The Constitution at a Glance
Overview
The Indian Constitution is the supreme law of India, adopted on 26 November 1949 and enforced on 26 January 1950. It is the longest written constitution in the world. Originally it had 395 Articles, 8 Schedules, and 22 Parts. After amendments it now has 448 Articles, 12 Schedules, and 25 Parts. Dr B R Ambedkar is called the Father of the Indian Constitution. The Constituent Assembly took 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days to draft it.
Typed Notes
Historical Background & Constituent Assembly
The Constituent Assembly was set up under the Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946. It had 389 members initially; after partition it was reduced to 299. Dr Rajendra Prasad was its President and Dr B R Ambedkar chaired the Drafting Committee. The Assembly held 11 sessions over 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days. The Constitution was signed on 24 January 1950 and came into force on 26 January 1950, chosen to honour the Purna Swaraj declaration of 1930. 26 November is celebrated as Constitution Day (Samvidhan Divas) since 2015.
Structure of the Constitution
The original Constitution contained 395 Articles, 8 Schedules, and 22 Parts. Currently it has 448 Articles, 12 Schedules, and 25 Parts. The Preamble is the soul of the Constitution. Key schedules for SSC: 1st Schedule — States and UTs; 2nd Schedule — salaries of constitutional posts; 3rd Schedule — oaths; 7th Schedule — Union, State, Concurrent Lists; 8th Schedule — 22 official languages; 10th Schedule — Anti-defection law; 11th Schedule — Panchayati Raj (73rd Amendment); 12th Schedule — Municipalities (74th Amendment).
The Preamble
The Preamble begins with 'We, the People of India' and declares India a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic. It secures Justice (social, economic, political), Liberty (of thought, expression, belief, faith, worship), Equality (of status and opportunity), and Fraternity. 'Socialist' and 'Secular' were inserted by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 (called the Mini-Constitution). The Supreme Court in Kesavananda Bharati case (1973) held that the Preamble is part of the Constitution but cannot be amended to destroy its Basic Structure.
Sources & Borrowed Features
India borrowed key features from various constitutions. UK: Parliamentary government, Rule of Law, Speaker's role, single citizenship. USA: Fundamental Rights, judicial review, impeachment of President, Preamble idea. Ireland: Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), nomination of Rajya Sabha members. Canada: Federal structure with strong Centre, residuary powers with Centre. Australia: Concurrent List, joint sitting of Parliament. USSR/Russia: Fundamental Duties (also 42nd Amendment). Germany (Weimar): Emergency provisions. South Africa: Amendment procedure (Article 368), election of Rajya Sabha members. Japan: Procedure established by law.
Key Concepts
Revision ke liye ek nazar — exam se pehle yahi padhna hai.
- 01The Constitution was adopted on 26 Nov 1949 (Constitution Day) and enforced on 26 Jan 1950 (Republic Day).
- 02Original Constitution: 395 Articles, 8 Schedules, 22 Parts; Current: 448 Articles, 12 Schedules, 25 Parts.
- 03Dr B R Ambedkar chaired the Drafting Committee; Dr Rajendra Prasad was President of the Constituent Assembly.
- 04The Preamble declares India a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic — 'Socialist' and 'Secular' added by 42nd Amendment 1976.
- 05India borrowed features from many constitutions: Parliamentary system (UK), Fundamental Rights (USA), DPSP (Ireland), Emergency provisions (Germany/Weimar).
Questions & Solutions
Pehle khud try karo — phir solution kholo. Yahi tariqa topper banata hai.
When was the Indian Constitution adopted and when did it come into force?
How many Schedules does the Indian Constitution currently have, and name any three important ones?
What changes did the 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976) make to the Preamble?
Which country's constitution inspired India's Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)?
Who was the President of the Constituent Assembly of India?
The Indian Constitution, the world's longest written constitution, was adopted on 26 Nov 1949 and enforced on 26 Jan 1950. Drafted by the Drafting Committee under Dr B R Ambedkar, it originally had 395 Articles and 8 Schedules. The Preamble, amended by the 42nd Amendment, declares India a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic. Features were borrowed from multiple world constitutions.
Chapter-end quiz
4 MCQsOption tap karo — turant pata chalega sahi ya galat, explanation ke saath.
Q1.The words 'Socialist' and 'Secular' were added to the Preamble by which Constitutional Amendment?
Q2.Which schedule of the Indian Constitution deals with the Anti-Defection Law?
Q3.The concept of Directive Principles of State Policy in the Indian Constitution was borrowed from which country?
Q4.How many days did the Constituent Assembly take to draft the Indian Constitution?
Mark karo — dashboard par progress dikhega.