SALIENT FEATURES OF INDIAN CONSTITUTION
LENGTHIEST CONSTITUTION
* India has the lengthiest written constitution in the world with articles 448 and 12 schedules.
* Since 1950, Indian constitution has undergone many changes and amendments with many additional articles added to it.
FRAMED FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES
* Dr. B. R. Ambedkar took multiples from other countries while drafting constitution.
* The basic structure is taken from the Government of India Act 1935.
* Thus some modification/amendments is required to suit Indian needs and requirements.
FEDERAL SYSTEM WITH UNITARY FEATURES
*Indian constitution provide two government systems- Central and state governments.
* Powers are divided between three organs- Legislative, executive and judiciary, etc.
* Article 1 mentions that India is a Union of states and not a federation of states.
* Article 3 of the Constitution mentions that parliament is the only authority that can make a separate states.
INDEPENDENT AS WELL AS INTEGRATED JUDICIAL SYSTEM
* India has a single integrated system of judiciary where the Supreme Court is the supreme authority to make decisions.
DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY
* Directive Principles of State Policy were added in the constitution for making India a welfare state.
* These principles provide the social and economic guidance for Indian Democracy and pave the way for the establishment of a true welfare State.
PARLIAMENTARY FORM OF GOVERMENT
* The President of India is the constitutional head of the Union Executive, but he exercises the executive power, vested in him, in accordance with the advice of the Union Council of Ministers.
* The real executive power thus vests with the Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister as the head.
* The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. The same is true of the relationship between the Governors and the Council of Ministers in the States.
FLEXIBLE AS WELL AS RIGID
* The Indian Constitution is flexible as well as rigid.
* The amendment provision was provided in the article 368.
* Amendment can be made by majority of both the houses of parliament. (2/3rd majority)
* Some provisions can be amended with the special majority of member of parliament and with the ratification of at least 50% of the states.
SINGLE CITIZENSHIP
* In India there is single citizenship, Citizens belong to the Indian Union and not to any state.
EMERGENCY PROVISION
* When it is impossible to run the administration of the country or a part thereof, The President can declare an emergency and take administration of the country.
* This emergency can be financial or political.
Conclusion
Apart from what has been mentioned above, there are many other features of Indian constitution like fundamental rights/duties, and Universal Adult Franchise. Features that best distinguish the Indian constitution from the rest of the world are described above.
0 Comments