Eleanor Finch
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest for a sovereign nation, with 145,000 words. It outlines the country's core constitutional values, including sovereignty, socialism, secularism, democracy, republicanism, justice, liberty, equality, fraternity, human dignity, and unity and integrity of the nation. These values form the basis for how India is governed and its society functions, with a focus on democratic rule, social and economic equality, separation of religion and state, and fundamental rights and freedoms for all citizens. The constitution also provides for the Right to Education, which is one of the fundamental rights enshrined in the document. The Indian Constitution is considered federal in nature and unitary in spirit, and it has been amended 106 times, most recently on 28 September 2023.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sovereignty | Self-rule |
| Socialism | Social and economic equality |
| Secularism | Separation of religion and state |
| Democracy | Democratic rule |
| Republicanism | |
| Justice | Social, economic, and political justice |
| Liberty | Freedom of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship |
| Equality | Equality of status and opportunity |
| Fraternity | Plural society |
| Human dignity | Dignity of the individual |
| Unity and integrity of the nation | Unity among all inhabitants |
| Fundamental rights | Right to Education |
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What You'll Learn
Democracy, socialism, secularism, equality, and fraternity
India's constitution is founded on several core values, including democracy, socialism, secularism, equality, and fraternity. These values are enshrined in the constitution and have guided the country's political and social development since independence.
Democracy
Democracy in India refers to the country's democratic form of government, where the people hold power and participate in political decision-making. It entails free and fair elections, the protection of fundamental rights, and a multi-party system. India's democratic values are reflected in its constitution, which guarantees freedoms such as the right to vote, freedom of speech and expression, and freedom of assembly. These rights enable citizens to actively engage in the democratic process and hold the government accountable.
Socialism
Socialism in India has its roots in the country's independence movement and the quest for social and economic equality. The socialist movement in India gained traction as it advocated for the rights and well-being of farmers and labourers, challenging the privileges of the princely class and landed gentry. After independence, socialism influenced economic and social policies, with land reforms and industry regulations being implemented. The Indian Constitution was amended in 1976 to include the word "socialist," signifying the country's commitment to social and economic equality, non-discrimination, and the provision of a decent standard of living for all.
Secularism
Secularism in India refers to the separation of religion and state, with the state treating all religions equally and remaining neutral in religious matters. While the term "secularism" was not initially mentioned in the Indian Constitution, various provisions in the document reflect secular values. The Indian Supreme Court has affirmed that secularism is an integral part of the Constitution's basic structure, upholding equal treatment and respect for all religions. Secularism in India aims to foster religious tolerance, protect minority rights, and ensure that religious beliefs do not influence political, economic, social, and cultural aspects of governance.
Equality
Equality is a fundamental principle in the Indian Constitution, encompassing both social and economic equality. Social equality guarantees equal status and opportunities for all, regardless of caste, colour, creed, sex, religion, or language. Economic equality, on the other hand, entails the government's efforts to reduce wealth disparities and ensure a decent standard of living for all citizens.
Fraternity
Fraternity, as a constitutional value, promotes unity, solidarity, and brotherhood among citizens. It encourages mutual trust and understanding, and the pursuit of common goals. Fraternity is closely linked to liberty and equality, as emphasised by Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, who considered these values essential for Indian democracy. The idea of fraternity extends beyond political unity, aiming to foster social harmony and cohesion by addressing social inequalities and promoting ethical leadership, interfaith dialogue, and respect for religious and cultural diversity.
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Justice, liberty, and human dignity
The Indian Constitution, now in its 75th year, enshrines several values, including justice, liberty, and human dignity. These values are fundamental to the functioning of Indian society and the governance of the country.
Justice, as an ideal, is central to the Indian Constitution. It is reflected in the interpretation and application of laws and the functioning of the judiciary. For instance, in the case of Calcutta Electricity Supply Corporation (India) Ltd. v. Subhash Chandra Bose, the right to social and economic justice was deemed a fundamental right. The Supreme Court of India has also played a role in upholding justice, as seen in the case of Animal Welfare Board v. A. Nagaraja, where the court ruled that the state had a duty to protect animal rights.
Liberty is another core value of the Indian Constitution. Article 21, for example, guarantees the fundamental right to protection of life and personal liberty, safeguarding individuals from arbitrary deprivation of life and liberty. This right to liberty is so highly valued that it is considered the most cherished human value, ensuring the full development and evolution of a person.
The Indian Constitution also upholds human dignity as a key value. This is evident in Article 21, which includes the right to live with dignity as part of the right to life. The right to live with dignity extends to the end of natural life, as seen in the case of Gian Kaur v. State of Punjab, where the Supreme Court ruled on the issue of euthanasia. Furthermore, the right to dignity is closely linked to the right to privacy, which was recognised as a fundamental right in K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India.
These values of justice, liberty, and human dignity are integral to the Indian Constitution and form the foundation for a just, progressive, and inclusive Indian society. They guide the country's laws, policies, and decisions, ensuring the protection of the fundamental rights and freedoms of all citizens.
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Unity and integrity of the nation
Unity and integrity are among the key constitutional values of India, as outlined in the Preamble to the Indian Constitution. The term "unity of the nation" was expanded to "unity and integrity of the nation" through the 42nd Amendment Act in 1976. This amendment also added the terms "socialist" and "secular" to the preamble.
The preamble's reference to 'fraternity' is essential to the unity and integrity of the nation. Fraternity, in this context, refers to a sense of common brotherhood among all Indians, transcending religious, linguistic, and regional differences. This spirit of fraternity is vital in a country like India, where disruptive forces of regionalism, linguism, and communalism exist.
The Indian Constitution includes provisions that aim to remove barriers among people of different regions, religions, cultures, and languages. By fostering a spirit of fraternity, the Constitution seeks to ensure a conflict-free society and promote the unity and integrity of the nation.
The Constitution (Sixteenth Amendment) Act, 1963, introduced the ground of "sovereignty and integrity of India" in the reasonable restrictions clauses in Article 19. It also included the duty to uphold sovereignty and integrity in the oath of office for various constitutional functionaries.
The ideals behind the Preamble to India's Constitution were laid down by Jawaharlal Nehru's Objectives Resolution, which was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on January 22, 1947. The Preamble can be amended under Article 368, but its basic structure, which forms the foundation of the Constitution, cannot be altered.
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Fundamental rights and duties
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest for a sovereign nation, with 145,000 words. It has been amended 106 times, the latest being on 28 September 2023. The constitution is federal in nature and unitary in spirit, with a parliamentary system of government. The executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government are all bound by the constitution.
The constitutional values of India include democracy, socialism, secularism, equality, fraternity, justice, and liberty. These values form the basis for how the country is governed and society functions, with a focus on democratic rule, social and economic equality, and the separation of religion and state. The values outlined in the constitution aim to establish a just, progressive, and inclusive society in India.
The Indian Constitution guarantees several fundamental rights to its citizens, including the Right to Education. These rights are essential for a free and civilized existence and include liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship. The constitution also emphasizes the dignity of the individual, which is crucial for the functioning of democracy, ensuring equal participation of every individual in all democratic processes.
The constitution outlines the fundamental duties of Indian citizens, including the duty to preserve, protect, and defend the constitution and the law. It stresses the importance of unity and integrity for the nation's independence and fosters a sense of fraternity to unite India's plural society.
The right to information is another key aspect of the constitution, empowering citizens to question social norms and practices and collaborate on social action projects that impact marginalized communities. The constitution also provides directions and suggestions for the development of education in the country, known as constitutional provisions.
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Separation of powers
The Indian Constitution outlines several key constitutional values, including democracy, socialism, secularism, equality, justice, and liberty. One of the most important of these values is the separation of powers, which is essential for the efficient administration of federal democratic states.
The separation of powers refers to the division of the legislative, executive, and judicial functions of government among separate and independent bodies. The legislative branch makes laws, the executive branch puts those laws into effect, and the judiciary interprets the laws and ensures they are upheld. Each branch has its own independent power and demarcated responsibility, and this separation is crucial for preventing interference from one branch in the workings of another.
In India, the functions are separated from powers, rather than the other way around. While the country has adopted a broad scheme of separation of powers, it does not strictly follow the doctrine. Instead, the system of checks and balances is followed, with instances of overlap between the branches to ensure no organ takes over the essential functions of another.
Article 50 of the Indian Constitution, for example, calls for the separation of the executive and judiciary branches. However, as a Directive Principle of State Policy, it is not enforceable. The Indian Constitution also does not prevent judicial legislation, allowing for judicial creativity in certain situations, such as when there is a peculiar issue at hand or when laws need to be adapted to fulfill the needs of the people.
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Frequently asked questions
The Indian Constitution is a federal and unitary document with a parliamentary system of government. It outlines the following values:
- Democracy
- Socialism
- Secularism
- Equality
- Fraternity
- Justice
- Liberty
- Sovereignty
- Human dignity
- Unity and integrity of the nation
The core constitutional values of India are:
- Social, economic, and political justice
- Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship
- Equality of status and opportunity
- Fraternity and dignity of the individual
Constitutional values are important in India as they form the basis of how the country is governed and society functions. They guide the fundamental rights and duties of Indian citizens, with a focus on democratic rule, social and economic equality, separation of religion and state, and freedom for all citizens.
The Right to Education is a fundamental right enshrined in the Indian Constitution. The Constitution provides directions and suggestions for the development of education in the country, known as constitutional provisions. These include the preamble, fundamental rights, and duties, as well as the directive principles of state policy and the right to information.
