CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

INDIAN CONSTITUTION

The Constitution of India is the world’s lengthiest written constitution with 395 articles and 12 schedules. It contains the good points taken from the constitutions of many countries in the world. It was adopted on 26 Nov 1949 by the ‘The Constituent Assembly’ and enforced on 26 Jan 1950. The Constituent Assembly has been elected for undivided India and held its first sitting on 9th Dec.1946. In regard to its composition the members were elected by indirect election by the members of The Provisional Legislative Assemblies (lower house only). At the time of signing of the constitution 284 out of 299 members of the Assembly were present.

The constitutional Head of the Executive of the Union is the President. Parliament of the Union consists of the President and two Houses known as the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and the House of the People (Lok Sabha). The real executive powers of the union Govt. are vested in the Prime Minister and his council of ministers particularly the Cabinet which is responsible to the popularly elected house of parliament i.e. Lok Sabha. Lok Sabha consists of 545 members - 543 elected and two(2) nominated by the President of India from Anglo-Indian community Rajya Sabha, the Upper House, consists of 245 members –233 elected and twelve (12) nominated by the President from among those who have distinguished themselves in the field of art, literature, science, sports, social and public service. The maximum strength of Lok Sabha is 552 and Rajya Sabha is 250. The apex court of India is the Supreme Court the final interpreter and guardian of the constitution–empowered to protect the Fundamental Rights of the people by issuing various writs (orders). It also has the powers of Judicial Review.

India has a federal system of government. There are 28 states and 7 union territories in India. Each state has a separate executive, legislature and judiciary state executive consists of the Governer and a Council of ministers headed by the Chief Minister. State Legislature consists of Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) and Legislative council (Vidhan Parishad) Legislative council is optional state judiciary consists of the High Court and other district and subordinate Courts.

The Indian federation is characterised by a string centre. It is called quasi-federal or a federal system with a unitary bias.

PREAMBLE OF THE CONSTITUTION

We, the people of India, have solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN, SOCIALIST, SECULAR, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens:

JUSTICE, social, economic and political;

LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;

EQUALITY of status and of opportunity; and to promote among them all;

FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation;

IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do hereby Adopt, Enact and give to ourselves this Constitution.