Indian Constitution Key Facts and Dates

Key Dates and Facts

• The Indian Constitution was adopted on November 26, 1949.
• The Indian Constitution came into effect on January 26, 1950.
• This date commemorates the Declaration of Indian Independence (January 26, 1929), demanding Purna Swaraj (complete independence) by the Indian National Congress.
• Republic Day is celebrated annually on January 26th.

Constitution Formation

• The original Indian Constitution had 395 Articles, 22 Parts, and 8 Schedules.
• The current Indian Constitution has 448 Articles, 25 Parts, and 12 Schedules.
• The Indian Constitution is the world's longest written constitution.

Understanding Schedules

• Schedules are additional details in tabular form, supplementing the Articles.
• For instance, Articles 346 and 347 discuss official languages, but the specific language list is given in a Schedule.
• India has 22 officially recognized languages.

12 Schedules: Remembering with "Tears of Old PM"

• Schedule 1: States and Union Territories
• Schedule 2: Salaries and Allowances of key positions (President, Governors, etc.)
• Schedule 3: Forms of Oaths and Affirmations
• Schedule 4: Allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha
• Schedule 5: Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes
• Schedule 6: Administration of Tribal Areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram
• Schedule 7: Distribution of powers between the Union and State (Union List, State List, Concurrent List)
• Schedule 8: 22 Official Languages
• Schedule 9: Validation of Certain Land Reforms Laws (inserted in 1951)
• Schedule 10: Anti-Defection Law
• Schedule 11: Panchayats
• Schedule 12: Municipalities

Sources of Inspiration for the Indian Constitution

• The Indian Constitution's drafting committee drew inspiration from various constitutions globally.
• Irish Constitution:
  • "Alice DPI is number one": Election of the President, Directive Principles of State Policy, Nomination of Rajya Sabha members.
• UK (British) Constitution:
  • "Parle biscuit" and "Sinbi is a complextion": Parliamentary System, Bicameralism, Single Citizenship, Controller and Auditor General, Law-Making Procedure
• US Constitution:
  • "President needs fund for removal of present vice-president and judges in USA": President (Supreme Commander), Fundamental Rights, Impeachment procedure (President, Supreme Court and High Court judges), Preamble, Vice-President, Independence of Judiciary
• Canadian Constitution:
  • "Can I know fed's address": Federal System, Supreme Court's advisory jurisdiction, Center's residuary powers (Power not expressly given to any level of government)

Remembering the 25 Parts

• Memorizing the 25 parts can use mnemonics:
  • "You can fly directly from US, UP Meet child Shyam Ram, fruit test sweet to eat, so only eat maggi as tasty snack.": All 25 parts.
  • "Read from the start to end please.": Parts 11 to 16.
  • "Lemats.": Parts 17 to 22.
• Parts and Articles are added in a chronological order for clarity in the constitution.