Chapter 17 of 18
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Constitution as a Living Document
CBSE · Class 11 · Political Science
NCERT Solutions for Constitution as a Living Document — CBSE Class 11 Political Science.
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Exercises
1Choose the correct statement from the following.
A constitution needs to be amended from time to time because,
√ Circumstances change and require suitable changes in the constitution.
√ A document written at one point of time becomes outdated after some time.
√ Every generation should have a constitution of its own liking.
√ It must reflect the philosophy of the existing government.Show solution
The Constitution is amended from time to time because circumstances change and the Constitution must respond to new needs, problems, and situations. The chapter says a constitution is a living document, not a frozen one.
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2aThe President cannot send back an amendment bill for reconsideration of Parliament.Show solution
The chapter says that an amendment bill goes to the President for assent, but the President has no power to send it back for reconsideration.
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2bElected representatives alone have the power to amend the Constitution.Show solution
According to the chapter, only elected representatives are empowered to consider and take final decisions on amendments. Parliament initiates and passes amendment bills, so the statement is correct.
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2cThe Judiciary cannot initiate the process of constitutional amendment but can effectively change the Constitution by interpreting it differently.Show solution
The chapter states that the Judiciary cannot initiate constitutional amendments, but through interpretation it can effectively change the Constitution and influence its evolution. So the statement is correct.
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2dParliament can amend any section of the Constitution.Show solution
Parliament cannot amend every section in the same way. Some provisions need only a simple law, some need special majority, and some need ratification by half the State legislatures as well. So the statement is false.
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3Which of the following are involved in the amendment of the Indian Constitution? In what way are they involved?
a. Voters
b. President of India
c. State Legislatures
d. Parliament
e. Governors
f. JudiciaryShow solution
- Voters: They are involved indirectly because the amendment process is based on elected representatives and public opinion, but voters do not directly pass amendments.
- President of India: Gives assent to the amendment bill, but cannot send it back for reconsideration.
- State Legislatures: For some amendments, especially those affecting the federal structure, half the State legislatures must ratify the bill.
- Parliament: It initiates and passes amendment bills, usually by special majority.
- Governors: The chapter does not assign them any role in the amendment process.
- Judiciary: It does not initiate amendments, but it interprets the Constitution and can decide whether an amendment violates the basic structure.
- President of India: Gives assent to the amendment bill, but cannot send it back for reconsideration.
- State Legislatures: For some amendments, especially those affecting the federal structure, half the State legislatures must ratify the bill.
- Parliament: It initiates and passes amendment bills, usually by special majority.
- Governors: The chapter does not assign them any role in the amendment process.
- Judiciary: It does not initiate amendments, but it interprets the Constitution and can decide whether an amendment violates the basic structure.
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4You have read in this chapter that the 42 amendment was one of the most controversial amendments so far. Which of the following were the reasons for this controversy?
a. It was made during national emergency, and the declaration of that emergency was itself controversial.
b. It was made without the support of special majority.
c. It was made without ratification by State legislatures.
d. It contained provisions, which were controversial.Show solution
The 42nd Amendment was controversial because:
- it was made during the National Emergency, and the Emergency itself was controversial;
- it contained many controversial provisions and was seen as a wide-ranging attempt to alter the Constitution.
It was not because it lacked special majority or State ratification in general.
- it was made during the National Emergency, and the Emergency itself was controversial;
- it contained many controversial provisions and was seen as a wide-ranging attempt to alter the Constitution.
It was not because it lacked special majority or State ratification in general.
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5Which of the following is not a reasonable explanation of the conflict between the legislature and the judiciary over different amendments?
a. Different interpretations of the Constitution are possible.
b. In a democracy, debates and differences are natural.
c. Constitution has given higher importance to certain rules and principles and also allowed for amendment by special majority.
d. Legislature cannot be entrusted to protect the rights of the citizens.
e. Judiciary can only decide the constitutionality of a particular law; cannot resolve political debates about its need.
a. Different interpretations of the Constitution are possible.
b. In a democracy, debates and differences are natural.
c. Constitution has given higher importance to certain rules and principles and also allowed for amendment by special majority.
d. Legislature cannot be entrusted to protect the rights of the citizens.
e. Judiciary can only decide the constitutionality of a particular law; cannot resolve political debates about its need.
6Identify the correct statements about the theory of basic structure. Correct the incorrect statements.
a. Constitution specifies the basic tenets.
b. Legislature can amend all parts of the Constitution except the basic structure.
c. Judiciary has defined which aspects of the Constitution can be termed as the basic structure and which cannot.
d. This theory found its first expression in the Kesavananda Bharati case and has been discussed in subsequent judgments.
e. This theory has increased the powers of the judiciary and has come to be accepted by different political parties and the government.
a. Constitution specifies the basic tenets.
b. Legislature can amend all parts of the Constitution except the basic structure.
c. Judiciary has defined which aspects of the Constitution can be termed as the basic structure and which cannot.
d. This theory found its first expression in the Kesavananda Bharati case and has been discussed in subsequent judgments.
e. This theory has increased the powers of the judiciary and has come to be accepted by different political parties and the government.
7From the information that many amendments were made during 2000-2003, which of the following conclusions would you draw?
a. Judiciary did not interfere in the amendments made during this period.
b. One political party had a strong majority during this period.
c. There was strong pressure from the public in favour of certain amendments.
c. There were no real differences among the parties during this time.
e. The amendments were of a non-controversial nature and parties had an agreement on the subject of amendments.
a. Judiciary did not interfere in the amendments made during this period.
b. One political party had a strong majority during this period.
c. There was strong pressure from the public in favour of certain amendments.
c. There were no real differences among the parties during this time.
e. The amendments were of a non-controversial nature and parties had an agreement on the subject of amendments.
8Explain the reason for requiring special majority for amending the Constitution.
9Many amendments to the Constitution of India have been made due to different interpretations upheld by the Judiciary and Parliament. Explain with examples.
10If amending power is with the elected representatives, judiciary should NOT have the power to decide the validity of amendments. Do you agree? Give your reasons in 100 words.
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What are the important topics in Constitution as a Living Document for CBSE Class 11 Political Science?
Constitution as a Living Document covers several key topics that are frequently asked in CBSE Class 11 board exams. Focus on the core concepts listed on this page and practise related questions to build confidence.
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Understand the core concepts first, then work through the 89 practice questions available for this chapter. Revise formulas and definitions regularly, and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.
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Sources & Official References
- NCERT Official — ncert.nic.in
- CBSE Academic — cbseacademic.nic.in
- CBSE Official — cbse.gov.in
- National Education Policy 2020 — education.gov.in
Content is aligned to the official syllabus. Refer to the board website for the latest curriculum.
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