Malcolm Rivera
Constitutions are important documents that establish the rules by which a country is governed and guarantee that the authority of the state is distributed among various entities and persons. While most countries have written constitutions, some, like the UK, have unwritten ones. Constitutions can be lengthy, with the Indian Constitution being the world's longest written constitution with 145,000 to 146,385 words in its English-language version. It has been amended over 100 times and contains 448 articles in 22 or 25 sections, 12 schedules, and five appendices. The length of the Indian Constitution has been criticised as a weakness, with some arguing that it leads to a lack of unanimity in understanding the rules it establishes. Despite this, it is a unique document that serves as the highest authority in India, explaining the country's political code, the functions and organisation of government entities, and the fundamental rights and obligations of its citizens.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | India |
| Number of words | 145,000-146,385 |
| Number of articles | 448 |
| Number of parts | 22 or 25 |
| Number of schedules | 12 |
| Number of appendices | 5 |
| Number of amendments | 101 or 103 |
| Number of handwritten copies | 2 |
| Languages | English and Hindi |
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What You'll Learn
India's constitution is the lengthiest
The Indian constitution is the lengthiest written constitution of any sovereign country in the world. This distinction is often attributed to the level of detail in the document, which was designed to be a comprehensive and all-encompassing framework for governing the world's largest democracy. At the time of its commencement on January 26, 1950, it had 395 articles in 22 parts and 8 schedules. Today, the constitution of India contains 470 articles, which are grouped into 25 parts, and 12 schedules that explain the details of the 470 articles. It has been amended 105 times since it was first enacted.
The constitution of India is a comprehensive document that outlines the country's fundamental political code, as well as providing a framework for the functioning of the government and the organization of the state. It is a living document that has evolved over time to meet the changing needs of the country and its people. The length of the Indian constitution can be attributed to the fact that it is not just a legal document but also a social contract that reflects the aspirations and values of the Indian people. It is a document that seeks to balance the needs of a diverse and complex society, and as such, it is necessarily detailed and nuanced.
The constitution also reflects India's colonial past and the struggle for independence, which played a significant role in shaping the country's democratic foundations. The Indian constitution is influenced by various political philosophies and legal traditions, including British common law, as well as the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity enshrined in the French Revolution and the US Constitution. It also incorporates elements of India's own historical legal traditions, such as the ancient law codes of Manu and the Islamic law of Sharia.
The length of the Indian constitution can also be understood in the context of the country's diverse and complex social landscape. India is a vast country with a population of over 1.4 billion people, and it is home to a myriad of cultures, languages, and religions. The constitution seeks to accommodate and represent the interests and aspirations of all these diverse groups, which inevitably leads to a more lengthy and complex document.
One of the key features of the Indian constitution is its emphasis on fundamental rights and liberties. The constitution guarantees a wide range of rights, including freedom of speech and expression, freedom of religion, the right to equality, and the right to life and personal liberty, among others. These rights are justiciable, which means that citizens can seek legal redress if they believe that their rights have been violated. The constitution also provides for a system of checks and balances, with an independent judiciary playing a crucial role in interpreting the law and safeguarding citizens' rights.
In conclusion, the length of India's constitution is a testament to the country's commitment to democracy and the rule of law. It is a comprehensive and detailed document that reflects the aspirations and values of the Indian people, and it has evolved over time to meet the changing needs of the world's largest democracy. As India continues to develop and progress, the constitution remains a vital foundation for the country's political and social fabric, guiding and shaping the lives of its citizens.
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Monaco has the shortest
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest written constitution, with 145,000 to 146,385 words in its English-language version. However, several US states, such as Alabama, have lengthier constitutions than India. The bulkiness of the Indian Constitution is attributable to several characteristics borrowed from the constitutions of many countries.
On the other hand, Monaco has the shortest written constitution in the world, with only 3,814 words. The Constitution of Monaco, first adopted in 1911 after the Monégasque Revolution, 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 Monégasque Revolution of 1910 forced the adoption of the 1911 Constitution of Monaco, which slightly reduced the autocratic rule of the Grimaldi family. The constitution also defines the line of succession to the Monegasque throne, which was modified on 2 April 2002. The independence of the judges is guaranteed by the constitution, and the Supreme Court of Monaco interprets the constitution when necessary.
The 1962 amendment to the constitution abolished capital punishment, provided for women's suffrage, and established a Supreme Court to guarantee fundamental liberties. The National Council votes on the budget, and no direct or indirect taxation may be introduced but through a law. Monaco is a sovereign and independent state, with the Sovereign Prince of Monaco as the head of state. The executive branch consists of a Prime Minister as the head of government, who presides over the other five members of the Council of Government.
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Alabama's constitution is lengthier than India's
The Constitution of India is regarded as the world's longest written constitution for a sovereign nation. It is the highest authority in the country, encompassing all the specifics and descriptions of the authorities wielded by the government, legislature, and judiciary. The English language version of the Indian Constitution is around 145,000 words long, with 448 articles divided into 22 or 25 sections, 12 schedules, and five appendices. The constitution has been amended over 100 times since its enactment, with the most recent changes on 1 July 2017.
The Constitution of the State of Alabama, on the other hand, is the longest active written constitution in the world at 369,380 words. It is more than two and a half times the length of the English language version of the Constitution of India. Alabama has had seven constitutions to date, with the current one being a recompilation of the Alabama Constitution of 1901. The current version is the state's seventh constitution, which was adopted on 28 November 2022.
The Alabama Constitution defines a tripartite government organized under a presidential system. Executive power is vested in the Governor of Alabama, legislative power in the Alabama State Legislature, and judicial power in the Judiciary of Alabama. The constitution has been amended numerous times, with amendments ranging from payment by the state of expenses incurred by the Alabama Housing Finance Authority to the organization and promotion of the sheep and goat industry.
Thus, while the Indian Constitution is considered the world's longest written constitution for a sovereign nation, Alabama's constitution is indeed lengthier than India's. Alabama's constitution is the longest active written constitution in the world, with India's constitution being the second longest.
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India's constitution has been amended 101-103 times
India's constitution is the world's lengthiest written constitution, with 146,385 words in its English-language version. It has a preface, 448 articles divided into 22 or 25 sections, 12 schedules, and five appendices. The constitution has been amended numerous times since its enactment in 1950, with sources citing 101 or 106 amendments as of 2024.
The Indian Constitution is considered the world's lengthiest because it encompasses all the specifics and descriptions of the authorities wielded by the government, legislature, and judiciary. The bulkiness of the constitution is also attributable to the characteristics it has adopted from the constitutions of many countries.
The first type of amendment can be passed by a "simple majority" in each house of the Indian Parliament. The second type of amendment requires a "special majority" in each house of Parliament. The third type of amendment, governed by Article 368, requires a "special majority" in each house and ratification by at least half of the state legislatures.
The constitution was originally written in English by Prem Behari Narain Raizada. Dr B R Ambedkar is known as the "father of the Indian Constitution". It was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on 26 November 1949 and became effective on 26 January 1950. Articles 5-9, 60, 324, 366, 367, 379, 380, 388, and 391-394 of the Indian Constitution came into force on 26 November 1949, with the rest of the articles taking effect on 26 January 1950.
The substance of the constitution was derived from various sources, including the Indian Council Act of 1861, the Indian Independent Act of 1947, and the Government of India Act of 1858. The constitution spells out governmental powers in great detail, and as a result, it is amended roughly twice a year.
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The US constitution has been amended 27 times
The US Constitution is the oldest active codified constitution in the world. Since it was drafted in 1787, it has been amended 27 times. The first 10 amendments were adopted in 1791 and are known as the Bill of Rights.
The process of amending the US Constitution is intentionally difficult and time-consuming. A proposed amendment must be passed by a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, and then ratified by the states. This two-step process was designed to balance the need for change with the need for stability.
The US Constitution has been amended to address a range of issues, from securing the rights of citizens to making major changes to the country's political system. For example, amendments have given women the right to vote, abolished poll taxes, and lowered the minimum voting age.
In recent years, there have been proposals to amend the Constitution to outlaw flag burning, protect the rights of crime victims, allow voluntary school prayer, make English the official language, and abolish the Electoral College. However, none of these proposals have been successful.
While the US Constitution has been amended relatively infrequently, other countries have amended their constitutions much more often. For example, the Indian Constitution, the world's longest written constitution, has been amended 101 times.
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Frequently asked questions
India has the lengthiest written constitution in the world, with 145,000 words in its English-language version.
The Indian constitution has been amended 101 or 103 times.
The original text of the Indian constitution contained 395 articles, which have since increased to 448.
The Constitution of Monaco is the shortest written constitution in the world, with 3,814 words.
