Simone Lawson
The Indian Constitution is the supreme law of India and the lengthiest constitution in the world. It is a living document that establishes a parliamentary form of government, lays down the framework defining fundamental political principles, and sets out fundamental rights and duties of citizens. The Indian Constitution is unique in that it combines both rigid and flexible characteristics, allowing it to adapt to changing times while also providing stability. It establishes a democratic framework, protects minority rights, promotes social justice, and ensures the separation of powers. With 449 articles in 25 parts, 12 schedules, 5 appendices, and 101 amendments, it is a comprehensive document that provides the foundation for the functioning of the Indian government.
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What You'll Learn
Lengthiest constitution in the world
The Constitution of India is the lengthiest constitution in the world. It is a very comprehensive, elaborate, and detailed document. The Indian Constitution originally consisted of 395 articles divided into 22 Parts and 9 Schedules. Presently, it consists of a Preamble, about 450 articles divided into 25 parts, 12 schedules, 5 appendices, and 101 amendments. It is the longest written constitution of any sovereign country in the world.
The Constitution of India has adopted the best features of most of the major constitutions of the world, according to the needs of the country. It establishes a federal system of government. It contains all the usual features of a federation, such as two governments, division of powers, written constitution, the supremacy of the constitution, the rigidity of the constitution, independent judiciary, and bicameralism. It also contains a large number of unitary or non-federal features, such as a strong Centre, a single Constitution, the appointment of a state governor by the Centre, and all-India services. The Indian Constitution is a unique example of a combination of rigidity and flexibility. It provides for three types of amendments ranging from simple to most difficult procedures depending on the nature of the amendment.
The most remarkable feature of the Indian Constitution is that being a federal Constitution it acquires a unitary character during the time of emergency. This transformation of the political system from federal (during normal times) to unitary (during an Emergency) is a unique feature of the Indian Constitution. Originally, the Indian Constitution provided for a dual polity and contained provisions regarding the organisation and powers of the Centre and the States. Later, the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts (1992) added a third tier of government (Local Government), which is not found in any other Constitution of the world.
The Constitution of India establishes a parliamentary form of government both at the Centre and the State. It reflects the spirit of inclusiveness, secularism, and equality, making it a crucial aspect of India's democratic setup. It safeguards the rights of minorities, ensuring their protection and allowing them to preserve their language, culture, and traditions. It also guarantees certain rights based on equality to establish social, political, and economic justice.
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Parliamentary form of government
The Indian Constitution establishes a parliamentary form of government at both the Centre and the State. It has adopted the British Parliamentary System of Government instead of the American Presidential System of Government. The Parliamentary system is based on the principle of cooperation and coordination between the legislative and executive organs, while the Presidential system is based on the doctrine of separation of powers between the two organs.
The Indian Constitution is the lengthiest and most detailed constitution of any sovereign country in the world. It is a comprehensive, elaborate, and detailed document that lays down the framework defining fundamental political principles, establishes the structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions, and sets out fundamental rights, directive principles, and the duties of citizens. It is a living document that makes the government system work.
The Constitution of India establishes a federal system of government with a strong centralizing tendency. It contains all the usual features of a federation, such as two governments, division of powers, written constitution, the supremacy of the constitution, the rigidity of the Constitution, independent judiciary, and bicameralism. The most remarkable feature of the Indian Constitution is that, being a federal Constitution, it acquires a unitary character during an emergency. This transformation of the political system from federal to unitary during an emergency is a unique feature of the Indian Constitution.
The Indian Constitution also contains a large number of unitary or non-federal features, such as a strong Centre, a single Constitution, the appointment of state governors by the Centre, and all-India services. The term "Federation" has not been used in the Constitution. Instead, Article 1 describes India as a "Union of States," implying that the Indian Federation is not the result of an agreement by the States and that no State has the right to secede from the Federation. This unique blend of federal and unitary features has led to the Indian Constitution being described as 'federal in form but unitary in spirit' and 'quasi-federal' by K C Wheare.
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Democratic framework
The Indian Constitution is the supreme law of the country and is a living document that establishes a democratic framework. It is the lengthiest and most detailed constitution in the world, reflecting the spirit of inclusiveness, secularism, and equality. The constitution safeguards the rights of minorities, allowing them to preserve their language, culture, and traditions. It also guarantees certain rights based on equality to establish social, political, and economic justice.
The constitution defines the nature of the country's political system, opting for the British Parliamentary system of government, which is based on the principle of cooperation and coordination between the legislative and executive organs. It establishes a federal system of government, with a strong centralising tendency, and provides for a flexible and adaptable framework, allowing for amendments by a special majority of the Parliament.
The Indian Constitution is unique in its combination of rigidity and flexibility. It contains all the usual features of a federation, such as two governments, division of powers, a written constitution, the supremacy of the constitution, an independent judiciary, and bicameralism. However, it also incorporates unitary or non-federal features, such as a strong centre, a single constitution, and the appointment of state governors by the centre.
The constitution lays down fundamental political principles, establishes the structure and procedures of government institutions, and sets out the duties of citizens. It includes Directive Principles of State Policy, which set out the aims and objectives for the state in governing the country. These principles can be classified into three broad categories: Socialistic, Gandhian, and Liberal-intellectual.
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Secular state
The Indian Constitution is the supreme law of India and is the lengthiest and most detailed constitution of any sovereign country in the world. It is a living document that establishes a democratic framework, protects fundamental rights, promotes social justice, and ensures the separation of powers.
The Indian Constitution's commitment to secularism is enshrined in its preamble and various articles. The term "secular" was added to the preamble by the 42nd Amendment in 1976, and it underscores the nation's dedication to maintaining a state free from religious favouritism. Secularism in the Indian context implies that the state does not promote or endorse any particular religion and that all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs, are equal before the law and receive equal protection under it.
The Constitution guarantees certain rights based on equality to establish social, political, and economic justice. It ensures that minority groups are not deprived of the benefits available to the majority and safeguards their rights, allowing them to preserve their language, culture, and traditions. Secularism in India promotes equality, non-discrimination, and the right to religious freedom for all citizens. It involves respecting individuals' personal beliefs and allowing them to follow their religions freely.
The Indian Constitution elaborates on the concept of secularism through several articles. Article 14 ensures equality before the law and equal protection of the laws for all citizens, prohibiting discrimination based on religion. Article 15 prohibits discrimination on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth, emphasizing that the state shall not discriminate against any citizen on these grounds. Article 16 ensures equal opportunities in public employment and prohibits discrimination based on religion, race, caste, sex, descent, or place of origin.
While India's secularism does not completely separate religion and state, it allows for extensive state interference in religious affairs. The 7th Schedule of the Indian Constitution places religious institutions, charities, and trusts in the Concurrent List, enabling both the central and state governments to make laws regarding these entities. This overlap between religion and state has created tension between supporters of Indian secularism and Hindu nationalism, with the latter seeking to declare India a "Hindu nation." However, the Supreme Court of India affirmed in the 1994 case of S. R. Bommai v. Union of India that India has been a secular state since the formation of the republic, establishing the separation of state and religion as a constitutional mandate.
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Federal system of government
The Indian Constitution establishes a federal system of government, containing all the typical characteristics of a federation, such as a two-government system, division of powers, a written constitution, the supremacy of the constitution, the rigidity of the constitution, an independent judiciary, and bicameralism. The Constitution of India has adopted the best features of most of the major constitutions of the world, as per the country's needs.
The Indian Constitution is the lengthiest and most detailed constitution of any sovereign country in the world. It is a comprehensive, elaborate, and detailed document. It originally consisted of 395 articles divided into 22 Parts and 9 Schedules. Presently, it consists of a Preamble, about 450 articles divided into 24 Parts and 12 Schedules, 5 appendices, and 101 Amendments.
The Indian Constitution has opted for the British Parliamentary system of Government instead of the American Presidential System of Government. The Parliamentary system is based on the principle of cooperation and coordination between the legislative and executive organs, while the Presidential system is based on the doctrine of separation of powers between the two organs. The Constitution establishes a parliamentary form of government both at the Centre and the State.
The Indian Constitution is neither rigid nor flexible but a synthesis of both. It provides for three types of amendments ranging from simple to most difficult procedures depending on the nature of the amendment. Amendments can be made by a special majority of the Parliament, ensuring that the Constitution remains flexible and adaptable to changing times.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution of India is the supreme law of India. It is a living document that establishes the framework for the country's political system and the structure, procedures, powers and duties of government institutions.
The Indian Constitution is the lengthiest constitution in the world, containing 449 articles in 25 parts, 12 schedules, 5 appendices and 101 amendments.
The Indian Constitution establishes a parliamentary form of government, opting for the British parliamentary system over the American presidential system.
The Indian Constitution is unique in that it combines elements of both a rigid and flexible constitution. It also has a federal structure with strong centralising tendencies, and can transform from a federal to a unitary system during an emergency.
The Indian Constitution stands for a secular state, meaning it does not uphold any particular religion as the official religion of the Indian State.
