Highlights of Indian Constitution

1. SANDEEP
THONIPARAMBIL

2.  Constitution of India is the supreme law.
 It lays down the framework defining political
principles
 Establishes the structure, procedures, powers
and duties of government institutions
 Sets out fundamental rights, directive
principles and duties of citizens.


3. 1. SIZE
 Longest written constitution of any
sovereign country
 It has 448 articles in 25 parts, 12 schedules, 5
appendices and has been amended 98 times
(out of 120 constitution amendment bills)


4. 2. MODERN CONSTITUTION
 Since it was drafted in the mid-twentieth
century, it gave an advantage to take
cognizance of various constitutional
processes operating in different countries
 Rich fund of human experience, wisdom,
heritage and traditions in area of
governmental process was drawn
 It suited the political, social and economic
conditions in india
 Thus, it turned out to be a very interesting
and unique document

5. 3. WRITTEN CONSTITUTION
 It is a lengthy, elaborate and detailed
written document
 Originally it consisted of 395 Articles
arranged under 22 Parts and 8 Schedules.
 Now, after 98 amendments, it has 448
Articles and 12 Schedules.

6. 4. PREAMBLE
 Unlike Australia, US or Canada, the Indian
Constitution has an elaborate Preamble
 Its purpose is to clarify: who has made the
constitution, what is its source, who is the
ultimate sanction behind it, what is the
nature of polity and what are its goals and
objectives
 It lays emphasis on principle of equality
which is basic to the Constitution

7. 5. FEDERAL
 Federalism is when all powers of
governance are divided into central and
state governments.
 Existence of Union Territories
 Appointment of Governors by President
 Emergency Provisions
 Common All India Services

8. 6. PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM
 India is a Republic
 Unlike US President, Indian President is
only a nominal or constitutional head of the
executive
 He acts only on aid and advice of the
Council of Ministers

9. 7. PARLIAMENTARY SOVEREIGNITY
AND JUDICIAL SUPREMACY
 We are governed by the rule of law and
judicial review of administrative action
 Since powers and functions of every organ
are defined and delimited by the
Constitution; there is no question of any
organ being Sovereign
 Both Parliament and Supreme Court are
supreme in their respective spheres

10. 8. ADULT FRANCHISE
 By Parliamentary democracy we mean ‘one
man, one vote’
 Indian Constitution provides for ‘Universal
Adult Suffrage’
 Every adult Indian without any distinction
at once has equal voting rights.

11. 9. SOCIALISM AND SECULARISM
 Preamble establishes the concept of
Socialism and Secularism
 Principle of socialism is to eliminate
inequality of income, status/standards of
life

12. 10. FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
 They are incorporated in Part III of the
Constitution
 It has been adopted from U.S.A.
 The Constitution guarantees certain basic
human rights and freedoms to the people of
India

13. 11. DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES
 The Directive Principles of State Policy are
inspired from the Irish Precedent
 It’s a unique feature of our Constitution
 Socio-economic rights are included under
this head

14. 12. FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES
 42nd Amendment to the Constitution added
‘Fundamental Duties’
 Inspiration is from the U.S.S.R.
 It lays down 11 duties for all the citizens

15. 13. SINGLE CITIZENSHIP
 The founding father provided for ‘single-
citizenship’ despite the federal structure
 Unlike US, Indian Constitution has single
citizenship where all citizens are entitled to
same rights all over the country

16. 14. INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY
 Independent judiciary is established with
powers of judicial review which strengthens
the rule of law