Simone Lawson
India has the longest constitution of any sovereign country in the world, with approximately 145,000 words, 448 articles, 22 or 25 parts, 12 schedules, and 5 appendices. Interestingly, some US states, such as Alabama and Texas, have longer constitutions than India. The Alabama Constitution, for example, has 300,000 words.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of words | 146,385 |
| Number of articles | 448 |
| Number of parts | 22 or 25 |
| Number of schedules | 12 |
| Number of appendices | 5 |
| Number of amendments | 101 |
| Date of adoption | 26 November 1949 |
| Date of coming into effect | 26 January 1950 |
| Language | English |
| Country | India |
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What You'll Learn
The Indian Constitution is the longest
The length of the Indian Constitution can be attributed to the fact that it borrows characteristics and concepts from the constitutions of many other countries. It has been influenced by the constitutions of the United Kingdom, the United States, Ireland, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Japan, and France. For example, the concept of single citizenship and the legislative procedure are borrowed from the United Kingdom, while the bill of rights, Electoral College, and judicial review are borrowed from the United States. As of 2018, 124 amendment bills have been presented to the Parliament for consideration, with 101 of these becoming Amendment Acts. This makes the Indian Constitution one of the most frequently amended national documents in the world.
The process of drafting the Indian Constitution began in 1946, with the Constituent Assembly of India formally taking up the task of constitution-making in 1947. The Assembly appointed a Drafting Committee headed by Dr B.R. Ambedkar, often referred to as the "Father of the Indian Constitution." The Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949, and came into effect on January 26, 1950.
The Indian Constitution is a unique and important document. It is the world's biggest written liberal democratic constitution and is known for its flexibility and rigidity, combining the characteristics of a Quasi-federal system of government. It is free from ambiguity and is very precise and clear. The Constitution also emphasises the law according to the Indian concept of federalism and protects the interests of minorities.
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Alabama's constitution is longer than India's
The Constitution of India is the longest written constitution of any sovereign country in the world. It contains 448 articles in 22 parts and 12 schedules, with 101 amendments. The English version of the Indian Constitution is approximately 145,000 words long, with some sources stating 146,385 words and others 117,369 words.
Alabama's constitution, however, is longer. It was adopted in 1901 and is believed to be the longest constitution in the world, with 388,882 words. It is 12 times longer than the average state constitution and 44 times longer than the U.S. Constitution. It is over 3 times longer than India's constitution, which is the second longest in the world.
Alabama's constitution is so long because of its 892 amendments, which cover a wide range of topics, from mosquito control to how to deal with dead farm animals. The length of the document is a result of the current constitution, passed in 1901, which stripped local communities of any right to home rule, meaning that any changes had to be made by the legislative delegations, and added to the state constitution.
The length of a constitution is not necessarily an indicator of its effectiveness. The average life of a newly written constitution is around 19 years, and many do not last more than 10 years. Japan has the oldest unamended constitution in the world, while Romania's 1938 constitution holds the record for the shortest overall process of drafting, adoption, and ratification of a national constitution, installing a royal dictatorship in less than a month.
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The US Constitution is the oldest
The US Constitution is the world's second oldest, with the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth Constitution having been passed on 3 May 1791. The US Constitution is also the oldest unamended constitution, with Japan's 1946 Constitution having undergone no changes. The longevity of a constitution is often tied to the process by which it is adopted, and the US Constitution's endurance may be attributed to its supreme status over ordinary statute law.
The US Constitution's endurance is notable given the typical 19-year lifespan of constitutions since 1789. Its longevity is likely due to its adaptability and the comprehensive nature of its drafting. The US Constitution has served as a model for other constitutions, with its concepts of a bill of rights, the Electoral College, and judicial review being borrowed by other nations.
The US Constitution's resilience is further emphasised when compared to the French Constitution of 1791, which lasted less than a year, and the 1811 Constitution of Venezuela, which was repealed after only one year. The US Constitution's ability to withstand the test of time is a testament to its robustness and the stability it has provided to the nation.
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Japan has the oldest unamended constitution
Almost every country in the world has a constitution, which is a set of laws or fundamental principles that govern a state or organisation. Most states have codified constitutions, which are often the product of some dramatic political change, such as a revolution. The process by which a country adopts a constitution is closely tied to the historical and political context driving this fundamental change. The legitimacy and longevity of codified constitutions are often tied to the process by which they are initially adopted.
The Japanese constitution is also uncommonly short, with fewer than 5,000 words, compared to the average constitution today, which is 21,000 words. This brevity means that reforms that require amendments in other, longer constitutions can be legislated by a simple parliamentary majority in Japan. Formal amendments are less necessary.
Amending the Japanese constitution is also a difficult process. Article 96 requires an amendment proposal to be initiated in the Diet by a two-thirds supermajority, followed by ratification in a national referendum by a simple majority. While there is no consistent cross-national data on voter referenda, 76% of constitutions require two-thirds assent by the legislature, making the legislative procedure in Article 96 of Japan’s Constitution quite typical.
The longest written constitution in the world is that of India, which is 145,000 to 146,385 words long in its English-language version.
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Monaco has the shortest constitution
India is often cited as having the longest constitution in the world, with a total of 448 articles in its current form. However, this title is sometimes contested due to the frequent amendments and the dynamic nature of the Indian Constitution. As of now, the Indian Constitution, including all its parts, consists of approximately 145,000 words.
In contrast, the honor of having the shortest written constitution goes to the Principality of Monaco. The Monaco Constitution, established in 1962, consists of just 3,814 words and is contained within a single document. This concise constitution outlines the basic principles, rights, and structures of Monegasque governance.
The brevity of Monaco's constitution is partly due to its focus on core principles and the absence of detailed provisions that are often found in longer constitutions. It establishes a constitutional monarchy with a strong executive branch headed by the Prince of Monaco. The document outlines the powers and responsibilities of the prince, including foreign relations, defense, and the appointment of key officials.
The constitution also establishes a unicameral legislature, known as the National Council, which holds legislative power and is responsible for voting on laws and the budget. It guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms, including equality before the law, freedom of religion, and freedom of expression. Additionally, it provides for an independent judiciary, with the Supreme Court serving as the highest judicial authority.
Despite its concise nature, the Monaco Constitution has proven to be effective in governing the country and has undergone several amendments to adapt to modern times. It serves as a testament that a constitution need not be lengthy to establish a stable and functioning system of governance. The Monegasque model demonstrates that a short and focused constitution can provide a solid framework for a country's legal and political system.
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Frequently asked questions
India has the longest constitution in the world.
The English version of the Indian constitution is approximately 145,000 words long, with some sources stating a more specific figure of 146,385 words.
The Indian constitution contains a preamble and 448 articles in 22 or 25 parts, 12 schedules, and 5 appendices. It also contains 101 amendments, with the most recent taking effect on July 1, 2017.
The Indian constitution explains the country's political code, the functions and organisation of various government entities, and the fundamental rights and obligations of citizens. It also includes concepts borrowed from other constitutions, such as single citizenship and the legislative procedure from the United Kingdom, and the bill of rights from the United States.
