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Political ScienceClass 11Constitution

Constitution | Class 11 Political Science Notes

By ConceptScroll Team · Published on 17 July 2026 · 4 min read

Constitution – this guide gives you a concise, exam-ready overview of Constitution from Class 11 Political Science, written by ConceptScroll editors and reviewed against the latest NCERT textbook.

THE AUTHORITY OF A CONSTITUTION

This section explores what gives a constitution its authority and effectiveness. It addresses three questions: What is a constitution? How effective is it? Is it just? Constitutions can be single documents or collections of laws and decisions, as in the UK. Many constitutions exist only on paper without real impact. Effectiveness depends on how the constitution is promulgated, its substantive provisions, and institutional design. The mode of promulgation involves who crafted the constitution and their legitimacy. The Indian Constitution was created by a Constituent Assembly with broad public credibility and consensus, drawing legitimacy from the nationalist movement. Substantive provisions must give all groups reasons to accept the constitution, protecting minorities and ensuring justice. Balanced institutional design fragments power among institutions to prevent subversion and allows flexibility to adapt to change. The Indian Constitution exemplifies these qualities, making it a living and respected document.

📊 Diagram: Includes a cartoon depicting the fragility of the Iraqi constitution as a 'castle of cards', contrasting with India's robust design.

🔗 Connection: Leads to the section 'How was the Indian Constitution made?' detailing the Constituent Assembly and drafting process.

Frequently asked questions

1. Which of these is not a function of the constitution? a. It gives a guarantee of the rights of the citizen. b. It marks out different spheres of power for different branches of government. c. It ensures that good people come to power. d. It gives expression to some shared values.

The correct answer is c. It ensures that good people come to power. Explanation: The constitution does not ensure that good people come to power; rather, it provides the framework and rules for governance, guarantees rights, distributes powers, and expresses shared values.

2. Which of the following is a good reason to conclude that the authority of the constitution is higher than that of the parliament? a. The constitution was framed before the parliament came into being. b. The constitution makers were more eminent leaders than the members of the parliament. c. The constitution specifies how parliament is to be formed and what are its powers. d. The constitution cannot be amended by the parliament.

The correct answer is c. The constitution specifies how parliament is to be formed and what are its powers. Explanation: The constitution is the supreme law that defines the formation and powers of the parliament, establishing its authority as subordinate to the constitution. Option d is incorrect because the constitution can be amended by the parliament under certain procedures.

3. State whether the following statements about a constitution are True or False. a. Constitutions are written documents about formation and power of the government. b. Constitutions exist and are required only in democratic countries. c. Constitution is a legal document that does not deal with ideals and values. d. A constitution gives its citizens a new identity.

a. True - Constitutions are indeed written documents that define the formation and powers of government. b. False - Constitutions exist in all types of countries, not only democracies. c. False - Constitutions also deal with ideals and values, not just legal rules. d. True - A constitution provides citizens with a legal and political identity.

4. State whether the following inferences about the making of the Indian Constitution are Correct or Incorrect. Give reasons to support your answer. a. The Constituent Assembly did not represent the Indian people since it was not elected by all citizens. b. Constitution making did not involve any major decision since there was a general consensus among the leaders at that time about its basic framework. c. There was little originality in the Constitution, for much of it was borrowed from other countries.

a. Incorrect - Although the Constituent Assembly was not elected by universal adult franchise, it broadly represented the Indian people through indirect elections and representation of provinces and communities. b. Incorrect - Constitution making involved many major decisions and debates; there was not complete consensus on all issues. c. Incorrect - While the Indian Constitution borrowed features from other countries, it also showed originality in adapting these to Indian conditions.

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