NCERT Class 9 Polity Chapter 2 – Constitutional Design

NCERT Class 9 Polity Chapter 2 explains how and why a Constitution is framed in a democratic country. NCERT Class 9 Polity Chapter 2 builds strong conceptual clarity about the making of the Indian Constitution and the values embedded in it.

NCERT Class 9 Polity Chapter 2 begins with the example of Apartheid in South Africa (1948–1994), where racial discrimination denied political rights to the black majority. It explains how Nelson Mandela became the first black President of South Africa in May 1994 and how the new Constitution of South Africa (1996) guaranteed equality and justice.

NCERT Class 9 Polity Chapter 2 then explains the making of the Indian Constitution through the Constituent Assembly formed under the Cabinet Mission Plan (1946). The first meeting of the Constituent Assembly was held on 9 December 1946 in New Delhi.

The Constitution of India was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950. The drafting process took 2 years, 11 months and 18 days.

NCERT Class 9 Polity Chapter 2 also explains the Objective Resolution moved by Jawaharlal Nehru on 13 December 1946, which later became the foundation of the Preamble.

The Preamble declares India as a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic and promises Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.

NCERT Class 9 Polity Chapter 2 highlights the role of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as Chairman of the Drafting Committee and explains that the Constituent Assembly originally had 389 members, reduced to 299 after Partition in 1947.

These NCERT Class 9 Polity Chapter 2 notes strictly follow Democratic Politics – I and are highly useful for CBSE exams, state board exams and BPSC foundation preparation.

For structured preparation of NCERT Class 9–12 for UPSC, BPSC and State PCS examinations, strengthen your basics with our complete NCERT Book Notes PDF for Class 9-12, available inside the NCERT foundation course level-2.

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1. Introduction

• The chapter explains how a Constitution is framed and why it is necessary in a democratic country.
• It begins with the struggle against Apartheid in South Africa, showing how a Constitution can transform a divided society.
• The example of South Africa (1994–1996) demonstrates peaceful transition from racial dictatorship to democracy.
• The chapter then connects this experience with the making of the Constitution of India (1946–1950).
• It highlights how constitutional values reflect historical struggles, diversity and aspirations of a nation.
• The central theme is that a Constitution is not merely a legal document but a moral and political commitment.

2. Apartheid in South Africa

• Apartheid was a system of racial discrimination officially practiced in South Africa from 1948 to 1994.
• The white minority government denied political rights to the black majority population.
• Black people could not vote in national elections and were forced to live in segregated areas.
• Separate facilities were created for whites and blacks in education, hospitals, transport and public spaces.
• Laws ensured that non-whites could not own land freely or move without permits.
• The system was justified on racial superiority but led to deep social injustice.
• The anti-Apartheid movement was led by Nelson Mandela and the African National Congress (ANC).

3. Nelson Mandela and democratic transition

• Nelson Mandela was imprisoned in 1962 and remained in jail for 27 years for opposing Apartheid.
• He was released in February 1990 after negotiations between the government and ANC.
• South Africa held its first democratic elections in April 1994 based on universal adult franchise.
• Mandela became the first black President of South Africa in May 1994.
• The new government adopted a Constitution in 1996, guaranteeing equality and rights for all citizens.
• The new Constitution recognised past injustices and committed to building a just society.
• The peaceful transition demonstrated reconciliation instead of revenge.

4. Why do we need a Constitution?

• A Constitution generates trust and coordination among different social groups.
• It specifies how the government will be formed and who will have power to take decisions.
• It limits the powers of government and prevents misuse of authority.
• It guarantees Fundamental Rights to citizens.
• It expresses the aspirations and values of a nation.
• It ensures protection of minorities against majority domination.
• It provides a legal framework for resolving disputes peacefully.

5. The making of the Indian Constitution

• The idea of a Constitution was demanded during the freedom struggle, notably by Mahatma Gandhi in 1931.
• The Cabinet Mission Plan (1946) proposed the formation of a Constituent Assembly.
• Elections to the Constituent Assembly were held in July 1946.
• The first meeting was held on 9 December 1946 in New Delhi.
• The Assembly originally had 389 members, reduced to 299 members after Partition in 1947.
• The Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949.
• It came into force on 26 January 1950, celebrated as Republic Day.
• The drafting process took 2 years, 11 months and 18 days.

6. Composition and working of the Constituent Assembly

• The Constituent Assembly was presided over by Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
• The Drafting Committee was chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
• Prominent members included Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and Alladi Krishnaswamy Ayyar.
• Women members included Sarojini Naidu, Hansa Mehta and Rajkumari Amrit Kaur.
• Debates were open to the public and recorded in official proceedings.
• Each article of the Constitution was discussed and amended before adoption.
• The Assembly reflected India’s regional, religious and social diversity.

7. The Objective Resolution

• On 13 December 1946, Jawaharlal Nehru moved the Objective Resolution in the Constituent Assembly.
• It declared India to be an independent sovereign republic.
• It guaranteed justice, equality and freedom to all citizens.
• It promised safeguards for minorities, backward and tribal areas.
• The Resolution later became the basis of the Preamble of the Indian Constitution.
• It reflected the ideals of the Indian National Movement.

8. The Preamble of the Indian Constitution

• The Preamble begins with “We, the People of India”, indicating popular sovereignty.
• India is declared a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic.
• It promises Justice – social, economic and political.
• It guarantees Liberty – of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship.
• It ensures Equality – of status and opportunity.
• It promotes Fraternity – assuring dignity of the individual and unity and integrity of the Nation.
• The words Socialist and Secular were added by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976.

9. Key features adopted from other countries

• Fundamental Rights inspired by the United States Constitution.
• Parliamentary System borrowed from the United Kingdom.
• Directive Principles of State Policy inspired by Ireland.
• Federal system with strong Centre influenced by Canada.
• Judicial Review influenced by the USA.
• Emergency provisions inspired by the Weimar Constitution of Germany.

10. Guiding values of the Indian Constitution

• The Constitution ensures Universal Adult Franchise, granting voting rights to all adults.
• The voting age was originally 21 years, reduced to 18 years by the 61st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1989.
• It guarantees Fundamental Rights to protect citizens from state oppression.
• It establishes an Independent Judiciary to safeguard constitutional supremacy.
• It provides for a Federal structure with division of powers between Centre and States.
• It promotes social justice through Directive Principles of State Policy.
• It aims at reducing inequalities and promoting national unity.

11. Conclusion

• A Constitution is essential for maintaining unity in a diverse country like India.
• The making of the Indian Constitution was a democratic and inclusive process.
• It incorporated global constitutional ideas while reflecting Indian realities.
• The Constitution guarantees rights, limits government power and establishes democratic institutions.
• It remains the supreme law and foundation of Indian democracy.

12. Exam oriented facts in detail

• 9 December 1946 – First meeting of the Constituent Assembly in New Delhi.
• 13 December 1946 – Objective Resolution moved by Jawaharlal Nehru.
• 26 November 1949 – Constitution of India adopted.
• 26 January 1950 – Constitution came into force; Republic Day.
• 389 members – Original strength of Constituent Assembly.
• 299 members – Strength after Partition in 1947.
• Dr. Rajendra Prasad – President of the Constituent Assembly.
• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar – Chairman of the Drafting Committee.
• 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 – Added Socialist and Secular to Preamble.
• 61st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1989 – Reduced voting age from 21 to 18 years.
• Apartheid (1948–1994) – System of racial discrimination in South Africa.
• Nelson Mandela – First black President of South Africa (1994).
• 2 years, 11 months, 18 days – Time taken to frame the Indian Constitution.

Understanding NCERT Class 9 Polity Chapter 2 is essential to analyse how democratic values are institutionalised through a written Constitution.

NCERT Class 9 Polity Chapter 2 clearly explains the importance of the Constituent Assembly debates, constitutional amendments like the 42nd Amendment Act (1976) which added Socialist and Secular to the Preamble, and the 61st Amendment Act (1989) which reduced the voting age to 18 years.

For school examinations, students must focus on important dates (9 December 1946, 26 November 1949, 26 January 1950), Preamble values, borrowed features from USA, UK, Ireland, Canada and Germany, and the structure of the Constituent Assembly.

For BPSC and civil services foundation studies, NCERT Class 9 Polity Chapter 2 provides analytical understanding of constitutional philosophy, federalism, separation of powers, judicial review and popular sovereignty.

Continue reading NCERT Class 9 Polity Chapter 3 – Electoral Politics to understand how democratic representation functions through elections.

FAQs

Q1. What is NCERT Class 9 Polity Chapter 2 about?
It explains the making of the Indian Constitution, the role of the Constituent Assembly, and the constitutional values reflected in the Preamble.

Q2. When was the Indian Constitution adopted and enforced?
It was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950.

Q3. Who was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee?
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee.

Q4. What was the Objective Resolution?
It was moved by Jawaharlal Nehru on 13 December 1946 and later became the basis of the Preamble.

Q5. Why is NCERT Class 9 Polity Chapter 2 important for competitive exams?
It builds the foundation of Indian constitutional philosophy, amendments, institutional design and democratic values which are important for UPSC and BPSC preparation.

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