Unit-1 : Study of Social Science

Que 1. What is social science? State the importance of social for Engineers.

• Social science is one of the branches of science, devoted to the study of societies and the relationships among individuals within those societies.
• Social science is the study of how people interact with one another. The branches of social science include anthropology, economics, political science, psychology, and sociology.
• Social science is a subject of discipline which deals with the study of social life of human groups and individuals.
• It has towards ‘social’ and ‘science’. Social means something related to society and Science stands for a body of knowledge.
• Thus social science means, “That systematic body of knowledge which is effectively applied to understand and interpret social problems and facts.
• It is a branch of study through which human problems are studied.
• It has various sub-branches which study various aspects of human behaviour and life.
• For example, economics studies the economic activities of man, sociology deals with social relations, political science deals with political life, systems and organization set up by man, Psychology deals with human behaviour, history deals with events and happenings of various aspects of human life.

Importance of Social Science for Engineers:

1. Importance of Economics to Engineers:

• Engineering is designing and building of structures, process, products that involves cost of building the product and the benefits from it.
• So engineers have to understand many economics concepts like inflation, employment, economic policies and their effects, business cycles, laws of production, consumer behaviour etc.
• So that study of economics is useful in taking decision regarding process of production, volume of production pricing policies, labour relation and taxation etc.

2. Importance of Political Science to Engineers:

• Knowledge of political science helps engineers understand various to government policies and legislations that affect industry and principles of democracy like participation, equality etc.
• This helps engineers apply these principles in the working of an industry in order to bring in efficiency in workers.

3. Importance of Industrial Sociology to Engineers:

• Study of industrial sociology helps to understand the problems and types of relations developing in an industry.
• These can be internal relations that are those relations Social Science & Engineering Economics that exist within an industry.
• These are formal, informal and mixed relations.
• Thus, relation between workers, between management and the workers and within the management staff is part of internal relations.

4. Importance of Industrial Psychology to Engineers:

• Many times engineers are manager too.
• As a result, knowledge of industrial psychology will help them in motivating the workers, finding solution to their fatigue and get good results.
• It also helps to manage stress of the workers, thus help avoid accidents.
• This industrial psychology also helps understand the psychology of consumers which is very helpful for an industry or a seller.

5. Importance of History to Engineers:

• A study of history helps engineers understand the development of engineering skills over centuries.
• It also helps them take steps to rectify the mistakes carried out in the past or the good techniques used in the past.

6. Awareness of National Heritage:

• This helps them to think and develop techniques to preserve these heritages.

7. Social Values and Respect for Values:

• Every nation has its social values and ideals. Study of social science can make the engineers aware of such values like equality, right of freedom etc.
• It helps them work better as engineers and contribute to social justice.

8. Cooperation:

• Study of social science makes cooperative behaviour. engineers aware about teamwork.

Que 2. What is constitution? Explain in detailed.

The document containing laws and rules which determine and describe the form of the government, the relationship between the citizens and the government, is called a Constitution.

• According to Patrick Henry “The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government.”
• In General-The Constitution is the supreme law of the land.
• All other laws have to conform to the Constitution.
• The constitution contains laws concerning the government and its relations with the people.

A constitution is concerned with 2 main aspects:-

1. The relation between the different levels of government and
2. Between the government and the citizens.

Need of constitution:

• We need a constitution to govern a country properly.
• The constitution defines the nature of political system of a country.
• If some issue arises that does not have any solution, we need a constitution for Fundamental right for citizen.
• We need a constitution because People don’t know their right and true power.
• It generates trust and coordination between the government and the citizens.

Different elements of constitution are described as follows:-

Preamble (1):

• The Preamble to the Constitution of India is a brief introductory statement that sets out the guiding purpose and principles of the document
• There is only one preamble in indian constitution

Parts (22):

• The individual Articles of the Constitution are grouped together known as parts
• When indian constitution was made in that 22 parts present in but now 25 parts present in indian constitution.

Articles (395):

• It is subcategory of different Parts in the constitution which contains detail information of the subject or the Title which an Article represents.
• When indian constitution was made in that 395 articles are present in but now 470 articles present in indian constitution
• Number of articles can be increase according to need but it can’t decrease or remove from indian constitution

Amendments (105):

• Amendment in Constitution can be increases according to need
• If any issue arises that don’t have solution then amendment done
• Amendment of the Constitution of India is the process of making changes to the nation’s fundamental law.
• Changes to the Indian constitution are made by the federal parliament.

Schedules (8):

• Schedules contain information that not found in the articles
• When indian constitution was made in that 8 schedules are present but now 12 schedules are present in indian constitution.

Appendices (2):

• They are extension to the constitution.
• When Indian constitution was made in that 2 appendices are present but now 5 appendices are present in Indian constitution.

Que 3. Describe salient features of Indian Constitution.

Indian Constitution:

• The constitution of India is a unique document.
• The constitution of India was completed in 2 years, 11 months and 18 days.
• It became effective on 26th January 1950 which is the date of commencement of this constitution.
• It was made by gathering all the good features of the constitutions of the world, thus referred as a beautiful patchwork.
• The Constitution of India has some distinct and unique features as compared to other constitutions to the world.

Some of its salient features are discussed below:

1. Lengthiest written constitution

• Constitution can be classified into written constitution such as that of America or unwritten constitution such as that UK.
• The constitution of India is a written constitution which happens to be the lengthiest written constitution in the world.
• It is comprehensive, elaborate and a detailed document
• The factors that have contributed to this phenomenon are: geographical factors (vastness of country and diversity), Historical factors (Influence of GoI, 1935), Single constitution for both centre and state and dominance of legal luminaries.

2. Drawn from various sources

• It has borrowed most of its provisions from the constitution of various other countries as well as from the Government of India act, 1935. Ex: structural part from GoI, 1935, independence of judiciary from USA, Fundamental Rights from USA etc.
• Though it is borrowed, the Indian constitution-makers made sure the borrowed features were made suitable to Indian conditions. Ex: Though we borrowed cabinet form of governance from UK, the cabinet is not all-supreme as in the case of UK.

3. Preamble of the constitution

• The Preamble consists of the ideals, objectives and basic principles of the Constitution.
• The salient features of the Constitution have developed directly and indirectly from these objectives which flow from the Preamble
• It asserts India to be a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic and a welfare state committed to secure justice, liberty and equality for the people and for promoting fraternity, dignity the individual, and unity and integrity of the nation.
• The Preamble is the nature of Indian state and the objectives it is committed to secure for the people.

4. Democratic system

• The authority of the government rests upon the sovereignty of the people. The people enjoy equal political rights.
• Free fair and regular elections are held for electing governments

5. India is a republic

• The Preamble declares India to be a Republic.
• India is not ruled by a monarch or a nominated head of state. India has an elected head of state (President of India) who wields power for a fixed term of 5 years.
• After every 5 years, the people of India indirectly elect their President.

6. Union of states

• Article I of the Constitution declares, that “India that is Bharat is a Union of States.”

7. Fundamental Rights and duties:

• The Constitution of India grants and guarantees Fundamental Rights to its citizens.
• The constitution of India confirms the basic principle that every individual is permitted to enjoy certain basic rights and part III of the Constitution deals with those rights which are known as fundamental right.
• The Six FR include- Right to Equality; Right to Freedom; Right Against Exploitation; Right to Freedom of Religion; Cultural and Educational Rights and Right to Constitutional Remedies (Art. 32).
• The fundamental rights are justiciable and are not absolute. Reasonable constraints can be imposed keeping in view the security-requirements of the state.
• A new part IV (A) after the Directive Principles of State Policy was combined in the constitution by the 42nd Amendment, 1976 for fundamental duties.

8. Directive Principles of State Policy:

• A unique aspect of the Constitution is that it comprises of a chapter in the Directive Principles of State Policy.
• These principles are in the nature of directives to the government to implement them to maintain social and economic democracy in the country

9. Parliamentary System:

• The Constituent Assembly decided to espouse Parliamentary form of government both for the Centre and the states.
• In Indian parliamentary system, distinction is made between nominal and real executive head.
• The Council of Ministers is responsible before the Lok Sabha, The lower house of union parliament. There are close relations between executive and legislature.

10. Federal structure of government:

• A federal state is a state where a country is divided into smaller regions and the government is functioning at two levels
• The Indian Constitution has envisaged a federal structure for India considering the geographical vastness and the diversity of languages, region, religions, castes, etc.
• Written Constitution, supremacy of the Constitution, division of powers between Union and States, bicameral Legislature, independent Judiciary, etc. are the features of Indian federation.
• Scholars describe India as a ‘Quasi-Federation’ (K.C. Wheare) or as ‘a federation with a unitary bias, or even as ‘a Unitarian federation.’

11. Universal adult franchise

• All men and women enjoy an equal right to vote. Each adult man and woman above the age of 18 years has the right to vote.
• All registered voters get the opportunity to vote in elections.

12. Single integrated State with Single Citizenship:

• India is the single Independent and Sovereign integrated state.
• All citizens enjoy a common uniform citizenship.
• They are entitled to equal rights and freedoms, and equal protection of the state.

13. Integrated Judicial system

• The Constitution provides for a single integrated judicial system common for the Union and the states.
• The Supreme Court of India works at the apex level, High Courts at the state level and other courts work under the High Courts.

Que 4. Explain the Fundamental Rights?

Fundamental Rights:

• Fundamental rights are the basic human rights enshrined in the Constitution of India which are guaranteed to all citizens.
• They are applied without discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, etc.

Fundamental rights:

1. Right to equality (Article 14–18)
2. Right to freedom (Article 19–22)
3. Right against exploitation (Article 23–24)
4. Right to freedom of religion (Article 25–28)
5. Cultural and educational rights (Article 29–30)
6. Right to constitutional remedies (Article 32)

1. Right to equality (Article 14–18)
   a) Article 14 – Equal protection of laws and Equality before law.
   b) Article 15 – Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, caste, sex,
   place of birth or race.
   c) Article 16 – Equality of opportunity in terms of public employment.
   d) Article 17 – Abolition of untouchability and prohibition of its practice.
   e) Article 18 – Abolition of titles except military and academic.
2. Right to freedom (Article 19–22)
   a) Article 19 – Protection of six rights regarding freedom of:
   I) speech and expression
   ii) right to organize assembly
   iii) right to form union
   iv) right to move freely throughout Indian territory
   v) right to residence and settlement
   vi)right to profession and occupation
   b) Article 20 – Protection in a conviction for offences.
   c) Article 21 – Protection of life and personal liberty.
   Article 21A – Right to elementary education.
   d) Article 22 – Protection against arrest and detention in certain cases.
3. Right against exploitation (Article 23–24):
   (a) Article 23 – Prohibition of traffic in forced labour and human
   beings. (selling & buying of human, Begar)
   (b) Article 24 – Prohibition of employment of children in Companies and
   factories, etc. (below age 14 yrs)
4. Right to freedom of religion (Article 25–28):
   a) Article 25 – Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and
   propagation of religion.
   b) Article 26 – Freedom to manage religious affairs.
   c) Article 27 – Freedom from payment of taxes for promotion of any
   religion or religious affairs.
   d) Article 28 – Freedom from attending religious instruction or worship in
   certain educational institutions.
5. Cultural and educational rights (Article 29–30)
   a) Article 29 – Protection of language, script and culture of minorities.
   b) Article 30 – Rights of minorities to establish and administer
   educational institutions.
6. Right to constitutional remedies (Article 32)
   Article 32 -Right to move the Supreme Court for the enforcement of
   fundamental rights it is also called soul of constitution.

Que 5. Explain the Fundamental Duties.

Fundamental duties:
These fundamental duties are defined as (Part IVA – Article 51A): (Added by 42nd Amendment
1976) It shall be the duty of every citizens of India: –

• To abide by the Constitution.
• To uphold & protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.
• To Cherish & follow the noble ideas which inspired our national struggle for freedom
• To defend the country & render national service when called upon to do so.
• To promote harmony & the spirit of common brotherhood.
• To value & preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture. g. To protect & improve the national environment.
• To develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform.
• To safeguard public property & to abjure violence.
• To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual & collective activity, so that the nations constantly rises to higher levels of endeavor & achievement.

Importance of Fundamental Duties- Part IV-A

• They remind Indian Citizens of their duty towards their society, fellow citizens and the nation
• They warn citizens against anti-national and anti-social activities.
• They inspire citizens & promote a sense of discipline and commitment among them
• They help the courts in examining and determining the constitutional validity of a law

Que 6. Explain the Directive Principles of State Policy?

Directive Principles (Part IV- Article 36-51):It provides the social and economic base of a genuine democracy. The classification of these are as follow :

1. Socio-economic Principles
2. Gandhian Principles
3. Liberal Principles
4. International principles

1. Social-economic Principles:

The principles that aim at providing social and economic justice and set the path towards
the welfare state.

1. Article 38: Promote the welfare of the people by securing a social order through justice— social, economic and political—and to minimize inequalities in income, status, facilities and opportunities

2. Article 39: Secure citizens: a. Right to adequate means of livelihood for all citizens. b. Equitable distribution of material resources of the community for the common good c. Prevention of concentration of wealth and means of production Equal pay for equal work for men and women

3. Article 39A: Promote equal justice and free legal aid to the poor

3. Article 41: In cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement, secure citizens:

1. Right to work
2. Right to education
3. Right to public assistance

4. Article 42: Make provision for just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief

5. Article 43: Secure a living wage, a decent standard of living and social and cultural opportunities for all workers

6. Article 43A: Take steps to secure the participation of workers in the management of industries

7. Article 47: Raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living of people and to improve public health.

2. Gandhian Principles:

These principles are based on Gandhian ideology used to represent the programme of reconstruction enunciated by Gandhi during the national movement.

1. Article 40: Organize village panchayats and endow them with necessary powers and authority to enable them to function as units of self-government
2. Article 43: Promote cottage industries on an individual or co-operation basis in rural areas
3. Article 43B: Promote voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control and professional management of co-operative societies
4. Article 46: Promote the educational and economic interests of SCs, STs, and other weaker sections of the society and to protect them from social injustice and exploitation
5. Article 47: Prohibit the consumption of intoxicating drinks and drugs which are injurious to health
6. Article 48: Prohibit the slaughter of cows, calves and other milch and draught cattle and to improve their breeds

3. Liberal Principles: These principles reflect the ideology of liberalism

1. Article 44: Secure for all citizens a uniform civil code throughout the country

2. Article 46: Provide early childhood care and education for all children until they complete the age of six years. (Note: 86th Amendment Act of 2002 changed the subject matter of this article and made elementary education a fundamental right under Article 21 A.)

3. Article 48: Organize agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines

4. Article 49: Protect monuments, places and objects of artistic or historic interest which are declared to be of national importance

5. Article 50: Separate the judiciary from the executive in the public services of the State

6. Article 51:

• Promote international peace and security and maintain just and honourable relations between nations
• Foster respect for international law and treaty obligations
• Encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration

4. International principles:

1. Article 51(a)- The State will strive to promote international peace and security.
2. Article 51(b)- The State will strive to maintain just and honorable relations among various states in the world.
3. Article 51(c)– The State will endeavor to promote respect for International treaties, agreements, and law.
4. Article 51(f)- The State will strive to settle international disputes by arbitration.

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