NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Political Science (Indian Constitution) Chapter 9 Constitution as A Living Document

Q.1: Choose 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√ A document written at one point of time becomes outdated after some time.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.

Ans : A constitution needs to be amended from time to time because circumstances change and require suitable changes in the constitution. 

Q.2: Write True / False against the following statements.
(a) The President cannot send back an amendment bill for reconsideration of Parliament.
(b) Elected representatives alone have the power to amend the Constitution.
(c) The Judiciary cannot initiate the process of constitutional amendment but can effectively change the Constitution by interpreting it differently.
(d) Parliament can amend any section of the Constitution.

Ans : (a) True 
(b) True 
(c) False 
(d) True 

Q.3: Which 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) Judiciary

Ans : (b) President of India S/he has to give assent to the amendment bill to make it an amendment. 
(c) State Legislatures Half of the state legislature has to vote in favour of the amendment bill along with a special majority in the parliament. 
(d) Parliament Parliament has to include an amendment, which would underlay one particular interpretation as the authentic one whenever there is a clash between the judiciary and the government over different interpretations of amendment bill. In both the houses of the Parliament, the amendment bill will be passed only if half of the total strength of both the houses is separately in the favour of the amendment bill. The supporters of the amendment bill must constitute two-third of the voters in both the houses separately. 
(f) Judiciary The judiciary has interpreted various provisions that concern right to education, right to life etc. to an informal amendment. It helps in the matter by balancing the spirit and letter of the Constitution. 

Q.4: You have read in this chapter that the 42nd 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.

Ans : (a) It was made during national emergency, and the declaration of that emergency was itself controversial. 
(d) It contained provisions, which were controversial. 

Q.5: Which 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.

Ans : (d) Legislature cannot be entrusted to protect the rights of the citizens.