Indian Constitution and Government

Fundamental Rights

• Enshrined in Part III of the Indian Constitution (Articles 12-35)
• Guaranteed to all citizens of India
• Six categories of Fundamental Rights:
  1. Right to Equality (Articles 14-18)
     • Equality before law and equal protection of laws
     • Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth
  2. Right to Freedom (Articles 19-22)
     • Freedom of speech and expression
     • Freedom of assembly and association
     • Freedom to move freely throughout the territory of India
     • Freedom to reside and settle in any part of India
  3. Right against Exploitation (Articles 23-24)
     • Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labor
     • Prohibition of employment of children in factories and mines
  4. Right to Freedom of Religion (Articles 25-28)
     • Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice, and propagation of religion
     • Freedom to manage religious affairs
  5. Cultural and Educational Rights (Articles 29-30)
     • Protection of interests of minorities
     • Right to conserve distinct language, script, and culture
     • Right to establish and administer educational institutions
  6. Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32)
     • Right to move the Supreme Court for enforcement of Fundamental Rights

Directive Principles of State Policy

• Enshrined in Part IV of the Indian Constitution (Articles 36-51)
• Non-justiciable, i.e., cannot be enforced by courts
• Guidelines for the state to achieve a social and economic welfare state
• Directives to ensure:
  • Welfare of the people
  • Social and economic justice
  • Equality of opportunity
  • Protection of the environment and the natural resources
  • International peace and security

Preamble

• Enacted on November 26, 1949
• Adopted on January 26, 1950
• Introduction to the Indian Constitution
• Outlines the objectives of the Constitution
• Key features:
  • Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic
  • Justice, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity

Union Executive

• Head of the Union Executive: President of India
• Real executive power: Prime Minister of India
• Key features:
  • Council of Ministers responsible to the Lok Sabha
  • Prime Minister is the head of the Council of Ministers
  • President appoints the Prime Minister and other Ministers

Judiciary

• Supreme Court of India:
  • Highest court in the Indian judicial system
  • Apex court of appeal
  • Guardian of the Constitution
• High Courts:
  • Highest court in each state
  • Subordinate to the Supreme Court
• Lower Courts:
  • Subordinate to the High Courts