakistan.

2. What were the main challenges faced by the Indian government after independence?  

Answer: The main challenges faced by the Indian government after independence were the integration of about 542 native states into the Indian Union, rehabilitation of millions of refugees from Pakistan, and framing the new Constitution of independent India.

3. What were some of the popular movements against British rule in India that took place before the framing of the constitution?  

Answer: Some of the popular movements against British rule in India before the framing of the constitution included the Quit India movement of 1942, which was the most widespread movement against British rule; the armed struggle with foreign aid led by Subhash Chandra Bose; and the rising of the ratings of the Royal Navy in Bombay and other cities in the spring of 1946, which evoked much popular sympathy.

Q. Explain the problems faced in the integration of princely states into the Indian Union.  

Answer: The integration of princely states into the Indian Union was a serious problem faced by the new nation. During the British rule, about one-third of the sub-continent was under the control of the Maharajas, Rajas, and Nawabs, who were under the control of the British Crown but were free to rule as they liked. When the British left India, they were allowed to rule their states. Some princes and Maharajas began to dream of remaining independent powers in India. This made the task of integrating these princely states into the Indian Union a significant challenge.

Q. Discuss the process of forming the Constituent Assembly and the evolution of the idea of a Constituent Assembly in India.  

Answer: The idea of a Constituent Assembly for framing a constitution was implicit in the demands of the Swarajist Party and the Nehru Committee of 1928. In 1934, the Indian National Congress officially adopted the demand for a Constituent Assembly to frame the Indian Constitution. The demand was repeated in the historic statement of the Working Committee of the Congress on September 14, 1939, but the British Government paid no heed to it.

The shock of World War II made the British Government realize that the Indians would not be satisfied with anything less. The substance of the demand for a Constituent Assembly was conceded in the August 1940 statement of the Government. The Cripps Mission of 1942 contained a concrete proposal on the part of the British Government to set up a constitution-making body charged with the task of framing a new constitution for India immediately after the War, consisting of Indians alone. The Cripps Mission proposals were rejected by the leaders of all the political parties of India.

In February 1946, Mr. Clement Attlee, the British Prime Minister, categorically admitted the right of the Indians to frame their own constitution. The Constituent Assembly, which framed the present constitution of India, was set up in 1946 under the Cabinet Mission Plan.

Q. How many members were there in the Constituent Assembly and how were they divided between British India and Indian states?  

Answer: The Constituent Assembly had a total membership of 389 members, out of which 296 members represented British India and 93 seats were allotted to the Indian states.

Q. What were the limitations of the Constituent Assembly before the Indian Independence Act, 1947?  

Answer: Before the Indian Independence Act, 1947, the Constituent Assembly had the following limitations:

• It was not a sovereign body, as it was set up by a foreign government.
• Its authority was limited in terms of principles and procedure.
• It had no power to change the outline of the Constitution as given in the Cabinet Mission Plan.
• It had no real control over the constitution making of the native states and the provinces, and it was subject to the final authority of the British Parliament.

Q. When was the Objective Resolution passed by the Constituent Assembly?  

Answer: The Objective Resolution was passed by the Constituent Assembly on January 22, 1947.

Q. Who were the prominent members of the Drafting Committee?  

Answer: The prominent members of the Drafting Committee were Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (Chairman), N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar, Alladi Krishnaswami Iyer, K.M. Munshi, T.T. Krishnamachari, Muhammad Saadullah, N. Madhav Rao, and D.P. Khaitan.

Q. How long did the Constituent Assembly take to frame the Constitution of the Indian Republic?  

Answer: The Constituent Assembly took two years, eleven months, and eight days to frame the Constitution of the Indian Republic.

Q. What were the main objectives of the Objective Resolution?  

Answer: The main objectives of the Objective Resolution were:

• To frame a democratic constitution for India.
• To provide safeguards for minorities, backward and tribal areas, and depressed and other classes.
• To ensure that India attains its rightful and honored place in the world.
• To make India’s full and willing contribution to the promotion of world peace and the welfare of mankind.

Q. Describe the process of adoption and inauguration of the Constitution.  

Answer: The Draft Constitution was published in the form of a book in February 1948, and an eight-month interval was allowed for its discussion across the country. The Constituent Assembly then discussed it thoroughly, clause by clause, during which 7635 amendments were tabled and 2473 were discussed. The Assembly held eleven sessions to frame the Constitution. The final session took place on January 24, 1950, when Dr. Rajendra Prasad was unanimously elected as the first President of the Indian Union. In an impressive ceremony, the members of the Constituent Assembly signed the embossed and illuminated copies of the Constitution. The Constitution came into force on the Republic Day, January 26, 1950, when Dr. Rajendra Prasad assumed the office of the President of the Indian Republic.

Q. How long did the Constituent Assembly debates continue for?  

Answer: The debates continued for about three years.

Q. How many sessions did the Constituent Assembly hold, and over how many days were they spread?  

Answer: The Constituent Assembly held eleven sessions, with sittings spread over 165 days from 9 December 1946 to 26 November 1949.

Q. What was the vision that Jawahar Lal Nehru outlined in the Objective Resolution?  

Answer: The vision Jawahar Lal Nehru outlined in the Objective Resolution was the vision of the constitution of the Indian sovereign republic.

Q. What was the primary concern of the nationalist leaders against separate electorate?  

Answer: The primary concern of the nationalist leaders against separate electorate was the difficulty in forging a strong, unified nation-state.

Q. Discuss the role of public opinion and the press in shaping the nature of the consensus reached on specific issues in the Constituent Assembly.  

Answer: Public opinion played a significant role in the Constituent Assembly debates. The deliberations were reported in newspapers, and the proposals were publicly debated. Criticisms and counter-criticisms in the press influenced the nature of the consensus that was ultimately reached on specific issues. To create a sense of collective participation, the public was also asked for submissions, which helped the assembly to consider various perspectives and reach a consensus.

Q. Explain the debate surrounding separate electorates versus joint electorates in the Constituent Assembly.  

Answer: The debate surrounding separate electorates versus joint electorates was centered on the representation of minorities in the political system. B. Pocker Bahadur, a member from Madras, argued for separate electorates, stating that minorities needed to be well represented within the political system for peace and harmony. However, some nationalist leaders were against separate electorates, believing that the British had introduced it to divide the people. They saw separate electorates as a poison that hindered the formation of a unified nation-state. Some Muslims, like Begum Afzal Rasul, also opposed separate electorates, stating that they isolated minorities from the majority and prevented them from actively participating in the democratic process.

Q. Describe the various conflicting views and demands expressed by different groups during the Constituent Assembly debates and how these views were reconciled.  

Answer: During the Constituent Assembly debates, the members expressed various conflicting views and demands, especially concerning the rights of oppressed groups and minorities. There was no collective answer to these questions, and a clash of opinions ensued. Jawahar Lal Nehru declared that the makers of the constitution had to “fulfil the passions that lie in the hearts of the masses.” The different groups expressed their will in different ways and made different demands.

One major debate involved separate electorates versus joint electorates for minority representation. Some members advocated for separate electorates to ensure minority representation, while others argued that separate electorates divided the nation and hindered the formation of a unified nation-state.

To reconcile these conflicting views, debates and discussions continued for about three years, involving eleven sessions with sittings spread over 165 days. In between sessions, the work of revising and refining the drafts was taken up by various committees and sub-committees. Public opinion and the press also played a significant role in shaping the nature of the consensus reached on specific issues. Through this extensive process, the Constituent Assembly was able to reconcile the conflicting views and demands, ultimately framing the constitution.

Q. What did Jaipal Singh, the representative of the tribals, say about the Objective Resolution and the need to protect tribes?  

Answer: Jaipal Singh welcomed the Objective Resolution and spoke eloquently on the need to protect the tribes and ensure conditions that could help them come up to the level of the general population. He didn’t ask for a separate electorate, but said that reservation of seats in legislatures was essential to allow the tribals to represent themselves.

Q. What measures did the Constituent Assembly recommend for the depressed castes?  

Answer: The Constituent Assembly recommended that untouchability be abolished, Hindu temples be thrown open to all castes, and seats in legislatures and government jobs be reserved for the lower castes.

Q. What were the concerns of K. Santhanam regarding the distribution of powers between the Centre and the States?  

Answer: K. Santhanam, a member from Madras, defended the rights of the states and expressed concerns that the proposed allocation of powers would cripple the states. He felt that the states were allocated the proceeds of a small number of taxes and without finance, they could not undertake any development projects. Santhanam added that the distribution of powers was adopted without much scrutiny and predicted that in a few years, all provinces would rise in revolt against the centre.

Q. What was Gandhiji’s view on the national language, and what was the reason behind his choice?  

Answer: Gandhiji believed that everyone should speak in a language that common people could easily understand. He thought Hindustani, a blend of Hindi and Urdu, was the most suitable as the national language because it was a popular language of a large section of people in India, enriched by the interaction of diverse cultures. He believed this multi-cultural language would be the ideal language of communication between different communities, unifying Hindus and Muslims, and the people of the North and the South.

Q. What was the compromise formula proposed by the Language Committee of the Constituent Assembly?  

Answer: The Language Committee of the Constituent Assembly proposed a compromise formula declaring that Hindi in Devnagri script would be the official language, but the transition to Hindi would be gradual. For the first fifteen years, English would continue to be used for all official purposes. Each province would be allowed to choose one of the regional languages for official work within the province.

Q. What were Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s views on the parliamentary form of government?  

Answer: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar believed that the chief merit of the parliamentary form of government lay in its ability to satisfy the essential test of a democratic executive, which was a combination of stability and responsibility. In India, where the poverty and illiteracy of the masses might well encourage the growth of executive despotism, responsibility was no less important than stability. According to Dr. Ambedkar, under the parliamentary system, there was a daily and periodic assessment of the responsibility of the government.

Q. How did Professor K.T. Shah describe the Directive Principles of State Policy in the Constituent Assembly Debates?  

Answer: Professor K.T. Shah described the Directive Principles of State Policy as “a cheque payable by the bank concerned at its convenience” (Constituent Assembly Debates Vol. VIII, Page 470).

Q. What was Dr. Ambedkar’s contention regarding the Directive Principles?  

Answer: Dr. Ambedkar contended that the Directive Principles were not just a parade of high-sounding principles. He said that it was the intention of the Assembly that in the future, both the legislature and the executive should not merely pay lip service to these principles but should make them the basis of all legislative and executive actions taken in the matter of governance of the country (Constituent Assembly Debates Vol VII, PP 494-95).

Q. What were the concerns about the emergency powers of the President in the Constituent Assembly Debates?  

Answer: While discussing the emergency powers of the President, even those members who defended the inclusion of emergency powers were not entirely happy about them. They were described as the very life of the Constitution and were regarded as necessary to safeguard the Constitution. However, it was generally realized that they did not quite harmonize with the democratic pattern laid out in the Constitution and were accepted as an evil in view of the special circumstances of the country (Constituent Assembly Debates, Vol. IX, Page 547).

29. Mention the two important features of the Indian Constitution that had substantial agreement among the Constituent Assembly members.  

Answer: The two important features of the Indian Constitution that had substantial agreement among the Constituent Assembly members were:

• The granting of the right to vote to every adult Indian.
• The emphasis on secularism, which was done through a series of Fundamental Rights given in Articles 25 to 28, Right to Freedom of religion, Articles 29-30 cultural and educational rights, and Articles 14, 16, 17, Right to Equality.

Extra/additional MCQs

1. When did India achieve independence?

A. 1945 B. 1946 C. 1947 D. 1948

Answer: C. 1947

2. Which two countries were formed after the partition of India?

A. India and Bangladesh B. India and Nepal C. India and Pakistan D. India and Bhutan

Answer: C. India and Pakistan

3. How many native states were to be integrated into the Indian Union?

A. 542 B. 250 C. 350 D. 600

Answer: A. 542

4. Which popular movement took place in 1942 against British rule in India?

A. Non-Cooperation Movement B. Civil Disobedience Movement C. Quit India Movement D. Swadeshi Movement

Answer: C. Quit India Movement

5. Who led the armed struggle with foreign aid against British rule in India?

A. Mahatma Gandhi B. Jawaharlal Nehru C. Subhash Chandra Bose D. Bhagat Singh

Answer: C. Subhash Chandra Bose

Q. In which year did the Indian National Congress officially adopt the demand for a Constituent Assembly?

A. 1930 B. 1932 C. 1934 D. 1936

Answer: C. 1934

Q. When did the British Prime Minister, Clement Attlee, admit the right of Indians to frame their own constitution?

A. 1944 B. 1945 C. 1946 D. 1947

Answer: C. 1946

Q. Under which plan was the Constituent Assembly set up in 1946?

A. Wavell Plan B. Cripps Mission C. Cabinet Mission Plan D. Mountbatten Plan

Answer: C. Cabinet Mission Plan

Q. How many months did it take for the mass movement of population between the East and West Punjab after the partition?

A. 2 months B. 4 months C. 6 months D. 8 months

Answer: B. 4 months

Q. What was the name of the mission in 1942 that contained a concrete proposal to set up a constitution-making body?

A. Cabinet Mission B. Cripps Mission C. Simon Commission D. Round Table Conference

Answer: B. Cripps Mission

Q. How many total members were in the Constituent Assembly?

A. 296 B. 350 C. 389 D. 410

Answer: C. 389

Q. How many seats were allotted to Indian states in the Constituent Assembly?

A. 50 B. 73 C. 93 D. 110

Answer: C. 93

Q. Who was the temporary chairman of the first session of the Constituent Assembly?

A. Dr. Rajendra Prasad B. Dr. Sachidanand Sinha C. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar D. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

Answer: B. Dr. Sachidanand Sinha

Q. Who was elected as the permanent Chairman of the Constituent Assembly on December 11, 1946?

A. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar B. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel C. Dr. Rajendra Prasad D. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

Answer: C. Dr. Rajendra Prasad

Q. When was the Objective Resolution passed?

A. December 13, 1946 B. January 22, 1947 C. August 29, 1947 D. November 3, 1947

Answer: B. January 22, 1947

Q. Who chaired the Drafting Committee?

A. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru B. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel C. Dr. Rajendra Prasad D. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

Answer: D. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

Q. When was the Draft Constitution published?

A. November 3, 1947 B. December 1947 C. February 1948 D. April 1948

Answer: C. February 1948

Q. How many amendments were tabled during the discussions on the Draft Constitution?

A. 2473 B. 4200 C. 6500 D. 7635

Answer: D. 7635

Q. When was Dr. Rajendra Prasad elected as the first President of the Indian Union?

A. January 24, 1950 B. January 26, 1950 C. February 1, 1950 D. February 15, 1950

Answer: A. January 24, 1950

Q. On which date did the Constitution of India come into force?

A. January 1, 1950 B. January 15, 1950 C. January 26, 1950 D. February 1, 1950

Answer: C. January 26, 1950

Q. When did the Constituent Assembly debates begin?

A. 9 December 1945 B. 9 December 1946 C. 26 November 1948 D. 26 November 1949

Answer: B. 9 December 1946

Q. How many sessions did the Constituent Assembly hold?

A. 8 B. 9 C. 10 D. 11

Answer: D. 11

Q. What percentage of the adult population had the right to vote under the Act of 1935?

A. 5-10% B. 10-15% C. 15-20% D. 20-25%

Answer: B. 10-15%

Q. Who was the interim administration headed by during the Constituent Assembly debates?

A. Mahatma Gandhi B. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel C. Jawahar Lal Nehru D. B.R. Ambedkar

Answer: C. Jawahar Lal Nehru

Q. What was the primary concern of the nationalist leaders against separate electorate?

A. Religious differences B. Economic disparities C. Divided loyalties D. Language barriers

Answer: C. Divided loyalties

Q. Which member from Madras made a powerful plea for continuing separate electorate?

A. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel B. B. Pocker Bahadur C. R.V. Dhulekar D. Begum Afzal Rasul

Answer: B. B. Pocker Bahadur

Q. Who declared separate electorate as a poison that entered the body politic of the country?

A. B. Pocker Bahadur B. R.V. Dhulekar C. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel D. Begum Afzal Rasul

Answer: C. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Q. Who argued against separate electorate, stating that they were self-destructive?

A. B. Pocker Bahadur B. R.V. Dhulekar C. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel D. Begum Afzal Rasul

Answer: D. Begum Afzal Rasul

Q. What did Jawahar Lal Nehru emphasize in response to the British government’s hand in the formation of the Constituent Assembly?

A. British intervention B. People’s strength C. Political alliances D. Economic interests

Answer: B. People’s strength

Q. Which reformer is not mentioned in the context of the struggle for democracy, justice, rights, and equality?

A. Swami Dayanand B. Vivekanand C. Jyotibha Phule D. Bhimrao Ambedkar

Answer: D. Bhimrao Ambedkar

Q. Who urged that only the Objective Resolution would not do much and that conditions must be created for constitutionally enshrined rights to be effectively enjoyed?

A. Mr. Ranga B. Jaipal Singh C. Mr. Nagappa D. Mr. K.J. Khanderkar

Answer: A. Mr. Ranga

Q. What did Jaipal Singh ask for instead of a separate electorate for tribals?

A. Abolition of untouchability B. Reservation of seats C. Access to education D. More taxes

Answer: B. Reservation of seats

Q. What percentage of the total population did depressed classes form, according to Mr. Nagappa?

A. 10-15% B. 20-25% C. 30-35% D. 40-45%

Answer: B. 20-25%

Q. Which language did Gandhiji believe was the most suitable as the national language?

A. Hindi B. Urdu C. Hindustani D. Sanskrit

Answer: C. Hindustani

Q. For how many years would English continue to be used for all official purposes according to the Language Committee’s compromise formula?

A. 5 years B. 10 years C. 15 years D. 20 years

Answer: C. 15 years

Q. In which script would Hindi be declared the official language, as per the compromise formula proposed by the Language Committee?

A. Roman B. Devnagri C. Arabic D. Gurmukhi

Answer: B. Devnagri

Q. What did Dr. B.R. Ambedkar say was the chief merit of the parliamentary form of government?

A. Stability B. Responsibility C. Combination of stability and responsibility D. Flexibility

Answer: C. Combination of stability and responsibility

Q. According to the draft constitution, which list of subjects was to be the preserve of the Central Government?

A. Union List B. State List C. Concurrent List D. Exclusive List

Answer: A. Union List

Q. What did Article 356 of the Constitution provide the Central Government with the power to do?

A. Amend the Constitution B. Tax the states C. Take over state administration D. Control regional languages

Answer: C. Take over state administration

Q. Whose fears needed to be allayed according to A. Ramalingam Chatterji?

A. Depressed classes B. Tribals C. Hindi speakers D. People of the South

Answer: D. People of the South

Q. According to Professor K.T. Shah, the Directive Principles of State Policy can be compared to:

A. A bank deposit B. A legal obligation C. A cheque D. A bank loan

Answer: C. A cheque

Q. What term did Dr. Ambedkar use to describe the Directive Principles in the Constituent Assembly Debates?

A. Moral precepts B. High-sounding principles C. New year resolutions D. Legal obligations

Answer: B. High-sounding principles

Q. What did the members of the Constituent Assembly describe the emergency powers of the President as?

A. A necessary evil B. Undemocratic C. Life of the Constitution D. A and C

Answer: D. A and C

Q. Which articles in the Indian Constitution focus on the Right to Freedom of Religion?

A. Articles 25-28 B. Articles 29-30 C. Articles 14-16 D. Articles 17-20

Answer: A. Articles 25-28

Q. Which articles in the Indian Constitution focus on Cultural and Educational Rights?

A. Articles 17-20 B. Articles 29-30 C. Articles 14-16 D. Articles 25-28

Answer: B. Articles 29-30

Q. In the Indian Constitution, who is considered the source of all authority?

A. The President B. The Parliament C. The people D. The judiciary

Answer: C. The people

Q. What is the minimum age for voting in India according to the Constitution?

A. 16 years B. 18 years C. 21 years D. 25 years

Answer: B. 18 years

Q. Which type of government does the Indian Constitution establish?

A. Monarchy B. Republic C. Theocracy D. Aristocracy

Answer: B. Republic

Q. What does the Indian Constitution aim to promote regarding the country’s diverse population?

A. Disintegration B. Division C. National integration D. Fragmentation

Answer: C. National integration

50. Who was the main architect of the Indian Constitution?

A. Dr. Rajendra Prasad B. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru C. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar D. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Answer: C. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar