Jonah Patel
The Constitution of India, with 145,000 to 146,385 words in its English-language version, is the longest written constitution of any sovereign state in the world. The Constitution of Monaco, on the other hand, is the shortest written constitution with 3,814 words. The Constitution of India has been amended over 100 times and has been in effect since 1950. Interestingly, the Constitution of Alabama, with 388,882 words, was the longest constitution in the world from 1901 to 2022.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | India |
| Number of Words | 145,000-146,385 |
| Number of Articles | 448-470 |
| Number of Parts | 22-25 |
| Number of Schedules | 12 |
| Number of Appendices | 5 |
| Number of Amendments | 100-106 |
| Last Amendment | 28 September 2023 |
| Date of Effect | 26 January 1950 |
| Date of Adoption | 26 November 1949 |
| Type of Constitution | Codified |
| Frequency of Amendments | Most Frequently Amended National Governing Document |
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What You'll Learn
The Indian Constitution is the longest in the world
The Indian Constitution is the longest written constitution in the world. It has 146,385 words in its English-language version, which is over 30 times longer than the US Constitution. The Constitution of Monaco, in contrast, is the world's shortest written constitution, with 3,814 words.
The Indian Constitution was composed between 1947 and 1950, and it became effective on 26 January 1950, the day that India celebrates each year as Republic Day. The Constitution replaced the Government of India Act 1935 as the country's fundamental governing document, and India became a sovereign, democratic republic. The Constitution declares India a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic, assuring its citizens justice, equality, and liberty, and promoting fraternity.
The original 1950 Constitution had 395 articles in 22 parts and eight schedules. The number of articles has since increased to 448 or 470, grouped into 25 parts, due to 100 or 106 amendments. The Constitution's articles are further divided into a preamble and 12 schedules, with five appendices. The Constitution has been amended over 100 times, with the most recent changes occurring in 2017 or 2023.
The Constitution's length is attributable to several factors, including India's diversity in terms of language, race, religion, culture, and geography. Additionally, the Constitution draws on the characteristics of many countries' constitutions, as well as previous legislation such as the Government of India Acts of 1858 and 1935, and the Indian Independence Act of 1947. The Constitution was drafted by the Constituent Assembly, which was elected by the members of the provincial assemblies, and it took almost three years to draft.
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It has been amended over 100 times
The Constitution of India is the longest written constitution of any country in the world, with 146,385 words in its English-language version. Composed between 1947 and 1950, the Indian constitution has only grown over the years. The original text of the Constitution contained 395 articles in 22 parts and eight schedules. It came into effect on 26 January 1950, the day that India celebrates each year as Republic Day. The number of articles has since increased to 448 due to over 100 amendments.
The Constitution of India is the supreme legal document of India. It lays down the framework that demarcates the fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions and sets out fundamental rights, directive principles, and the duties of citizens. The constitution declares India a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic, assuring its citizens justice, equality, and liberty, and endeavouring to promote fraternity.
The constitution replaced the Government of India Act 1935 as the country's fundamental governing document, and the Dominion of India became the Republic of India. To ensure constitutional autochthony, its framers repealed prior acts of the British parliament in Article 395.
The Indian constitution is the world's most frequently amended national governing document. The constitution is so specific in spelling out government powers that many amendments address issues dealt with by statute in other democracies. The bulkiness of the constitution is attributable to several characteristics taken by India from the constitutions of many countries.
The Constitution of Alabama was the world's longest constitution from 1901 to 2022. At 388,882 words, it was 51 times longer than the U.S. Constitution and 12 times longer than the average U.S. state constitution.
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Alabama's constitution was the longest until 2022
The Constitution of India, with 145,000 words, is the longest written constitution of any sovereign state in the world. Composed between 1947 and 1950, it has been amended multiple times, with the number of articles increasing from 395 to 448. The US Constitution, in contrast, has only 4,400 words.
However, until 2022, Alabama's constitution was the longest in the world. Alabama has had seven constitutions to date, all but the current one established via State Conventions. The current version, adopted on November 28, 2022, is Alabama's seventh constitution and has 369,380 words. It is more than two and a half times the length of the second-longest, the English language version of the Constitution of India.
The Alabama Constitution of 2022 is the result of decades of advocacy, removing racist and unconstitutional provisions that were relics of the White Supremacist 1901 Constitution. The new Constitution reorganized the document, moving relevant statewide amendments into the main body of the Constitution and removing duplicative and repealed provisions. Despite these changes, Alabama's Constitution is still complex and contradictory, resembling a law code with almost 500 pages of amendments related to localities rather than the state as a whole.
The length of Alabama's Constitution can be attributed to its accumulation of amendments, which are often exceptions to general statewide principles and special cases for specific localities. It is estimated that 70% of the amendments are local in nature, indicating the desire for greater local control. However, this has resulted in a lengthy and detailed constitution that may be challenging to navigate and implement effectively.
While Alabama's Constitution has undergone significant revisions, there may still be room for improvement. Critics argue that it should better reflect the values of Alabamians, promoting engagement in democracy, free and fair elections, equality of opportunity, and equal treatment under the law. Additionally, questions remain about its impact on economic development, mass transportation, public safety, justice, welfare, health, and education.
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Monaco's constitution is the shortest
The Constitution of Monaco, first adopted in 1911 after the Monégasque Revolution, is the shortest written constitution in the world. It was heavily revised by Prince Rainier III on 17 December 1962. The constitution outlines three branches of government, including several administrative offices and a number of councils, who share advisory and legislative power with the prince. The prince retains the highest executive power, but the principality's head of government is the minister of state, who presides over a six-member Council of Government, helps advise the prince, and is responsible for enforcing the laws. The constitution also defines the line of succession to the Monégasque throne.
The Monegasque constitution has only 12 chapters and about 3,800 words in its original French. The English translation has 3,814 words. In comparison, the Constitution of India, the longest written constitution of any country in the world, has 146,385 words in its English-language version and 145,000 words in its Hindi version. The US Constitution, by contrast, has only 4,400 words.
The Constitution of Monaco is the fundamental law of the country. It outlines the arms of government, administrative offices, and councils that share legislative and advisory powers with the prince. According to the constitution, the prince holds the highest executive powers, while the Minister of State is the head of government. Judicial power is also invested in the prince, who delegates judicial procedures to the various courts, which dispense justice in his name. The independence of the judges is guaranteed by the constitution.
The Supreme Court of Monaco is the highest court for judicial appeals and also interprets the constitution when necessary. It is composed of five chief members and two assistant judges named by the prince based on nominations by the National Council and other government bodies. The National Council is independent of the prince, but any proposed laws require the signature of the prince. The constitution cannot be suspended, but it can be reviewed in full or in part with a joint agreement between the prince and the National Council.
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The US Constitution is the oldest active codified constitution
The US Constitution, which came into force in 1789, is the oldest active codified constitution in the world. It was ratified in June 1788 and has been amended 27 times since its implementation. The first 10 amendments are collectively referred to as the "Bill of Rights", which made provisions for the protection of individual freedoms and equal justice, while also curbing the powers of the government. The US Constitution is also the shortest documented Constitution in the world, with only 4,400 words.
The US Constitution is considered the oldest because, although the Constitution of San Marino dates back to 1600 and is still in continuous use, it is uncodified. This means that not all elements of the San Marino Constitution are part of the law. The US Constitution, on the other hand, is a single text document that meets the stipulations of a codified constitution.
The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth Constitution, adopted in 1791, is considered the world's second-oldest constitution after the American Constitution. The French Constitution of 1791 and the Australian Constitution, drafted in the 1890s, are also among the oldest in the world.
The US Constitution has influenced the constitutions of many other countries. It is the supreme law of the United States and has remained in force for several centuries, often without major revisions for long periods. Thomas Jefferson predicted that 20 years would be the optimal time for any constitution to remain in force, but the US Constitution has endured for much longer.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution of India is the largest constitution in the world. It is the longest written constitution of any sovereign state in the world, with 145,000 to 146,385 words in its English-language version.
The Indian Constitution has been amended over 100 times. Sources vary on the exact number, with some saying 101, 103, or 106.
The Indian Constitution was composed between 1947 and 1950. It came into effect on 26 January 1950, India's Republic Day.
The Constitution of Monaco is the shortest written constitution in the world, with 3,814 words.
The Constitution of San Marino might be the world's oldest active written constitution, with some of its core documents in operation since 1600. The Constitution of the United States is the oldest active codified constitution.
