The Indian Constitution is the supreme law of India. It was adopted on 26 November 1949, and came into effect on 26 January 1950. The Constitution provides for a parliamentary system of government, with a President as the head of state and a Prime Minister as the head of government. The Parliament of India is a bicameral legislature, consisting of the Lok Sabha (the lower house) and the Rajya Sabha (the upper house).
The Indian Constitution has been amended 104 times since it was adopted. The most recent amendment was the 104th Amendment, which was passed in 2019. The 104th Amendment provides for the creation of a National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC), which is responsible for appointing judges to the Supreme Court and the High Courts.
The Indian Constitution has been praised for its secularism, democracy, and federalism. It has also been criticized for its length and complexity. However, the Constitution remains a vital document that has shaped the development of India into a modern nation-state.
Comparison of the Indian Constitutional Scheme With That of Other Countries Parliament & State Legislatures
The Indian Constitution is similar to the constitutions of other countries in many ways. For example, both the Indian Constitution and the United States Constitution provide for a separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. Both constitutions also provide for a system of checks and balances, which prevents any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.
However, there are also some important differences between the Indian Constitution and the constitutions of other countries. For example, the Indian Constitution is a much longer and more detailed document than the United States Constitution. The Indian Constitution also includes a number of provisions that are unique to India, such as the provision for a secular state and the provision for a federal system of government.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Indian Constitution?
The Indian Constitution is the supreme law of India. It was adopted on 26 November 1949, and came into effect on 26 January 1950. The Constitution provides for a parliamentary system of government, with a President as the head of state and a Prime Minister as the head of government. The Parliament of India is a bicameral legislature, consisting of the Lok Sabha (the lower house) and the Rajya Sabha (the upper house).
- What are the features of the Indian Constitution?
The Indian Constitution is a long and detailed document. It contains over 400 articles and 12 schedules. The Constitution provides for a parliamentary system of government, with a President as the head of state and a Prime Minister as the head of government. The Parliament of India is a bicameral legislature, consisting of the Lok Sabha (the lower house) and the Rajya Sabha (the upper house). The Constitution also provides for a federal system of government, with power divided between the central government and the state governments.
- What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Indian Constitution?
The Indian Constitution has been praised for its secularism, democracy, and federalism. It has also been criticized for its length and complexity. However, the Constitution remains a vital document that has shaped the development of India into a modern nation-state.
MCQs
The Indian Constitution was adopted on:
(a) 26 November 1949
(b) 26 January 1950
(c) 15 August 1947
(d) 12 March 1948The Indian Constitution provides for a:
(a) Presidential system of government
(b) Parliamentary system of government
(c) Monarchical system of government
(d) Dictatorial system of governmentThe Parliament of India is a:
(a) Unicameral legislature
(b) Bicameral legislature
(c) Tricameral legislature
(d) None of the aboveThe Indian Constitution is a:
(a) Short and simple document
(b) Long and detailed document
(c) Medium-sized document
(d) None of the aboveThe Indian Constitution has been amended:
(a) 104 times
(b) 103 times
(c) 102 times
(d) 101 times