The Indian Constitution is known for its detailed structure, wide coverage, and balanced design.
It is not copied from one country.
The makers studied many constitutions and selected features that suited India’s history, society, diversity, and administrative needs.
Table of Contents
It Is The Lengthiest Written Constitution
The Constitution of India is the lengthiest written constitution in the world.
Why Is The Indian Constitution So Long?
- India has a vast geographical area.
- India has a complex historical background.
- Many provisions were taken from the Government of India Act, 1935.
- The Constitution makers included detailed administrative provisions.
- A single Constitution was made for both the Centre and the States.
- Many legal experts were involved in drafting it.
Drawn From Various Constitutions
The Indian Constitution borrowed useful features from different countries.
This does not mean it is a copy.
The makers adapted those features according to Indian conditions.
Sources Of The Indian Constitution
| Country | Features Borrowed |
|---|---|
| USA | Fundamental Rights, independence of judiciary, judicial review, impeachment of President, removal of Supreme Court and High Court judges, post of Vice-President |
| Ireland | Directive Principles of State Policy, nomination of members to Rajya Sabha, method of election of President |
| Canada | Strong Centre, residuary powers with Centre, appointment of Governors by Centre, advisory jurisdiction of Supreme Court |
| Former USSR | Fundamental Duties, idea of justice |
| United Kingdom | Parliamentary government, Rule of Law, legislative procedure, single citizenship, cabinet system, writs, parliamentary privileges, bicameralism |
| South Africa | Amending power |
| Germany | Emergency provisions |
| France | Liberty, Equality, Fraternity |
| Australia | Concurrent List, freedom of trade, commerce and intercourse, joint sitting of two Houses of Parliament |
Blend Of Rigidity And Flexibility
The Indian Constitution is neither completely rigid nor completely flexible.
It has a balanced amendment procedure.
Rigid Features
Some provisions require a special majority of Parliament.
This means:
- Majority of the total membership of the House.
- At least two-thirds of members present and voting.
Examples include:
- Fundamental Rights
- Fundamental Duties
- Directive Principles of State Policy
Some provisions require a special majority plus ratification by at least half of the states.
Examples include:
- Election of the President
- GST-related provisions
- Federal provisions affecting Centre-State relations
Flexible Features
Some provisions can be amended by a simple majority.
This means a majority of members present and voting.
That is why the Indian Constitution is called a blend of rigidity and flexibility.
Federal System With Unitary Bias
India has a federal structure, but it gives more strength to the Union Government.
That is why it is often described as federal in form but unitary in spirit.
K.C. Wheare called it Quasi-Federal.
Morris Jones used the term Bargaining Federalism.
Granville Austin described it as Co-operative Federalism.
Federal Features Of The Indian Constitution
- Two governments – Centre and States.
- Division of powers.
- Written Constitution.
- Supremacy of the Constitution.
- Rigid Constitution.
- Independent Judiciary.
- Bicameralism.
Unitary Features Of The Indian Constitution
- Strong Centre.
- Single Constitution.
- Single Citizenship.
- Integrated Judiciary.
- Appointment of State Governors by the Centre.
- All India Services.
- Emergency provisions.
- Flexible provisions in certain areas.
Parliamentary Form Of Government
India follows the parliamentary form of government, mainly inspired by the British model.
In this system, the executive is responsible to the legislature.
Features Of Parliamentary Government In India
- Presence of nominal and real executives.
- Majority party rule.
- Collective responsibility of the executive to the legislature.
- Ministers are members of the legislature.
- Leadership of the Prime Minister at the Centre and Chief Minister in states.
- Dissolution of Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.
Example
The President is the nominal executive at the Union level, while the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers exercise real executive power.
Integrated And Independent Judiciary
India has an integrated judicial system.
The Supreme Court stands at the top.
Below it are the High Courts at the state level.
Below the High Courts are subordinate courts.
The judiciary is independent so that it can protect the Constitution and fundamental rights.
Synthesis Of Parliamentary Sovereignty And Judicial Supremacy
The Indian Constitution creates a balance between British parliamentary sovereignty and American judicial supremacy.
British Influence
In Britain, Parliament is considered sovereign.
American Influence
In the United States, the judiciary has strong power of judicial review.
Indian Balance
India follows a middle path.
- The Supreme Court can declare parliamentary laws unconstitutional through judicial review.
- Parliament can amend most parts of the Constitution through its constituent power.
The Indian Constitution uses the phrase procedure established by law under Article 21, unlike the American idea of due process of law.
Fundamental Rights
Fundamental Rights are mentioned in Part III of the Constitution.
They protect citizens against arbitrary action by the State.
Six Fundamental Rights
| Fundamental Right | Articles |
|---|---|
| Right to Equality | Articles 14–18 |
| Right to Freedom | Articles 19–22 |
| Right against Exploitation | Articles 23–24 |
| Right to Freedom of Religion | Articles 25–28 |
| Cultural and Educational Rights | Articles 29–30 |
| Right to Constitutional Remedies | Article 32 |
Directive Principles Of State Policy
The Directive Principles of State Policy, or DPSPs, are mentioned in Part IV of the Constitution.
They are constitutional instructions to the government.
They guide the State while making laws and policies.
DPSPs aim to create social and economic democracy in India.
Fundamental Duties
India borrowed the idea of Fundamental Duties from the former USSR.
Fundamental Duties remind citizens that rights and duties go together.
Citizens must be conscious of their responsibility toward the country, society, and fellow citizens.
A Secular State
India is a secular state.
This means the Constitution does not recognise any religion as the official religion of the Indian State.
All religions receive equal respect and protection under the constitutional framework.
Universal Adult Franchise
Universal adult franchise means every citizen of India who is at least 18 years of age has the right to vote.
There is no discrimination on the basis of:
- Caste
- Race
- Religion
- Sex
- Literacy
- Wealth
This feature makes Indian democracy broad and inclusive.
Single Citizenship
India follows the system of single citizenship.
This means all Indians enjoy the same political and civil rights of citizenship across the country.
A person is a citizen of India, not separately a citizen of a particular state.
Independent Constitutional Bodies
The Constitution establishes important independent bodies to protect democratic governance.
Major Independent Bodies
| Body | Main Function |
|---|---|
| Election Commission | Conducts free and fair elections |
| Comptroller and Auditor General of India | Audits accounts of Central and State governments |
| Union Public Service Commission | Conducts exams for All-India and Central services |
| State Public Service Commission | Conducts exams for state services |
Emergency Provisions
The Indian Constitution provides for three types of emergencies.
Types Of Emergency
| Type of Emergency | Article | Ground |
|---|---|---|
| National Emergency | Article 352 | War, external aggression, or armed rebellion |
| State Emergency | Article 356 | Failure of constitutional machinery in a state |
| State Emergency | Article 365 | Failure to comply with Centre’s directions |
| Financial Emergency | Article 360 | Threat to financial stability or credit of India |
Emergency provisions show the unitary bias of the Constitution during crisis situations.
Three-Tier Government
Originally, the Constitution provided for a dual polity consisting of the Centre and States.
Later, local governments were given constitutional status.
73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992
- Gave constitutional recognition to Panchayats.
- Added Part IX to the Constitution.
- Added Schedule XI.
- Strengthened rural local government.
74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992
- Gave constitutional recognition to Municipalities.
- Added Part IX-A to the Constitution.
- Added Schedule XII.
- Strengthened urban local government.
Co-operative Societies
The 97th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2011 gave constitutional status and protection to co-operative societies.
Important Features At A Glance
| Feature | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Lengthiest Written Constitution | Detailed Constitution due to India’s size, diversity, and administrative needs |
| Borrowed Features | Adapted ideas from many constitutions |
| Rigid And Flexible | Different amendment methods for different provisions |
| Federal With Unitary Bias | Federal structure with strong Centre |
| Parliamentary Government | Executive responsible to legislature |
| Integrated Judiciary | Supreme Court at the top, followed by High Courts and subordinate courts |
| Fundamental Rights | Protect individual freedoms |
| DPSP | Guide the State in policy-making |
| Fundamental Duties | Remind citizens of their responsibilities |
| Secular State | No official state religion |
| Universal Adult Franchise | Voting right for citizens aged 18 or above |
| Single Citizenship | One citizenship for the whole country |
| Emergency Provisions | Strong Centre during emergencies |
| Three-Tier Government | Centre, State, and Local governments |
FAQs On Salient Features Of The Indian Constitution
Why is the Indian Constitution called the lengthiest written Constitution?
It is called the lengthiest written Constitution because it covers detailed provisions for the Centre, States, judiciary, rights, duties, emergency provisions, services, elections, and administration.
From which country did India borrow Fundamental Rights?
India borrowed the idea of Fundamental Rights from the USA.
From which country did India borrow Directive Principles of State Policy?
India borrowed Directive Principles of State Policy from Ireland.
From which country did India borrow Fundamental Duties?
India borrowed Fundamental Duties from the former USSR.
Why is the Indian Constitution called quasi-federal?
It is called quasi-federal because it has federal features, but the Centre is stronger than the states.
Who called the Indian Constitution quasi-federal?
K.C. Wheare described the Indian Constitution as quasi-federal.
What is meant by single citizenship?
Single citizenship means every Indian is a citizen of India only and does not have separate state citizenship.
What is universal adult franchise?
Universal adult franchise means every Indian citizen aged 18 years or above has the right to vote without discrimination.
Which Part of the Constitution contains Fundamental Rights?
Fundamental Rights are contained in Part III of the Constitution.
Which Part of the Constitution contains DPSP?
Directive Principles of State Policy are contained in Part IV of the Constitution.
Which amendment gave constitutional status to Panchayats?
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 gave constitutional status to Panchayats.
Which amendment gave constitutional status to Municipalities?
The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 gave constitutional status to Municipalities.
Which amendment gave constitutional status to co-operative societies?
The 97th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2011 gave constitutional status and protection to co-operative societies.
Last Moment Exam Cheat Sheet – Salient Features Of The Indian Constitution
- Lengthiest written Constitution – India has the most detailed written Constitution.
- Government of India Act, 1935 – Major source of many constitutional provisions.
- USA – Fundamental Rights, judicial review, independence of judiciary.
- Ireland – DPSP, Rajya Sabha nomination, President election method.
- Canada – Strong Centre and residuary powers with Centre.
- UK – Parliamentary system, Rule of Law, single citizenship, cabinet system.
- Former USSR – Fundamental Duties.
- Australia – Concurrent List and joint sitting.
- France – Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.
- Germany – Emergency provisions.
- K.C. Wheare – Called India’s Constitution quasi-federal.
- Part III – Fundamental Rights.
- Part IV – Directive Principles of State Policy.
- Article 32 – Right to Constitutional Remedies.
- Article 352 – National Emergency.
- Article 356 – President’s Rule.
- Article 360 – Financial Emergency.
- 73rd Amendment, 1992 – Panchayats.
- 74th Amendment, 1992 – Municipalities.
- 97th Amendment, 2011 – Co-operative societies.