Omar Bennett
The date of enforcement of a constitution is a significant event in a country's history, marking a shift in the balance of power and the establishment of new governing principles. For example, the Indian Constitution, the world's longest written national constitution, was enacted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949, and went into effect on January 26, 1950, a date carefully chosen to align with Purna Swaraj day, celebrated since 1930. This date holds historical significance as it commemorates India's transition from a dominion of the British Crown to a sovereign, democratic republic with a parliamentary system of government. The enforcement of the Indian Constitution, with its 145,000 words and fundamental rights, marked a new era for the country, providing a framework for its political code, structure, and processes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of enforcement | 26 January 1950 |
| Date of enactment | 26 November 1949 |
| Type of government | Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic |
| System of government | Parliamentary |
| Structure of government | Federal |
| Number of articles at enactment | 395 |
| Number of parts at enactment | 22 |
| Number of schedules at enactment | 8 |
| Number of amendments | 106 |
| Date of latest amendment | 28 September 2023 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The Indian Constitution was enforced on 26 January 1950
The Indian Constitution, the world's longest written constitution of a sovereign nation, was enforced on 26 January 1950. This date is referred to in the constitution as the "day of its beginning" and is celebrated annually as Republic Day. The date was chosen with care, as it was already significant in India's history: Purna Swaraj Day was established on 26 January 1930, following a resolution voted by the INC's Lahore Session in December 1929.
The Indian Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950. The Constituent Assembly, chaired by B.R. Ambedkar, first met on 9 December 1946 and took almost three years to draft the constitution. The constitution establishes a parliamentary system of government that is federal in structure but has certain unitary aspects. The President is the Union's constitutional leader of the Executive, and legislative power rests with Parliament. The constitution also replaced the Indian Independence Act of 1947 and the Government of India Act of 1935 as the country's fundamental governing document.
The Indian Constitution is a written document that lays down the framework for the fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of the government and its organisations, as well as the rights and duties of citizens. It is the supreme law of India and has been amended 106 times, with the latest amendment added on 28 September 2023.
King George III's Unintentional Influence on the US Constitution
You may want to see also
The Constituent Assembly adopted it on 26 November 1949
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest written constitution for a sovereign nation. It is a document that has served as a model for several constitutions, including South Africa's. The Constituent Assembly adopted it on 26 November 1949, and it came into force on 26 January 1950. This date was chosen with care, as it was "Purna Swaraj" day, celebrated since 1930 following an occurrence on 31 December 1929, when Nehru waved the Tricolour at the Indian National Congress Session in Lahore and demanded "Purna Swaraj".
The Constituent Assembly, which was elected by the members of the provincial assemblies, took almost three years to draft the constitution. The Assembly first met on 9 December 1946 and, over 11 sessions and 165 days, produced the final draft of the Indian Constitution. The constitution was written by Behari Narain Raizada and is about 145,000 words long. At the time of its adoption, it contained 395 Articles and 8 Schedules, and it has been amended 106 times since then; the latest amendment was given assent on 28 September 2023.
The Constitution establishes a Parliamentary system of government that is federal in structure but has certain unitary aspects. The President is the Union's constitutional leader of the Executive. According to Article 79 of the Indian Constitution, the Union Parliament's council includes the President and two houses: the Council of State, also known as the Rajya Sabha, and the House of the People (Lok Sabha). The Constitution vests the power over the purse in the hands of chosen representatives of the people, thus sanctifying the principle of 'no taxation without representation'.
James Madison: Constitution's Key Architect
You may want to see also
It is the world's longest written constitution
The Constitution of India, also known as Bharat, is the world's longest written constitution for a sovereign nation. It 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 Dominion of India became the Republic of India, a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic.
The Indian Constitution is a meticulously crafted document that establishes a parliamentary system of government with a federal structure and certain unitary aspects. It outlines the fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions, as well as fundamental rights, directive principles, and citizen responsibilities. The document is so detailed in outlining government powers that many amendments address issues typically handled by statute in other democracies. It is also the world's most frequently amended national governing document, with over 100 amendments since its enactment.
The Indian Constitution's length is approximately 145,000 words, spread across 395 articles in 22 parts and 8 schedules. It is hand-written, with each page beautifully decorated by artists from Shantiniketan, including Beohar Rammanohar Sinha and Nandalal Bose. The calligraphy was done by Prem Behari Narain Raizada. The original 1950 constitution is carefully preserved in a nitrogen-filled case at the Parliament Library Building in New Delhi.
The Constitution of India has served as a model for several other constitutions, including South Africa's. Its implementation date of 26 January, also known as "Purna Swaraj" day, was carefully chosen to commemorate the resolution passed by the Indian National Congress in Lahore in 1929, when Nehru waved the Tricolour and demanded "Purna Swaraj." This date is celebrated as Republic Day in India, marking the day when the Constitution became the law of the land.
The Constitution: Amendments and Their Impact
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![A History of Violence (The Criterion Collection) [4K UHD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71lqpbUFtWL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The date was chosen as it was Purna Swaraj Day
The enforcement date of a constitution is often a significant moment in a nation's history, marking the establishment of its fundamental principles and governance structure. The date is usually chosen with care, reflecting a country's unique history and aspirations.
In the case of India, the enforcement date of its constitution was carefully selected to coincide with Purna Swaraj Day, which held immense symbolic significance for the nation's journey towards independence and self-rule. Purna Swaraj Day, also known as Complete Independence Day, was established on January 26, 1930, through a resolution passed by the Indian National Congress (INC) at its Lahore Session in December 1929.
On this day in 1930, Indians across the country celebrated Purna Swaraj Day, with Jawaharlal Nehru hoisting the Tricolour and demanding complete independence from British rule. This demand for "Purna Swaraj" was a pivotal moment in India's independence movement, marking the beginning of a new era where Indians asserted their right to self-governance and freedom from colonial rule.
By choosing January 26 as the enforcement date of the Constitution of India, the framers of the constitution wanted to honour this important milestone in the country's history. The Constitution of India, the longest written national constitution in the world, was enacted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949, and went into effect on January 26, 1950. This date was intentionally selected to pay homage to the day Purna Swaraj was declared, reflecting the country's proud declaration of independence and self-rule.
The Constitution of India is a comprehensive document encompassing approximately 145,000 words and establishing a parliamentary system of government with a federal structure. It outlines the fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions, as well as the rights and responsibilities of citizens. The constitution also replaced the Government of India Act 1935 as the country's fundamental governing document, marking India's transition from a dominion of the British Crown to a sovereign, democratic republic.
Military Deployment: Constitutional Boundaries and the US
You may want to see also
It replaced the Government of India Act 1935
The Indian Constitution, which came into effect on 26 January 1950, is the supreme legal document of India. It replaced the Government of India Act 1935. The Constitution establishes a parliamentary system of government that is federal in structure but has certain unitary aspects. The President is the Union's constitutional leader of the Executive. The Republic of India is governed by the Constitution of India, which was enacted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949. The 389-member assembly (reduced to 299 after the partition of India) took almost three years to draft the Constitution, holding eleven sessions over a 165-day period.
The Constitution establishes the framework that demarcates the fundamental political code, structure, processes, powers, and duties of government institutions, as well as fundamental rights, directive principles, and citizen responsibilities. It is the world's longest written national constitution. The authority of a government institution to enforce the law includes conducting investigations, making arrests, and suing individuals on behalf of the public.
The Constitution provides for a Parliament for the Union consisting of the President and the two Houses, namely, the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and the Lok Sabha (House of the People). The Union Executive is drawn from both Houses of Parliament and is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. This ensures an intimate relationship between the Union Executive and Parliament. The Constitution also provides for a head of state called the President of India, who acts on the advice of the Union Council of Ministers.
The Constitution of India outlines the fundamental principles of the system of parliamentary financial control. These include legislative prerogative over taxation, legislative control over expenditure, and executive initiative in financial matters. The Constitution vests the power over the purse in the hands of chosen representatives of the people, thus sanctifying the principle of 'no taxation without representation'. The preparation of the budget for approval by the Legislature is a constitutional obligation of the Government, both at the Centre and the State levels.
Mountain Biking: What Makes a Tough Ride?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Indian Constitution was enacted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949, and went into effect on January 26, 1950.
January 26 was chosen as it is Purna Swaraj Day, which was established in 1930 following the Indian National Congress Session in Lahore in December 1929, where Nehru waved the Tricolour and demanded Purna Swaraj.
The Constitution of India is the supreme legal document of India and the longest written national constitution in the world. It establishes India as a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic, assuring its citizens justice, equality, and liberty.
The Indian Constitution has a preamble and 470 articles, which are grouped into 25 parts. It also includes 12 schedules and five appendices and has been amended 106 times as of 2023.
