Jonah Patel
The Constitution of India is the world's longest for a sovereign nation. It is the second-longest active constitution in the world, containing about 145,000 words. The Indian constitution has had over 100 amendments since it was enacted, making it the most frequently amended national governing document in the world. The number of pages in the constitution book of India varies depending on the edition and font size, but it is generally described as lengthy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of words | 117,369 in English |
| Number of pages | Varies depending on font |
| Number of articles | 345 or 395 |
| Number of schedules | 12 |
| Number of supplements | 27 |
| Number of amendments | More than 100 |
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What You'll Learn
- Amendments: The Indian Constitution has been amended over 100 times
- Word count: The English version has 117,369 words, or 145,000 according to another source
- Article count: There are 395 articles, 345 according to another source
- Schedule count: There are 12 schedules
- Judicial review: Interpretations of the constitution are influenced by the US
Amendments: The Indian Constitution has been amended over 100 times
The Indian Constitution, enacted in 1950, is the world's most frequently amended national governing document. As of February 2025, there have been over 100 amendments to the Constitution, with sources citing 105 and 106 amendments. It is a document "intended to endure for ages to come", and as such, it must be interpreted not only based on the intentions and understanding of its framers but also in the existing social and political context.
The Constitution is so specific in outlining the government's powers that many amendments address issues typically dealt with by statute in other democracies. This has resulted in the Constitution being 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 amendment procedure varies depending on the types of changes required in the Indian Constitution. If the bill seeks to amend the federal provisions of the Constitution, it must be ratified by the legislatures of half of the states by a simple majority. After being passed by both the Houses of Parliament and ratified by the state legislatures, the bill is presented to the President for assent.
The Eighty-Sixth Amendment of the Constitution of India, for example, provides for the Right to Education for children aged six to fourteen and Early Childhood Care until the age of six.
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Word count: The English version has 117,369 words, or 145,000 according to another source
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest for a sovereign nation. It is also the most frequently amended national governing document in the world. Since its enactment, it has undergone more than 100 amendments. The exact word count of the English version of the Indian Constitution is unclear. One source places it at 117,369 words, while another estimates it to be around 145,000 words. This discrepancy in word count could be due to the different versions or editions of the Constitution being referenced, as some editions may not include all the latest amendments.
The Indian Constitution is a comprehensive document that governs the daily lives of India's citizens and the functioning of their municipalities, state and federal governments, and the relationships between these entities. Its length and complexity have led to criticisms about its accessibility and comprehensibility to the general public.
The Constitution of India was enacted in 1950 and originally contained 395 articles in 22 parts and 8 schedules. However, over the years, it has been amended numerous times to address evolving social, political, and legal issues in the country.
The Indian Constitution is available in both English and Hindi, with the original being handwritten and decorated by artists from Shantiniketan. While the exact page count may vary depending on the font and formatting of different editions, the sheer volume of words in the Indian Constitution underscores its complexity and the level of detail it encompasses.
The word count of the Indian Constitution highlights the document's depth and breadth, covering a wide range of topics and addressing the diverse needs of the country's vast and heterogeneous population. The Constitution's length also reflects the complexity of governing a large and diverse country like India, with its numerous states, cultures, and interests.
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Article count: There are 395 articles, 345 according to another source
The Constitution of India is the world's longest for a sovereign nation. At the time of its enactment in 1950, it had 395 articles in 22 parts and 8 schedules. However, another source states that there are 345 articles and 12 schedules. The discrepancy in the article count may be due to the numerous amendments made to the constitution over time. It is the world's most frequently amended national governing document, with over 100 amendments since its enactment. The exact number of amendments is unclear, with different sources citing 103 and 105 amendments.
The Indian Constitution is a comprehensive document, containing approximately 145,000 words. It is significantly longer than the constitution of the United States, highlighting the level of detail and specificity in outlining the government's powers and functions. The length of the constitution has drawn commentary from various sources, with Jhelum Chowdhury of Crystal Research and Consulting describing it as "unwieldy and incomprehensible".
The constitution's length and complexity can be attributed to its role as the highest authority in India. It serves as the "rule book" that guides the daily lives of Indian citizens and the functioning of their municipalities, state and federal governments, and the relations between them. The constitution outlines the fundamental rights of the people and establishes an independent judiciary to protect these rights from infringement by any state body.
The Indian Constitution is a living document, evolving through amendments to adapt to the changing social and political context of the nation. The process of amending the constitution involves the formation of law commissions by the government of India, which recommend legal reforms to facilitate the rule of law. However, the Supreme Court of India has ruled that amendments must not destroy or significantly alter the basic structure and framework of the constitution.
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Schedule count: There are 12 schedules
The Constitution of India, enacted in 1950, is the world's longest for a sovereign nation. It is also the world's most frequently amended national governing document. Initially, the Constitution included eight schedules, but over time, their number increased to 12 through amendments. These schedules are essential components that simplify and enhance the document’s functionality. They cover diverse topics like land reforms, allocation of powers, official languages, and emoluments of officials.
The Schedules of the Indian Constitution are lists that organise and categorise administrative and legislative details. Each schedule elaborates on specific governance, administrative, or legislative aspects, ranging from territorial organisation to local governance. They serve several critical purposes, including simplifying legal complexity, providing clarity and reference, and facilitating amendments.
The inclusion of schedules allows for targeted updates or revisions to specific sections, eliminating the need to rewrite entire articles. This ensures adaptability without compromising the Constitution’s integrity. For example, the First Amendment in 1951 modified the Ninth Schedule to protect land reform and other laws from judicial review. The Seventh Amendment in 1956 reorganised states and altered the First and Fourth Schedules concerning territorial divisions and representation in Parliament.
The Eleventh Schedule, for instance, contains the provisions that specify the powers, authority, and responsibilities of Panchayats. It deals with the Fundamental Rights that outline the powers, authority, and responsibilities of Municipalities. The schedules ensure organised implementation of constitutional provisions, aiding governance, the division of powers, and responsibilities across various entities.
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Judicial review: Interpretations of the constitution are influenced by the US
The Constitution of India is the world's longest for a sovereign nation, with 395 articles in 22 parts and 12 schedules, totalling around 145,000 words. The number of pages varies depending on the font used in the copy.
The constitution was enacted by specifically selected representatives and came into force on 26 January 1950. It is the highest authority in India and has been amended over 100 times since its enactment, making it the world's most frequently amended national governing document.
Judicial Review
The interpretations of the Indian Constitution have been influenced by the United States' model. Judicial review in the US refers to the power of the federal judiciary to review the constitutionality of a legislative or executive act and to determine whether it conflicts with the provisions of the US Constitution. The concept of judicial review was established in the US before the creation of the Indian Constitution, with the first American decision to recognise this principle being Bayard v. Singleton in 1787.
Alexander Hamilton, in Federalist No. 78, extensively discussed the power of judicial review, stating that the federal judiciary would have the power to declare laws unconstitutional to protect the people from abuses of power by Congress:
> [T]he courts were designed to be an intermediate body between the people and the legislature, in order, among other things, to keep the latter within the limits assigned to their authority. The interpretation of the laws is the proper and peculiar province of the courts.
John Marshall, the fourth chief justice of the United States, also emphasised the importance of judicial review, noting that the Constitution established a government of limited powers, and that the courts had a duty to interpret and apply the Constitution, ensuring that legislative acts did not exceed their constitutional bounds.
The Indian Constitution adopted this concept of judicial review, with Article 50 mandating the separation of the judiciary from the executive in public services. The judiciary's role, as outlined in the Constitution, is to act as a watchdog, protecting the fundamental rights of the people from infringement by any state body and maintaining a balance between the central government and the states. This interpretation of the Constitution, influenced by the US model, ensures that the judiciary remains independent and unaffected by pressure from other branches of the state.
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Frequently asked questions
The number of pages in the Indian Constitution varies according to the font of the copy. However, there are 345 articles and 12 schedules in the Indian Constitution. At about 145,000 words, it is the second-longest active constitution in the world.
The Indian Constitution is the world's most frequently amended national governing document. It has been amended more than 100 times since it was enacted.
The price of the Indian Constitution book varies depending on the edition and the seller. One source mentions a price of ₹491.00.
The Indian Constitution book can be purchased online on websites such as Amazon.in.
