Simone Lawson
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest for a sovereign nation. It is also the world's most frequently amended national governing document. At its enactment in 1950, it had 395 articles in 22 parts and 8 schedules. The constitution has since been amended 106 times, with the latest amendment added on 28 September 2023. It now has 470 articles, which are grouped into 25 parts, 12 schedules, and five appendices.
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What You'll Learn
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest for a sovereign nation
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest written constitution for a sovereign nation. It is composed of 145,000 words, which is over 30 times the length of the US Constitution. The Indian Constitution has 448 articles, which are grouped into 25 parts, 12 schedules, and 5 appendices. It has been amended over 100 times since its enactment and continues to evolve.
The length of the Indian Constitution can be attributed to several factors, including the country's diverse geography, language, race, religion, and culture. Additionally, the constitution borrows from previous legislation and the constitutions of other countries, such as the Government of India Acts of 1858 and 1935, the Indian Councils Acts of 1861, 1892, and 1909, and the Indian Independence Act of 1947. The constitution-drafting process was undertaken by a 389-member assembly, which took almost three years and eleven sessions to complete.
The Indian Constitution is a comprehensive document that spells out the specifics and descriptions of the authorities wielded by the government, legislature, and judiciary. It is the supreme power of the nation, governing all laws. The constitution also provides for judicial review, with Article 13 addressing conflicts between pre-constitutional laws and the constitution itself.
Despite being the world's longest, the Indian Constitution is also the world's most frequently amended national governing document. This is due to the fact that it is so specific in outlining government powers, leaving little room for interpretation. As a result, many amendments are required to address issues that would be dealt with by statute in other democracies. The constitution's length and frequent amendments have been a subject of criticism, with some arguing that it may hinder the country's progress due to a lack of unanimity in understanding the rules.
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It has been amended 106 times, most recently in 2023
The Indian Constitution is a sacred document that outlines the country's governance and guarantees its citizens' fundamental rights. Since its enactment, the Constitution has been amended numerous times to accommodate the evolving needs of the nation. As of 2023, it has undergone 106 amendments, making it the most amended national constitution globally.
The Constitution of India came into effect on January 26, 1950, repealing the Indian Independence Act of 1947 and the Government of India Act of 1935. The constitution-drafting process was undertaken by the 389-member Constituent Assembly, which took almost four years to finalise. The final document consisted of 395 articles in 22 parts and 8 schedules, making it the world's longest written constitution for a sovereign nation.
Over time, the Constitution has been amended to address various issues and reflect the changing societal and political landscape of India. The first amendment was made on June 18, 1951, when significant articles, including Article 15, which prohibits discrimination based on caste and religion, were amended. This set a precedent for future amendments, with the Constitution being modified multiple times in the following decades.
The most recent amendment, the 106th, was given assent on September 28, 2023. This amendment addressed the reservation of seats for women in the Lok Sabha, state legislative assemblies, and the Delhi Legislative Assembly. This amendment underscores India's commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women in the political sphere.
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It is divided into 25 parts, with 448-470 articles
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest for a sovereign nation. It is also the world's most frequently amended national governing document. At its enactment in 1950, it had 395 articles in 22 parts and 8 schedules. It has since been amended 106 times, with the latest amendment added on 28 September 2023.
The amended Indian Constitution now has a preamble and 448-470 articles, which are grouped into 25 parts. With 12 schedules and five appendices, it spans about 145,000 words, making it the second-longest active constitution in the world.
The constitution's articles are grouped into the following parts: Preamble, with the words "socialist", "secular" and "integrity" added in 1976 by the 42nd amendment; Part I – The Union and its Territory – Articles 1 to 4; Part II – Citizenship – Articles 5 to 11; and so on.
The constitution was drafted by the 389-member Constituent Assembly, which took almost three years to draft the document. The Constituent Assembly was elected by the members of the provincial assemblies.
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It has 12 schedules and five appendices
The Indian Constitution is a lengthy document with 448 articles in 25 parts, 12 schedules, and 5 appendices. Schedules are an essential component of the constitution, simplifying and enhancing its functionality. They are lists that categorise and tabulate bureaucratic activity and government policy, covering diverse topics like land reforms, allocation of powers, official languages, and emoluments of officials.
Initially, the constitution included eight schedules, but this has expanded to twelve through subsequent amendments. These schedules serve several critical purposes. Firstly, they simplify legal complexity by presenting information in a structured and easily understandable format, reducing the overall complexity of the document. Secondly, they provide clarity and reference, offering additional details or clarifications for specific constitutional provisions, ensuring better comprehension and implementation. Lastly, they facilitate amendments by allowing for targeted updates or revisions to specific sections, eliminating the need to rewrite entire articles and ensuring the adaptability of the constitution without compromising its integrity.
The schedules cover a range of topics, including territorial organisation, local governance, and the powers, authority, and responsibilities of Panchayats and Municipalities. The first schedule deals with the allocation of powers, while the eleventh schedule specifies the authority of Panchayats, and the fundamental rights outlined in the constitution detail the powers and responsibilities of Municipalities.
The constitution's schedules have been modified over time to address India's dynamic needs. Notable amendments include the First Amendment (1951), which modified the Ninth Schedule to protect land reform and other laws from judicial review, and the Seventh Amendment (1956), which reorganised states and altered the First and Fourth Schedules concerning territorial divisions and representation in Parliament. The Forty-second Amendment (1976) added the Tenth Schedule, introducing provisions for the disqualification of MPs and MLAs under the anti-defection law, which was further strengthened by the Fifty-second Amendment in 1985.
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It became effective on 26 January 1950
The Indian Constitution came into effect on 26 January 1950, marking the country's first Republic Day. This date was chosen as it was the day in 1930 when the Indian National Congress demanded complete independence from the British Raj, as opposed to the Dominion Status. From 1947 to 1950, the same British legislation continued to be implemented as India was a dominion of the United Kingdom.
The Indian Constitution, which is the world's longest for a sovereign nation, was adopted on 26 November 1949, two months before it was enforced. It was drafted by the 389-member Constituent Assembly, which took almost three years, holding eleven sessions over a 165-day period. The Constituent Assembly was elected by the members of the provincial assemblies.
The Constitution of India repealed the Indian Independence Act 1947 and the Government of India Act 1935 when it became effective. With this, India ceased to be a dominion of the British Crown and became a sovereign, democratic republic.
The Indian Constitution, with 448 articles, is divided into 25 parts and 12 schedules. It had 395 articles in 22 parts and 8 schedules at the time of its commencement. Schedules are lists in the constitution that categorise and tabulate bureaucratic activity and government policy. The constitution has been amended 106 times, with the latest amendment given assent on 28 September 2023.
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Frequently asked questions
The Indian Constitution has 25 parts. It previously had 22 parts, but three more were added through amendments.
The Indian Constitution has 470 articles. It originally had 395 articles, but this number has increased through amendments.
There are 12 schedules in the Indian Constitution.
There are five appendices in the Indian Constitution.
