Constitution of India

With 117,369 words in total, the constitution of India is the most voluminous written constitution in any country across the globe. It is an instrument that reflects the working of the Indian Government. There are as many as 12 schedules and 395 articles. It came into force on the 26th day of January in the year 1950. The Constituent Assembly drafted the Constitution of India.

Constitution of India – History

The concept of forming the Constitution of India was conceived way back in the 1945 when World War II had just come to an end in Europe.

The new government in United Kingdom perceived the idea of forming a drafting constituent body in India. The Cabinet Mission was formed, which comprised a group of ministers. The group arrived in India to find out options for making India independent. Discussions by Cabinet Mission took place at length and the skeletal framework of the constitution was worked out. The drafting body played an instrumental role. When India finally became independent, the Constituent Assembly assumed a greater role and started operating on December 9th 1947.

After a span of 2 years and a couple of months, the final copy of the Indian Constitution was submitted. Members belonging to different political groups, regions, and communities formed the Assembly. The Drafting Committee’s chairman selected was B.R Ambedkar and Dr Rajendra Prasad was elected as the President of the Drafting Committee.

Working of the Indian Constitution
Any changes that need to be incorporated in the Indian Constitution are performed by the Parliament in form of Amendments. Till date there are as many as 94 amendments. These amendments have taken place over a time period of 60 years ever since its inception.

The Constitution has 22 parts. Parts are basically chapters that deal with a particular issue.

For instance, Part I deals with issues related to Union and its Territory, Part II deals with Citizenship, and Part III deals with Fundamental Rights. Similarly, the other Parts deal with varied issues.

Talking about Fundamental Rights (Part III of the Constitution of India), every citizen of India is entitled to enjoy the following Fundamental Rights. They are-

Right to Equality
Right Against Exploitation
Right to Particular Freedom
Right to Constitutional Remedies
Cultural and Educational Rights
Right to Freedom of Religion

As far as Fundamental Duties (Part IV of the Indian Constitution) are concerned, it is expected of every Indian citizen that he will abide by a set of duties. Few of them are as follows-

To respect the ideologies laid down by the Indian Constitution

To preserve the cultural heritage of the country

Promote harmony and instill the feeling of brotherhood among all

Strive for excellence and in turn take the country to higher levels

Protect public property

Protect natural environment like wildlife, forests, lakes, and rivers.

The Schedules in the Constitution indicate the policies and activities of the government.

Features Incorporated from other Constitutions
The Indian Constitution has several features that have been adopted from other constitutions of the world. Given below are few features that have been incorporated from other constitutions of countries around the world.

Fraternity, Liberty, and Equality from French Constitution

Concept of single citizenship, Rule of Law, Parliamentary government, and procedures of law making from British Constitution