Eleanor Finch
The Constitution of India is the supreme law of India. It outlines India as a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic with a parliamentary system of government. Notably, the constitution begins with the powerful words, We, the People of India. This introduction is a testament to the founding fathers' vision of a nation built on the values of liberty, equality, and fraternity. The constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949, and came into force on January 26, 1950.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Republic | Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic |
| System of Government | Parliamentary |
| Constitutional Head of the Executive of the Union | President |
| Council of Parliament of the Union | President, Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and House of the People (Lok Sabha) |
| Head of the Council of Ministers | Prime Minister |
| Social Justice | No discrimination against any citizen on grounds of caste, creed, colour, religion, gender or place of birth |
| Economic Justice | No discrimination between men and women on the basis of income, wealth and economic status |
| Political Justice | Equal, free and fair opportunities for people to participate in the political process |
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What You'll Learn
- The Constitution of India was first translated from English into Bengali in 1983
- The preamble was designed by painter Beohar Rammanohar Sinha of Jabalpur
- The Republic is governed by a parliamentary system with a Prime Minister
- The President is the constitutional head of the Executive of the Union
- The Constitution provides for a liberal democracy with equal political rights for all
The Constitution of India was first translated from English into Bengali in 1983
The Indian Constitution is a document that outlines the country's system of government and establishes a parliamentary system with a Prime Minister. It was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950. Notably, the Indian Constitution was originally written in English. This meant that many Indians were unable to read and understand the document in its original form.
In 1983, the Constitution of India was translated from English into the Bengali language and published in Kolkata. This translation, titled "Bharoter Songbidhan" in Bengali script, was made possible through the joint efforts of the Government of West Bengal and the Union Government of India. The translation process ensured that the Constitution could reach a wider audience, as Bengali is one of the 22 scheduled languages of the Indian Republic.
The translation of the Indian Constitution into Bengali was a significant step towards making the country's governing document more accessible to its citizens. It empowered Bengali speakers to directly engage with the content of the Constitution and understand their rights and responsibilities within the framework of India's parliamentary system.
The Bengali translation of the Indian Constitution has seen multiple editions published since its initial release in 1983. A second edition was published in 1987, followed by a third edition in 2022. Each edition incorporates amendments made to the Constitution over time, ensuring that the Bengali-speaking population of India has access to an up-to-date version of this important document.
It is worth noting that the Indian Constitution has also been translated into other Indian languages, such as Hindi, Odia, and Meitei (officially known as Manipuri). These translations contribute to the goal of making the Constitution accessible to all citizens, regardless of their primary language.
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The preamble was designed by painter Beohar Rammanohar Sinha of Jabalpur
The Constitution of India is a sovereign socialist secular democratic republic with a parliamentary system of government. It was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950. The preamble to the Constitution, which was designed by painter Beohar Rammanohar Sinha of Jabalpur, is a testament to his dedication to promoting Indian art and building cultural bridges between India and the Far East.
Beohar Rammanohar Sinha, born on 15 June 1929, was an Indian artist renowned for his illustrations in the original final manuscript of the Indian Constitution, including the complete preamble page. His exceptional artistic skills and unwavering dedication significantly contributed to the visual expression of India's foundational document, which is recognised as one of the most beautiful and comprehensive constitutions globally.
Sinha's residence during his childhood, BeoharNiwas-Palace in Jubbulpore, was a hub of nationalistic activities and played host to prominent freedom fighters and political figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan. This environment deeply influenced Sinha, instilling in him a strong sense of nationalism, philanthropy, and simplicity from an early age. He attended the Anglican Christ Church Boys Senior Secondary School briefly before transferring to the nationalist Pt Lajja Shankar Jha Model School Jabalpur, reflecting his family's ideological alignment.
Sinha's artistic talents extended beyond the Constitution. He executed a series of fresco-secco artworks between 1952 and 1953 on the walls and dome of the Shaheed-Smarak, also known as the Martyrs'-Memorial Concert Hall in Jabalpur. These paintings depicted significant episodes in India's struggle for independence, including the Quit India Movement and Rani Durgavati's challenge to Akbar's army. Sinha's artworks have received widespread acclaim and have been displayed alongside those of renowned artists like Hebbar, Husain, and Raza at prestigious auction houses like Sotheby's in New York and London.
Beohar Rammanohar Sinha, who passed away on 25 October 2007, left behind a rich artistic legacy. His contributions to the Indian Constitution and his cultural ambassadorship have cemented his place in India's artistic and historical landscape.
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The Republic is governed by a parliamentary system with a Prime Minister
India's constitution does indeed start with the words "We, the people". The full preamble, as amended up to July 2024, is as follows:
> WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC ... IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO · OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.
The Parliament of India represents the largest democratic electorate in the world, with 968 million eligible voters in 2024. It meets at Sansad Bhavan in New Delhi and consists of the President and two Houses: the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and the House of the People (Lok Sabha). The Lok Sabha consists of 545 members, of which 543 are the people's elected representatives, including two nominated members from the Anglo-Indian community by the President of India. The Rajya Sabha consists of 245 members, of which 233 represent the different states and union territories, and 12 are nominated by the President.
The parliamentary form of government maintains a close relationship and shares power between the legislative and executive levels, thus eliminating authoritarianism. The legislative is the law-making body of the government, framing laws and policies that are required to run the country smoothly. Parliamentary privileges include the right to access information necessary for effective legislation and oversight. Members of Parliament can seek information from government officials, ministries, and public authorities to gather facts, scrutinize policies, and hold the government accountable. This enables parliamentarians to make informed decisions and effectively represent the interests of their constituents.
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The President is the constitutional head of the Executive of the Union
The Indian Constitution, which came into effect on 26 January 1950, is a way of life for the people of India. It is a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic with a parliamentary system of government. The President is the constitutional head of the Executive of the Union.
The President of India is the ceremonial head of state of India and the commander-in-chief of the Indian Armed Forces. The President is also the constitutional head of the Executive of the Union, and the executive power of the Union is vested in them. The President exercises this power directly or through officers subordinate to them in accordance with the Constitution. The President also has the supreme command of the defence forces of the Union.
The President summons, prorogues, addresses, and sends messages to Parliament. They can dissolve the Lok Sabha, promulgate Ordinances, make recommendations for introducing financial and money bills, and give assent to bills. The President also grants pardons, reprieves, and remission of punishment or suspends, remits, or commutes sentences in certain cases. In the event of a failure of the constitutional machinery in a state, the President can assume all or any of the functions of the state government. They can also proclaim a state of emergency in the country if national security is threatened.
The President exercises their functions in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, who are the real heads of the Union Executive. The Council of Ministers comprises Ministers who are members of the Cabinet, Ministers of State, and Deputy Ministers. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President, who also appoints other ministers on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Council of Ministers must be qualified to be a member of either House of Parliament and must be a citizen of India.
The President must be a citizen of India and at least 35 years old. They hold office for five years and can be removed from office through resignation, impeachment, or disqualification by the Supreme Court.
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The Constitution provides for a liberal democracy with equal political rights for all
The Constitution of India, which came into force on 26 January 1950, provides for a liberal democracy with equal political rights for all. The preamble to the Constitution, which was amended as recently as July 2024, begins with the words "We, the People of India". This phrase reflects the idea of popular sovereignty, where the power of the state is derived from the people. The Constitution establishes India as a "Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic", with a parliamentary system of government.
The Indian Constitution guarantees certain fundamental rights, including freedom from double jeopardy, which is not provided in some other legal systems. It also provides for a federal structure with a constitutional head of the Executive of the Union, the President, and a council of ministers headed by the Prime Minister. The President exercises his or her functions in accordance with the advice of the council of ministers.
Liberal democracy, as a form of government, is characterised by certain key features. These include universal suffrage, free and fair elections, a multi-party system, the rule of law, and the protection of human rights, civil rights, civil liberties, and political freedoms. In a liberal democracy, all citizens have the right to participate in the political process, regardless of their ethnicity, sex, property ownership, race, age, sexuality, gender, income, social status, or religion.
The Indian Constitution embodies these principles of liberal democracy by providing for political equality and universal adult suffrage. It ensures free and fair elections, with multiple political parties competing for power. The Constitution also establishes an independent judiciary and a system of checks and balances between the different branches of government.
The United Nations promotes democratic governance as a set of values and principles that include greater participation, equality, security, and human development. The UN supports democracy through various programmes and organisations, such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), and the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA).
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the preamble to the Constitution of India starts with the words "We, the people of India".
The preamble continues: "...having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens...". It goes on to outline the form of government, which is a parliamentary system with a Prime Minister who exercises most executive power.
The Constitution of India was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950.
