CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
[30/08/2021 | MONDAY]
SALIENT FEATURES OF THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION
- Lengthiest constitution in the world
Originally: 395 Articles (22 Parts & 8 Schedules)
Currently: 448 Articles (25 Parts & 12 Schedules)
104 amendments (up to Jan 25, 2020); amendments are
made as and when the society evolves and when there is
a need
Reasons:
(i) Lesson learnt from history- since India
became a nation in 1947, we have looked
at the past failed states and have
learned from them and tried to
incorporate diff provisions (tailored
to Indian needs)
(ii) Vastness of country & peculiar
problems- India is a heterogenous
society with diff ethnicities,
cultures, languages, etc. The const. is
made in such a way that it caters to
all the citizens in the country
(iii) Smooth working of infant democracy- A
detailed const. to ensure no
discrepancies in the working of the
State
(iv) Welfare State- India is a welfare
State; state derives authority from
people, hence the vast number of
fundamental rights and duties; to
instil the spirit of constitutionalism.
- Bag of borrowing -
1. Fundamental rights- USA
2. Directive principles (to strike a balance b/w
capitalist and socialist society)- Ireland
3. Federal System- USA/Canada
4. Parliamentary System- UK
5. Union & State relationship- Canadian Const.
6. Concurrent List1- Australian Const.
7. Emergency- German Reich Const.
- Parliamentary Form of Govt .
India has a parliamentary form of govt., similar to UK
1 In India, if there is a tussle b/w state-made and centre-made laws, the
law made by centre takes importance
