Malcolm Rivera
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest written constitution for a sovereign nation. It is approximately 145,000 words long, with 448 articles divided into 25 sections, 12 schedules, and five appendices. The constitution has been amended 101 times since it was enacted, with the most recent changes occurring on July 1, 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, as well as the influence of various historical issues and legal considerations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of words | 145,000-146,385 |
| Number of articles | 448 |
| Number of parts | 25 |
| Number of schedules | 12 |
| Number of appendices | 5 |
| Number of amendments | 101-106 |
| Date of last amendment | 1 July 2017-28 September 2023 |
| Date enacted | 26 January 1950 |
| Date of independence | 1947 |
| Date constitution came into effect | 26 January 1950 |
| Number of drafts | 2 |
| Languages drafted in | English and Hindi |
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What You'll Learn
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest written constitution
The Indian Constitution is the longest written constitution in the world. It has 145,000 words in its English-language version, though one source places this figure at 146,385. In contrast, the US Constitution contains only 4,400 words. Composed between 1947 and 1950, the Indian Constitution has been amended 100 times, with the number of articles increasing from 395 to 448. Two copies of the document were handwritten, one in English and one in Hindi, and are kept in helium-filled cases in the library of the Parliament House.
The Constitution lays down the framework that demarcates the fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions, and sets out the fundamental rights, directive principles, and duties of citizens. It is regarded as the world's longest because it encompasses all the specifics and descriptions of the authorities held by the government, legislature, and judiciary.
The bulkiness of the Constitution is attributable to several characteristics borrowed from the constitutions of many countries. The Indian Independence Act of 1947, the Government of India Acts of 1858 and 1935, and the Indian Councils Acts of 1861, 1892, and 1909 are some of the sources from which the Constitution was drawn. The country's variety in terms of language, race, religion, culture, and geography also contributed to the Constitution's length.
Despite being the longest, the Indian Constitution is also the world's most frequently amended national governing document. It is so specific in spelling out government powers that many amendments address issues dealt with by statute in other democracies. 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 so integral that they could never be removed. This is known as the 'Basic Structure' Doctrine.
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It has been amended over 100 times
The Indian Constitution is the world's most frequently amended national governing document. In less than eight decades of the country's existence, it has been amended over 100 times. As of February 2025, there have been 106 amendments to the Constitution of India since it was first enacted in 1950. The most recent amendment was given assent on 28 September 2023.
The Constitution of India is so specific in spelling out government powers that many amendments address issues dealt with by statute in other democracies. The Constitution is amended roughly twice a year. 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 must be passed by 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 one half of the State Legislatures.
The Constitution of India does not contain a provision to limit the powers of Parliament to amend the Constitution. However, the Supreme Court has ruled that an amendment cannot destroy what it seeks to modify. In other words, it cannot tinker with the Constitution's basic structure or framework, which are immutable. This is known as the 'Basic Structure' Doctrine.
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It was composed between 1947 and 1950
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest written constitution for a sovereign nation. It was composed between 1947 and 1950, and came into effect on 26 January 1950, the day India celebrates as Republic Day. This date also marked the end of British colonial rule, as India became a sovereign, democratic republic with its own constitution.
The constitution was drafted by the Constituent Assembly, which was made up of elected members of the provincial assemblies. The 389-member assembly (reduced to 299 after the partition of India) took almost three years to draft the constitution, holding eleven sessions over a 165-day period. The constitution was written in English and Hindi and was influenced by the country's needs and conditions, as well as previous legislation and the constitutions of other countries.
The original text of the Indian Constitution contained 395 articles in 22 parts and eight schedules. It has since been amended over 100 times, with the number of articles increasing to 448. The constitution lays down the fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions, and sets out the fundamental rights, directive principles, and duties of citizens. It is so specific in spelling out government powers that many amendments address issues dealt with by statute in other democracies.
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It lays out the fundamental political code and structure
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest written constitution for a sovereign nation. It is a lengthy document with 145,000 words, which is over 30 times the length of the US Constitution, which has only 4,400 words. The Indian Constitution's length can be attributed to several factors, including the country's diversity in terms of language, race, religion, culture, and geography. It also borrowed features from previous legislation and the constitutions of many countries, which added to its bulkiness.
The Constitution of India lays out the fundamental political code and structure of the country. 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 ensures that citizens' rights are protected and respected. The Constitution declares India a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic, assuring citizens of justice, equality, and liberty. It also promotes fraternity and sets out the fundamental rights and duties of citizens.
The Constitution provides a framework for a parliamentary form of governance, empowering a free judiciary to uphold the rule of law. It grants constitutional rights and duties to every citizen, and it lays out the powers and duties of government institutions. The Constitution is so specific in spelling out government powers that many amendments address issues typically dealt with by statute in other democracies.
The Indian Constitution is unique in its blend of rigidity and flexibility. It provides a basic structure and framework that are considered immutable, even in the face of amendments. This balance helps to ensure that the country can adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining a stable and consistent governing document. The Constitution is the supreme legal document of India, and it is respected as the supreme law of the nation.
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It is a blend of rigidity and flexibility
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest written constitution for a sovereign nation. It is approximately 145,000 words long, which is over 30 times the length of the US Constitution. The Constitution has been amended over 100 times, with the most recent amendment taking place on 28 September 2023.
The Constitution's length can be attributed to several factors, including India's diversity in terms of language, race, religion, culture, and geography. The country's historical context, such as the Government of India Act of 1935, has also played a role. The Constitution was drafted by a 389-member assembly, which took almost three years to complete the task.
The Indian Constitution is unique in that it blends rigidity and flexibility. On the one hand, it is rigid in its declaration of India as a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic, assuring citizens of justice, equality, and liberty. It also lays down the fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions, and sets out the fundamental rights, directive principles, and duties of citizens.
On the other hand, the Constitution is flexible in that it does not contain a provision to limit the powers of Parliament to amend it. This flexibility allows for adaptability and the ability to address changing needs and circumstances in India. The Constitution's framers borrowed features from previous legislation and the constitutions of other countries, adapting them to suit India's unique context.
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Frequently asked questions
The Indian Constitution is the longest written constitution in the world with 145,000 words in its English-language version. It is so long because it encompasses all the specifics and descriptions of the authorities of the government, legislature, and judiciary. It is also a blend of rigidity and flexibility in its features.
The Indian Constitution is the most frequently amended national governing document in the world. It has been amended over 100 times, with the latest amendment being on 28 September 2023.
The key features of the Indian Constitution include a preamble, 448 articles divided into 25 sections, 12 schedules, and five appendices. It also lays down the fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions and sets out fundamental rights, directive principles, and the duties of citizens.
