The Constitution of India

AI-drafted · awaiting admin review

Adopted on 26 November 1949 and in force from 26 January 1950, the Constitution is the supreme law of India. It is one of the longest written constitutions in the world.

Key facts
Adopted	26 November 1949 (Constitution Day / Samvidhan Divas)
Came into force	26 January 1950 (Republic Day)
Constituent Assembly	First met on 9 December 1946. Dr Rajendra Prasad was its President. The Constitution took about 2 years, 11 months and 18 days to prepare
Drafting Committee	Chaired by Dr B. R. Ambedkar
Original text	395 Articles in 22 Parts and 8 Schedules (now 12 Schedules)
Original manuscript	Hand-written in calligraphy by Prem Behari Narain Raizada and illuminated by Nandalal Bose and artists of Santiniketan

The Preamble

The Preamble declares India a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic. It promises every citizen justice (social, economic and political), liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship, equality of status and opportunity, and fraternity that assures the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation.

Rights and duties

Fundamental Rights (Part III): equality, freedoms, protection against exploitation, freedom of religion, cultural and educational rights, and the right to constitutional remedies.
Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV) guide the government in making laws and policies.
Fundamental Duties (Article 51A) include upholding the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India, promoting harmony, and valuing and preserving our composite culture.

Federal and parliamentary

India is a Union of States with a parliamentary system: the President is the head of State and the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister holds executive power.
Parliament has the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States). Each State has its own legislature and government.
An independent judiciary, with the Supreme Court at the top, guards the Constitution.

Sources