THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA
THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA
Preamble
“WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens:
JUSTICE, social, economic and political;
LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;
EQUALITY of status and of opportunity; and to promote among them all
FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation;
IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.”
Borrowed Constitution – Inspired by constitutions of UK, USA, Canada, Ireland, Australia, USSR, France, South Africa, Japan, etc.
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Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic – As stated in the Preamble.
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Parliamentary System – Executive is accountable to the legislature.
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Federal Structure with Unitary Bias – Strong Centre but states have autonomy in their matters.
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Fundamental Rights (Part III, Articles 12–35) – Six categories of rights guaranteeing individual liberty.
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Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV, Articles 36–51) – Social and economic goals to guide governance.
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Fundamental Duties (Part IVA, Article 51A) – Added by 42nd Amendment, 1976.
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Independent Judiciary – Supreme Court at the top with power of judicial review.
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Secularism – Equal respect to all religions.
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Single Citizenship – Unlike the USA, Indian citizens have only one citizenship.
Structure of the Constitution
Preamble – Introduction, states objectives of justice, liberty, equality, fraternity.
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Parts – 25 Parts (e.g., Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, Panchayati Raj, Emergency Provisions).
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Schedules – 12 Schedules (e.g., distribution of powers, allocation of seats, official languages).
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Amendments – Over 106 Constitutional Amendments as of 2025.
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