History & Civics
Read the following excerpt and answer the questions that follow:
India's commitment to the rule of law is grounded in the Constitution which establishes India as a 'Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic' with a Parliamentary form of Government. The Constitution of India is the supreme legal authority which binds the legislative, executive, and judicial organs of government.
(Source: https://www.sci.gov.in/constitution/)
(a) How does India function as a sovereign state?
(b) Highlight differences between democratic and republic.
Constitution
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Answer
(a) A nation is sovereign when it is free to manage its internal matters without any foreign interference. Its external policy is guided solely by its own interests, not influenced by any superpower. By declaring India sovereign, the makers of our Constitution emphasised that India had completely broken free from all forms of foreign dominance. It was no longer a colony of the British empire.
(b) The key differences between democratic and republic are:
| Aspect | Democratic | Republic |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A system where power is vested in the people, exercised through elections and participation. | A system where the head of state is elected, with no hereditary position. |
| Focus | Focuses on political, social, and economic equality for all citizens. It emphasizes people's participation. | Focuses on having an elected head of state and absence of hereditary leadership. |
| Key Principle | Universal suffrage and equal participation in political processes. Social and economic democracy are important. | Elected head of state. The focus is more on governance structure. |
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