Eleanor Finch
The Constitution of India is the supreme legal document of India and the world's longest written national constitution. It became the law of India on 26 January 1950, and the country became a sovereign, democratic republic. The constitution was drawn from a number of sources, including previous legislation, and was signed in both Hindi and English.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Status | The supreme legal document of India |
| Length | 145,000 words, 395 articles in 22 parts and 8 schedules |
| Amendments | More than 100 |
| Type of government | Parliamentary, federal with certain unitary features |
| Constitutional head of the Executive of the Union | The President |
| Council of Parliament of the Union | The President and two Houses: the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and the House of the People (Lok Sabha) |
| Council of Ministers | Headed by the Prime Minister |
| Real executive power | Vested in the Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister as its head |
| Date adopted | 26 November 1949 |
| Date came into force | 26 January 1950 |
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What You'll Learn
The Constitution of India is the supreme legal document
The Constitution of India is the country's supreme legal document and the world's longest written national constitution. It lays out the fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions, and establishes a parliamentary form of government with federal characteristics. The constitution also sets out the fundamental rights and duties of citizens, and it empowers the independent judiciary to invalidate any legislation or government actions that violate it.
The Indian Constitution came into force on 26 January 1950, and it was drawn from a variety of sources, including previous legislation such as the Government of India Acts of 1858, 1919, and 1935, as well as the Indian Independence Act of 1947, which divided the Constituent Assembly into two and led to the creation of Pakistan. The Constituent Assembly signed two copies of the constitution, one in Hindi and one in English, and it has since been amended over 100 times.
The Constitution establishes India as a 'Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic' and is considered federal in nature and unitary in spirit. It provides for a three-tier governmental structure (central, state, and local), a division of powers, bicameralism, and an independent judiciary. It also has unitary features such as a single constitution, single citizenship, an integrated judiciary, and a strong central government.
The Constitution grants all citizens Fundamental Rights, as outlined in Part III, and Directive Principles of State Policy, outlined in Part IV. These act as the "conscience" of the Constitution, helping to realise the goals set out for the people of India. The right to life, guaranteed under Article 21, has been expanded to include a number of human rights. The Constitution also grants the Supreme Court binding authority over all other courts within India.
The Constitution does not contain a provision to limit the powers of Parliament to amend it. However, the Supreme Court has ruled that certain features of the Constitution are integral and cannot be removed. This implies that while international law can be incorporated into national law, it does not override Parliamentary authority.
The Indian Constitution: Rights, Duties, and Freedoms
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It is the world's longest written national constitution
The Constitution of India, the world's longest written constitution for a sovereign nation, is a detailed document that outlines the country's structure and governance. It was adopted by the Indian Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949, and came into effect on January 26, 1950, a day now celebrated as Republic Day in India. At the time of commencement, it comprised a preamble, 22 parts containing 395 articles, and eight schedules. Today, after several amendments, the Constitution contains a preamble, 448 articles originally present in 25 parts, and 12 schedules. It has been amended 105 times; the latest amendment became effective on August 12, 2022.
The length of the Indian Constitution is due to its comprehensive nature, covering a wide range of topics and providing a detailed framework for the country's governance. It outlines the fundamental rights and duties of citizens, the structure and powers of the government, the organization of the judiciary, and the relationship between the central government and the states. The Constitution also includes a number of provisions that are intended to protect the rights of minorities and ensure the country's unity and integrity.
One of the key features of the Indian Constitution is its federal structure, which divides powers between the central government and the states. The Constitution establishes a strong central government, with a parliamentary system of government, and grants it powers in areas such as defense, foreign affairs, and currency. At the same time, it recognizes the autonomy of the states, giving them power over a number of areas, including law and order, land, and education.
The Constitution also places a strong emphasis on the protection of fundamental rights. It guarantees a number of rights to all citizens, including freedom of speech and expression, freedom of religion, the right to equality before the law, and the right to constitutional remedies. The Constitution also includes a number of provisions that are intended to promote the welfare of vulnerable groups, such as women, children, and scheduled castes and tribes.
The Indian Constitution is a living document that has evolved over time to meet the changing needs of the country. It has been amended on numerous occasions to address issues such as property rights, language policy, and the balance of power between the central government and the states. The process of amendment ensures that the Constitution remains relevant and responsive to the needs of the Indian people.
In conclusion, the Indian Constitution, the world's longest written national constitution, is a comprehensive and detailed document that provides a strong framework for the country's governance. Its length reflects the complexity and diversity of India, and its provisions have helped to shape the country into a modern, democratic nation. The Constitution's federal structure, protection of fundamental rights, and ability to evolve through amendments make it a robust and resilient document that continues to guide India's development and ensure the country's unity and integrity.
The Dynamic Features of India's Constitution for Students
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It was adopted by the Constituent Assembly in 1949
The Constitution of India is the supreme legal document of India and is the world's longest written national constitution. 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 was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950. This date is celebrated annually in India as Republic Day. The Constituent Assembly first sat on 9 December 1946 and, in the span of two years and 11 months, it completed its task of framing India's Constitution. During this period, the Constituent Assembly had 11 sessions and sat for a total of 167 days. The first sitting, which took place on 4 November 1948, was a pivotal moment in the Constituent Assembly's work. B.R. Ambedkar presented the Draft Constitution of India to the Constituent Assembly and delivered a landmark speech.
The Constitution of India was drawn from a number of sources. Its framers borrowed features of previous legislation such as the Government of India Act 1858, the Indian Councils Acts of 1861, 1892 and 1909, the Government of India Acts 1919 and 1935, and the Indian Independence Act 1947. The Indian Independence Act 1947 led to the creation of Pakistan, effectively dividing the Constituent Assembly in two.
The original constitution is hand-written, with each page decorated by artists from Shantiniketan, including Beohar Rammanohar Sinha and Nandalal Bose. Its calligrapher was Prem Behari Narain Raizada. The constitution was published in Dehradun and photolithographed by the Survey of India. Production of the original constitution took nearly five years.
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The original is handwritten, in English and Hindi
The Constitution of India is the supreme legal document of India and is the longest written national constitution in the world. 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. It became effective on 26 January 1950, and on this day, India ceased to be a dominion of the British Crown and became a sovereign, democratic republic.
The original copies of the Indian Constitution are handwritten and were drafted in both Hindi and English. Each member of the Constituent Assembly signed two copies of the constitution, one in Hindi and the other in English. The calligrapher of the document was Prem Behari Narain Raizada, who wrote it in an italic style. The constitution was published in Dehradun and photolithographed by the Survey of India.
The process of producing the original constitution took nearly five years. Two days after its completion, on 26 January 1950, it became the law of India. The constitution has had more than 100 amendments since it was enacted. It initially had 395 articles in 22 parts and 8 schedules, but now has 465 articles and 12 schedules. At about 145,000 words, it is the second-longest active constitution in the world.
The original handwritten copy of the Constitution of India has been preserved in the Survey of India in Dehradun. The Survey of India printed the first 1,000 photolithographic reproductions of the handcrafted Constitution, and one of these copies has been kept in the library of the Parliament. Another copy is still preserved in Dehradun. The original copy of the handwritten constitution has been kept in the National Museum of New Delhi.
Languages Recognized by the Indian Constitution
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It has had over 100 amendments since it was enacted
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest for a sovereign nation. It is also the most frequently amended national governing document in the world. Since its enactment in 1950, it has undergone over 100 amendments, with 106 amendments as of February 2025. The constitution is amended roughly twice a year, and there are three types of amendments.
The first type of amendment must be passed by a simple majority in each house of the Parliament of India. The second type of amendment requires a prescribed “special majority” of each house of Parliament. The third type of amendment must be passed by a "special majority" in each house of Parliament and ratified by at least half of the State Legislatures.
The amendment procedure can vary depending on the types of changes required. If a bill seeks to amend the federal provisions of the Constitution, it must be ratified by the legislatures of half of the states by a simple majority. After being duly passed by both houses of Parliament and ratified by the state legislatures, the bill is presented to the President for assent.
The Indian Constitution is so detailed in spelling out governmental powers that many matters addressed by statute in other democracies must be addressed via constitutional amendment in India. This has resulted in a high number of amendments over time.
Some notable amendments include the Eighty-sixth Amendment, which provides for the Right to Education for children aged six to fourteen and Early Childhood Care until the age of six. Another example is the Fifth Amendment, which modified Article 3 of the Indian Constitution and was approved by then-President Rajendra Prasad in 1955.
The Supreme Court of India has played a significant role in interpreting and upholding the Constitution. In the case of Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala, the Court ruled that certain features of the Constitution are integral and cannot be removed. Additionally, the Court held that an amendment cannot destroy what it seeks to modify and cannot tamper with the Constitution's basic structure or framework.
The Indian Constitution is a flexible and dynamic document, deliberately worded in generalities to ensure its adaptability to the changing needs of the nation. It serves as the supreme legal framework for the country, demarcating the fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions.
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Frequently asked questions
India. The Indian Constitution is the supreme legal document of India and it became the law of India on 26 January 1950.
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest written national constitution for a sovereign nation. It lays out 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 process of making the Indian Constitution began on 9 December 1946, and it was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949. The Constituent Assembly sat for a total of 11 sessions and 167 days. The original constitution is hand-written, with each page decorated by artists from Shantiniketan.
