Sources of Constitution Archives

1. The Parliament of India is primarily based on the model of

The Parliament of India is primarily based on the model of

[amp_mcq option1=”German Parliament” option2=”British Parliament” option3=”American Congress” option4=”French Parliament” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2022

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The correct answer is B) British Parliament.

India adopted the parliamentary system of government, which is primarily based on the Westminster model of the British Parliament. Key features borrowed include: the nominal head of state (President of India) and the real head of government (Prime Minister), the principle of collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers to the Lok Sabha, the concept of rule of law, a bicameral legislature (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha), parliamentary privileges, and the role of the Speaker.

While the Indian Constitution borrowed various features from different countries, the foundational structure of the executive and legislature, and their relationship, is largely derived from the British model due to India’s historical colonial connection with Britain. Other systems like the American presidential system or German/French models have different structures regarding the executive’s relationship with the legislature.

2. Which one of the following provisions of the Constitution of India was

Which one of the following provisions of the Constitution of India was not adopted from the British Constitution?

[amp_mcq option1=”First past the post system” option2=”Directive Principles of State Policy” option3=”Law-making procedure” option4=”Parliamentary form of government” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC Geoscientist – 2022

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The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) in the Indian Constitution were not adopted from the British Constitution; they were largely inspired by the Constitution of Ireland (Article 45 of the Irish Constitution).

– First past the post system (winner takes all in constituencies) is a feature of the British electoral system adopted by India.
– The basic law-making procedure and the parliamentary form of government with a cabinet system collectively responsible to the legislature are also primarily derived from the British parliamentary system.

The Indian Constitution draws provisions from various sources worldwide. Besides the Irish Constitution for DPSPs, it borrowed ideas like Fundamental Rights from the USA, emergency provisions from the German Weimar Constitution, federal system with a strong centre from Canada, etc.

3. Which one of the following statements regarding the Universal Declarat

Which one of the following statements regarding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is not correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”The UN General Assembly adopted the Human Rights Charter on 10th December, 1948.” option2=”Some of the provisions of the Fundamental Rights enshrined in the Constitution of India are similar to the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” option3=”The Right to Property is not a part of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” option4=”India is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2018

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The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 10th December, 1948, in Paris (Statement A is correct). Many provisions of the Fundamental Rights in Part III of the Indian Constitution are indeed similar to rights enshrined in the UDHR, reflecting shared principles (Statement B is correct). India was a signatory to the UN resolution that adopted the UDHR (Statement D is correct). Article 17 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights explicitly states: “(1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others. (2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.” Therefore, the Right to Property *is* a part of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The statement that the Right to Property is *not* a part of the UDHR is incorrect.

– The UDHR was adopted by the UN General Assembly on Dec 10, 1948.
– Many Indian Fundamental Rights align with UDHR provisions.
– India is a signatory to the UDHR.
– The Right to Property is included in the UDHR (Article 17).

While the Right to Property is included in the UDHR, its status in national legal systems varies. In India, the right to property was a Fundamental Right until the 44th Amendment Act, 1978, which removed it from Part III and made it a legal right under Article 300A in Part XII of the Constitution.

4. Which of the following features were borrowed by the Constitution of I

Which of the following features were borrowed by the Constitution of India from the British Constitution?

1. Rule of Law
2. Law-making Procedure
3. Independence of Judiciary
4. Parliamentary System

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2 only” option2=”2, 3 and 4″ option3=”1 and 4 only” option4=”1, 2 and 4″ correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2017

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The correct option is D) 1, 2 and 4.

The Constitution of India borrowed features from various sources. From the British Constitution, India adopted the Rule of Law, the Law-making Procedure (based on the parliamentary system), and the Parliamentary System of government itself. The concept of the Independence of Judiciary, however, was primarily borrowed from the Constitution of the United States of America.

Key features borrowed from the British Constitution include nominal head (President), Cabinet system, Parliamentary type of government, Bicameral Parliament, Rule of Law, Legislative Procedure, Single Citizenship, and Speaker of Lok Sabha. The US Constitution contributed features like the Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Federal structure of government, Electoral College, Independence of Judiciary, Judicial Review, Impeachment of the President, and removal of Supreme Court and High Court judges.