Jonah Patel
The Indian Constitution is a comprehensive document that outlines the country's political, social, and economic framework. It is divided into 25 parts, 12 schedules, and 395 articles, with several articles having multiple clauses or sub-clauses. The constitution became effective on 26 January 1950, which is celebrated annually in India as Republic Day. It has been amended over 100 times since its adoption, with new parts added and existing ones repealed or altered. These parts and articles define the rights of Indian citizens and outline the procedures, duties, and principles of the government, covering a wide range of topics such as citizenship, fundamental rights, union and state governments, and more.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Parts | 25 |
| Number of Articles | 395 |
| Number of Schedules | 12 |
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What You'll Learn
The Indian Constitution's 25 parts
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest for a sovereign nation. It was formally adopted on 26 January 1950, and at the time, it had 395 articles in 22 parts and 8 schedules. Since then, it has been amended 106 times, with the latest amendment added on 28 September 2023.
The amended constitution now has a preamble and 470 articles, which are grouped into 25 parts. With 12 schedules and five appendices, it is about 145,000 words long, making it the second-longest active constitution in the world.
The 25 parts of the Indian Constitution are as follows:
- Part I – The Union and its Territory – Articles 1 to 4
- Part II – Citizenship – Articles 5 to 11
- Part III – Fundamental Rights – Articles 12 to 35
- Part IV – Directive Principles of State Policy – Articles 36 to 51A
- Part IVA – Fundamental Duties – Article 51A
- Part V – The Union – Articles 52 to 151
- Part VI – The States – Articles 152 to 237
- Part VII – States in the B Part of the First Schedule – Articles 238 to 239
- Part VIII – Union Territories – Articles 239A to 241
- Part IX – Panchayats – Articles 243 to 243O
- Part IXA – Municipalities – Articles 243P to 243ZG
- Part IXB – Cooperative Societies – Articles 243ZH to 243ZT
- Part X – Scheduled and Tribal Areas – Articles 244 to 244A
- Part XI – Relations between the Union and the States – Articles 245 to 255
- Part XII – Finance, Property, Contracts, and Suits – Articles 268 to 300A
- Part XIII – Trade and Commerce within India – Articles 301 to 307
- Part XIV – Services under the Union and the States – Articles 308 to 323
- Part XIVA – Tribunals – Articles 323A to 323B
- Part XV – Elections – Articles 324 to 329
- Part XVI – Special Provisions regarding certain classes – Articles 330 to 342
- Part XVII – Languages – Articles 343 to 351
- Part XVIII – Emergency Provisions – Articles 352 to 360
- Part XIX – Miscellaneous – Articles 361 to 367
- Part XX – Amendment of the Constitution – Article 368
- Part XXI – Temporary, Transitional, and Special Provisions – Articles 369 to 392
- Part XXII – Short title, date of commencement, authoritative text in Hindi and repeals – Articles 393 to 395
- Part XXIII – Loss of Citizenship – Article 395
The Indian Constitution is the supreme form of Indian legislation, defining the essential rights, powers, procedures, and principles, as well as the duties of the government and citizens. It emphasises the supremacy of the constitution over the legislature and governs all laws, borrowing features from previous legislation such as the Government of India Acts 1858 and 1935, and the Indian Independence Act 1947.
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12 schedules, similar to annexures
The Constitution of India is a comprehensive document that outlines the country's political, social, and economic framework. It is divided into 25 parts, which are further divided into articles, and contains 12 schedules, similar to annexures. These schedules, like appendices or attachments, provide supplementary information to the main document.
The 12 schedules in the Indian Constitution are similar to annexures in that they are attachments to the main document. Schedules are often used to provide detailed information or lists that support the content of the main document. They can include things like technical specifications, lists of territories, or other information that is best presented separately from the main text.
In the Indian Constitution, schedules are used to provide additional information on a variety of topics. For example, Schedule 5 outlines the rights of citizenship for certain persons who migrated to India from Pakistan, while Schedule 6 covers the rights of citizenship for certain migrants to Pakistan. Schedule 7 addresses the rights of citizenship for certain persons of Indian origin residing outside of India. These schedules provide specific details that supplement the broader framework outlined in the main document.
The use of schedules in the Indian Constitution allows for a more organised and concise presentation of information. By separating certain details into schedules, the main document remains focused on the core principles and provisions, while still providing a comprehensive and detailed framework for governance. This structure enhances the readability and understandability of the Constitution, making it more accessible to citizens.
In summary, the 12 schedules in the Indian Constitution serve as attachments or supplements to the main document, providing additional information and context. They are similar to annexures in their function and purpose, enhancing the overall content and structure of the Constitution.
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395 articles
The Constitution of India is a comprehensive document that outlines the country's political, social, and economic framework. It is the supreme law of the land and came into effect on 26 January 1950, a date celebrated annually as Republic Day.
The Constitution originally comprised 395 articles, grouped into 22 parts and 8 schedules. However, through various amendments, new articles and parts have been inserted, and existing ones repealed. The amended constitution now includes a preamble and 448 or 470 articles, depending on the source, which are organised into 25 parts and 12 schedules.
The 395 articles of the original constitution covered a wide range of topics, including union and territory, citizenship, fundamental rights, and duties. For example, Article 1 defined India as a Union of States, while Articles 2 and 3 provided for the admission and formation of new states, respectively. Articles 5 to 11 outlined the rights of citizenship for various categories of persons, such as those migrating from Pakistan or residing outside India. Other important provisions included Article 13, which addressed laws inconsistent with fundamental rights, and Articles 14 to 17, which pertained to equality before the law and the abolition of untouchability.
The Constitution of India is a vital document that shapes the country's governance. Its articles, along with the parts and schedules, work together to define the rights of citizens and outline the procedures, duties, and principles of the government.
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Amendments and their impact
The Indian Constitution is a comprehensive document that outlines the country's political, social, and economic framework. It is the supreme law that defines the rights of Indian citizens and outlines the procedures, duties, and principles of the government. Since its adoption in 1950, the Indian Constitution has been amended numerous times to address the evolving needs of the nation. These amendments have had a significant impact on the country's governance and administration.
One of the notable amendments to the Indian Constitution was the addition of the word "secular" in 1976. This amendment emphasised the nation's commitment to secularism, ensuring that people of all religions are treated equally before the law. Another important amendment is the Eighty-sixth Amendment, which introduced the Right to Education for children between the ages of six and fourteen and early childhood care until the age of six. This amendment guaranteed access to education for millions of children across the country.
The Constitution has also been amended to address issues related to citizenship. For example, there are provisions in the Constitution that address the rights of citizenship for those who migrated to India from Pakistan and for Indian origin residents living outside the country. These amendments ensure that the rights of individuals and their connection to the nation are protected.
The Indian Constitution is unique in that it spells out governmental powers in great detail. Consequently, it is the most amended national constitution in the world, with amendments occurring approximately twice a year. As of February 2025, there have been 106 amendments made to the Constitution. The amendment process can vary depending on the type of change required, with some amendments requiring a simple majority in Parliament, while others need a special majority and ratification by state legislatures.
The impact of these amendments is far-reaching, as they shape the very foundation of India's governance. They reflect the nation's commitment to adaptability and ensuring that the Constitution remains relevant to the changing needs and aspirations of its citizens. The amendments reinforce the democratic ideals upon which the nation was built and empower citizens by defining their rights and responsibilities.
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The constitution's basic structure
The Constitution of India is the supreme legal document of India and is the longest written national constitution in the world. It contains 395 articles in 22 parts, with 12 schedules. Amendments have been made over time, adding new parts and repealing others, resulting in 25 parts today. The Constitution outlines the country's political, social, and economic framework, and it defines the rights of Indian citizens. It also outlines the procedures, duties, and principles of the government.
The Indian Constitution is federal in nature and unitary in spirit. It has features of a federation, including a codified, supreme constitution; a three-tier governmental structure (central, state, and local); division of powers; bicameralism; and an independent judiciary. It also has unitary features, such as a single constitution, single citizenship, an integrated judiciary, a flexible constitution, and a strong central government.
The concept of the "basic structure" of the Constitution was first introduced by M.K. Nambiar and other counsels while arguing for the petitioners in the Golaknath case in 1973. The "basic structure" refers to the core features of the Constitution that are so integral to its functioning and existence that they cannot be amended or removed. This concept was affirmed in the Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala case, where the Supreme Court ruled that an amendment cannot destroy what it seeks to modify and cannot tamper with the Constitution's basic structure or framework.
The basic structure of the Constitution has been a topic of debate, with some political parties expressing concerns that proposed constitutional reforms by the National Democratic Alliance government would destroy its basic structure. The Supreme Court has upheld the validity of certain amendments, such as the Twenty-fourth Amendment, which restored Parliament's power to amend any part of the Constitution, including Part III on fundamental rights. However, the basic structure doctrine does not protect any one provision of the constitution, and whether a particular provision is considered a "basic feature" is decided by the courts.
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Frequently asked questions
The Indian Constitution has 25 parts.
There are 12 schedules in the Indian Constitution.
The Indian Constitution has 448 articles.
The Indian Constitution has been amended over 100 times. The latest amendment was given assent on 28 September 2023.
Schedules are supplementary lists that provide additional details and explanations to the main text of the Constitution. They contain lists, forms of oaths or affirmations, and specific provisions that wouldn't fit within the main articles.
