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The Constitution of India is the supreme law of the land.
It lays down the framework defining fundamental political principles, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions.
It also provides the Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, and Fundamental Duties of citizens.
🏛️ Historical Background
Event
Year
Description
Regulating Act
1773
First step towards constitutional development.
Pitt’s India Act
1784
Dual government introduced.
Charter Acts
1833, 1853
Centralization of power.
Government of India Act
1858
British Crown took control after the 1857 revolt.
Indian Councils Act
1861, 1892, 1909
Beginning of Indian representation.
Government of India Act
1919
Introduced Dyarchy in provinces.
Government of India Act
1935
Federal system introduced (never implemented); basis of many parts of the Indian Constitution.
Indian Independence Act
1947
Gave India independence and power to make its own Constitution.
🏗️ Constituent Assembly
Set up: December 1946 under the Cabinet Mission Plan.
Total Members: Initially 389 (later 299 after partition).
First Meeting: 9 December 1946.
Dr. Rajendra Prasad: President of the Constituent Assembly.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar: Chairman of the Drafting Committee.
Draft completed: 26 November 1949.
Enforced: 26 January 1950 (celebrated as Republic Day).
📜 Salient Features of the Constitution
Lengthiest Written Constitution in the world.
Blend of Rigidity and Flexibility.
Parliamentary system of Government.
Federal system with a Unitary Bias.
Independent Judiciary.
Single Citizenship.
Secular State.
Fundamental Rights and Duties.
Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP).
Universal Adult Franchise.
📖 Parts, Schedules & Articles (as of original text)
Category
Count
Parts
22
Schedules
12
Articles
Originally 395 (now over 470)
📚 Important Parts of the Constitution
Part
Subject
Part I
The Union and its Territory
Part II
Citizenship
Part III
Fundamental Rights
Part IV
Directive Principles of State Policy
Part IVA
Fundamental Duties
Part V
Union Government
Part VI
State Government
Part IX
Panchayati Raj
Part IXA
Municipalities
Part X
Scheduled and Tribal Areas
Part XII
Finance, Property, Contracts & Suits
📘 Important Schedules
Schedule
Deals With
1st
Names of States & Union Territories
2nd
Salaries of President, Governors, Judges, etc.
3rd
Forms of Oaths and Affirmations
6th
Provisions for Tribal Areas (Northeast)
7th
Division of powers: Union, State, Concurrent Lists
8th
Official Languages (22 languages listed)
10th
Anti-defection Law
12th
Municipalities (added by 74th Amendment)
📌 Amendments
First Amendment (1951): Added 9th Schedule.
42nd Amendment (1976): Known as Mini Constitution. Added “Socialist”, “Secular”, and “Integrity” to the Preamble.
44th Amendment (1978): Removed Right to Property from Fundamental Rights.
86th Amendment (2002): Made education a fundamental right (Art. 21A).
🏛️ The Preamble
Text of the 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, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity…”
The Preamble reflects the philosophy and values of the Constitution.
It is not justiciable, meaning it cannot be enforced by courts.
Declared part of the Constitution (Kesavananda Bharati Case, 1973).
🎯 Objectives of the Constitution
Establish Justice – Social, Economic, Political
Ensure Liberty – Thought, Expression, Belief
Promote Equality – Status and Opportunity
Secure Fraternity – Unity and integrity of the nation
❗ Important Facts for SSC CGL
The Constitution of India was inspired by many countries:
Parliamentary system – UK
Fundamental Rights – USA
Directive Principles – Ireland
Concurrent List – Australia
Emergency Provisions – Germany
It is a living document – it evolves with amendments.
India is a Quasi-Federal State – Federal in form, Unitary in spirit.
