Salient Features of Constitution

About 7 min · Indian Constitution & Public Administration · English

Time worked out from the lesson's 481 words at 150 words a minute, plus a minute for each question.

The Indian Constitution, adopted on 26 November 1949 and enforced on 26 January 1950, is the world's longest written constitution. Mastering this topic requires knowing the structural framework (how many parts, schedules, articles originally vs now), the philosophical foundation (Preamble), and the borrowed features from other constitutions. This is foundational for understanding all subsequent topics in polity—rights, DPSP, parliamentary system, and federalism all stem from these basic features.

Key ideas

Lengthiest written constitution: Originally 395 articles, 22 parts, 8 schedules. Now grown to 470+ articles, 25 parts, 12 schedules due to 100+ amendments. Detailed provisions make it exhaustive.
Quasi-federal or federal with unitary bias: Federal features include written constitution, division of powers, independent judiciary, bicameralism. Unitary features include strong Centre, single Constitution, single citizenship, flexible Constitution during emergencies, All-India Services.
Parliamentary system of government: Based on UK Westminster model. Executive (PM and Council of Ministers) is responsible to legislature (Lok Sabha). President is nominal head; PM is real executive.
Blend of rigidity and flexibility: Some provisions amended by special majority (2/3 present + majority of total), some by simple majority, some require state ratification (Article 368). Not as rigid as USA, not as flexible as UK.
Borrowed features from multiple sources: Constitution makers studied 60+ constitutions. Major borrowings include Fundamental Rights (USA), DPSP (Ireland), parliamentary system (UK), federal structure (Canada), emergency provisions (Germany).

Watch out for

Confusing borrowed features: Students often mix up sources—e.g., thinking parliamentary system came from USA (it's from UK) or FR from Ireland (it's from USA). Make a flashcard: UK = parliamentary; USA = FR, judicial review; Ireland = DPSP.
Forgetting 42nd Amendment changes: Many write the Preamble without "Socialist" and "Secular." Remember these were added in 1976, not original. Also 42nd Amendment added Fundamental Duties (Part IVA).
Stating rigid or flexible only: The Constitution is both. Some provisions need special majority + state ratification (federal structure changes), some need only special majority (most amendments), some need simple majority (e.g., creating new states).

Quick reference

Adopted: 26 Nov 1949; Enforced: 26 Jan 1950.
Original: 395 Articles, 22 Parts, 8 Schedules → Current: 470+ Articles, 25 Parts, 12 Schedules.
Preamble 5 pillars: Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic (Socialist & Secular added 1976).
Polity type: Quasi-federal (federal structure + unitary features).
UK: Parliamentary govt, single citizenship. USA: FR, judicial review. Ireland: DPSP.

Check yourself: 3 questions

1. The Constitution of India is the longest written constitution in the world. How many articles did it originally contain when it was adopted on 26th January 1950?
2. Which of the following was NOT a source of the Indian Constitution?
3. The Preamble to the Constitution of India declares India to be a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic. The words 'Socialist' and 'Secular' were added to the Preamble by which Constitutional Amendment?

This lesson is cut from the topic's note, not rewritten. Fact-checked on 17 Oct 2026: an AI-assisted check of this note against cited sources; the errors it found were corrected that day. Some errors may remain. The questions are from Shishya's validated question bank.

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