NCERT Solutions For Class 8 Political Science Chapter-1 The Constitution

NCERT Solutions For Class 8 Political Science Chapter 1 The Constitution This article includes free NCERT Solutions For Class 8 Political Science Chapter 1 The Constitution to help students of Class 8 learn the solutions and ace their exams.

It has been developed by the subject matter experts at GFG, according to the latest CBSE Syllabus 2023-24, and guidelines to help the students of Class 8 create a solid conceptual base for Class 8 History Chapter 1 The Constitution.

The solutions to all the exercises in Class 8 Political Science Chapter 1 The Constitution of your NCERT textbook, have been collectively covered in NCERT Solutions Class 8 Political Science.

NCERT Solutions For Class 8 Political Science Chapter-1 The Constitution

NCERT Solutions Class 8 Political Science Chapter 1: The Constitution

Exercise Page No. 16

1. Why does a democratic country need a Constitution?

A constitution is the basic principles and laws of a nation, state, or social group that determine the powers and duties of the government and guarantee certain rights to the people in it. A democratic country needs a constitution for several reasons, including:

• Defines the political system: A constitution establishes the nature of a country’s political system.
• Prevents misuse of authority: A constitution establishes rules that prevent political leaders from misusing their power.
• Prevents discrimination: A constitution ensures that the majority group does not discriminate against minorities.
• Protects the rights of lesser privileged citizens: A constitution protects the rights of lesser privileged citizens in the state.
• Checks the power abuse by the political rulers: A constitution checks the power abuse by the political rulers.
• Helps serve as a set of rules and principles: A constitution helps serve as a set of rules and principles that all persons in a country can agree upon as the basis of the way in which they want the country to be governed.

2. Look at the wordings of the two documents given below. The first column is from the 1990 Nepal Constitution. The second column is from the more recent Constitution of Nepal.

1990 Constitution of Nepal 2015 Constitution of Nepal Part 7: Executive	2015 Constitution of Nepal Part 7: Executive Part 7: Federal Executive
Article 35: Executive Power: The executive power of the Kingdom of Nepal shall be vested in His Majesty and the Council of Ministers.	Article 75: Executive Power: The executive power of Nepal shall pursuant to this Constitution and law, be vested in the Council of Ministers.

What is the difference in who exercises ‘Executive Power’ in the above two Constitutions of Nepal?

Answer:

From the comparison, we can see that the 1990 Constitution of Nepal mentions the executive power being vested in “His Majesty and the Council of Ministers,” indicating a monarchical system of governance. On the other hand, the 2015 Constitution of Nepal states that the executive power is vested in the “Council of Ministers,” reflecting a shift to a more democratic system of governance, without the mention of a monarch. Additionally, the 2015 Constitution specifies that the executive power is vested pursuant to the Constitution and the law, emphasizing the legal basis for the exercise of executive authority.

Constitution	Executive Power
1990 Constitution	His Majesty and the Council of Ministers
2015 Constitution	Council of Ministers

3. What would happen if there were no restrictions on the power of elected representatives?

Answer:

If there were no restrictions on the power of elected representatives, than the following consequences can take place:

1. Abuse of Power: Elected representatives might misuse their authority for personal gain or to maintain their positions of power, potentially leading to corruption, nepotism, and favoritism.
2. Violation of Rights: Without restrictions, elected representatives could infringe upon the rights and freedoms of citizens. It will undermine the democratic principles and can lead to oppression or discrimination against certain groups.
3. Lack of Accountability: Without checks and balances, elected representatives might not be held accountable for their actions, as there would be no mechanisms in place to ensure transparency, oversight, or consequences for misconduct.
4. Dictatorship or Tyranny: Unrestricted power could result in the emergence of authoritarian regimes, where elected representatives consolidate power and suppress dissent, eroding democratic values and institutions.
5. Instability and Conflict: Concentrated power without constraints could lead to societal unrest, protests, or even civil conflict.
6. Economic Mismanagement: Unrestrained power could result in poor economic decision-making, such as reckless spending, unsustainable policies, or failure to address critical issues, leading to economic instability.
7. Loss of Public Trust: Over time, the lack of restrictions on power could lead to a loss of public trust in the government and democratic institutions, undermining the legitimacy of elected representatives and the democratic process itself.

4. In each of the following situations, identify the minority. Write one reason why you think it is important to respect the views of the minority in each of these situations.

(a) In a school with 30 teachers, 20 of them are male.

Answer:

One reason why it is important to respect the views of the minority, in this case, the female teachers, is:

• Diversity of Perspectives: Respecting the views of the minority ensures that a diverse range of perspectives and experiences are considered. Female teachers may bring unique insights, approaches, and concerns to discussions and decision-making processes that differ from those of their male counterparts. By valuing their perspectives, schools can prommote inclusivity and create a more welcoming environment where all individuals feel respected and empowered to contribute to the collective goals of the institution.

(b) In a city, 5 per cent of the population are Buddhists.

Answer:

One reason why it is important to respect the views of the minority, in this case, the Buddhists, is:

• Protection of Religious Freedom: Respecting the views of the minority ensures the protection of religious freedom, which is a fundamental human right. All individuals, regardless of their religious beliefs, should have the right to practice their faith without fear of discrimination or persecution. By acknowledging and respecting the beliefs and practices of Buddhists, society demonstrates a commitment to religious tolerance and pluralism, contributing to a more harmonious and inclusive community where individuals of diverse backgrounds can coexist peacefully.

(c) In a factory mess for all employees, 80 per cent are vegetarians.

Answer:

One reason why it is important to respect the views of the minority, in this case, the non-vegetarians, is:

• Respect for Dietary Preferences: Respecting the dietary preferences of the minority ensures that all employees are accommodated and included in the workplace environment. Non-vegetarians may have specific dietary requirements or preferences that differ from those of their vegetarian colleagues. By acknowledging and respecting the dietary choices of non-vegetarians, the factory promotes inclusivity and fairness. It is creating a workplace where all employees feel valued thus providing a positive and supportive work culture.

(d) In a class of 50 students, 40 belong to more well-off families.

Answer:

One reason why it is important to respect the views of the minority, in this case, the students from less well-off families, is:

• Equitable Representation: Respecting the views of the minority ensures that all voices are heard and considered, regardless of socioeconomic status. Students from less well-off families may have unique perspectives, challenges, and needs that differ from those of their more well-off peers. By valuing their viewpoints, the class can provide inclusivity and fairness. It will create an environment where all students feel represented and supported. This promotes a sense of belonging and equity within the classroom, enhancing the overall educational experience for everyone.

5. The column on the left lists some of the key features of the Indian Constitution. In the other column write two sentences, in your own words, on why you think this feature is important:

Key Feature	Significance
Federalism
Separation of Powers
Fundamental Rights
Parliamentary Form of Government

Answer:

Key Feature	Significance
Federalism	Federalism involves two or more levels of government, each with its own jurisdiction. Each level of government governs the same citizens, but each has its own jurisdiction for specific matters.
Separation of Powers	The Indian Constitution provides for the separation of powers between the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary. The separation of powers prevents the concentration of power in any single branch of government, ensuring a system of checks and balances that safeguards against abuse of authority and promotes accountability.
Fundamental Rights	Fundamental rights guarantee freedoms and protections to all citizens, safeguarding against government overreach and ensuring the dignity, equality, and liberty of individuals. Upholding fundamental rights provides a just and equitable society, where citizens can exercise their rights without fear of discrimination or oppression, thus strengthening the democracy.
Parliamentary Form of Government	The Indian government is a parliamentary form of government, which means that the executive is responsible to the legislature. The head of government is called the prime minister and is elected by the parliament, not the people. The prime minister does not have a fixed term and can be recalled by the legislature at any time.

6. Write down the names of the Indian States, which share borders with the following neighbouring nations:

(a) Bangladesh

(b) Bhutan

(c) Nepal

Answer:

The Indian states that share borders with the neighboring nations are:

(a) Bangladesh

• West Bengal
• Assam
• Meghalaya
• Tripura
• Mizoram

(b) Bhutan

• Assam
• Arunachal Pradesh
• Sikkim
• West Bengal

(c) Nepal

• Uttarakhand
• Uttar Pradesh
• Bihar
• Sikkim
• West Bengal

Important Topics Discussed in the Chapter

Important topics discussed in the chapter are:

• Philosophy of the Indian Constitution
• Constitution of India
• Salient Features of Indian Constitution
• Parts of the Indian Constitution
• Basic Structure Doctrine of Indian Constitution
• Making of the Indian Constitution: Constituent Assembly

FAQs on NCERT Solutions For Class 8 Political Science Chapter 1 The Constitution

What is the significance of Chapter 1 in Class 8 political Science?

Chapter 1 introduces students to the fundamentals of Indian constitution, prliamentary form of government, fundamental rights, citizenship, providing the groundwork for understanding the functioning of government.

What are the important topics discussed in the chapter?

Important topics discussed in the chapter are:

• Philosophy of the Indian Constitution
• Constitution of India
• Salient Features of Indian Constitution
• Parts of the Indian Constitution
• Basic Structure Doctrine of Indian Constitution
• Making of the Indian Constitution: Constituent Assembly

How do NCERT Solutions help in understanding Chapter 1 concepts?

NCERT Solutions provide comprehensive explanations, examples, and exercises to help students grasp the concepts of political science introduced in Chapter 1 effectively.

Where can I find the correct NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Political Science Chapter 1 on the online platform?

The NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Political Science Chapter 1 can be found by the students on the GeeksforGeeks website. The NCERT Solutions are one of th best study materials which are available for students for free and students can rely on them for examination purposes.