NCERT Solutions For Class 11 Political Science Chapter 10 The Philosophy of the Constitution - 2025-26

1. The following are certain laws. Are they connected with any value? If yes, then what is the underlying value? Give reasons.

1. Both daughters and sons will have share in the family property.
   
   

2. There will be different slabs of sales tax on different consumer items.
   
   

3. Religious instructions will not be given in any government school.
   
   

4. There shall be no begar or forced labour.
   
   

Answer:

1. Yes, this law is connected to the value of equality. It ensures gender justice by giving both sons and daughters equal rights to family property.
   
   

2. No, this law is related to economic policy and not directly connected with any value such as equality or justice.
   
   

3. Yes, it is related to the value of secularism. By not imparting religious instruction in government schools, the state ensures neutrality towards all religions.
   
   

4. Yes, this law is connected to the value of freedom and human dignity. It protects people from exploitation by prohibiting begar or forced labour.

2. Which of the options given below cannot be used to complete the following statement?

Democratic countries need a constitution to:

1. Check the power of the government.
   
   

2. Protect minorities from majority.
   
   

3. Bring independence from colonial rule.
   
   

4. Ensure that a long-term vision is not lost by momentary passions.
   
   

5. Bring social change in peaceful manner.
   
   

Answer: (iii) Bring independence from colonial rule.

A constitution is not required for independence from colonial rule but to establish the framework for governance after independence.

3. The following are different positions about reading and understanding Constituent Assembly debates.

1. Which of these statements argues that Constituent Assembly debates are relevant even today? Which statement says that they are not relevant?
   
   

2. With which of these positions do you agree and why?
   
   

1. Common people are too busy in earning livelihood and meeting different pressures of life. They can’t understand the legal language of these debates.
   
   

2. The conditions and challenges today are different from the time when the Constitution was made. To read the ideas of Constitution makers and use them for our new times is trying to bring past in the present.
   
   

3. Our ways of understanding the world and the present challenges have not changed totally. Constituent Assembly debates can provide us reasons why certain practices are important. In a period when constitutional practices are being challenged, not knowing the reasons can destroy them.
   
   

Answer:

• Relevant even today: Statement (c) argues that the debates are still relevant.
  
  

• Not relevant: Statement (b) suggests they are not relevant today.
  
  

• Own position: I agree with (c) because understanding the debates helps connect constitutional values to contemporary issues and helps preserve the underlying principles of our democracy.

4. Explain the difference between the Indian Constitution and western ideas in the light of:

1. Understanding of secularism.
   
   

2. Articles 370 and 371.
   
   

3. Affirmative action.
   
   

4. Universal adult franchise.
   
   

Answer:

1. Western secularism focuses on strict separation between state and religion (mutual exclusion), whereas Indian secularism aims at equal respect for all religions with state intervention for social reform where necessary ("principled distance").
   
   

2. Western federalism generally maintains symmetry among federating units (like the USA), but Articles 370 and 371 allow for asymmetrical federalism in India, granting special status to certain states for unique historical and cultural reasons.
   
   

3. Affirmative action in the West (like the USA) generally came much later. In India, affirmative action (reservation for SCs/STs) was instituted within the Constitution to address historical injustices from the beginning.
   
   

4. India adopted universal adult franchise from its inception, granting the right to vote to all adults regardless of gender or caste, while many Western countries extended voting rights to women and marginalized groups much later.

5. Which of the following principles of secularism are adopted in the Constitution of India?

1. that state will have nothing to do with religion
   
   

2. that state will have close relation with religion
   
   

3. that state can discriminate among religions
   
   

4. that state will recognise rights of religious groups
   
   

5. that state will have limited powers to intervene in affairs of religions
   
   

Answer:

4. that state will recognise rights of religious groups
   
   

5. that state will have limited powers to intervene in affairs of religions

6. Match the following.

Answer:

7. This discussion was taking place in a class. Read the various arguments and state which of these do you agree with and why.

Jayesh: I still think that our Constitution is only a borrowed document.

Saba: Do you mean to say that there is nothing Indian in it? But is there such a thing as Indian and western in the case of values and ideas? Take equality between men and women. What is western about it? And even if it is, should we reject it only because it is western?

Jayesh: What I mean is that after fighting for independence from the British, did we not adopt their system of parliamentary government?

Neha: You forget that when we fought the British, we were not against the British as such, we were against the principle of colonialism. That has nothing to do with adopting a system of government that we wanted, wherever it came from.

Answer: I agree with Saba and Neha. Values like equality are universal, and the Constitution adapted global principles to India's context. Borrowing beneficial aspects from other constitutions is wise if they suit our needs and aspirations; it doesn't make the Constitution any less Indian.

8. Why is it said that the making of the Indian Constitution was unrepresentative? Does that make the Constitution unrepresentative? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer: The Constituent Assembly was formed through indirect election by limited franchise, so it did not represent all sections of Indian society. However, the Assembly included diverse groups and reflected a wide range of opinions and interests. Thorough debates ensured the Constitution was inclusive and represented the aspirations of the people.

9. One of the limitations of the Constitution of India is that it does not adequately attend to gender justice. What evidence can you give to substantiate this charge? If you were writing the Constitution today, what provisions would you recommend for remedying this limitation?

Answer: Evidence includes women’s unequal rights regarding family property and inheritance and the absence of gender justice provisions in many personal laws. If rewriting, I would ensure equal rights in succession, inheritance, marriage, and property, and include gender equality as a Fundamental Right with clear, enforceable gender justice clauses.

10. Do you agree with the statement that “it is not clear why in a poor developing country, certain basic socio-economic rights were relegated to the section on Directive Principles rather than made an integral feature of our Fundamental Rights”? Give reasons for your answer. What do you think are the possible reasons for putting socio-economic rights in the section on Directive Principles?

Answer: Yes, in a poor country, making socio-economic rights justiciable was difficult due to limited resources. They were placed in Directive Principles to guide policy but not enforceable in court. The possible reason: the state could not guarantee socio-economic rights immediately and needed flexibility to implement them progressively.

11. How did your school celebrate the Constitution Day on November 26th?

Answer: (Sample answer) Our school celebrated Constitution Day by conducting special assemblies, reading the Preamble, organising essay and quiz competitions on constitutional values, and holding debates on the significance of the Constitution in everyday life.

Class 11 Political Science Chapter 10 – Understanding the Philosophy of the Constitution

The chapter The Philosophy Of The Constitution explores the core values, including equality, justice, and freedom, that shape the Indian Constitution. By studying this chapter, students can easily understand how our Constitution balances individual rights with social responsibilities.

Focus on the main features like secularism, diversity, and democracy in India. These topics are frequently asked in exams, so reviewing them with NCERT solutions ensures better clarity and boosts your confidence for the Political Science exam.

Practice the exercise-based questions and answers regularly to master key concepts for your CBSE exams. Prioritising important keywords will help you score high and strengthen your foundation in Class 11 Political Science.