Omar Bennett
The Constitution of India is the supreme law of the Republic of India. It is the world's longest written constitution for a sovereign nation, with 448 articles in 25 parts and 12 schedules. It was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India 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. The Constitution outlines the framework for the country's political system, defining the powers and responsibilities of government institutions, fundamental rights, directive principles, and the duties of citizens.
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The Constitution of India is the supreme legal document of India
The Constitution of India is the supreme legal document and the fundamental law of the land. It is the world's longest written constitution for a sovereign nation, with 448 articles in 25 parts and 12 schedules. The original 1950 constitution contained 395 articles in 22 parts and 8 schedules. It is also one of the most detailed, reflecting the nation's collective journey toward democracy, justice, equality, and fraternity.
The Constitution 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 as the country's fundamental governing document. The Union of India thus became the modern Republic of India, a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic with a parliamentary system of government. The Constitution provides for a parliamentary form of government that is federal in structure with certain unitary features.
The Constitution lays down the framework for the country's political system, defining the powers and responsibilities of government institutions, and outlining the principles of governance. It establishes India's commitment to the rule of law and the separation of powers between the three organs of the Government. It also ensures free and fair elections, equality before the law, and a secular state that recognizes freedom of conscience and religion.
The Constitution grants all citizens Fundamental Rights and empowers the independent judiciary to invalidate legislations or government actions that violate it. The six fundamental rights are the Right to Freedom, Right to Equality, Cultural and Educational Rights, Right to Constitutional Remedies, Right against Exploitation, and Right to Privacy. The Supreme Court of India, comprising the Chief Justice of India and up to 33 other Judges, interprets the Constitution and is the final authority on it.
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It is the world's longest written national constitution
The Constitution of India is the longest written national constitution in the world for a sovereign nation. It is a document that lays down the framework for the country's political system, defining the powers and responsibilities of government institutions, fundamental rights, directive principles, and the duties of citizens. It is a set of rules and regulations that guide the administration of the country. The Constitution of India is also one of the most detailed written constitutions globally, reflecting the nation's collective journey toward democracy, justice, and equality.
The Constitution of India came into effect on 26th January 1950, replacing the Government of India Act 1935 as the country's fundamental governing document. The Indian Constitution has had a profound impact on the daily lives of its citizens, shaping their constitutional culture and guaranteeing their rights and responsibilities. It is a document created by elite consensus, with roots in historical struggles, philosophical ideals, and societal aspirations. The original 1950 Constitution is preserved in a nitrogen-filled case at the Parliament Library Building in New Delhi.
The process of drafting the Indian Constitution began on 29th August 1947 when a resolution was passed in the Constituent Assembly to appoint a Drafting Committee chaired by Dr B.R. Ambedkar. The committee took nearly two years to prepare the draft constitution, which was introduced to the Constituent Assembly on 4th November 1948. After deliberations and modifications, the Constituent Assembly passed the final draft on 26th November 1949, known as the "Date of Adoption".
The Indian Constitution originally consisted of 395 articles in 22 parts and 8 schedules, totalling about 145,000 words. As of 2025, it has had over 100 amendments, and now contains 448 articles in 25 parts and 12 schedules. The last article of the constitution is still listed as Article 395, with new articles being inserted alphanumerically to preserve the original numbering. For example, Article 21A, pertaining to the right to education, was added by the 86th Amendment Act.
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It lays down the framework for the country's political system
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 for the country's political system, defining the powers and responsibilities of government institutions, and outlining the principles of governance. It is a set of rules and regulations that guide the administration of the country.
The Constitution of India is divided into several Parts, each dealing with a specific aspect of the country's legal, administrative, or governmental framework. Each Part contains several Articles, which are specific provisions or clauses that detail various aspects of the country's legal and governmental framework. The Articles are grouped together based on similar subjects or themes. The Constitution also includes Schedules, which are lists or tables attached to the Constitution that provide additional information or guidelines relevant to the constitutional provisions, making it more comprehensive and functional.
The Constitution of India defines India as a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, and Democratic Republic, with a parliamentary system of government. It establishes the roles and responsibilities of key figures in the government, such as the President, the Prime Minister, and the Council of Ministers. The President is the constitutional head of the Executive of the Union and is supported by the Council of Ministers, with the Prime Minister as its head. The President is obligated to act on the advice of the Prime Minister, who possesses the actual power in this system.
The Constitution also establishes the structure of the government, including the central, state, and local levels. It outlines the powers and limitations of both central and state governments, ensuring a balance between the liberty of citizens, the authority of the state, and the cohesiveness of society. The Constitution provides for a federal structure with certain unitary features, reflecting the country's diverse nature.
The Constitution of India is a living document that has undergone more than 100 amendments since its enactment, adapting to the changing needs and aspirations of the nation while preserving its fundamental principles. It is a testament to India's journey toward democracy, justice, and equality.
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It defines the powers and responsibilities of government institutions
The Constitution of India is the supreme legal document of India and the world's longest written national constitution. It is the fundamental law of the land, embodying the values, principles, and governance framework of the country. The Constitution provides for a parliamentary form of government with a federal structure and certain unitary features.
The Constitution lays down the framework that demarcates the fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions. It outlines the organisation, powers, and limits of these institutions, ensuring a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. The Constitution establishes India as a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic, declaring these principles in its preamble.
The Constitution grants all citizens Fundamental Rights and empowers an independent judiciary to invalidate any legislations or government actions that violate it. The six fundamental rights provided by the Constitution are the Right to Freedom, Right to Equality, Cultural and Educational Rights, Right to Constitutional Remedies, Right against Exploitation, and Right against Exploitation. Recently, the Right to Privacy has also been added to the list of fundamental rights.
The Constitution establishes a parliamentary system of government, with the President as the constitutional head of the Executive of the Union. The President's role is largely ceremonial, as executive power is exercised by the Prime Minister, who heads the Council of Ministers. The Council of Ministers aids and advises the President, who is constitutionally required to act on their advice.
The Constitution also provides for a single integrated system of courts, with the Supreme Court of India at the apex, followed by High Courts and District Courts. The independence of the judiciary is a key feature of the Indian Constitution, with the Supreme Court empowered to interpret and enforce the Constitution.
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It safeguards fundamental rights
The Constitution of India is the supreme legal document of India and the world's longest written national constitution. It is a set of rules and regulations that guide the country's administration and lay down the framework for the country's political system. It defines the powers and responsibilities of government institutions, safeguarding fundamental rights, and outlining the principles of governance.
The Constitution of India guarantees civil liberties, ensuring that all Indians can lead their lives in peace and harmony as citizens of India. These rights are known as "fundamental" as they are the most essential for all-round development, including material, intellectual, moral and spiritual development. They are protected by the fundamental law of the land, i.e., the Constitution.
The Constitution offers all citizens, individually and collectively, some basic freedoms. These are guaranteed in the Constitution in the form of six broad categories of Fundamental Rights, which are justifiable. These rights include the Right to Equality, the Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression, the Right to Freedom of Religion, the Right to Freedom of Assembly, the Right to Freedom of Association or Union, and the Right to Freedom of Movement.
The Fundamental Rights in India are enshrined in Part III (Article 12–35) of the Constitution. These rights are enforceable by the courts and if they are violated, the Supreme Court and the High Courts can issue writs under Articles 32 and 226 of the Constitution, respectively, directing the State Machinery for the enforcement of fundamental rights.
The Constitution of India also provides for a Parliamentary form of government that is federal in structure with certain unitary features. The constitutional head of the Executive of the Union is the President, who exercises his or her functions in accordance with the advice of the Council of Ministers, which is headed by the Prime Minister.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution of India came into force on 26 January 1950.
The Indian Constitution has 25 parts, each dealing with a specific aspect of the country's legal, administrative, or governmental framework.
The Basic Structure Doctrine is a guiding principle established by the Indian Supreme Court. It protects the Constitution's basic structure against amendments that might change its essential nature.
The Preamble is considered the heart of the Indian Constitution. It outlines the fundamental values, principles, and governance framework of the country.
The Indian Constitution has been amended 105 times since its inception in 1949. As of August 2021, 127 Amendment Bills have been introduced in Parliament.
