NCERT Solutions For Class 11 Political Science Chapter 2 Rights in the Indian Constitution - 2025-26

1. Write true or false against each of these statements:

• A Bill of Rights lays down the rights enjoyed by the people of a country.
• A Bill of Rights protects the liberties of an individual.
• Every country of the world has a Bill of Rights.
• The Constitution guarantees remedy against violation of Rights.

• Answer:
• True
• True
• False
• True

2. Which of the following is the best description of Fundamental Rights?

1. All the rights an individual should have.
2. All the rights given to citizens by law.
3. The rights given and protected by the Constitution.
4. The rights given by the Constitution that cannot ever be restricted.

Answer: (c) The rights given and protected by the Constitution.

3. Read the following situations. Which Fundamental Right is being used or violated in each case and how?

• Overweight male cabin crew are allowed to get promotion but women are penalised for weight gain.
• A director makes a documentary film that criticises government policies.
• People displaced by a dam take out a rally demanding rehabilitation.
• Andhra society runs Telugu medium schools outside Andhra Pradesh.

• Answer:
• This violates the Right to Equality as there is discrimination based on gender.
• This exercises the Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression.
• This exercises the Right to Freedom – right to assemble peacefully and protest.
• This is the exercise of Cultural and Educational Rights by a linguistic minority.

4. Which of the following is a correct interpretation of the Cultural and Educational Rights?

1. Only children belonging to the minority group that has opened educational institution can study there.
2. Government schools must ensure that children of the minority group will be introduced to their belief and culture.
3. Linguistic and religious minorities can open schools for their children and keep it reserved for them.
4. Linguistic and religious minorities can demand that their children must not study in any educational institution except those managed by their own community.

Answer: (c) Linguistic and religious minorities can open schools for their children and keep it reserved for them.

5. Which of the following is a violation of Fundamental Rights and why?

• Not paying minimum wages
• Banning of a book
• Banning of loudspeakers after 9 pm.
• Making a speech

• Answer:
• Not paying minimum wages – Violation of Right against Exploitation, as every worker is entitled to minimum wages.
• Banning of a book – Can be a violation of the Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression if it is unreasonable.
• Banning of loudspeakers after 9 pm – Not a violation, as reasonable restrictions can be imposed for public health and order.
• Making a speech – Not a violation; it is the exercise of the Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression.

6. An activist working among the poor says that the poor don’t need Fundamental Rights. What they need are Directive Principles to be made legally binding. Do you agree with this? Give your reasons.

Answer:
It is true that the poorest sections of society primarily need essentials like food, clothing, and shelter. In this sense, the activist is partly right because many Directive Principles directly address such basic needs. These include:

• Right to adequate livelihood
  
  

• Equal pay for equal work
  
  

• Protection against economic exploitation
  
  

• Right to work
  
  

However, we cannot ignore the importance of Fundamental Rights. They provide crucial protections such as the Right to Life, Right to Equality, and safeguards against exploitation. These rights ensure dignity and legal support, which are necessary for the effective implementation of Directive Principles. Therefore, both Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles are essential for improving the lives of the poor.

7. Several reports show that caste groups previously associated with scavenging are forced to continue in this job. Those in positions of authority refuse to give them any other job. Their children are discouraged from pursuing education. Which of their Fundamental Rights are being violated in this instance?

Answer:
In this situation, several Fundamental Rights are being violated:

• Right to Freedom: Their freedom to choose a profession is denied when they are forced to continue in the same occupation and are refused alternative jobs.
  
  

• Cultural and Educational Rights: When children are discouraged from pursuing education, their right to access educational opportunities in government and aided institutions is violated.
  
  

• Right to Equality: Untouchability and caste-based discrimination are abolished under the Constitution. Denial of equal job opportunities based on caste violates this right.
  
  

8. A petition by a human rights group drew attention of the court to the condition of starvation and hunger in the country. Over five crore tonnes of food grains was stored in the godowns of the Food Corporation of India. Research shows that a large number of ration cardholders do not know about the quantity of food grains they can purchase from fair price shops. It requested the court to order the government to improve its public distribution system.

(a) Which different rights does this case involve? How are these rights interlinked?

(b) Should these rights form part of the right to life?

Answer:

(a) This case involves multiple Fundamental Rights, including:

• Right to Equality: All citizens must receive equal protection under the law, but many ration cardholders are unaware of their entitlements.
  
  

• Right against Exploitation: Lack of information allows ration shop owners to exploit people by denying them their rightful share.
  
  

• Right to Life: Access to food is essential for survival, and ignorance of distribution rights may lead to starvation.
  
  

• Right to Constitutional Remedies: The human rights group’s petition to the court reflects this right, which allows citizens to seek legal help when their fundamental rights are violated.
  
  

All these rights are closely connected because they collectively ensure that people live with dignity and have access to essential resources like food.

(b) Yes, these rights should certainly be considered part of the Right to Life. Without adequate food and fair access to public resources, the constitutional guarantee of life and dignity becomes meaningless.

9. Read the statement by Somnath Lahiri in the Constituent Assembly quoted in this chapter. Do you agree with him? If yes, give instances to prove it. If not, give arguments against his position.

Answer:
After reading Somnath Lahiri’s statement, it is reasonable to agree with his views. Fundamental Rights operate within a framework where law and order are maintained — much like a police officer’s role in preventing unlawful activities. Most rights are enforced after violations occur, through remedies provided by the courts.

However, there are several socio-economic rights — such as:

• Right to adequate livelihood
  
  

• Equal pay for equal work
  
  

• Right to work
  
  

• Right against economic exploitation
  
  

— that are crucial for a dignified life. Lahiri’s point highlights the need to include such substantive rights as Fundamental Rights so that they become enforceable and not merely directive goals.

10. Which of the Fundamental Rights is in your opinion the most important right? Summarise its provisions and give arguments to show why it is most important.

Answer:
In my view, the Right to Constitutional Remedies is the most vital Fundamental Right. It is often referred to as the “heart and soul” of the Constitution because it enables citizens to approach the Supreme Court or High Courts if any of their Fundamental Rights are violated.

The courts can issue various writs to protect these rights, including:

• Habeas Corpus – to release an unlawfully detained person
  
  

• Mandamus – to compel a public authority to perform its duty
  
  

• Prohibition – to prevent a lower court from exceeding its jurisdiction
  
  

• Quo Warranto – to question the legality of a public office holder’s position
  
  

• Certiorari – to transfer a case from a lower court for review
  
  

Without this right, other Fundamental Rights would be ineffective, as citizens would have no legal means to enforce them. It ensures accountability, protection, and the actual implementation of all other rights.

Key Concepts of Rights in the Indian Constitution

Understanding Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution is crucial for every student of Political Science. Focusing on the core provisions, like Right to Equality and Right to Freedom, forms the foundation for both learning and effective exam preparation.

Mastering this chapter from the NCERT Solutions Class 11 Political Science Chapter 2 Rights in the Indian Constitution 2025-26 helps students logically organise answers and excel in CBSE board exams. Focus on the differences between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles to boost your scores.

Practice answering exercise questions and revise definitions of key terms like Right to Constitutional Remedies. This strategy will reinforce your understanding and ensure you attempt all questions with clarity in the board exams.

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