Salient Features of the Indian Constitution
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Salient Features of the Indian Constitution:
Lengthiest Constitution:
- Initially had a Preamble, 395 Articles, 22 Parts, and 8 Schedules.
- Now includes a Preamble, 470 Articles, 25 Parts, and 12 Schedules.
Borrowed Provisions:
- Derived from various countries' constitutions and the Government of India Act of 1935.
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar noted it was framed after studying many constitutions.
Rigidity and Flexibility:
- A blend of both rigid and flexible elements.
Federal System with Unitary Features:
- Two governments, division of powers, but strong centralizing tendencies.
- Described as 'quasi-federal', 'federal in form but unitary in spirit'.
Parliamentary System:
- Based on the British model, with cooperation between legislative and executive organs.
- Differences: India has an elected head; Britain has a hereditary head.
Sovereignty and Judicial Supremacy:
- The limited judicial review compared to the US due to 'procedure established by law'.
Integrated and Independent Judiciary:
- Unified judicial system.
Fundamental Rights:
- Six fundamental rights promoting political democracy.
- Justiciable and enforceable by courts.
Directive Principles of State Policy:
- Non-justiciable guidelines for social and economic democracy.
- Aim to establish a welfare state.
Fundamental Duties:
- Eleven duties are specified in Part IV-A (Article 51-A).
Secular State:
- No official state religion.
Universal Adult Franchise:
- Voting rights for citizens 18 and older without discrimination.
Single Citizenship:
- One citizenship for the entire country.
Independent Bodies:
- Election Commission, Comptroller and Auditor-General, UPSC, and state commissions.
- Ensured independence through constitutional provisions.
Co-operative Societies:
- Provisions for democratic and autonomous functioning of co-operative societies.
Emergency Provisions:
- Allow central control during emergencies, transforming federal structure to unitary temporarily.
Three-tier Government:
- 73rd and 74th Amendments added local government tier.
Reference: Indian Polity by M Laxmikanth
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