Podcast
Questions and Answers
In what year did the British come to India as traders?
In what year did the British come to India as traders?
1600
The British Crown assumed direct responsibility for the governance of India in _____ (year).
The British Crown assumed direct responsibility for the governance of India in _____ (year).
1858
When did India gain independence?
When did India gain independence?
The Constitution of India was formed before the British rule ended.
The Constitution of India was formed before the British rule ended.
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What term is used for the rights over revenue and civil justice obtained by the East India Company in 1765?
What term is used for the rights over revenue and civil justice obtained by the East India Company in 1765?
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Which Constitution is the lengthiest of all written constitutions?
Which Constitution is the lengthiest of all written constitutions?
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Who is known for the statement that the Indian Constitution was framed after ‘ransacking all the known Constitutions of the World’?
Who is known for the statement that the Indian Constitution was framed after ‘ransacking all the known Constitutions of the World’?
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What classification of Constitution requires a special procedure for amendments?
What classification of Constitution requires a special procedure for amendments?
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The Indian Constitution is purely federal with no unitary features.
The Indian Constitution is purely federal with no unitary features.
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Which system of government does the Indian Constitution follow?
Which system of government does the Indian Constitution follow?
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What is part III of the Indian Constitution primarily concerned with?
What is part III of the Indian Constitution primarily concerned with?
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When were fundamental duties added to the Indian Constitution?
When were fundamental duties added to the Indian Constitution?
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The Indian Constitution upholds a particular religion as the official religion.
The Indian Constitution upholds a particular religion as the official religion.
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What is the voting age in India, as per the Constitution?
What is the voting age in India, as per the Constitution?
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The Indian Constitution provides for _____ citizenship.
The Indian Constitution provides for _____ citizenship.
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Study Notes
British Presence in India
- British presence initiated in 1600 through the East India Company, granted exclusive trading rights by Queen Elizabeth I.
- In 1765, the Company acquired ‘diwani’ rights, gaining control over revenue and civil justice in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.
- British Crown took direct control in 1858 following the Sepoy Mutiny, lasting until India's independence on August 15, 1947.
Formation of the Indian Constitution
- Constituent Assembly established in 1946 to draft the Constitution, enacted on January 26, 1950.
- The Constitution reflects various features rooted in British rule.
Key Features of the Indian Constitution
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Written Constitution: Lengthiest written Constitution worldwide, originally featuring a Preamble, 395 Articles (22 Parts), and 8 Schedules.
- Size attributed to geographical diversity, historical influences (like the Government of India Act of 1935), a unified Constitution for the Centre and states, and the presence of legal experts in the Assembly.
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Origins and Influences: Draws provisions from multiple global constitutions and the Government of India Act; Dr. B R Ambedkar emphasized its comprehensive nature.
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Rigidity and Flexibility: Blends rigid and flexible elements; amendments can be made through ordinary legislative processes as well as distinct procedures.
Structure of Government
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Federal with Unitary Bias: Establishes a federal system that integrates unitary features, including a strong central government, single citizenship, an integrated judiciary, and emergency provisions.
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Parliamentary System: Adopts a British-style parliamentary system that emphasizes cooperation between legislative and executive branches, contrasting with the American separation of powers.
Judiciary and Rights
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Integrated and Independent Judiciary: Supreme Court serves as the apex in an integrated judicial system, ensuring independence.
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Fundamental Rights: Enshrined within Part III of the Constitution, ensuring rights protection for all citizens.
Additional Constitutional Features
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Directive Principles of State Policy: Aims to promote social and economic democracy and establish a welfare state; termed a ‘novel feature’ by Dr. B R Ambedkar.
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Fundamental Duties: Introduced during the internal emergency (1975-77) via the 42nd Amendment, highlighting citizen responsibilities.
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Secular State: Promotes a secular outlook, with no official state religion recognized.
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Universal Adult Franchise: Provides for voting rights at the age of 18 for Lok Sabha and state elections, altered from 21 with the 61st Amendment in 1988.
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Single Citizenship: Establishes a uniform nationality for all Indians, contrasting with some federal systems that allow differing citizenship levels.
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