The Constitution of India is the supreme law of India. It lays down the framework defining fundamental political principles, establishes the structure, procedures, powers and duties of government institutions, and sets out fundamental rights, directive principles, and the duties of citizens. It was enacted on 26th November, 1949 and came into effect on 26th January, 1950.
The Constitution consists of a preamble and 22 parts containing 448 articles. The first part consists of the Preamble and Articles 1 to 4, which define the territory of India, the states and territories and the form of government.
The Constitution guarantees certain fundamental rights to the citizens of India, such as the right to equality, freedom of speech and expression, religion, culture and education. It also lays down directive principles of state policy, which are non-justiciable and serve as guidelines for the government to work towards a welfare state.
The Constitution provides for a parliamentary system of government, with a President as the constitutional head of the Executive, a Prime Minister as the head of the government and a Parliament consisting of two houses - the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha.
The Constitution has undergone several amendments since its inception, the most recent being the 104th Amendment Act of 2019. Despite the amendments, the basic structure and spirit of the Constitution have been preserved. The Constitution of India remains the largest and the longest written Constitution in the world.
The Constitution of India is considered one of the most exhaustive and comprehensive Constitutions in the world. Some key features of the Indian Constitution are:
1. Federal Structure: India is a federal country, with a clear division of powers between the center and the states.
2. Parliamentary System: The Constitution provides for a parliamentary system of government, which means the executive is responsible to the legislature.
3. Independence of Judiciary: The Constitution provides for an independent judiciary, which acts as a guardian of the Constitution and protects the rights of the citizens.
4. Fundamental Rights: The Constitution guarantees six fundamental rights to all citizens, which include freedom of speech and expression, religion, education, life and liberty, equality, and protection against exploitation.
5. Directive Principles: The Constitution lays down certain directive principles of state policy, which are non-justiciable but serve as guidelines for the government to work towards a welfare state.
6. Secularism: The Constitution of India is secular in nature and guarantees equality of all religions and prohibits discrimination on the grounds of religion.
7. Single Citizenship: India has a single citizenship, which means that all citizens, regardless of their place of birth, have equal rights and privileges.
8. Emergency Provisions: The Constitution provides for emergency provisions, under which the President can declare a state of emergency in the event of war, external aggression, or internal disturbance.
9. Amendment Procedure: The Constitution can be amended by a special majority of the Parliament, but certain provisions, such as the federal structure, fundamental rights, and the basic structure of the Constitution cannot be amended.
In conclusion, the Constitution of India is a dynamic document that has been able to adapt to the changing times while preserving its core values and principles. It serves as the cornerstone of Indian democracy and has been instrumental in ensuring stability, rule of law, and protecting the rights of the citizens