Memorizing India's Constitution For Competitive Exam Success

how to remember constitution of india for competitive exam

The Indian Constitution is considered the world's longest constitution, and it is a challenging task to memorise it for competitive exams like UPSC and Judiciary. However, with the right techniques and dedication, it is possible to remember the constitution in under 10 minutes. This involves understanding the schematics of the constitution, using simple mnemonics, and staying updated with current affairs.

Characteristics Values
Mnemonics Lazy Elephants Jump Slowly And Sit Regularly. L = legislative, E = executive, J = judicial, S = states, A = amendment process, S = supremacy of constitution, R = ratification
Sequence of Articles The pattern of unit-digit numbers is 2,3,4. The pattern of tens digit places is 5, 6, and 7. The articles are Article 52, article 63, and Article 74.
Disqualification of Members of Parliament Article 102 mentions the disqualification of members of parliament. Article 191 talks about the disqualification of MLAs.
Union Executives India has three union executives, including the President, Vice President, and the Union council of ministers headed by the Prime Minister.
Current Affairs In 2019, a trick question was asked about the right to marry, to which the answer was Article 21.

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Learn the sequence of articles

The Indian Constitution is a complex and lengthy document, and it can be challenging to remember all 448 articles. However, there are some techniques to help you learn the sequence of articles efficiently.

First, it is important to understand the 'schematics' of the Constitution. This means understanding why there are certain numbers of articles in each part. For example, there are patterns in the unit-digit and tens-digit places of the article numbers. The unit-digit pattern is 2, 3, 4, and the tens-digit pattern is 5, 6, 7. So, the articles are 52, 63, and 74. You can then add 89 to 74 to get 163, which relates to the state council of ministers headed by the chief minister.

Another technique is to use mnemonics. This is an age-old trick to help memorise large amounts of content. For example, one mnemonic to remember the various parts of the Constitution is: "U Can Fly Directly From the US to UP to Meet the Child of Shyam and Ram; Fruits Taste Sweet To Eat, So Only Eat Maggi As Tasty Snack". You can also create your own mnemonics by making a string of words or a sentence using key letters from the articles. For instance, "Lazy Elephants Jump Slowly And Sit Regularly" helps to remember the following: L = legislative, E = executive, J = judicial, S = states, A = amendment process, S = supremacy of constitution, and R = ratification.

Additionally, you can use tricks with numbers. For articles related to Emergency Provisions, add 4 to the subsequent article numbers. For the counterparts of articles of the Centre in the States, add either 90 or 89 to the original article number.

Finally, it is important to stay updated with current affairs and watch the news. For example, in 2019, a trick question asked about the right to marry, to which the answer was Article 21. Knowing this helps you to remember the article and understand its broader implications.

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Use simple mnemonics

The Indian Constitution is considered the world's longest constitution, with 448 articles, 25 parts, and 12 schedules. It is not an easy task to memorise the constitution, but it is possible with dedication, hard work, and consistency. Here are some simple mnemonics to help you remember the different parts of the Indian Constitution:

Mnemonic 1:

U Can Fly Directly From the US to UP to Meet the Child of Shyam and Ram; Fruits Taste Sweet To Eat, So Only Eat Maggi As Tasty Snack

This mnemonic helps you remember all 25 parts of the Indian Constitution. Each word in the mnemonic can represent a part, helping you recall the specific part and its content.

Mnemonic 2:

"Lazy Elephants Jump Slowly And Sit Regularly."

Here, each word represents a different aspect of the constitution:

  • L = Legislative
  • E = Executive
  • J = Judicial
  • S = States
  • A = Amendment Process
  • S = Supremacy of Constitution
  • R = Ratification

Mnemonic 3:

"Law removes all doubt."

In this example, the word "law" is used to remember Article 14. The other words in the sentence also have specific meanings:

  • T stands for Titles (Article 15)
  • No discrimination (Article 16)
  • Equal opportunity in public employment (Article 17)
  • Untouchability (Article 17)
  • Abolition of Titles (Article 18)

Mnemonic 4:

President Needs Fund for Removal of Present Vice-President & Judges in the USA

This mnemonic helps to remember the features of the Indian Constitution:

  • President - President of India
  • Fund - Fundamental Rights
  • Removal - Impeachment of the President, Removal of Supreme Court & High Court Judges
  • Present - Preamble
  • Vice-president - Post of Vice-president
  • Judges - Independence of Judiciary, Judicial Review

General Tips:

  • It is important to understand the schematics of the Constitution, such as why a specific number of articles are in each part.
  • Visual aids like mind maps and flashcards can be useful for recalling information.
  • Chunking articles into themes or categories can aid in organisation and comprehension.
  • Regular practice and repetition are crucial for long-term retention.
  • Stay updated with current affairs and news related to the Constitution, as this can help provide context and improve your understanding.

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Understand the constitution's schematics

The Indian Constitution is a living document that is designed to react and respond to changing scenarios in the country. It is not a collection of articles or words, but a document where every word has its significance. It is important to understand the schematics of the Constitution, including why there are a certain number of articles in each part.

The Constitution has a specific fixed design, including union executives and union state relations. There are three union executives in the country: the President, the Vice President, and the Union Council of Ministers, which is headed by the Prime Minister. The articles relating to these union executives are 52, 63, and 74. To remember these, note the pattern of the unit-digit numbers (2, 3, 4) and the pattern of the tens-digit places (5, 6, 7).

Article 102 mentions the disqualification of members of parliament. If you add 89 to 102, you get 191, which is the article that discusses the disqualification of MLAs. In most cases, you can use 89 to learn the other articles of the Indian Constitution.

Another mnemonic to remember the parts of the Constitution is: "U Can Fly Directly From the US to UP to Meet the Child of Shyam and Ram; Fruits Taste Sweet To Eat, So Only Eat Maggi As Tasty Snack".

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Know the constitution's practical applications

The Constitution of India is a living document that adapts to the changing needs of the country. It establishes a parliamentary system of government, with the executive branch headed by the President, and the Prime Minister exercising most of the executive power in practice. The Prime Minister must have the support of the majority in the Lok Sabha, or lower House of Parliament, to remain in office.

The Constitution also outlines the role of the judiciary, which acts as a watchdog to prevent any legislative or executive act from overstepping constitutional bounds. The Supreme Court or a high court can declare a parliamentary amendment null and void if it violates the basic structure of the Constitution, as seen in the 1967 Golak Nath v. State of Punjab decision.

The Constitution's practical applications can be seen in the balance of power between the President and the Prime Minister. While the President has the power to dismiss the Prime Minister or the Council of Ministers, the Prime Minister can exercise legislative power and create ordinances with the force of law when Parliament is not in session.

Additionally, the Constitution grants fundamental rights to citizens, including rights to equality, freedom, religion, and constitutional remedies. These rights are protected by the judiciary, which interprets and enforces them. For example, in the triple talaq case, the judiciary ensured that women from the same community were treated equally, upholding Article 14.

To prepare for competitive exams, it is essential to understand the practical applications of the Constitution. This includes knowing the roles and powers of key figures, such as the President and the Prime Minister, and how they interact with the legislative and judicial branches. Additionally, memorising key articles and their content, such as Article 21 (right to marry) and Article 14 (equality before the law), can be beneficial for exam preparation.

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Study the constitution's structure

Studying the structure of the Constitution of India is key to understanding it and being able to remember its intricacies. The Constitution of India is the supreme legal document of India and the longest written national constitution in the world. It lays down the framework that demarcates the fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions and sets out fundamental rights, directive principles, and the duties of citizens.

The Constitution of India is a federal document with some unitary features. It establishes India, also known as Bharat, as a Union of States and a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, and Democratic Republic with a parliamentary system of government. The head of the executive branch is the President, who is advised by the Council of Ministers, which is headed by the Prime Minister. The Council of Ministers is answerable to the lower house.

The Constitution has a three-tier governmental structure, with central, state, and local governments. It also has an independent judiciary, with the Supreme Court being the highest judicial body. The Supreme Court has the power to declare laws made by Parliament or state legislatures invalid if they violate any provision of the Constitution.

The Constitution is divided into several parts, with 25 in total, and each part contains several articles. For example, Article 52 and 53 refer to the President's role, while Article 74 refers to the Prime Minister's role. There are also schedules, with the original draft containing 13 schedules, which was then amended to 8 schedules.

To remember the structure of the Constitution, it is helpful to understand the logic behind the number of articles and parts, known as the 'schematics'. Additionally, using mnemonics can be a useful technique to remember the different parts and articles. For example, "Lazy Elephants Jump Slowly And Sit Regularly" represents the following:

  • L = legislative
  • E = executive
  • J = judicial
  • S = states
  • A = amendment process
  • S = supremacy of constitution
  • R = ratification
The Many Tongues of India's Constitution

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Frequently asked questions

The Indian Constitution is a living document that changes and adapts to the country's evolving needs. It is not a collection of articles or words, but a powerful tool with each word holding significance.

A good technique to remember the Indian Constitution is to use mnemonics. For example, "Lazy Elephants Jump Slowly And Sit Regularly" can be used to remember the following: L = legislative, E = executive, J = judicial, S = states, A = amendment process, S = supremacy of constitution, and R = ratification.

India has three union executives: the President, the Vice President, and the Union Council of Ministers, led by the Prime Minister. To remember, note the sequence of articles with unit-digit numbers 2, 3, 4, and tens digit places 5, 6, 7.

A simple trick is to add 4 to all the subsequent articles related to Emergency Provisions.

It is important to stay updated with the news and current affairs. Additionally, understanding the schematics of the Constitution and its application in real-life scenarios is crucial.

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