Salient Features of Constitution — Study Notes
Overview
The Indian Constitution, adopted on 26 November 1949 and enforced on 26 January 1950, is the world's longest written constitution. UPSSSC PET asks 3–5 direct questions on its salient features—sources of borrowing, Preamble keywords, number of schedules/parts, and the type of polity (federal vs unitary characteristics). 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.
Students must memorize exact numbers: originally 395 articles in 22 parts and 8 schedules; currently 470+ articles, 25 parts, and 12 schedules (after amendments). The Preamble's five keywords—Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic—are repeatedly tested. Additionally, understand the dual nature: federal structure with unitary bias, written yet amendable, rigid yet flexible in parts.
Questions appear as direct MCQs ("Which feature is borrowed from USA?") or statement-based ("The Constitution is both rigid and flexible—True/False"). Revise this topic alongside the first few articles (1–4) and the Preamble text itself.
Key Concepts
- **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.