Maharashtra Board Class 7 Civics Chapter 3 Features of the Constitution PDF Download

Features of the Constitution

In the last two lessons, we studied how our Constitution was made. We studied its Preamble and understood terms like Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic. The goals expressed in the Preamble are the characteristic features of our Constitution as well. Apart from these, the Constitution also has other features. We shall try to understand these in the present chapter.

Federalism

One of the important features of our Constitution is the federal system. In countries with large territories and huge populations, government is run by a federal system. Ruling a large territory from a single capital city is not only difficult, but may also lead to the neglect of some far-flung areas. People residing there cannot participate in the affairs of the Government. Therefore, Governments function at two levels in a federation. The Government at the Centre carries out tasks like defence of the entire country, foreign policy, establishing peace, etc. It is also called Union Government or Federal Government. It carries out the administration of the entire country.

The Government that oversees the administration of the region that we live in is called State Government. It looks after the administration of a particular State. For example, Government of Maharashtra looks after the administration of the State of Maharashtra.

The system of running the administration of a country cooperatively by the Governments at two levels, making laws about different subjects is called federalism.

Teacher's Note

In India, the Central Government in Delhi makes laws about defence and foreign relations. But the Maharashtra State Government in Mumbai makes laws about local police and schools. Both work together to run the country.

Exam Trick

Remember: Federalism means TWO levels of Government. One central, one state. Like your house has one main gate and each room has its own door. Both are important.

Points to Remember

Federalism divides power between Centre and States.
Union Government handles defence, foreign policy, and currency.
State Government handles agriculture, police, and local matters.
Both governments work together for the country's progress.
This system helps far-away areas get proper attention.

Separation of Powers

The Constitution has divided the subjects for making laws between the Union Government and the State Governments. Let us see which Government is entrusted with what subjects. Our Constitution has given three lists of various subjects.

The first list is called Union List. It contains 97 subjects on which the Union Government makes laws. The State List is for the State Governments to legislate upon. It contains 66 subjects. Apart from these two lists, there is a Concurrent List, which contains 47 subjects. Both Governments can make laws on subjects included in this list. If a subject comes up that is not included in any of the lists, the Union Government is entitled to make laws on it. These powers are termed as Residuary Powers.

Who Deals With What Subjects

(1) Subjects with the Union Government: Defence, foreign relations, war and peace, currency, international trade, etc.

(2) Subjects with the State Government: Agriculture, law and order, local government, health, prison administration, etc.

(3) Subjects with both the Governments: Employment, environment, economic and social planning, personal law, education, etc.

The division of powers in the Indian Constitution is unique. It enables the Union Government and the State Government to bring about the country's progress by cooperating with each other. This also encourages participation of citizens in the administration of the country.

Teacher's Note

The Union List is like national subjects. Education is in Concurrent List because both Central and State Governments make education laws for their areas. This is like how your school follows national rules but also state rules.

Exam Trick

Remember: Union List = 97, State List = 66, Concurrent List = 47. For easy memory: Union has the most subjects because the Centre is most powerful.

Points to Remember

Union List has 97 subjects under Union Government.
State List has 66 subjects under State Government.
Concurrent List has 47 subjects where both can make laws.
Residuary Powers allow Union Government to make laws on subjects not in any list.
This separation of power makes government work better.

Union Territories

In India, there is a Union Government, 29 State Governments and 7 Union Territories. The Union Government controls the Union Territories. Following are the seven Union Territories: New Delhi, Daman and Diu, Puducherry, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.

Parliamentary System of Government

The Indian Constitution has provided for a parliamentary system of Government. In such a system, the Parliament, i.e. the Legislature has the highest decision-making power. Indian Parliament includes the President, Lok Sabha or the House of the People and Rajya Sabha or the Council of States. The Council of Ministers that runs the administration emerges from the Lok Sabha and is answerable to the Lok Sabha for all its decisions. In Parliamentary Democracy, the discussion and debates that take place in the Parliament have great significance.

Teacher's Note

In our Parliament, the Prime Minister answers questions from Members of Parliament every week. This is called Question Hour. Just like your school principal answers questions from teachers in meetings.

Exam Trick

Remember: Parliamentary means Parliament has the highest power. The government must explain its actions in Parliament regularly. This keeps the government honest.

Points to Remember

Parliament has three parts: President, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha.
Council of Ministers comes from Lok Sabha members.
Ministers must answer questions in Parliament.
Discussion and debate in Parliament are very important.
This is how democracy works in our country.

Independent Judiciary

The Indian Constitution has created an independent Judiciary. The disputes that cannot be resolved mutually are referred to the Judiciary. The Court hears both the contesting parties, looks into the injustice if any, and gives its judgement. This has to be done impartially.

The Constitution has made several provisions to ensure that the Judiciary remains more and more independent. For example, Judges are appointed by the President and not by the Government. It is not easy to remove the Judges from their office.

Single Citizenship

The Indian Constitution has granted a single citizenship to all Indians. That is Indian Citizenship.

Process of Amending the Constitution

There comes up a need to make changes or amendments in the provisions of the Constitution due to changing circumstances. But frequent amendments to the Constitution may lead to a situation of instability. The procedure for amendment is specified in the Constitution itself so as to ensure that an amendment is made only after giving it a careful consideration. The procedure for amendment in the Constitution is unique. It is neither too difficult, nor too easy. More scope has been provided for giving more consideration and thought to important amendments. The procedure is also flexible to ensure that general amendments can be brought about easily.

Teacher's Note

Our Constitution has been amended 105 times since 1950. These changes were made slowly after much thought and discussion. This shows that our Constitution is not fixed but can grow with our country.

Exam Trick

Remember: Amendment = Change. The Constitution can be changed but not easily. It takes time and many people must agree. This protects our country from sudden bad changes.

Points to Remember

The Constitution can be amended when times change.
The process for amendment is careful and not too easy or too hard.
Important amendments need more thought and discussion.
General amendments can be made more easily.
This flexibility helps our Constitution stay important and useful.

Election Commission

You must have read about the Election Commission in the newspapers. Since India has adopted a democratic form of government, people have to elect their representatives periodically. For this, the elections have to be conducted in a free and fair atmosphere. Only then will the citizens be able to elect a candidate of their choice without any fear or pressure. If the government were to conduct elections, there might be no guarantee of such free, fair and just atmosphere for the elections. Hence, the Constitution has entrusted the responsibility of conducting elections to an independent machinery. This machinery is known as the Election Commission. The responsibility of conducting all elections in India rests with the Election Commission.

Teacher's Note

The Election Commission makes sure that elections are fair and honest. No government can use its power to help one party win. Like a referee in cricket who is not on any team but makes sure the rules are followed.

Exam Trick

Remember: Election Commission = Independent. Not under any government. It is like an umpire in a match who is neutral and fair to both sides.

Points to Remember

Election Commission conducts all elections in India.
It is independent and not under the government.
It makes sure elections are free and fair.
Citizens can vote without fear.
This is how democracy works properly in our country.

The Indian Constitution has some important characteristic features. In this chapter, we have studied only some of the important features. Another important feature of our Constitution is the exhaustive provision of fundamental rights. We shall study these in the next chapter.

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