Constitution of India

Constitution of India

• Adopted on November 26, 1949
• Enacted on January 26, 1950
• Lengthiest written constitution in the world
• Draws inspiration from constitutions of various countries, including USA, UK, and Ireland

Preamble

• Introductory part of the Constitution
• Sets out the objectives of the Constitution
• Enshrines the philosophy of the Constitution
• Highlights the principles of democracy, socialism, and secularism

Features of Indian Constitution

• Federal System: Division of power between Centre and States
• Parliamentary System: President as head of state, Prime Minister as head of government
• Secularism: No state religion, equal treatment of all religions
• Democracy: Sovereignty rests with the people, universal adult franchise
• Socialism: Aim to achieve economic and social equality
• Republic: Elected head of state, not a monarch

Union Government

• Executive: President, Prime Minister, and Council of Ministers
• Legislative: Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha)
• Judiciary: Supreme Court, High Courts, and Lower Courts

Parliament of India

• Lok Sabha: Lower House, directly elected by people, 5-year term
• Rajya Sabha: Upper House, indirectly elected by State Legislatures, 6-year term
• Functions: Lawmaking, approval of government policies, and representation of people

Fundamental Rights

• Six Fundamental Rights: Right to Equality, Right to Freedom, Right against Exploitation, Right to Freedom of Religion, Cultural and Educational Rights, and Right to Constitutional Remedies
• Purpose: Protection of individual rights and liberties

Directive Principles of State Policy

• Guiding principles for government policy: Social justice, economic development, and international cooperation
• Non-justiciable: Not enforceable by courts, but influential in shaping government policies

Judiciary in India

• Supreme Court: Highest court, interpreter of Constitution, and guardian of fundamental rights
• High Courts: Subordinate to Supreme Court, have jurisdiction over states and union territories
• Lower Courts: District Courts, Sessions Courts, and other subordinate courts

Local Government

• Panchayati Raj: Rural local government, comprising Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zila Parishad
• Municipal Government: Urban local government, comprising Municipal Corporation, Municipal Council, and Nagar Panchayat

Constitution of India

• Adopted on November 26, 1949, and enacted on January 26, 1950, making it a significant national event
• Holds the distinction of being the longest written constitution in the world
• Draws inspiration from the constitutions of various countries, including the USA, UK, and Ireland, making it a unique blend of influences

Preamble

• Serves as the introductory part of the Constitution, providing a context for the document
• Clearly outlines the objectives of the Constitution, setting the tone for the rest of the document
• Enshrines the philosophy of the Constitution, highlighting the guiding principles of democracy, socialism, and secularism

Features of Indian Constitution

• Federal System: Ensures a division of power between the Centre and States, promoting a balance of authority
• Parliamentary System: Establishes the President as the head of state and the Prime Minister as the head of government, defining their roles and responsibilities
• Secularism: Guarantees no state religion, ensuring equal treatment of all religions and promoting religious harmony
• Democracy: Affirms that sovereignty rests with the people, upholding the principle of universal adult franchise
• Socialism: Aims to achieve economic and social equality, guiding the government's socio-economic policies
• Republic: Elects the head of state, rejecting monarchical systems and embracing democratic values

Union Government

• Executive: Comprises the President, Prime Minister, and Council of Ministers, who collectively exercise executive authority
• Legislative: Encompasses Parliament, consisting of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, responsible for lawmaking and policy approvals
• Judiciary: Includes the Supreme Court, High Courts, and Lower Courts, entrusted with interpreting laws and upholding justice

Parliament of India

• Lok Sabha: Serves as the Lower House, directly elected by the people for a 5-year term, representing the will of the people
• Rajya Sabha: Constitutes the Upper House, indirectly elected by State Legislatures for a 6-year term, providing a platform for states' representation
• Functions: Includes lawmaking, approval of government policies, and representation of people, making it a vital institution of democracy

Fundamental Rights

• Six Fundamental Rights: Enshrines the Right to Equality, Right to Freedom, Right against Exploitation, Right to Freedom of Religion, Cultural and Educational Rights, and Right to Constitutional Remedies
• Purpose: Protects individual rights and liberties, ensuring the dignity and well-being of citizens

Directive Principles of State Policy

• Guiding principles for government policy: Emphasizes social justice, economic development, and international cooperation, shaping the government's policy agenda
• Non-justiciable: Though not enforceable by courts, these principles exert influence on government policies, guiding their decision-making processes

Judiciary in India

• Supreme Court: Occupies the highest position, interpreting the Constitution, and safeguarding fundamental rights as the guardian of the Constitution
• High Courts: Subordinate to the Supreme Court, exercising jurisdiction over states and union territories, and playing a crucial role in the administration of justice
• Lower Courts: Comprises District Courts, Sessions Courts, and other subordinate courts, forming the backbone of the judicial system

Local Government

• Panchayati Raj: Constitutes the rural local government, consisting of Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zila Parishad, decentralizing power and promoting grassroots development
• Municipal Government: Represents the urban local government, comprising Municipal Corporation, Municipal Council, and Nagar Panchayat, addressing urban development challenges