NCERT Revision notes for class 8 Civics The Indian constitution

Need for a constitution in a country:

A country needs constitution because of the following reasons:

1. A constitution protects the citizen of a country against any exploitation.
2. It tells about the form of political system in a country.
3. It lays the set of rules and laws to run the country smoothly.
4. It limits the power of elected representative and government so that they don’t misuse their powers.
5. It provides certain fundamental rights to all citizens and protects it.

Main features of Indian constitution

Following are the main features of Indian constitution

1. Federalism
2. Parliamentary form of government
3. Separation of powers
4. Fundamental rights
5. Secularism

Federalism

It means that a democratic country must have multi level of government. In India, there are three level of government, which are:

1. Central government
2. State government
3. Village government (Panchayati raj)

Parliamentary form of government

The people of India choose their representative by means of voting. Every citizen of India older than 18 years has the right to vote irrespective of his or her gender, caste or religion.

Separation of powers

In India, the power is not concentrated in a handful of people rather it is distributed among three organs that are:

1. Legislature
2. Executive
3. Judiciary

Legislature means our representatives who make the laws for the country.

Executive are the people who implement the law in the country.

Judiciary gives punishment to those who break the laws of the country. The Judiciary system includes court, which are supreme court, high court, and district court.

Fundamental rights

Indian constitution gives fundamental rights to every citizen born in the country. These fundamental rights are as follows:

1. Right to equality
2. Right to freedom
3. Right against exploitation
4. Right to freedom of religion
5. Cultural and educational rights
6. Right to constitutional remedies

Right to equality

This means that every citizen whether he is president or a common man, are equal before law. The law is same for every citizen.

Right to freedom

This means that every citizen is free to move in the country, free to put his or her expression in front of others and can adopt any profession and occupation.

Right against exploitation

This means that nobody can violate the fundamental right of other person. It also protects people against certain exploitation such as child labor and human trafficking.

 Right to freedom of religion

People of the country are free to choose their religion on their will.

Cultural and educational rights

It allows every minorities or religious to run their own educational institute and develop their culture.

Rights to constitutional remedies

If state violates the fundamental right of a citizen, he or she may go to the court for justice.

Secularism

This means that state cannot officially promote a particular religion in the country. Every citizen is free to follow their religious practices and state will not interfere in it.

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