Jonah Patel
The Constitution of India is the world's longest written constitution for a sovereign nation. It is a tome of 145,000 to 146,385 words in its English-language version, and it has been amended over 100 times since its inception. The Indian Constitution grants 44 rights to its citizens, including the right to education, and it lays out the framework for the government's powers and duties, as well as fundamental rights and directive principles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Status | The Indian Constitution is the world's longest written constitution for a sovereign nation. |
| Number of words | 145,000 to 146,385 words |
| Number of articles | 448 to 470 |
| Number of parts | 22 to 25 |
| Number of schedules | 12 |
| Number of appendices | 5 |
| Number of amendments | 101 to 106 |
| Date of the latest amendment | 28 September 2023 |
| Date of adoption | 26 November 1949 |
| Date of enforcement | 26 January 1950 |
| Frequency of amendments | Most frequently-amended national governing document in the world |
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What You'll Learn
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest written constitution
The English-language version of the Indian Constitution contains approximately 145,000 to 146,385 words, with 448 to 470 articles, depending on the source. These articles are grouped into 22 to 25 parts, with a preamble and a Short Title in the final part. The constitution also includes 12 schedules and five appendices. It has been amended numerous times—sources cite numbers ranging from 101 to 106 amendments. The most recent amendment was given assent on 28 September 2023.
The length of the Indian Constitution can be attributed to several factors, including India's diverse population with variations in language, race, religion, culture, and geography. Additionally, the constitution's bulkiness may be due to the influence of various characteristics borrowed from the constitutions of multiple countries. The Indian Constitution was drawn from previous legislation, such as the Government of India Acts of 1858, 1919, and 1935, the Indian Councils Acts of 1861, 1892, and 1909, the Indian Independence Act of 1947, and the Indian Council Act of 1861.
Despite being the longest, the Indian Constitution is also the world's most frequently amended national governing document. This is because it is so specific in outlining government powers that many amendments are needed to address issues that would be dealt with by statute in other democracies. The ease of amending the constitution may be due to the absence of a provision to limit the powers of parliament in this regard. However, critics argue that the length and frequent amendments to the constitution may be a weakness, leading to a lack of unanimity in understanding the rules and potentially hindering the country's progress.
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It has been amended over 100 times
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest written constitution for a sovereign nation. It is a supreme legal document that lays down the framework for the fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions. It also sets out the fundamental rights, directive principles, and duties of citizens. The Constitution of India has been amended over 100 times since it came into force on 26 January 1950, with the latest amendment being made on 28 September 2023.
The first amendment to the Constitution was made on 18 June 1951, just over a year after its enactment. This amendment addressed issues of caste and religious discrimination, among other significant changes. The Constitution has continued to evolve over the years, with amendments being made to address the changing needs and dynamics of the nation.
The amendment procedure can vary depending on the type of change required. The first type of amendment can be passed by a simple majority in each house of the Indian Parliament. The second type requires a 'special majority' in each house, and the third type mandates ratification by at least half of the state legislatures, in addition to a special majority. Despite the supermajority requirement for amendments to pass, the Indian Constitution is the world's most frequently amended national governing document.
The amendments to the Constitution have brought about significant changes in the course of Indian politics and governance. For instance, the Eighty-sixth Amendment provided for the Right to Education for children aged six to fourteen and early childhood care until the age of six. Another notable amendment was made in 1976, when the words "socialist", "secular", and "integrity" were added to the Preamble.
The Constitution also underwent a period of crisis during the Emergency, when its fundamental structure was challenged. However, the Supreme Court held that there were certain integral features of the Constitution that could never be removed, even through amendments. This showcases the resilience and adaptability of India's democratic framework.
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It is preserved in a nitrogen-filled case at the Parliament Library Building in New Delhi
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest for a sovereign nation. It is a lengthy document of about 145,000 words, with 470 articles, 12 schedules, and five appendices. It has been amended 106 times, with the most recent amendment added on 28 September 2023. The constitution is so specific in spelling out government powers that many amendments address issues typically dealt with by statute in other democracies.
The original 1950 Indian Constitution is carefully preserved in a nitrogen-filled case at the Parliament Library Building in New Delhi. The document is written entirely in black ink, which oxidises quickly, requiring it to be stored at a humidity level of approximately 50 grams per cubic metre. To maintain this humidity level, the constitution is kept in an airtight chamber. Monitors have been installed in the gas chamber to ensure that the humidity remains constant.
The decision to store the constitution in a nitrogen-filled case was made in 1994, when India followed in the footsteps of the United States, which also preserves its constitution in a similar manner. Prior to this, the original copy of the Indian Constitution was wrapped in flannel cloth and stored with naphthalene balls.
The location of the constitution's preservation is significant. The Parliament Library Building in New Delhi serves as a symbolic site for the nation's legislative history and future aspirations. By housing the constitution in this location, it underscores the importance of the document as the foundation of India's parliamentary system of government.
The preservation of the Indian Constitution in a nitrogen-filled case at the Parliament Library Building in New Delhi exemplifies the nation's commitment to safeguarding its foundational document. The delicate nature of the ink and the meticulous environmental controls required to preserve it reflect the intricate balance of powers and rights outlined within the constitution itself.
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It is a one-of-a-kind document
The Indian Constitution is a one-of-a-kind document. It is the world's longest written constitution for a sovereign nation, with 145,000 words in its original form. The amended version has a preamble and 470 articles, grouped into 25 parts, 12 schedules, and five appendices. It has been amended 106 times, most recently on 28 September 2023.
The Constitution of India is the supreme legal document of the country, outlining the fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions, as well as the fundamental rights, directive principles, and duties of citizens. It is federal in nature and unitary in spirit, with a unique combination of federal and unitary features, making it quasi-federal in form.
The Indian Constitution is unique in that it espouses constitutional supremacy, rather than parliamentary supremacy as found in the United Kingdom. This is because it was created by a constituent assembly rather than Parliament. The Constituent Assembly of India, comprised of 389 members (later reduced to 299 after the partition), took almost three years to draft the Constitution, holding eleven sessions over a 165-day period.
The Constitution draws from a variety of sources and previous legislations, including the Government of India Acts of 1858, 1919, and 1935, the Indian Councils Acts of 1861, 1892, and 1909, and the Indian Independence Act of 1947. It is also influenced by the creation of Pakistan, which divided the former Constituent Assembly into two, and the need to establish a distinct identity for the new nation of India.
The Indian Constitution is the world's most frequently amended national governing document, reflecting the country's dynamic nature and the need to adapt to changing circumstances. Despite the supermajority requirement for amendments, the Constitution has been amended over a hundred times, addressing issues that other democracies often deal with through statutes. This frequency of amendments highlights the adaptability and evolution of India's constitutional framework.
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It is the world's most frequently-amended national governing document
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest for a sovereign nation. It came into force on 26 January 1950, and at its enactment, it had 395 articles in 22 parts and 8 schedules. The amended constitution now has a preamble and 470 articles, which are grouped into 25 parts. With 12 schedules and five appendices, it has been amended 106 times, the latest of which was added in September 2023.
The Indian Constitution is also the world's most frequently amended national governing document. It is so specific in spelling out government powers that many amendments address issues dealt with by statute in other democracies. The Constitution is amended roughly twice a year. There are three types of amendments to the Constitution of India. The first type of amendment must be passed by a "simple majority" in each house of the Parliament of India. The second type of amendment must be passed by a prescribed "special majority" of each house of Parliament. The third type of amendment must be passed by a "special majority" in each house of Parliament and ratified by at least half of the State Legislatures.
The Constitution of India is the supreme legal document of India. It lays down the framework that demarcates fundamental political codes, structures, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions and sets out fundamental rights, directive principles, and the duties of citizens. It espouses constitutional supremacy, and while it does not contain a provision to limit the powers of the parliament to amend the constitution, the Supreme Court has ruled that certain features of the Constitution are integral to its functioning and existence and cannot be removed.
The Constitution provides for a Parliamentary form of government, which is federal in structure with certain unitary features. The constitutional head of the Executive of the Union is the President. The council of the Parliament of the Union consists of the President and two Houses: the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and the House of the People (Lok Sabha). The Rajya Sabha has strong powers and influences over the national government, and its consent is required for a bill to become a law. The Lok Sabha, or the House of the People, has the significant power of the 'Question Hour', where members can ask questions on every aspect of administration and governmental activity.
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Frequently asked questions
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest written constitution for a sovereign nation. It is approximately 145,000 words long, though some sources place it at 146,385 words. It has been amended 101 or 103 times, with the most recent changes occurring in 2017 or 2019.
The Indian Constitution is over 30 times longer than the US Constitution, which has only 4,400 words. The Monaco Constitution, the world's shortest written constitution, has 3,814 words. The Indian Constitution is longer than most novels. While it is the longest constitution for a sovereign nation, several US states, such as Alabama, have lengthier constitutions.
The length of the Indian Constitution can be attributed to several factors, including the country's variety in terms of language, race, religion, culture, and geography. The framers of the Constitution drew inspiration from various influences, including the American and French Constitutions, the Indian Councils Acts of 1861, 1892, and 1909, and the Government of India Acts of 1858, 1919, and 1935. The Indian Constitution is so specific in spelling out government powers that many amendments address issues typically dealt with by statute in other democracies.
