NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Social Science (Exploring Society) Chapter 10: The Constitution of India — An Introduction

These Class 7 Social Science Exploring Society Chapter 10 solutions cover The Constitution of India — An Introduction from Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 1), the new NCF-2023 textbook for the 2026–27 session. The chapter belongs to the theme Governance and Democracy and explains what a constitution is and why a country needs one, how the Indian Constitution was prepared by the Constituent Assembly, how the freedom struggle and India’s civilisational heritage shaped it, and the key features that keep it relevant even after more than seventy years. Below you get step-by-step answers to all Questions and activities, clear notes on key terms, extra practice, MCQs, Assertion–Reason and FAQs.

Class: 7 Subject: Social Science Book: Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 1) Chapter: 10 Theme: Governance and Democracy Session: 2026–27
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Class 7 Social Science Exploring Society Chapter 10 – Overview

Chapter 10, The Constitution of India — An Introduction, explains that a constitution is a document that spells out a nation’s basic principles and laws — the framework of the three organs of government (legislature, executive and judiciary), the checks and balances between them, the rights and duties of citizens, and the long-term goals of the nation. Just as a game needs a rulebook everyone agrees to follow, a country needs a constitution. India’s Constitution was written by the Constituent Assembly (formed on 9 December 1946) over almost three years; it was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into effect on 26 January 1950, celebrated as Republic Day. The chapter shows how the freedom struggle, India’s civilisational heritage and useful learnings from other countries’ constitutions shaped it; describes its key features — Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties and the Directive Principles of State Policy; explains why it is a living document that can be amended; and ends with the values of the Preamble — Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic, and the goals of Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.

Key Concepts & Terms

Constitution: a document that spells out a nation’s basic principles and laws — the framework and roles of the three organs of government, the checks and balances between them, the rights and duties of citizens, and the long-term goals of the nation. It is something like a ‘rulebook’ for the country.

Three organs of government: the legislature (makes laws), the executive (implements laws, headed by the prime minister) and the judiciary (ensures laws follow the Constitution and decides disputes). The ‘separation of powers’ keeps them effective.

Constituent Assembly: the body that wrote the Constitution. Formed on 9 December 1946 with 389 members (later 299 after Partition), of which 15 were women. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was its Chairman.

Drafting Committee: the committee that prepared the initial text of the Constitution, chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the first Law and Justice minister of independent India.

Important dates: adopted on 26 November 1949; came into effect on 26 January 1950 (Republic Day).

Fundamental Rights: promises that must be kept — if someone is treated unfairly, a citizen can go to court (e.g. Right to Equality, Right to Freedom, Right against Exploitation, Right to Education).

Fundamental Duties: duties of citizens towards the country, such as respecting the Constitution, the National Flag and National Anthem, protecting the environment and valuing our composite culture. They were added as Part IV-A in 1976.

Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP): goals and guidelines the government should try to achieve (welfare, social and economic justice, environment protection), but which cannot be demanded in court like rights.

Living document: the Constitution can be improved through amendments, which are rigorously debated in Parliament (e.g. the 73rd Amendment of 1992 added the Panchayati Raj System).

Preamble: the opening statement that carries the Constitution’s guiding values — Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic and the goals of Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. (‘Socialist’ and ‘Secular’ were added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976.)

Other facts: the Constitution of India is the world’s largest written constitution (today 25 parts and 12 schedules; 22 parts and 8 schedules in 1950). Its text was handwritten by calligrapher Prem Behari Narain Raizada and illustrated by Nandalal Bose and his team. India provided universal adult franchise from the very beginning.

“Questions and activities” — Full Solutions

All questions below are reproduced verbatim from the NCERT textbook’s end-of-chapter Questions and activities section. Answers are original, written in exam-ready style.

1. “The Constituent Assembly had representatives from diverse backgrounds in India.” Why do you think it was important to have a diverse set of representatives from all over India?

ANSWER India is a very large country with great diversity of regions, religions, languages, professions and social groups. A constitution written for such a country must work for everyone, so the people who wrote it had to understand the needs and viewpoints of all sections of society. Because the Constituent Assembly had members from India’s diverse regions, professions and social groups — including 15 women — the concerns of different communities could be discussed and respected. This made the Constitution fair, inclusive and acceptable to all. A diverse assembly also reflected the unity-in-diversity that India stands for. It helped ensure that no group felt left out, and that values like equality, justice and fraternity were truly meant for every citizen of the country.

2. Read the statements below carefully and identify which key features / values in the Constitution of India are reflected in each statement.

a. Sheena, Rajat, and Harsh are standing in a line. They are excited to cast their first vote in the general elections.

ANSWERThis reflects universal adult franchise and the democratic, republic character of the Constitution — every adult citizen has the right to vote and elect their representatives, regardless of who they are.

b. Radha, Imon, and Harpreet study in the same class in the same school.

ANSWERThis reflects Equality and the Right to Education (Article 21-A). Children of different backgrounds, names and communities study together as equals, with no discrimination.

c. Parents must make arrangements to ensure their children’s education.

ANSWERThis reflects a Fundamental Duty — a parent or guardian should provide opportunities for the education of their child between the ages of six and fourteen years. It also links to the Right to Education.

d. People of all castes, genders, and religions can use the village well.

ANSWERThis reflects Equality and Justice — citizens cannot be discriminated against on the grounds of caste, religion or gender, and all are equal before the law (Right to Equality, Article 14).

3. It is said that ‘All citizens in India are equal before the law’. Do you think this is a fact? If yes, why? If not, why not? Formulate your arguments.

ANSWER Yes, as a constitutional principle this is a fact. The Constitution, through the Right to Equality (Article 14), guarantees that every citizen is equal before the law. No one — rich or poor, of any caste, religion or gender — is above the law, and everyone is entitled to the same protection of the law and can approach the courts if treated unfairly. At the same time, we should honestly admit that in practice this ideal is not always fully achieved. Social inequalities, discrimination and lack of awareness sometimes prevent people from being treated equally. The Constitution itself recognises this, which is why it includes Directive Principles and special provisions to reduce inequalities. So equality before the law is a firm legal fact and a goal we are working towards. As citizens, we can help make it real by respecting the rights of others and standing up against discrimination. (Reasoned views with this kind of argument are accepted.)

4. You have learnt that ‘India is the only country that provided universal adult franchise to its citizens from the beginning.’ Can you explain why India did it?

ANSWER Universal adult franchise means that every adult citizen has the right to vote, without any condition of wealth, property, education, caste, religion or gender. India gave this right to all its adults right from the start, even though many older democracies extended the vote only gradually. India did this because the leaders of the freedom struggle believed deeply in equality and democracy. They had fought British rule precisely because Indians had no say in how they were governed, so they wanted every Indian to have an equal voice in choosing the government. It also reflected India’s commitment to justice and fraternity — treating all citizens as equals and members of one family. By trusting ordinary people with the vote, the Constitution makers showed faith in the wisdom of the people and made the new republic truly ‘of the people’.

5. How did the freedom struggle inspire the making of the Constitution of India? How did India’s civilisational heritage inspire some of the key features in the Constitution of India? Explain.

ANSWER Influence of the freedom struggle: many ideals and values of the Indian freedom movement — equality of all, justice for all, freedom, fraternity and preservation of India’s cultural heritage — were enshrined in the Constitution. A number of leaders of the freedom movement were members of the Constituent Assembly, so they carried the experience and ideas of the struggle into it. Their learnings also helped answer practical questions — how to give every adult the right to vote, how to keep the powers of the legislature, executive and judiciary separate, and how to guarantee everyone’s fundamental rights. Influence of civilisational heritage: certain principles embedded in Indian culture found a place in the Constitution — the acceptance that people can have different points of view, treating Nature as sacred, the pursuit of learning and knowledge, respect for women, and ideas like vasudhaiva kutumbakam (“the world is one family”) and sarve bhavantu sukhinah (the well-being of all). India’s long tradition of emphasising the duties and role of people in governance is reflected in the Fundamental Duties. The Constitution makers also followed the spirit of á no bhadráh kratavo yantu viśhwatah — “Let noble thoughts come to me from every side” — and studied the constitutions of France, the USA, the UK, Ireland and Australia for useful ideas (for example, ‘liberty, equality, fraternity’ from France).

6. Do you think we, as a society, have achieved all the ideals of the Constitution? If not, what can we each do as citizens to move our country closer to these ideals?

ANSWER As a society we have made great progress, but we have not yet achieved all the ideals of the Constitution. Goals like complete equality, justice for all, and an end to discrimination based on caste, gender or religion are still being worked towards. The Directive Principles, such as a good standard of living for everyone, are also goals we are still moving towards. What each of us can do as citizens: respect the rights and dignity of others; treat people of all castes, religions and genders as equals; follow our Fundamental Duties; protect the environment and our shared heritage; speak up against unfairness and discrimination; vote responsibly; and help spread awareness of constitutional values. If every citizen practises the values of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity in daily life, we move steadily closer to the ideals the Constitution sets for us. (Thoughtful answers along these lines are accepted.)

7. Read the clues carefully to solve the crossword on the next page to uncover important concepts from the Indian Constitution.

ANSWER The answers to the crossword clues are given below.
No.DirectionClueAnswer
2AcrossThe branch of government that makes laws.LEGISLATURE
7AcrossThe part of the Constitution that outlines the duties of citizens towards the country.FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES
8AcrossThe highest court in India that protects the Constitution.SUPREME COURT
9AcrossA system where the head of state is elected, not hereditary.REPUBLIC
10AcrossThe process by which the Constitution can be changed over time.AMENDMENT
1DownThe group of people who wrote the Indian Constitution.CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY
3DownThe statement at the beginning of the Constitution that tells us the values it upholds.PREAMBLE
4DownThe document that lays out the rules and laws of a country.CONSTITUTION
5DownThe gas used to preserve the original Constitution safely.HELIUM
6DownBasic rights given to every citizen, like freedom and equality.FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS

Note: The crossword is a grid-based activity in the textbook; the answers above match each numbered clue. Fill them into the grid in the printed direction (Across / Down).

Extra Practice Questions

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1. What is a constitution?

ANSWERA constitution is a document that spells out a nation’s basic principles and laws. It lays out the framework of the three organs of government and their roles, the checks and balances among them, the rights and duties of citizens, and the long-term goals of the nation. It is like a ‘rulebook’ for the country.

Q2. When was the Indian Constitution adopted and when did it come into effect?

ANSWERThe Constitution of India was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into effect on 26 January 1950, which is why we celebrate that day every year as Republic Day.

Q3. Who chaired the Drafting Committee of the Constitution?

ANSWERThe Drafting Committee, which prepared the initial text of the Constitution, was chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, an eminent social reformer and the first Law and Justice minister of independent India.

Q4. What is the difference between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy?

ANSWERFundamental Rights are promises that must be kept — if a citizen is treated unfairly, they can go to court for protection. Directive Principles of State Policy are goals and guidelines the government should try to achieve, but they cannot be demanded in court. Rights can be enforced immediately; Directive Principles are larger goals that may take time.

Q5. Why is the Constitution called a ‘living document’?

ANSWERThe Constitution is called a living document because it can be improved over time through amendments as new needs arise. For example, Fundamental Duties were added in 1976 and the Panchayati Raj System was added by the 73rd Amendment in 1992. Amendments are rigorously debated in Parliament before they are accepted.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q1. Why does a country need a constitution? Explain with an example.

ANSWERA country needs a constitution for the same reason a game needs a rulebook. Imagine a kabaddi match where a dispute breaks out over whether a player was ‘out’; if there were no official rulebook to refer to, the teams could not settle the dispute fairly and the match might end in a quarrel. The rulebook works only because everyone agrees in advance to abide by it. In the same way, a constitution is the country’s ‘rulebook’: it decides what kind of government there will be, how it is formed and how it functions; how laws are made and implemented; who elects the executive; how the judiciary is made; and what rights and duties citizens have. It also states the values and ideals — equality, justice, fraternity, pluralism and freedom — that the country is committed to. Without a constitution there would be no agreed, fair way to govern a large, diverse country or to settle disputes, so the Constitution is essential for order, fairness and democracy.

Q2. Describe how the Constitution of India was prepared.

ANSWERThe Indian Constitution was developed and written by the Constituent Assembly over a period of almost three years. The Assembly was formed on 9 December 1946, and its members were elected by the legislative assemblies of the provinces (whose members had, in turn, been elected by the people). It began with 389 members, later reduced to 299 after the Partition of India, of whom 15 were women; these members represented India’s diverse regions, professions and social groups. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the Chairman of the Constituent Assembly, and the initial text was prepared by a Drafting Committee chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The drafting work was completed and the document was adopted as the Constitution of India on 26 November 1949. It came into effect on 26 January 1950, celebrated as Republic Day. The Constitution’s text was handwritten by calligrapher Prem Behari Narain Raizada and beautifully illustrated by Nandalal Bose and his team, making it both a legal document and a work of art.

Q3. Explain the values expressed in the Preamble of the Constitution of India.

ANSWERThe Preamble carries the guiding values of the Constitution. It declares that the people of India have enacted the Constitution for themselves. The key words describe the nature of the country: Sovereign — the people have supreme right to make decisions on internal and external matters, and no outside power can dictate to India; Socialist — wealth should be shared by society and socio-economic inequalities reduced; Secular — citizens are free to follow any religion and the State treats all religions with equal respect, with no official religion; Democratic — a form of government where the people enjoy equal political rights, elect their rulers and hold them accountable; and Republic — the head of state is an elected person, not a hereditary king. The Preamble also sets out four great goals — Justice (no discrimination on caste, religion or gender; reduce social inequalities), Liberty (freedom of thought and expression without unreasonable restrictions), Equality (all are equal before the law) and Fraternity (treating every fellow citizen as a member of one family). (The words ‘Socialist’ and ‘Secular’ were added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976.) Together these values form the soul of the Constitution.

MCQs & Assertion–Reason

1. A constitution is best described as:

(a) a list of festivals    (b) a document that spells out a nation’s basic principles and laws    (c) a tax record    (d) a map of the country

2. The Indian Constitution came into effect on:

(a) 15 August 1947    (b) 26 November 1949    (c) 26 January 1950    (d) 9 December 1946

3. Who was the Chairman of the Constituent Assembly?

(a) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar    (b) Dr. Rajendra Prasad    (c) Dr. Sachidananda Sinha    (d) Begum Aizaz Rasul

4. The Drafting Committee of the Constitution was chaired by:

(a) Jawaharlal Nehru    (b) Dr. Rajendra Prasad    (c) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar    (d) Sardar Patel

5. Which of the following are promises that can be enforced in a court of law?

(a) Directive Principles of State Policy    (b) Fundamental Rights    (c) Fundamental Duties    (d) Schedules

6. The Preamble describes India as Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic and:

(a) Republic    (b) Monarchy    (c) Empire    (d) Federation

7. The words ‘Socialist’ and ‘Secular’ were added to the Preamble by which amendment?

(a) 42nd Amendment, 1976    (b) 73rd Amendment, 1992    (c) 44th Amendment, 1978    (d) 1st Amendment, 1951

8. The ideals of ‘liberty, equality, fraternity’ were adopted from the constitution of:

(a) the USA    (b) the UK    (c) France    (d) Ireland

9. The Panchayati Raj System was added to the Constitution in 1992 by the:

(a) 42nd Amendment    (b) 73rd Amendment    (c) 86th Amendment    (d) 52nd Amendment

10. Which gas is used to help preserve the original Constitution in a glass case?

(a) Oxygen    (b) Hydrogen    (c) Helium    (d) Nitrogen

Answer key: 1-(b), 2-(c), 3-(b), 4-(c), 5-(b), 6-(a), 7-(a), 8-(c), 9-(b), 10-(c).

For each Assertion–Reason question, choose: (A) Both true and the Reason correctly explains the Assertion; (B) Both true but the Reason is not the correct explanation; (C) Assertion true, Reason false; (D) Assertion false, Reason true.

A-R 1. Assertion: We celebrate Republic Day on 26 January every year.

Reason: The Constitution of India came into effect on 26 January 1950.

A-R 2. Assertion: The Indian Constitution is a living document.

Reason: It can be improved over time through amendments that are rigorously debated in Parliament.

A-R 3. Assertion: Directive Principles of State Policy can be demanded in a court of law just like Fundamental Rights.

Reason: Directive Principles are goals and guidelines the government should try to achieve, but they are not enforceable in court.

A-R 4. Assertion: The Constituent Assembly had representatives from diverse backgrounds.

Reason: A constitution for a large and diverse country must reflect the needs and viewpoints of all sections of society.

A-R 5. Assertion: The Indian Constitution was influenced only by India’s civilisational heritage.

Reason: The Constitution makers ignored the constitutions of all other countries.

Answer key: 1-(A), 2-(A), 3-(D), 4-(A), 5-(D).

Exam Tips & Common Mistakes

How to score full marks in this chapter

Memorise the four things a constitution lays out (framework of the three organs, checks and balances, rights and duties of citizens, long-term goals) and the key dates — Constituent Assembly formed 9 December 1946, Constitution adopted 26 November 1949, came into effect 26 January 1950 (Republic Day). Be clear about the difference between Fundamental Rights (enforceable in court), Fundamental Duties and the Directive Principles of State Policy (goals, not court-enforceable). Learn the Preamble words — Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic — and the goals of Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. Use the textbook’s own examples (the kabaddi rulebook, Dr. Rajendra Prasad as Chairman, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as Drafting Committee chair, the 73rd Amendment, the helium-filled glass case) to show you have studied the chapter.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Confusing the date the Constitution was adopted (26 November 1949) with the date it came into effect (26 January 1950).
  • Mixing up the Chairman of the Constituent Assembly (Dr. Rajendra Prasad) with the Chairman of the Drafting Committee (Dr. B.R. Ambedkar).
  • Treating Directive Principles as enforceable in court — only Fundamental Rights can be demanded in court.
  • Confusing Fundamental Rights (what citizens are entitled to) with Fundamental Duties (what citizens owe the country).
  • Forgetting that ‘Socialist’ and ‘Secular’ were added later (42nd Amendment, 1976), not present in 1950.
  • Leaving reasoned/opinion questions (Q3, Q6) blank — give clear arguments using constitutional values.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chapter 10 of Class 7 Social Science Exploring Society about?

Chapter 10, The Constitution of India — An Introduction, explains what a constitution is and why a country needs one, how the Indian Constitution was prepared by the Constituent Assembly, how the freedom struggle and India’s civilisational heritage shaped it, its key features (Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties and Directive Principles), why it is a living document, and the values of the Preamble.

When was the Constitution of India adopted and enforced?

The Constitution of India was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into effect on 26 January 1950. This is why 26 January is celebrated every year as Republic Day.

What is the exercise heading for Chapter 10 of Exploring Society?

The end-of-chapter exercise in Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 1) Chapter 10 is headed Questions and activities and contains 7 numbered questions (including a crossword), all answered step by step on this page.

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