WBBSE Chapter 9 Constitution Of India: Democratic Structure And Citizen’s Rights Salient Points Introduction
1. Constitution of India:
India became independent on August 15, 1947. A Constituent Assembly was formed on December 9, 1946, to draft the Constitution of independent India.
After a discussion of almost three years, the draft was accepted in the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949. It came into force on January 26, 1950.
The original draft contained one preamble, 39 articles, and 8 schedules. After repeated amendments, it now has 407 articles, many sub-articles, and 12 schedules.
2. Republic Day:
January 26, 1950, was declared as the Republic Day of India. It was on this day that the Constitution came into force.
On this day India ceremonially became a sovereign, democratic state. So it is a very important day for the Indians and every year it is celebrated as Republic Day.
Important Definitions Related to the Indian Constitution
3. Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act:
In society, women often fall prey to deprivation and torture. So the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act was passed in 2005 to protect women.
By this law, women can appeal to the judicial magistrate for protection in case of torture or assault. They can also appeal to the District Protection Officer. In this case, the mentally and financially oppressed women can avail themselves of free legal aid.
Read and Learn More WBBSE Class 8 History Notes
4. Right to Freedom of Religion:
The present Indian Constitution contains six fundamental rights of which the Right to Freedom of Religion is an important one. This right is contained in Articles 25 to 28 of the Constitution.
According to Article 26, every religious community can carry its religious rituals and practices within the fold of its religion, and acquire and use movable and immovable properties.
According to Article 27, no person can be compelled to pay tax for the maintenance, supervision, or spread of any particular religion or religious community.
According to Article 28, no religious lessons or subjects can be taught in governmental educational institutions. However, private institutions don’t need to follow this.
5. Impeachment:
Impeachment is the process by which the President of India is removed from the post before the completion of a tenure of five years on a charge of violating the Constitution.
The written approval of two-thirds of the total members of Lok Sabha and Raj Sabha is necessary for the impeachment of a President.
WBBSE Class 8 Constitution of India Notes
6. Directive Principles:
Articles 36 to 51 in Part IV of the Constitution contain some principles instructing the government regarding the administration of the state.
These are called Directive Principles of State policy. Initially, there were 13 such principles but now there are 17. Some of them are
- Right to work
- old age allowance,
- implementation of free compulsory education
- protection of the interests of the backward classes.
The main objective of these principles is to convert India into a public welfare state. Some people say that the main objective is to proceed toward the formation of a socialist state.
Understanding the Indian Constitution
7. Local Self-Government System:
The responsibility of administration can be decentralized through the local self-government system. It paves the way for individual development.
In India, there are two types of local self-government rural and municipal. In the villages, Gram Panchayat is the lowest unit of local self-government.
It is supervised by Panchayat Samity which is again supervised by Zilla Parishad. In the cities, the unit for local self-administration is the municipal corporation.
Key Features of the Indian Constitution Notes
7. Mandal Commission:
According to Article 380, the President can appoint a commission for the development of backward classes.
In 1978 a commission was appointed for the development of OBC people named Mandal Commission as its chairman was Shri Vindeshwari Prasad Mandal.
On the recommendation of this Commission, the government declared a reservation of 27% for the people of Other Backward Classes (OBC).