- The Constitution of India was adopted on 26th November 1949 by the Constituent Assembly.
- It came into effect on 26th January 1950, a date celebrated annually as Republic Day.
- The drafting of the Constitution was led by the Constituent Assembly, formed in 1946.
- The Drafting Committee, chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, was instrumental in its creation.
- The Indian Constitution is the longest written constitution in the world.
- It consists of a Preamble, 448 articles (divided into 25 parts), and 12 schedules.
- The Preamble declares India as a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic.
- The Constitution guarantees Fundamental Rights to all citizens, including rights to equality, freedom, and against exploitation.
- It also lists Fundamental Duties for citizens, added through the 42nd Amendment in 1976.
- The Directive Principles of State Policy aim to guide the government in establishing social and economic democracy.
- The Constitution provides for a parliamentary system of government with a clear separation of powers.
- It establishes India as a federal structure with a strong center.
- The President of India is the constitutional head, while the Prime Minister is the executive head.
- The Constitution recognizes the principle of judicial review to ensure laws comply with its provisions.
- The Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority in India.
- The Constitution allows for its amendment to adapt to changing needs, with the Parliament empowered to make changes.
- The First Amendment in 1951 addressed issues like land reform and free speech limitations.
- The Constitution initially recognized 14 languages; today, the Eighth Schedule lists 22 official languages.
- The Governor acts as the representative of the President in each state.
- The concept of Universal Adult Franchise ensures every citizen above 18 years has the right to vote.
- The Constitution includes provisions for the protection and upliftment of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes.
- The Election Commission of India is responsible for free and fair elections.
- The Constitution provides for an independent Comptroller and Auditor General to oversee public finances.
- The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and State Public Service Commissions ensure merit-based recruitment.
- The Emergency Provisions allow for the proclamation of national, state, or financial emergencies.
- The Constitution abolishes practices like untouchability and promotes equality and justice.
- The Indian Penal Code (IPC) and other laws work within the framework provided by the Constitution.
- The Constitution emphasizes the importance of secularism, ensuring no state religion and equal treatment of all religions.
- The Finance Commission is tasked with distributing financial resources between the center and states.
- The Constitution allows for the formation of new states and alteration of state boundaries.
- It provides for the establishment of Panchayati Raj institutions to promote grassroots democracy.
- The 86th Amendment made education a fundamental right for children aged 6 to 14 years.
- The Constitution has been amended 105 times as of 2021 to address evolving needs.
- The Indian Constitution draws from various sources, including the British parliamentary system, the US Bill of Rights, and the Irish Directive Principles.
- The Preamble serves as the guiding philosophy and reflects the values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.
- The Schedules detail administrative and policy-related matters, such as land reforms and tribal areas.
- The Constitution ensures the autonomy of institutions like the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and public universities.
- The Constitution has been a vital tool in promoting social justice and national integration.
- The role of the Constituent Assembly, comprising leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajendra Prasad, and Sardar Patel, was pivotal in drafting the Constitution.
- The adoption of the Constitution marked the transition of India from a British colony to a sovereign democratic republic.
- The Constitution empowers citizens to approach the judiciary for enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
- The success of the Indian Constitution lies in its ability to balance rigidity and flexibility.
- The document is a testament to India’s commitment to democracy, pluralism, and the rule of law.
Questions
- When did the Constitution of India come into effect?
- Who is known as the "Father of the Indian Constitution"?
- How many schedules are there in the Indian Constitution?
- The Preamble of the Constitution declares India to be:
- The Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution on:
- How many articles did the original Indian Constitution have?
- Who was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution?
- Which part of the Constitution deals with Fundamental Rights?
- Which part of the Constitution contains the Directive Principles of State Policy?
- The idea of a Constituent Assembly was first proposed by:
- The concept of Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution was borrowed from:
- The term "Secular" was added to the Preamble by which amendment?
- The Constitution of India is divided into how many parts?
- Which language is the official language of the Indian Constitution?
- The concept of a "Union of States" in the Indian Constitution was borrowed from:
- The Emergency provisions in the Indian Constitution were inspired by the Constitution of:
- The Fundamental Duties were added to the Constitution by which amendment?
- The idea of single citizenship in India was borrowed from:
- Which schedule of the Constitution deals with the division of powers between the Union and the States?
- Who was the President of the Constituent Assembly?
- The Constitution of India provides for a parliamentary system of government. This is inspired by:
- The Indian Constitution provides for how many types of emergencies?
- The Ninth Schedule was added to the Constitution by which amendment?
- How many members signed the final draft of the Constitution?
- The concept of the Judiciary's independence is inspired by:
- Which Article of the Constitution provides for the impeachment of the President?
- Which part of the Constitution contains the Preamble?
- The first meeting of the Constituent Assembly was held on:
- The idea of Directive Principles of State Policy was borrowed from:
- The Indian Constitution is described as:
- The original Constitution of India was handwritten by:
- The Indian Constitution is the:
- The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 is also known as: