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 Constitution also guarantees certain fundamental rights to all citizens, including the right to equality, the right to freedom, the right against exploitation, the right to freedom of religion, cultural and educational rights, and the right to constitutional remedies.
The Constitution is divided into 25 parts, 448 articles, and 12 schedules. The first part of the Constitution deals with the Preamble, which sets out the basic principles of the Constitution. The second part deals with citizenship, the third part deals with fundamental rights, the fourth part deals with directive principles of state policy, the fifth part deals with the Union government, the sixth part deals with the states, the seventh part deals with the Union territories, the eighth part deals with emergency provisions, the ninth part deals with the finance, the tenth part deals with the judiciary, the eleventh part deals with the languages, the twelfth part deals with miscellaneous provisions, and the thirteenth part deals with the transitional and temporary provisions.
The Constitution has been amended 104 times since it came into effect. The first amendment was made in 1951, and the most recent amendment was made in 2019. The amendments have been made to address various issues that have arisen since the Constitution was adopted.
The Constitution is a living document, and it has been interpreted by the Supreme Court in a number of cases. The Supreme Court has the power to strike down laws that it finds to be unconstitutional.
The Constitution is a remarkable document, and it has played a vital role in the development of India. It has helped to promote democracy, secularism, and social justice in India. The Constitution is a source of pride for all Indians, and it is a symbol of the country’s unity and diversity.
Important Articles in Indian Constitution
The following are some of the most important articles in the Indian Constitution:
- Article 1: The State of India
- Article 2: Territory of India
- Article 3: Union and its Territories
- Article 4: Admission or Establishment of new States
- Article 5: Formation of new States and alteration of areas, boundaries or names of existing States
- Article 6: Alteration of name of the Union or of any State
- Article 7: Provisions as to representation in Parliament
- Article 8: Representation of States in the Council of States
- Article 9: Representation of the States in the House of the People
- Article 10: Abolition of Legislative Councils in certain States
- Article 11: Representation of the Union in the Legislative Assembly of a State
- Article 12: Special provision with respect to certain States
- Article 13: Extent of the Constitution
- Article 14: Equality before law
- Article 15: Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth
- Article 16: Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment
- Article 17: Abolition of untouchability
- Article 18: Abolition of titles
- Article 19: Protection of certain rights regarding freedom of speech, etc.
- Article 20: Protection in respect of conviction for offences
- Article 21: Protection of life and personal liberty
- Article 22: Protection against arrest and detention in certain cases
- Article 23: Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour
- Article 24: Prohibition of employment of children in factories, etc.
- Article 25: Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion
- Article 26: Freedom to manage religious affairs
- Article 27: Freedom as to payment of taxes for promotion of any particular religion
- Article 28: Freedom as to attendance at religious instruction or religious worship in educational institutions
- Article 29: Protection of interests of minorities
- Article 30: Right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions
- Article 31: Right to property
- Article 32: Remedies for enforcement of fundamental rights
- Article 33: Saving of laws in certain cases
- Article 34: Special provisions relating to certain classes
- Article 35: Claims of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to services and posts and to public places of resort
- Article 36: Special provision for Anglo-Indian community
- Article 37: Directive principles of state policy
- Article 38: State to secure a social order for the promotion of welfare of the people