Isabella Carter
The Constitution of India is the supreme law of the Republic of India. It is the world's longest written constitution for a sovereign nation, with 448 articles, 25 parts, 12 schedules, and five appendices. The Constitution of India is the supreme legal authority that binds the legislative, executive, and judicial organs of government, establishing India as a 'Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic' with a parliamentary system of government. It is a set of rules and regulations that guide the administration of the country, defining the powers and responsibilities of government institutions, fundamental rights, directive principles, and the duties of citizens. The Constitution of India came into force on 26 January 1950, and this date is celebrated annually in India as Republic Day.
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The Indian Constitution is the supreme legal authority
The Constitution of India is the supreme legal authority and the lengthiest written constitution for a sovereign nation in the world. It is a comprehensive and detailed document that lays out the fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions, as well as the fundamental rights, directive principles, and duties of citizens. It is the source of legal authority and empowers Parliament and the Legislatures of States and Union Territories to enact statutes.
The Indian Constitution is a reflection of the nation's identity, its democratic ethos, and its foundational principles. It is a set of rules and regulations that guide the administration of the country and ensure the rights and responsibilities of its citizens. The Constitution grants all citizens Fundamental Rights and empowers the independent judiciary to invalidate legislations or government actions that violate it. It establishes India as a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, and Democratic Republic with a parliamentary system of government. The Constitution provides for a Parliamentary form of government that is federal in structure with certain unitary features.
The Constitution of India is the result of a long and thoughtful process. It was drawn from a number of sources, including previous legislation such as the Government of India Acts and the Indian Independence Act of 1947. The Constituent Assembly, established in 1946, played a crucial role in its formation. Sir B. N. Rau, a civil servant and legal expert, was appointed as the assembly's constitutional advisor and prepared the initial draft in February 1948. This draft was then debated and amended by a seven-member drafting committee, chaired by B. R. Ambedkar. The final draft constitution was submitted to the assembly on November 4, 1947, and adopted on November 26, 1949, with the remaining articles coming into force on January 26, 1950, which is celebrated annually as Republic Day.
The Indian Constitution has been amended over 100 times since its enactment, making it the world's most frequently amended national governing document. These amendments address a range of issues, reflecting the country's diverse needs and conditions. The Constitution's specificity in spelling out government powers allows for more detailed legislation. Despite the large number of amendments, the basic structure of the Constitution, including the independence of the judiciary, remains intact.
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It is the world's lengthiest written constitution
The Constitution of India is the country's supreme legal document and the longest written national constitution in the world. It lays down the framework for the fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions, and sets out the fundamental rights, directive principles, and duties of citizens. The Constitution of India is also the world's most frequently amended national governing document.
The original text of the Constitution, composed between 1947 and 1950, contained 395 articles in 22 parts and eight schedules. It came into effect on January 26, 1950, celebrated annually as Republic Day in India. The number of articles has since increased to 448 due to over 100 amendments. The Constitution's length has been a topic of debate, with critics questioning if it is a weakness. However, others argue that it is a strength, reflecting the country's complex history and diverse needs.
The Constitution of India is a result of a long and meticulous process. It was drafted by a seven-member committee appointed on August 29, 1947, with B. R. Ambedkar as the chair. The committee built upon the initial draft prepared by Sir B. N. Rau, which consisted of 243 articles and 13 schedules. The final draft was prepared after discussions, debates, and amendments, resulting in 395 articles and 8 schedules. The Constituent Assembly, which adopted the Constitution, held eleven sessions in 165 days before enacting it.
The Constitution of India is a comprehensive document that addresses the country's diverse needs and conditions. It borrowed features from previous legislation, such as the Government of India Acts and the Indian Independence Act, which led to the creation of Pakistan and divided the Constituent Assembly into two. The Constitution provides for a parliamentary form of government with a federal structure and some unitary features. It establishes the President as the constitutional head of the Executive of the Union and outlines the roles of the Prime Minister and the council of ministers.
The Constitution of India is a living document that continues to evolve. Its length and complexity reflect the country's rich history, cultural diversity, and commitment to a robust and comprehensive legal framework. The Constitution's frequent amendments demonstrate the country's dynamic approach to governance and its adaptability to changing times and circumstances.
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It is frequently amended
The Indian Constitution is the world's most frequently amended national governing document. It has been amended over 100 times since it was enacted, with the latest amendment given assent in September 2023. The constitution is highly specific in spelling out government powers, and many amendments address issues that would be dealt with by statute in other democracies.
The Indian Constitution does not contain a provision to limit the powers of the parliament to amend the constitution. This means that, unlike ordinary bills, there is no provision for a joint session of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to pass a constitutional amendment. Instead, amendments require a supermajority to pass.
The constitution's length and detail are due in part to the need to accommodate the vast diversity of the country, as well as the presence of legal experts and luminaries in the Constituent Assembly. It is a single constitution for both the central government and the states, and it borrows from various sources, including the Government of India Acts of 1858, 1919, and 1935, the Indian Councils Acts of 1861, 1892, and 1909, and the Indian Independence Act of 1947.
The constitution's 12 schedules provide clarity and supplementary details, making it more comprehensive and functional. The schedules include information on the framework that demarcates fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions, as well as fundamental rights, directive principles, and the duties of citizens.
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It is a federal system with a single integrated system of courts
The Indian Constitution is the supreme legal document of India and is the world's longest written national constitution. It is a federal system with a single integrated system of courts, with the Supreme Court at the apex. The Constitution grants all citizens Fundamental Rights and empowers the independent judiciary to invalidate legislation or government actions that violate the Constitution. The Supreme Court's decisions are binding on all Courts within the territory of India.
The Indian Constitution provides a unified court system that enforces both federal and state laws. The Supreme Court is the highest court in India, formed on 28 January 1950, under Article 124(1) of the Indian Constitution. The number of judges of the Supreme Court was increased to 31 by a 2009 amendment, including the Chief Justice. Below the Supreme Court are the High Courts, which are the highest court in the state judicial system. The High Courts deal with appeals from subordinate courts of civil and criminal matters.
The lowest courts in the hierarchy are the subordinate courts of civil and criminal matters. Civil matters are handled by the Civil Court, and criminal cases are handled by the Criminal Court. The Civil Procedure Code (CPC) governs civil court authority, while the Criminal Procedure Code (Cr.PC) governs criminal court authority. The higher courts in the hierarchy have the power to hear an appeal from the lower court, which can go up to the Supreme Court, whose decision is final and binding.
The Indian Constitution ensures the independence of the judiciary through measures such as tenure security for judges, charging all expenses of the Supreme Court to the Consolidated Fund of India, prohibiting the discussion of judges' fixed service conditions, and conduct in legislatures. The Constitution also prohibits judges from practising after retirement and vests the power to punish for contempt in the Supreme Court. The judiciary is also structurally separated from the executive.
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It establishes India as a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic
The Constitution of India is the supreme legal document and the fundamental law of the land. It establishes India as a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic, and lays down the framework for the country's political system. With its roots grounded in historical struggles, philosophical ideals, and societal aspirations, it reflects the nation's collective journey toward democracy, justice, and equality.
The Constitution of India is one of the longest and most detailed written constitutions globally. It is the lengthiest of all the written constitutions in the world, with about 145,000 words. It has had more than 100 amendments since it was enacted and is the world's most frequently amended national governing document. The Constitution's articles are grouped into 25 parts, with 12 schedules and five appendices. The document lays down the framework that demarcates the fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions. It also sets out fundamental rights, directive principles, and the duties of citizens.
The term "Sovereign" in the Constitution means that India is a free country with the complete right to govern itself without any interference from any external source. It signifies India's departure from the status of dominion in the British Commonwealth, as set up by the Indian Independence Act, 1947, to a free nation when the Constitution of India came into effect on January 26, 1950.
The term "Socialist" in the Constitution refers to social democracy, embodying the philosophy that the welfare of the larger society shall precede individual interests. It implies that wealth, being generated socially, should be shared equally by society through distributive justice and not be concentrated in the hands of a few. The government should regulate the ownership of land and industry to reduce socio-economic inequalities.
The term "Secular" in the Constitution means that India is not a theocratic state and does not have an official religion. It implies that the relationship between the government and religious groups is determined by the Constitution and law, ensuring equal freedom and respect for all religions.
The term "Democratic Republic" in the Constitution signifies that India is a country where the people have the right to elect their government through a system of universal adult franchise, popularly known as "one person, one vote." This representative form of government is suitable for governing the country because of its huge and diverse population. Every citizen of India aged 18 years or older and not otherwise legally barred is entitled to vote.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution of India is the supreme legal document and the fundamental law of the land. It is the world's longest written national constitution and contains the values, principles, and governance framework of the country.
The Constitution lays out the framework for the country's political system, defining the powers and responsibilities of government institutions, and outlining the rights and duties of citizens. It also establishes India as a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, and Democratic Republic with a parliamentary system of government.
The Preamble is an introduction or preface to the Constitution. It contains a summary of the Constitution's essence, including the ideals and aspirations of the people, and serves as a guiding principle.
The Indian Constitution has had more than 100 amendments since it was enacted and is the world's most frequently amended national governing document. The latest amendment was given assent on 28 September 2023.
