Isabella Carter
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest written constitution for a sovereign nation. It is also the world's most frequently amended governing document. The Indian Constitution has been amended over 100 times since its inception, with the most recent amendment being recorded on 28 September 2023. The document contains 448 articles, 25 parts, 12 schedules, and five appendices, comprising approximately 117,369 words in its English version.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of words | 145,000 (approximately) |
| Number of articles | 470 |
| Number of parts | 25 |
| Number of schedules | 12 |
| Number of appendices | 5 |
| Number of amendments | 105 or 106 |
| Date of latest amendment | 15 August 2021 or 28 September 2023 |
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What You'll Learn
The Indian Constitution is the longest for a sovereign nation
The Indian Constitution is the longest in the world for a sovereign nation, with approximately 145,000 words. It is also one of the most frequently amended national governing documents in the world, with a flexible and adaptable framework that has allowed for constant change since its enactment.
The constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into effect on 26 January 1950, replacing the Government of India Act 1935 as the country's fundamental governing document. It is espoused by constitutional supremacy, and while there is no provision to limit the powers of Parliament to amend the constitution, the Supreme Court has held that certain features are integral and cannot be removed. This is known as the 'Basic Structure' Doctrine.
The Indian Constitution was originally made up of 395 articles in 22 parts and 8 schedules, with a preamble that included the words "socialist", "secular", and "integrity". It has since been amended 105-106 times, with the latest amendment given assent on 28 September 2023. The current version has 448-470 articles, 25 parts, 12 schedules, and five appendices, totalling approximately 117,369-145,000 words.
The length of the Indian Constitution can be attributed to its deliberate wording in generalities, ensuring flexibility and adaptability to changing circumstances. This has allowed for a dynamic framework that can be amended through a variety of processes, making it a living document that evolves with the nation.
The constitution's length also reflects the complexity and diversity of India, encompassing a wide range of rights, directives, and policies that guide the nation's governance and protect its citizens' freedoms and liberties. It serves as a comprehensive blueprint for the country's legal, political, and social systems, providing a foundation for India's democratic values and ensuring the rights and well-being of its people.
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It has been amended over 100 times
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. At the time of its enactment, it had 395 articles in 22 parts and 8 schedules, with approximately 145,000 words.
The Constitution's framers deliberately used generalities in its wording to ensure its flexibility. It also espouses constitutional supremacy, as it was created by a constituent assembly rather than Parliament. This means that Parliament does not have the power to limit amendments to the Constitution, although the Supreme Court has ruled that certain features of the Constitution are integral and cannot be removed.
Article 368 of the Constitution outlines the procedure for constitutional amendments. Amendments are additions, variations, or repeals of any part of the Constitution by Parliament. An amendment bill must be passed by each house of Parliament by a two-thirds majority of its total membership, with at least two-thirds present and voting. Certain amendments must also be ratified by a majority of state legislatures.
The Constitution has been amended over 100 times since 1950, with the latest amendment assented to on 28 September 2023. The large number of amendments is due in part to the Indian Constitution's distinctive amendment process, which has a variety of possible processes to amend the Constitution. The Constitution's flexibility has allowed it to adapt to the changing needs of the nation, demonstrating the dynamic nature of India's constitutional democracy.
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The average constitution is 22,249 words
The Indian Constitution, with its approximately 117,369 words in the English version, is a comprehensive document that establishes the country's governing principles and fundamental rules. It is the world's longest constitution for a sovereign nation, reflecting the country's complex history, diverse culture, and commitment to democratic values. With 25 parts, 448 articles, 12 schedules, and five appendices, it serves as a detailed framework for India's governance.
In comparison, the average constitution stands at a more concise 22,249 words. This average length reflects the varying lengths and complexities of constitutions worldwide. While some nations opt for more succinct and general frameworks, others, like India, favour a more detailed and comprehensive approach.
The length of a constitution can be influenced by various factors, including a country's history, political system, and cultural context. Some constitutions are designed to be flexible and adaptable, allowing for frequent amendments to meet the evolving needs of the nation. On the other hand, some constitutions are more static, serving as a stable foundation for governance with minimal changes over time.
The Indian Constitution exemplifies the country's commitment to a robust and detailed framework for governance. Its length and complexity reflect the importance placed on addressing a wide range of issues and rights. By adopting a comprehensive constitution, India has established a strong foundation for its democratic values and the protection of its citizens' rights and freedoms.
While the average constitution may be significantly shorter, the length of the Indian Constitution underscores the country's dedication to a thorough and meticulous approach to governance. This extensive document guides the nation's policies, laws, and principles, shaping the lives of its citizens and the country's direction.
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It has 448-470 articles
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest for a sovereign nation. It is also one of the most frequently amended national governing documents in the world. The latest amendment was given assent on 28 September 2023, bringing the total number of amendments to 106.
The Constitution's articles are grouped into 25 parts, with 12 schedules and five appendices. It currently has 448 to 470 articles, depending on the source. The Constitution's approximate word count is a different matter. One source places the number at 120,000 words, while another estimates it to be nearly 150,000 words. However, this figure may be an overestimate due to the inclusion of organisational and structural notes in the word count. Excluding these notes brings the Constitution's word count down to approximately 117,369 words.
The Constitution's length can be attributed to its deliberate wording in generalities, ensuring flexibility. This flexibility is further enhanced by the variety of possible processes for amending the Constitution. While some parts of the Constitution have a more complex amendment procedure, the general process is simple and flexible. An amendment bill must be passed by each house of Parliament by a two-thirds majority of its total membership, with at least two-thirds present and voting.
Despite its length, the Indian Constitution is a dynamic document that has undergone constant change since its enactment. From 1950 to August 2015, there were 100 amendments made to the Constitution. This frequent amendment process reflects the country's evolving nature and the need to adapt the governing document to meet the changing needs of its people.
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It is a social document with deliberate generalities
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest for a sovereign nation. It is a social document with deliberate generalities, which is to say that it has been worded in a way that is not too vague but still flexible. This flexibility allows for the realisation of the goals set by the constitution for the people.
The constitution has been amended 106 times, with the latest amendment given assent on 28 September 2023. Despite the supermajority requirement for amendments to pass, it is the world's most frequently amended national governing document. Amendments are additions, variations, or repeals of any part of the constitution by Parliament. An amendment bill must be passed by each house of Parliament by a two-thirds majority of its total membership, with at least two-thirds present and voting.
The constitution's 470 articles are grouped into 25 parts, with 12 schedules and five appendices. In total, the English version of the constitution contains approximately 117,369 words, though other sources state that it is around 145,000 words long. The constitution espouses constitutional supremacy and was adopted with a declaration in its preamble. It was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on 26 November 1949 and became effective on 26 January 1950, replacing the Government of India Act 1935.
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Frequently asked questions
The Indian Constitution is estimated to have between 117,369 and 145,000 words in its English version.
Yes, the Indian Constitution is the longest for a sovereign nation.
The Indian Constitution has 25 parts.
The Indian Constitution has 448 articles according to one source, while another source states that there are 470 articles.
The Indian Constitution has 12 schedules and five appendices.
