Table of Contents
History of the Indian Constitution
India is known as Bharat. India is one of the Union of States. India is a sovereign socialist, secular country with a democratic republic. India has a parliamentary system in which the government works.
The history of the Indian Constitution states that it was adopted on 26th November 1949, and later, it came into action on 26th January 1960 after one year of adoption. The Indian Constitution has a parliamentary form of government. The structure of this is federal and has some certainty with unitary features. The president is the Executive of the parliamentary head.
Article 79 in the article says that the council of the Parliament and the union consists of the president of the country and two houses, which are known as Rajya Sabha, which is a Council of State, and Lok Sabha, which is the House of the People.
Making of the Indian Constitution
The making of the Indian Constitution was a very long process after the British Government granted India independence in 1947. Before this, the constitution of India was elected in 1946. Later, a committee was appointed, such as the Drafting Committee by Dr B.R.Ambedkar, the Union Power Committee and State Power Committee by Jawaharlal Nehru, the Provincial Constitution Committee and the Advisory Committee by Vallabhbhai Patel and many more.
Features of the Indian Constitution
The Indian Constitution has many salient features, such as it’s the longest-written constitution. It’s a blend of rigidity and flexibility. It also has Secularism, a Universal adult franchise, and many more features.
Amendment in the Indian Constitution
As per the updated report, there are 106 Amendments to the Indian Constitution.
Sources of the Indian Constitution
The Indian constitution has a great history behind it, and some of the sources were used to make it.
Government of India Act 1935:
The Government of India Act of 1935 has been a great source while making the Constitution of India, which includes Federal Scheme, Emergency Provision, Public Service Commission, Judiciary, Administrative Details, and Officer of the Governor.
There are different countries’ constitutions which were referred to such as:-
Constitution of United States:
Some of the provisions that were referred from the constitution of the United States are the Preamble, the Fundamental Rights, and the Federal Structure of Government, which are highlights of the Indian Constitution. Others are the Electoral College, independence to the judiciary, and separation of powers among three branches of the government such as the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches.
British Constitution:
In the British Constitution, some provisions that are referred to are the parliamentary form of government, the concept of single citizenship, the concept of rule and law, writs, lawmaking procedures, and many more.
Canadian Constitution:
Some of the provisions referred to were the concept of a quasi-federal form of government. One of the essential things the Indian constitution has adopted from the Canadian Constitution is the distribution of powers between the central government and the state government.
Irish Construction and French Constitution:
The Irish Constitution Directive principles of state policy and the French Constitution’s ideas of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity in the preamble were.
Australian Constitution:
Within the country and the states, the Freedom of trade and commerce was referred to, the Concurrent list and many more.
Constitution of Soviet Union:
Some of the provisions from the Soviet Union constitution, like Fundamental Duties, are under Article 51-A in the Indian Constitution. Also, a concept of constitutionally mandated planning commission.
Constitution of South Africa and Germany:
In South Africa, the idea of amendment procedure was referred to. From Germany, emergency powers by the Union, as well as the Suspension of fundamental rights in case of emergency, were referred to.
Constitution of Russia and Japan:
From the Russian Constitution, the concept of Social, Economic and Political Justice in the Preamble was referred to, and from the Japanese Constitution, the idea of Procedure while making the Establishment of Law was taken.
| Essay on the Constitution of India | GK Answers on the Preamble of Indian Constitution |
| Speech on National Constitution Day | Slogans on the Constitution of India |
Parts of the Indian Constitution
Indian Constitution has 25 Parts and 12 Schedules consisting of 395 Articles in 22 Parts and 8 Schedules.
| Parts of the Indian Constitution | |
| Part I – The Union and its Territories | 1 – 4 |
| Part II – Citizenship | 5 -11 |
| Part III – Fundamental Rights | 12 – 35 |
| Part IV – Directive Principles of State Policy | 36 – 51 |
| Part IV A – Fundamental Duties | 51A |
| Part V – The Union | 52 – 151 |
| Part VI – The States | 152 – 237 |
| Part VII – The States in Part B of First Schedule | 238 [Repealed] |
| Part VIII – The Union Territories | 239 – 242 |
| Part IX – The Panchayats | 243 – 243O |
| Part IXA – The Municipalities | 243P – 243ZG |
| Part IXB – The Co-operative Societies | 243ZH – 243ZT |
| Part X – The Scheduled and Tribal Areas | 244 – 244A |
| Part XI – Relation between the Union and the States | 245 – 263 |
| Part XII – Finance, Property, Contracts and Suits | 264 – 300A |
| Part XIII – Trade, Commerce and Intercourse within the territory of India | 301 – 307 |
| Part XIV – Services Under the Union and the States | 308 – 323 |
| Part XIVA – Tribunals | 323A – 323B |
| Part XV – Elections | 324 – 329A |
| Part XVI – Special provisions relating to certain classes | 330 – 342 |
| Part XVII – Official language | 343 – 351 |
| Part XVIII – Emergency Provisions | 352 – 360 |
| Part XIX – Miscellaneous | 361 – 367 |
| Part XX – Amendment of the Constitution | 368 |
| Part XXI – Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions | 369 – 392 |
| Part XXII – Short Title, Commencement, Authoritative Text in Hindi and Repeals | |
Schedules of the Indian Constitution
| Schedules of the Indian Constitution | |
| First Schedule | Territorial Jurisdiction of states |
| Second Schedule | Provisions in relation to allowances, privileges, emoluments |
| Third Schedule | Forms of oath and affirmation |
| Fourth Schedule | Provisions in relation to the allocation of seats for States and Union Territories in the Rajya Sabha |
| Fifth Schedule | Provisions in relation to the administration and control of scheduled areas and scheduled tribes |
| Sixth Schedule | Provisions in relation to the administration of tribal areas in the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram |
| Seventh Schedule | Deals with three legislative list |
| Eighth Schedule | Deals with 22 official languages recognized by the Constitution |
| Ninth Schedule | Deals with state acts and regulations of that deal with land reforms and the abolition of the Zamindari system |
| Tenth Schedule | Provisions relating to disqualification of the members of Parliament and State Legislatures |
| Eleventh Schedule | Provisions that specify the powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats. |
| Twelfth Schedule | Provisions that specify the powers, authority and responsibilities of Municipalities. |
Important Articles of the Indian Constitution
There are some Important Articles of the Indian Constitution
Article 12-35 – Fundamental Rights
Article 36-50 – Directive Principles of State Policy
Article 51A – Fundamental Duties
Article 80 – Numbers of Seats in Rajya Sabha
Article 243 – Panchayati Raj institutions
Article 343 – Hindi as an Official Language
Article 356 – Imposition of President’s Rule
Article 370 – Special Status of Jammu and Kashmir
Article 395 – Repeals Indian Independence Act and Government of India Act 1919
Important Facts about Indian Constitution
- The Indian Constitution holds the distinction of being the world’s longest written constitution among sovereign nations. It was officially adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949 and became effective on 26 January 1950.
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, often referred to as the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, played a pivotal role as the chairman of the drafting committee.
- What sets the Indian Constitution apart is its unique blend of rigidity and flexibility. While it allows for amendments, certain provisions are safeguarded against easy changes.
- The preamble serves as a guiding light, outlining the Constitution’s objectives: ensuring justice, liberty, equality for all citizens, and promoting fraternity to maintain the nation’s unity and integrity.
- The Constitution also enumerates fundamental rights for citizens, providing a robust framework for a democratic society. It also outlines fundamental duties expected from citizens.
- India is declared a secular state by the Constitution, ensuring equal respect for all religions by the state.
- The governance structure of India is federal in nature but incorporates distinctive unitary features during times of emergency.
- Recognizing India’s linguistic diversity, the Constitution acknowledges 22 languages under the Eighth Schedule.
- The Directive Principles of State Policy offer essential guidelines for government legislation, aiming to establish a fair and just society. It’s worth noting that these principles are not enforceable by the courts.
Frequently Asked Questions on Indian Constitution
Which year did the Indian Constitution come into action?
Indian Constitution states that it was adopted on 26th November 1949, and it came into action on 26th January 1960 after one year of adoption
How many Amendments are included in the Indian Constitution?
As per the updated report, there are 106 Amendments to the Indian Constitution.
Who were the different Committee Members of the Indian Constitution?
The drafting committee was headed by Dr B.R. Ambedkar, the union power committee and state power committee was headed by Jawaharlal Nehru, the provincial constitution committee and advisory committee was headed by Vallabhbhai Patel, and many more.
Who write the constitution of India?
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar is widely recognized as the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, having chaired the Drafting Committee and played a key role in its formulation.
Who signed Indian Constitution first?
Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, was the first person to sign the Indian Constitution, symbolizing its official adoption.
