📜 Constitution of India
Features, Preamble, sources, schedules and key amendments.
📜 The Supreme Law of the Land
The Constitution of India came into force on January 26, 1950 (Republic Day). It was drafted by the Constituent Assembly (December 9, 1946 – November 26, 1949). Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee — called the "Father of the Indian Constitution."
Key facts: Originally 395 Articles, 8 Schedules, 22 Parts. Now (2024): 448 Articles, 12 Schedules, 25 Parts. Longest written constitution in the world. India borrowed from many constitutions worldwide.
Preamble — the soul and mirror of the Constitution. Key words:
"We, the people of India... SOVEREIGN, SOCIALIST, SECULAR, DEMOCRATIC, REPUBLIC..."
• Sovereign — independent, no external control
• Socialist — added by 42nd Amendment (1976)
• Secular — added by 42nd Amendment (1976)
• Democratic — elected representatives, universal adult franchise
• Republic — elected head of state (President, not hereditary king)
UK — Parliamentary system, Rule of Law, Bicameralism, Cabinet system, Writs
USA — Fundamental Rights, Judicial Review, Impeachment, Written Constitution, Preamble
Ireland — DPSP (Directive Principles of State Policy), Nomination to Rajya Sabha
Canada — Federation with strong Centre, Residuary powers with Centre
Australia — Concurrent List, Joint sitting of Parliament
Germany — Suspension of Fundamental Rights during Emergency
USSR — Fundamental Duties, Socio-economic rights
South Africa — Amendment procedure, Election of Rajya Sabha members
Japan — Procedure established by law
1st — Names of States and UTs
2nd — Salaries of President, Governors, Judges, CAG
3rd — Forms of Oaths and Affirmations
4th — Allocation of seats in Rajya Sabha
5th — Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes administration
6th — Tribal Areas in NE states
7th — Union List, State List, Concurrent List
8th — 22 Official Languages
9th — Acts and Regulations protected from judicial review
10th — Anti-Defection Law (added by 52nd Amendment 1985)
11th — Panchayati Raj (73rd Amendment)
12th — Municipalities (74th Amendment)
Sources of the Indian Constitution
AnimationIndia studied 60+ constitutions before drafting its own. The Constituent Assembly debated for 2 years, 11 months, 17 days.
Constitution Key Facts Explorer
InteractiveThe SC held (7:6 majority) that while Parliament can amend the Constitution under Article 368, it CANNOT alter or destroy the "basic structure" or essential features of the Constitution.
Basic Structure includes (not exhaustive list):
• Supremacy of the Constitution
• Republican and democratic form of government
• Secular character
• Separation of powers
• Federal character
• Unity and integrity of India
• Judicial review
• Free and fair elections
• Rule of Law
• Parliamentary system
Before this case: Parliament claimed unlimited power to amend. After this case: Parliament cannot destroy what makes India, India.
Significance: Used to strike down 39th Amendment (1975, which put President's election beyond judicial review) and to uphold independence of judiciary.
Key changes made by 42nd Amendment:
• Added "Socialist" and "Secular" to the Preamble
• Added "Integrity" to the Preamble
• Added 10 Fundamental Duties (Article 51A) — borrowed from USSR
• Made DPSP superior to Fundamental Rights (later struck down)
• Extended Emergency provisions and Centre's power over states
• Added 3 more subjects to Concurrent List
• Curtailed power of courts to review constitutional amendments
• Extended Lok Sabha and state assembly terms from 5 to 6 years (reversed by 44th Amendment)
The 44th Amendment (1978) — passed by Janata Party — reversed many 42nd Amendment changes, especially those that weakened the judiciary and emergency safeguards.
Mnemonic: 42nd = Indira Gandhi tightened Centre. 44th = Janata loosened it back.