1. Introduction to our Constitution

The provisions in the Constitution are the basic or fundamental laws about different things related to the administration of the country. These provisions cover aspects like citizenship, the rights of citizens, the relationship between citizens and the State, subjects of the laws to be made by the governments, elections, restrictions on the government, and the jurisdiction of the State.

Constitution Day is observed on 26th November every year. This day is significant because the Constituent Assembly enacted the Constitution and formally adopted it on 26th November 1949.

During the freedom movement, the leaders insisted that Independent India should be governed not by the laws made by the British, but by the laws made by Indians themselves. Consequently, a Committee was established to prepare the Constitution of Independent India, and this committee came to be known as the Constituent Assembly.

Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee. He had studied the Constitutions of different countries in depth and contemplated day and night to draft our Constitution. He efficiently handled the task of presenting the draft, answering various questions raised on it, making changes as per the suggestions of the Constituent Assembly, and ensuring every provision of the Constitution was flawless. Because of this tremendous contribution towards the making of the Constitution, he is respectfully called the 'Architect of the Indian Constitution'.

The administration of a country includes making laws relating to several vital subjects. The government has to make laws for defending the boundaries, protecting the people from external aggression, eradicating poverty, creating employment, and managing education and health services. It also involves encouraging commerce and industries, protecting weaker sections, and making policies for the progress of women, children, and tribal people, thereby bringing about desirable changes in society by implementing these laws.

• (a) America
• (b) India
• (c) England
• (d) None of the above

• (a) Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar
• (b) Dr Rajendra Prasad
• (c) Durgabai Deshmukh
• (d) B. N. Rau

• (a) Mahatma Gandhi
• (b) Maulana Azad
• (c) Rajkumari Amrit Kaur
• (d) Hansaben Mehta

• (a) Dr Rajendra Prasad
• (b) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
• (c) Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar
• (d) J. B. Kripalani

The Government has to make laws on several vital subjects to ensure proper administration. These include:

• Defending the country's boundaries and protecting the people from external aggression.
• Eradicating poverty and creating employment opportunities.
• Managing education and health services, as well as providing encouragement to commerce and industries.
• Protecting the weaker sections and making policies for the progress of women, children, and tribal people.

We celebrate 26th January as Republic Day because the country began to be formally governed according to the provisions of the newly adopted Constitution from 26th January 1950. The Indian Republic officially came into existence from this very day.

Running a country as per the provisions of the Constitution has several major advantages:

• The government has to function within a set of rules, which drastically reduces the possibility of the misuse of power and authority.
• It includes the rights and freedoms of the citizens, which the government cannot take away, thus safeguarding people's rights.
• It establishes the rule of law, leaving no scope for high-handed administration.
• The faith that the common people have in the government increases, leading them to participate more in government activities, which ultimately strengthens democracy.
• It presents political ideals before the country, binding the nation to act towards attaining world peace, security, and the preservation of human rights.
• It fixes the responsibility of the citizens by including a list of citizens' duties.