The Ultimate Guide To CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

The Constitution of India is the supreme law of India and the longest written constitution of any sovereign country in the world, containing 448 articles in 22 parts, 12 schedules and 118 amendments. It outlines the political framework of the Indian government and sets forth the rights, duties and freedoms of citizens.

The Constitution was adopted on 26th November, 1949 and came into effect on 26th January, 1950. It replaces the Government of India Act 1935 and establishes India as a secular, democratic republic with a parliamentary system of government.

The Constitution defines the powers and responsibilities of the Union government and the state governments and provides for a federal structure of government, with a clear division of powers between the central government and the state governments.

Fundamental Rights: The Constitution of India guarantees six fundamental rights to all citizens: right to equality, right to freedom of speech and expression, right to freedom of religion, right to life and personal liberty, right against exploitation and right to education.

These rights are justiciable, meaning they can be enforced through the courts. In addition, the Constitution provides for various other rights, such as the right to property, right to constitutional remedies, right to privacy, and cultural and educational rights.

Duties of Citizens: The Constitution also imposes certain duties on citizens, such as the duty to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the duty to uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India, the duty to defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so, and the duty to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood among all the people of India.

The Parliamentary System: The Constitution establishes India as a parliamentary democracy, with a President as the constitutional head of state and a Prime Minister as the head of government. The Parliament of India consists of two houses: the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States). The Lok Sabha is directly elected by the people, while the Rajya Sabha is comprised of members appointed by the President and elected by the state legislative assemblies.

The Judiciary: The Constitution of India establishes an independent judiciary, with the Supreme Court at its head. The Supreme Court has the power to hear appeals from lower courts and has the power of judicial review, meaning it can declare a law unconstitutional if it violates the provisions of the Constitution. In addition, the Constitution provides for the establishment of high courts in each state and lower courts to hear cases at the district and taluka levels.

The Election Commission: The Constitution provides for the establishment of an independent election commission to oversee free and fair elections in the country. The Election Commission is responsible for conducting the elections of the President and Vice-President, the Lok Sabha and the state legislative assemblies, and for the conduct of local government elections.

Amendments: The Constitution of India can be amended by a special majority of the Parliament. However, some provisions of the Constitution, such as the basic structure of the Constitution, the federal structure of government, and the fundamental rights, cannot be amended.

In conclusion, the Constitution of India is a comprehensive and dynamic document that outlines the political framework of the Indian government and sets forth the rights, duties and freedoms of citizens. It provides for a parliamentary system of government, an independent judiciary, and an independent election commission, and is an integral part of the democratic fabric of the country.