Simone Lawson
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest written constitution, with 146,385 words in its English-language version. It is the supreme legal document of India and lays down the framework for the fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions. It also sets out the fundamental rights, directive principles, and duties of citizens. The Constitution of India is a one-of-a-kind document that encompasses the specifics and descriptions of all the authorities wielded by the government, legislature, and judiciary. It came into effect on January 26, 1950, and has since been amended over 100 times.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | India |
| Number of Words | 146,385 |
| Number of Articles | 448 |
| Number of Parts | 25 |
| Number of Schedules | 12 |
| Number of Appendices | 5 |
| Number of Amendments | 101-103 |
| Date of Last Amendment | July 1, 2017 |
| Date of Adoption | November 26, 1949 |
| Date of Coming into Effect | January 26, 1950 |
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What You'll Learn
India's constitution is the world's longest
India is the country with the longest constitution in the world. The English-language version of the Indian Constitution contains approximately 145,000 to 146,385 words. It is divided into a preface, 448 articles in 25 parts, 12 schedules, and 5 appendices. The constitution has been amended 101 times, with the most recent changes on July 1, 2017.
The Indian Constitution is the highest authority in the country. It outlines the political code, the functions and organisation of various government entities, and the fundamental rights and obligations of its citizens. The constitution is regarded as the world's longest since it encompasses all the specifics and descriptions of the authorities wielded by the government, legislature, and judiciary. The bulkiness of the constitution is attributable to several characteristics borrowed from the constitutions of many countries. For example, the concept of single citizenship and the legislative procedure are borrowed from the United Kingdom, while the bill of rights, Electoral College, and judicial review are borrowed from the United States. The Indian Constitution also draws from the constitutions of Ireland, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Japan, and France.
The Indian Constitution was originally written in English by Prem Behari Narain Raizada. It was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on November 26, 1949, and became effective on January 26, 1950. The constitution came into effect in parts, with Articles 5-9, 60, 324, 366, 367, 379, 380, 388, and 391-394 taking effect in 1949, and the rest of the articles in 1950.
The length of the Indian Constitution has been criticised as a potential weakness. Jhelum Chowdhury of Crystal Research and Consulting wrote, "The Constitution of India remains like the proverbial elephant being touched in different parts by many blind men, coming up with their own interpretation of the nature of the creature... This is the unwieldy and incomprehensible Rule Book that is supposed to guide the daily lives of the people of India and their municipalities, state and federal governments and the relations between them." Despite this criticism, India is home to the biggest democracy in the world.
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It has been amended over 100 times
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest written constitution, with 146,385 words in its English-language version. It has been amended over 100 times, with the most recent changes occurring on July 1, 2017. The constitution-making process in India was influenced by a variety of factors, including the country's diversity in terms of language, race, religion, culture, and geography, as well as historical issues such as the Government of India Act of 1935. The constitution was originally written in English and contains a preface, 448 articles divided into 25 sections, 12 schedules, and five appendices.
The large number of amendments to the Indian Constitution can be attributed to the country's diverse and complex nature. India is a vast country with a diverse population that speaks a variety of languages, follows different religions, and has a range of cultural practices. The constitution-makers aimed to create a document that encompassed all the specifics and descriptions of the authorities wielded by the government, legislature, and judiciary, and protected the rights of its citizens. This comprehensive approach contributed to the length and complexity of the Indian Constitution.
Additionally, historical factors played a role in shaping the Indian Constitution and its subsequent amendments. The Government of India Act of 1935 had a significant influence, with many of its provisions being incorporated directly or indirectly into the Indian Constitution. The constitution-makers also faced the challenge of uniting a country that had been divided by colonial rule and creating a unified political system that could address the needs and aspirations of a diverse population. This led to a lengthy and detailed constitution that required further clarification and refinement through amendments.
The process of amending the Indian Constitution is a well-defined and established procedure. Amendments to the constitution are made through a parliamentary process, where they must be passed by both houses of Parliament, the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States), with a special majority. In some cases, certain types of amendments may require ratification by a majority of state legislatures, as some provisions fall under the jurisdiction of state governments. The amendment process allows for the necessary changes to be made to the constitution to address evolving societal needs, legal interpretations, and policy adjustments.
The frequency of amendments to the Indian Constitution highlights the dynamic nature of the country's legal and political system. It demonstrates the commitment to adapting and refining the foundational document to meet the evolving needs of a diverse and complex society. Each amendment represents a response to the changing social, political, and legal landscape of India, ensuring that the constitution remains relevant and responsive to the aspirations of its citizens.
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It contains 448 articles
The Constitution of India is the world's longest written constitution. It is the lengthiest constitution of any sovereign country in the world. The English-language version of the Indian Constitution contains 146,385 words, or approximately 145,000 words. It is divided into 448 articles, which are grouped into 25 parts, 12 schedules, and 5 appendices. The Indian Constitution is the world's biggest written liberal democratic constitution.
The Constitution of India was originally written in English by Prem Behari Narain Raizada, who wrote it by hand. It has been amended 101 times, with the most recent changes occurring on July 1, 2017. The Constitution came into effect in parts, with Articles 5-9, 60, 324, 366, 367, 379, 380, 388, and 391-394 taking effect on November 26, 1949, and the remaining articles taking effect on January 26, 1950.
The length of the Indian Constitution can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, India has a diverse population in terms of language, race, religion, culture, and geography, and these considerations contributed to the Constitution's large size. Secondly, historical issues, such as the Government of India Act of 1935, played a role. The majority of the provisions of this Act were incorporated, either directly or indirectly, into the Indian Constitution. Additionally, the people involved in drafting the Constitution were mostly from the legal profession, and they incorporated all legal considerations into the document.
The Indian Constitution is regarded as the world's longest because it encompasses all the specifics and descriptions of the authorities wielded by the government, legislature, and judiciary. It establishes the rules by which the country is governed and guarantees that the authority of the state is distributed among various entities and persons. It also ensures that citizens' rights are protected and explains the country's political code, the functions and organisation of various government entities, as well as people's fundamental rights and obligations.
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It has 146,385 words
A country's constitution is a significant document, outlining the principles, laws, and guidelines by which a nation is governed. In some cases, constitutions can be lengthy documents, reflecting the complexity and depth of a country's political and legal systems. As of my last update in 2023, the longest constitution in the world belongs to the country of India. With an impressive 146,385 words, it is a comprehensive and detailed document that serves as the foundation of India's democratic governance.
To put this word count into perspective, it is equivalent to about 400 pages of text. This lengthy constitution is a result of India's rich and complex political history, numerous amendments, and the need to accommodate a diverse range of cultural, social, and political interests. The document covers an extensive range of topics, ensuring that the rights of all Indian citizens are protected and that the country is governed fairly and justly.
The Indian Constitution was drafted over a period of two years, eleven months, and seventeen days, and it came into force on January 26, 1950. It has been amended numerous times since then, with the first amendment being made as early as 1951. The length of the constitution is partly due to the fact that it not only outlines the structure and functions of the government but also includes a wide range of fundamental rights, directive principles, and other important guidelines.
One of the key reasons for its length is the detailed attention given to fundamental rights. The Indian Constitution guarantees a wide range of rights to its citizens, including freedom of speech and expression, freedom of movement, and equality before the law. These rights are justiciable, meaning they can be enforced by the courts, and they form a crucial part of India's democratic ethos.
The length of the Indian Constitution also reflects the country's diversity and the need to accommodate various cultural, religious, and social practices. With a population of over 1.4 billion people, India is an incredibly diverse nation with a range of languages, customs, and beliefs. The constitution aims to protect and accommodate this diversity, ensuring that the rights and traditions of all citizens are respected.
In conclusion, with 146,385 words, the Indian Constitution is a testament to the country's commitment to democracy and the rule of law. Its length ensures a comprehensive framework for governance, protecting the rights of citizens and providing a stable political system. The constitution's depth and complexity are a reflection of India's rich history and diverse society, making it a truly remarkable document in the world of constitutional law.
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It became law on 26 January 1950
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest written constitution. It is the highest authority in the country, explaining the political code, the functions and organisation of various government entities, and the fundamental rights and obligations of its citizens. The English-language version of the Indian Constitution is approximately 145,000 to 146,385 words long. It has a preface, 448 articles divided into 25 sections, 12 schedules, and five appendices.
The Indian Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on 26 November 1949 and became law on 26 January 1950. Articles 5-9, 60, 324, 366, 367, 379, 380, 388, and 391-394 of the Indian Constitution went into force on 26 November 1949, with the remaining articles taking effect on 26 January 1950. The Constitution has been amended 101 times, with the most recent changes occurring on 1 July 2017.
The length of the Indian Constitution can be attributed to several factors, including the country's diversity in terms of language, race, religion, culture, and geography. Additionally, the constitution borrows concepts from many countries, such as the concept of single citizenship and the legislative procedure from the United Kingdom, and the bill of rights, Electoral College, and judicial review from the United States. The constitution also draws from the constitutions of Ireland, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Japan, and France.
The Indian Constitution is regarded as unique due to its comprehensive nature, encompassing all the specifics and descriptions of the authorities wielded by the government, legislature, and judiciary. It is also notable for its combination of flexibility and rigidity within the Quasi-federal system of the government. The constitution emphasises the law according to its own terms, which is considered indispensable to federalism, and it protects the interests of minorities.
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Frequently asked questions
India has the longest constitution in the world.
The Indian Constitution is approximately 145,000 words long. It has been amended over 100 times since it was enacted.
The Indian Constitution lays out 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 Indian Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on 26 November 1949 and became effective on 26 January 1950.
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