Salient Features of Indian Constitution

Table of Contents

1.     Introduction

2.     Salient Features of Indian Constitution

3.     Basic Features of Indian Constitution

4.     Characteristics of Indian Constitution

5.     Key Features of Indian Constitution

6.     Main Features of Indian Constitution

7.     Federal Features of Indian Constitution

8.     Unitary Features of Indian Constitution

9.     Borrowed Salient Features of Indian Constitution

10.                        Salient Features of Indian Constitution UPSC

11.                        MCQs for UPSC Exam Preparation

12.                        FAQs on Salient Features of Indian Constitution

 

 

Introduction

The Constitution of India, adopted on November 26, 1949, and enforced on January 26, 1950, is the supreme law of India. Drafted by the Constituent Assembly under the chairmanship of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, it is a comprehensive document that outlines the framework of the Indian polity, delineates the structure of government, and guarantees fundamental rights to citizens. The Constitution draws inspiration from various sources, including the Government of India Act, 1935, and the constitutions of other countries, making it unique and versatile.

 

 

Salient Features of Indian Constitution

The salient features of the Indian Constitution include its comprehensive nature, federal structure with unitary bias, a blend of rigidity and flexibility, and provisions for fundamental rights and duties, among others.

 

 

Basic Features of Indian Constitution

• Adopted on: November 26, 1949
• Enforced on: January 26, 1950
• Number of Schedules and Articles: 12 Schedules and 448 Articles
• Borrowed Features: 11 features from other constitutions

 

 

Characteristics of Indian Constitution

• Secularism: Ensures equal treatment of all religions.
• Democracy: Based on the principles of representation and participation.
• Sarvodaya: Focuses on the welfare of all.
• Socialism: Emphasizes social equality and justice.
• Decentralization: Encourages local self-governance.
• Humanism: Promotes human values and dignity.
• Liberalism: Advocates individual freedom and rights.
• Mixed Economy: Combines private and public enterprise.
• Gandhism: Reflects ethical and moral values.

 

 

Key Features of Indian Constitution

Lengthiest Constitution of the World

• Contains the Preamble, 448 articles divided into 25 parts, 12 schedules, and 5 appendices.
• Amended 104 times.

 

Drawn from Various Sources

• Adopted features from the Government of India Act, 1935, and other constitutions.

 

Mixture of Rigidity and Flexibility

• Combines elements of both rigid and flexible constitutions.
• Three types of amendments based on complexity.

 

Preamble of the Constitution

• States the basic principles, ideals, and objectives.

 

Federal System with Unitary Bias

• Dual government system with features of a strong center.
• Includes features like single Constitution, integrated judiciary, and All India Services.

 

Democratic System

• Republic with elected head of state.
• Regular elections ensure political rights for all citizens.

 

Parliamentary Form of Government

• Modeled on the British system.
• Prime Minister as the real executive.

 

Fundamental Rights and Duties

• Six fundamental rights.
• Fundamental duties added by the 42nd Amendment.

 

Universal Adult Franchise

• Equal voting rights for all citizens above 18.

 

Integrated and Independent Judiciary

• Single judicial system for Union and states.
• Ensures judicial independence.

 

Directive Principles of State Policy

• Guidelines for social and economic democracy.

 

Emergency Provisions

• Articles 352, 356, and 360 for different types of emergencies.

 

Secularism

• Ensures freedom of religion.

 

Three-Tier Government

• Panchayats and urban local bodies as the third tier.

 

 

Federal Features of Indian Constitution

1.     Dual Polity

2.     Bicameralism

3.     Written Constitution

4.     Independent Judiciary

5.     Supremacy of the Constitution

6.     Rigid Constitution

7.     Division of Powers

 

 

Unitary Features of Indian Constitution

1.     Powerful Center

2.     Indestructible Union of destructible states

3.     Single Constitution

4.     Emergency Provisions

5.     Single Citizenship

6.     All India Services

7.     Role of Governor

 

 

Borrowed Salient Features of Indian Constitution

From the Government of India Act 1935

• Federal Structure
• Office of Governor
• Judiciary
• Public Service Commissions
• Emergency Provisions

 

From the British Constitution

• Bicameralism
• Single Citizenship
• Parliamentary Form of Government
• Rule of Law
• Legislative Procedure
• Cabinet System
• Writs

 

From the US Constitution

• Independent Judiciary and Judicial Review
• Impeachment of the President
• Fundamental Rights
• Post of Vice President

 

From the Irish Constitution

• President Election
• DPSP
• Rajya Sabha Members Nomination

 

From the Canadian Constitution

• Advisory Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court
• Strong Center
• Residuary Powers with the Centre
• Appointment of Governor

 

From the Australian Constitution

• Concurrent List
• Joint sitting of the Upper and Lower House
• Freedom of Trade

 

From the Weimar Constitution of Germany

• Suspension of Fundamental Rights During Emergency

 

From the USSR

• Fundamental Duties
• Idea of Justice (Social, Economic, and Political)

 

From the French Constitution

• Republic
• Ideals of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity

 

From the South African Constitution

• Procedure for the Amendment of the Constitution
• Election of the Members of the Upper House (Rajya Sabha)

 

 

Salient Features of Indian Constitution UPSC

Understanding the salient features of the Indian Constitution is crucial for UPSC aspirants as it forms a significant part of the Polity section in GS II. Topics include the Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, and the structure of government. Refer to NCERT and standard polity books for comprehensive preparation.

 

 

MCQs for UPSC Exam Preparation

1.     Which of the following is not a salient feature of the Indian Constitution?

(a) Written Constitution

(b) Quasi-federal Structure

(c) Committed Judiciary

(d) Distribution of Powers

 

Answer: (c) Committed Judiciary

 

2.     Which Constitutional Amendment is known as the "Mini-Constitution" of India?

(a) 73rd Amendment

(b) 44th Amendment

(c) 42nd Amendment

(d) 7th Amendment

 

Answer: (c) 42nd Amendment

 

3.     According to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, which part of the Indian Constitution is a "novel feature"?

(a) Fundamental Rights

(b) Fundamental Duties

(c) Preamble

(d) DPSP

 

Answer: (d) DPSP

 

4.     Who said that the Indian Constitution is a "Lawyer's paradise"?

(a) H.K. Maheshwari

(b) Sir Ivor Jennings

(c) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

(d) P.R. Deshmukh

 

Answer: (b) Sir Ivor Jennings

 

5.     Which article of the Indian Constitution deals with the prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth?

(a) Article 14

(b) Article 15

(c) Article 19

(d) Article 21

 

Answer: (b) Article 15

 

6.     Which part of the Indian Constitution deals with the Directive Principles of State Policy?

(a) Part II

(b) Part III

(c) Part IV

(d) Part V

 

Answer: (c) Part IV

 

7.     Which schedule of the Indian Constitution deals with the allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha?

(a) First Schedule

(b) Second Schedule

(c) Fourth Schedule

(d) Sixth Schedule

 

Answer: (c) Fourth Schedule

 

8.     Which article of the Indian Constitution provides for the appointment of a Finance Commission?

(a) Article 270

(b) Article 280

(c) Article 290

(d) Article 300

 

Answer: (b) Article 280

 

9.     Which of the following amendments added the Fundamental Duties to the Indian Constitution?

(a) 40th Amendment

(b) 42nd Amendment

(c) 44th Amendment

(d) 52nd Amendment

 

Answer: (b) 42nd Amendment

 

10.                        Which part of the Indian Constitution deals with the Union and its territory?

(a) Part I

(b) Part II

(c) Part III

(d) Part IV

 

Answer: (a) Part I

 

 

FAQs on Salient Features of Indian Constitution

What are the Salient Features of the Indian Constitution?

The salient features include a written and lengthiest constitution, the Preamble, a federal system with unitary bias, a blend of rigidity and flexibility, Parliamentary form of government, Fundamental Rights and Duties, Universal Adult Franchise, and Secularism.

 

What are the characteristics of the Indian Constitution?

The characteristics include Secularism, Democracy, Sarvodaya, Socialism, Decentralization, Humanism, Liberalism, Mixed Economy, and Gandhism.

 

What are the unitary features of the Indian Constitution?

The unitary features include a powerful center, single constitution, emergency provisions, single citizenship, and all-India services like IAS and IPS.

 

How many schedules and articles are there in the Indian Constitution?

The Indian Constitution has 12 schedules and 448 articles.

 

Is Emergency a salient feature of the Indian Constitution?

Yes, the Indian Constitution has detailed provisions for dealing with emergencies, including financial emergencies, failure of constitutional machinery in states, and threats to national security.

 

What are the ideologies of the Indian Constitution?

The ideologies reflected include Secularism, Democracy, Sarvodaya, Socialism, Decentralization, Humanism, Liberalism, Mixed Economy, and Gandhism.

This comprehensive overview covers the salient features of the Indian Constitution, providing a detailed analysis suitable for UPSC exam preparation.