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