Read the passage and answer the five questions that follow.
The Constituent Assembly deliberated upon the Indian Constitution, which came into effect on 26 January, 1950. It has the dubious distinction of being the longest in the world. But its length and complexity are perhaps understandable when one considers the country's size and diversity. At Independence, India was not merely large and diverse, but also deeply divided. A Constitution designed to keep the country together, and to take it forward, had necessarily to be an elaborate, carefully-worked-out, and painstakingly drafted document. For one thing, it sought to heal wounds of the past and the present, to make Indians of different classes, castes and communities come together in a shared political experiment. For another, it sought to nurture democratic institutions.
How can we say that the Constitution of India seeks to unify India?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → It was designed to keep the country’s divided classes, communities and castes together.
The passage says that at Independence India was deeply divided, and the Constitution was designed to keep the country together.
Option (1) It deals with the country’s problems. — Incorrect. The passage speaks of healing the wounds of the past and the present, but dealing with problems in general does not say how the people are brought together.
Option (2) The area of the subcontinent was under its control. — Incorrect. The passage does not join unity to the control of territory; it speaks of bringing the people together.
Option (3) It was designed to keep the country’s divided classes, communities and castes together. — Correct. The Constitution sought to make Indians of different classes, castes and communities come together in a shared political experiment. This is how it seeks to unify India.
Option (4) It was to nurture democratic institutions. — Incorrect. This is the second aim the passage gives (“For another”). It concerns building democracy, not joining the divided groups together.
NCERT (2025-26): “The Indian Constitution, which came into effect on 26 January 1950, has the dubious distinction of being the longest in the world. But its length and complexity are perhaps understandable when one considers the country’s size and diversity. At Independence, India was not merely large and diverse, but also deeply divided. A Constitution designed to keep the country together, and to take it forward, had necessarily to be an elaborate, carefully-worked-out, and painstakingly drafted document. For one thing, it sought to heal wounds of the past and the present, to make Indians of different classes, castes and communities come together in a shared political experiment. For another, it sought to nurture democratic institutions in what had long been a culture of hierarchy and deference.…” |