Simone Lawson
The Indian Constitution is a unique document that reflects the fundamental principles on which the government of India is based. It is the world's most frequently amended national governing document, with over 90 amendments since 1950. The Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949, and came into force on January 26, 1950, replacing the Government of India Act 1935 as the country's fundamental governing document. The Constituent Assembly considered the historical perspective, geographical diversity, and cultural and traditional characteristics of India, as well as the constitutions of other countries, in drafting the Constitution. It is the lengthiest written constitution and is celebrated annually on November 26 as Constitution Day.
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What You'll Learn
The Indian Constitution is a social document
The Indian Constitution is a unique document, both in its contents and spirit. It is a social document, intended to be a common bond for all people, and a guide for society. It is a set of laws and rules that set up the machinery of the government, defining and determining the relations between the different institutions and components of the government, the executives, the legislature, the judiciary, the central and local governments.
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest for a sovereign nation, with 145,000 words in its original form. It has since been amended 106 times, with the latest amendment added in September 2023. The Constitution is so specific in spelling out government powers that many amendments address issues that, in other democracies, would be dealt with by statute. It is also flexible, with wording in generalities to ensure adaptability.
The Constitution is a social document that recognises India's diversity, with different social, religious, cultural, and linguistic expressions. It is a social contract that espouses constitutional supremacy, replacing the Government of India Act 1935 as the country's fundamental governing document. The Indian Constitution is a mixed bag of borrowings, drawing on the best features from other constitutions of the world. It is a living document that has been amended over time to reflect the changing needs of Indian society.
The Preamble to the Constitution of India records the aims and aspirations of the people of India, which have been translated into various provisions. It recognises 22 languages and over a hundred dialects, with the Hindi translation completed by a distinguished linguist, scholar, politician, and member of the Constituent Assembly, Raghu Vira. The Constitution provides for a parliamentary form of government that is federal in structure with certain unitary features. It declares India a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic, assuring its citizens justice, equality, and liberty.
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It is a mixed bag of borrowings
The Indian Constitution is a unique document, drafted over three years by the Constituent Assembly. It is a set of laws and rules that establish the machinery of the Government of India, defining and determining the relations between the different institutions and components of the government, the executives, the legislature, the judiciary, the central, and the local government.
The Indian Constitution is a mixed bag of borrowings from various sources, including the Government of India Act 1935, the Irish Constitution, and the US Constitution. The Constituent Assembly assessed many constitutions and drafted one that took the best provisions that applied to India's diversity. The Indian Constitution is extensively modelled on Western legal and constitutional practices, including the establishment of a federal system with residual powers in a central government.
The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) in the Indian Constitution are taken from the Constitution of Ireland and are mentioned in Part IV of the Indian Constitution from Articles 36 to 51. The Indian Constitution also mentions certain Directive Principles of State Policy (Article 36–51) that the government must consider when formulating new policies.
The Indian Constitution is also influenced by the historical perspective of Indian nationalist struggles, the geographical diversity of India, and its traditional and cultural characteristics, which are unique to India. The Constituent Assembly of India drafted the constitution, considering the features of other constitutions and India's specific context.
The Indian Constitution is a living document that has been amended over 90 times since it came into force, making it one of the most frequently amended constitutions globally. These amendments address issues dealt with by statute in other democracies, reflecting the dynamic nature of India's constitutional democracy.
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It is modelled on Western legal and constitutional practice
The Indian Constitution is a unique document, drafted over three years by the Constituent Assembly. It is the most detailed constitution in the world, with 448 articles, and is celebrated annually on 26 November (Constitution Day). The Indian Constitution is modelled on Western legal and constitutional practice, and its key features include the establishment of a federal system with residual powers in a central government.
The Constituent Assembly was indirectly elected by the provincial legislatures, comprising 278 representatives and 15 women. The Congress Party held a majority, with other parties including the Muslim League, Scheduled Caste Federation, the Indian Communist Party, and the Union Party. The Assembly met for the first time in December 1946 and by November 1949, the draft constitution was approved.
The Indian Constitution was influenced by the Government of India Acts of 1919 and 1935, which were a series of statutes enacted by the British Parliament. The 1919 Act was passed as a measure of gratitude for India's role in World War I, and it aimed to expand native participation in the government. The 1935 Act established a dual form of government with limited powers for the major provinces, transforming the imperial legislative council into a bicameral legislature for all of India.
The Indian Constitution also borrowed features from other constitutions, including the US Constitution, the Irish Constitution, and the Soviet Constitution. For example, the Directive Principles of State Policy (Articles 36-51) are taken from the Irish Constitution, and the suspension of fundamental rights during an emergency is borrowed from the Soviet Constitution. The Indian Constitution is a "mixed bag of borrowings", as described by Granville Austin, but it is also celebrated for its unique content and spirit, drafted according to India's historical perspective, geographical diversity, and cultural and traditional characteristics.
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It is a fundamental law that reflects the government's principles
The Indian Constitution is a fundamental law that reflects the government's principles. It is the world's most frequently amended national governing document, with over 90 amendments. It is also one of the longest and most detailed constitutions, with 448 articles, 10 appendixes, and a unique content and spirit. The constitution is deliberately worded in generalities to ensure its flexibility and endurance.
The Constituent Assembly of India drafted the constitution, considering the historical perspective, geographical diversity, and cultural and traditional characteristics of India. The constitution was also influenced by the Government of India Act 1935, which contributed to the establishment of a dual form of government with limited powers for the major provinces and the creation of a bicameral legislature for all of India. The Indian Constitution also borrowed the idea of Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) from the Irish Constitution, which guides the government in formulating new policies.
The Indian Constitution provides for a parliamentary form of government with a federal structure and some unitary features. It establishes a bicameral legislature at the centre, consisting of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and the Lok Sabha (House of the People). The constitution also provides for a Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister, to aid and advise the President, who is the constitutional head of the Executive of the Union.
The Indian Constitution is a secular document, detaching the state from religious dogmas, and it guarantees fundamental rights and liberties to its citizens. It also provides for a single citizenship for all people residing in different parts of the country, ensuring that no state has separate citizenship. The constitution is so specific in outlining government powers that many amendments address issues typically handled by statute in other democracies.
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It is the most frequently amended national governing document
The Indian Constitution is the world's most frequently amended national governing document. It came into existence on 26 November 1949 and was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India, coming into force on 26 January 1950. The Constituent Assembly was indirectly elected by the provincial legislatures and included 278 representatives and 15 women. The Constitution has been amended over 90 times, with the most recent amendment occurring in 2024.
The Constitution is a fundamental law that reflects the principles on which the government of India is based. It establishes India as a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic with a parliamentary system of government. The Constitution provides for a parliamentary form of government with a federal structure and some unitary features. The President is the constitutional head of the Executive of the Union, and a Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister, aids and advises the President.
The Indian Constitution is unique in its content and spirit, and it is the most detailed constitution in the world. It was drafted considering India's historical perspective, geographical diversity, and cultural and traditional characteristics. The Constituent Assembly assessed the constitutions of other countries and borrowed features that suited India's problems and aspirations. The Constitution is deliberately worded in generalities to ensure its flexibility and endurance.
The Constitution is so specific in spelling out government powers that many amendments address issues typically dealt with by statute in other democracies. Despite the supermajority requirement for amendments to pass, the Indian Constitution has been amended frequently. This is partly due to the absence of a provision to limit the powers of Parliament to amend the Constitution. However, the Supreme Court has ruled that certain features of the Constitution are integral and cannot be destroyed or modified by amendments.
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Frequently asked questions
The Indian Constitution is based on the idea of constitutional supremacy, as opposed to parliamentary supremacy. It is a unique document that was drafted according to the historical perspective, geographical diversity, and cultural and traditional characteristics of India.
The Indian Constitution is a fundamental law that reflects the fundamental principles on which the government of the country is based. It establishes India as a secular state, with an independent judiciary and a parliamentary system of government. It also provides for a single citizenship for all people residing in different parts of the country.
The Constituent Assembly of India considered the features of constitutions from other countries, including the Government of India Act 1935, the Irish Constitution, and the US Constitution. They also took into account the historical perspective, geographical diversity, and cultural and traditional characteristics of India.
The Indian Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949, and came into force on January 26, 1950. It replaced the Government of India Act 1935 as the country's fundamental governing document, marking India's transition from a dominion of the United Kingdom to a republic.
