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Introduction
- The Indian Constitution is based on the principles of secularism, socialism, and democracy.
- These features are derived from the Preamble and are fundamental to the Indian state and governance.
- They reflect the aspirations of a diverse and inclusive society.
Secularism in the Indian Constitution
- India is a secular state, meaning there is no official state religion.
- Article 25-28 guarantee freedom of religion, includin
Introduction
- The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) are enshrined in Part IV of the Indian Constitution (Articles 36–51).
- DPSPs are guidelines for the government to establish a just and equitable society.
- They are inspired by the Irish Constitution, which drew from the idea of a welfare state.
- While not justiciable, they are fundamental in the governance of the country.
Key Features of DPSPs
- DPSPs act as a directive for the state to make laws and policie
Introduction
- The Fundamental Rights are enshrined in Part III of the Indian Constitution (Articles 12 to 35).
- The Fundamental Duties are listed in Part IV-A (Article 51A), added by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976.
- The Fundamental Rights aim to ensure the individual's dignity, while the Fundamental Duties emphasize the importance of responsibilities toward the nation.
Fundamental Rights
Key Features
- They are justiciable, meaning they
Introduction
- The Indian Constitution establishes a parliamentary form of government both at the Union and State levels.
- This system is based on the Westminster model of governance, which originated in the United Kingdom.
- In a parliamentary system, the executive is responsible to the legislature, ensuring a close relationship between the two.
- The primary feature of this system is the presence of a dual executive—the nominal and real executives.
Key Features o
Introduction
- The Indian Constitution establishes a federal system of governance with a strong unitary bias.
- It incorporates features of both federalism and unitarism, making it a unique form of governance often described as "quasi-federal."
- This structure ensures a balance between the autonomy of states and the authority of the central government.
Federal Features
- India has a clear division of powers bet
Overview
- The Indian Constitution is the lengthiest written Constitution in the world.
- It originally consisted of 395 articles divided into 22 parts and 8 schedules.
- As of now, it includes more than 470 articles, 25 parts, and 12 schedules due to various amendments.
- The length is a reflection of India's diverse culture, complex society, and the need to address multiple administrative and governance issues
Historical Context
- The Constitution of India was framed by the Constituent Assembly, established under the Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946.
- The drafting process took 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days, from December 9, 1946, to November 26, 1949.
- The Assembly held a total of 11 sessions to deliberate and finalize the Constitution.
- The Constitution was influenced by various global documents, including the Government of India Act 1935 and the Constitutions of other nations.
Objectives Resolution
- The Objectives Resolution was introduced by Jawaharlal Nehru in the Constituent Assembly on December 13, 1946.
- It outlined the philosophical and ideological foundation of the Indian Constitution.
- The Resolution declared India's intention to become an independent sovereign republic.
- It emphasized the goals of justice, equality, liberty, and fraternity for all citizens.
- It pro
Formation of the Constituent Assembly
- The Constituent Assembly was formed under the framework of the Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946.
- It was tasked with drafting the Constitution of India after independence.
- The Assembly's formation was based on indirect elections by the members of the Provincial Legislative Assemblies.
- The total strength of the Constituent Assembly was initially set at 389 members.
- Out of these, 292 members represented provinces,
Overview
- The Indian Independence Act of 1947 marked the end of British rule in India and the establishment of two independent nations: India and Pakistan.
- The Act was based on the recommendations of the Mountbatten Plan, proposed by Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India.
- It was passed by the British Parliament on July 18, 1947, and came into effect on August 15, 1947.
Key Provisions
- The Act provided for the creation of two independ