upscdictionary:: Polity- Sources and features of Indian Constitution

Indian Constitution

Indian constitution has following features, It taken about  about 2 years 11 months and 18 days to build Indian constitution. DR. B.R. Ambedkar is regarded as architect/father of Indian Constitution

Highly important from prelims

2012 Prelims questions

Prelims 2012

Features of Indian Constitution are

1. Written constitution : Constitutions are of 2 types written and Evolved constitution, India constitution is a Written Document and taken reference from different constitutions of world,not evolved constitution
2. Has both federal and Unitary features
3. More Flexible constitution than rigid one, most of the provisions of the constitution can been amendment with a simple majority
4. It is the lengthy Document consists of

At the time of commencement

• Articles – 395 Articles
• Parts-  22 Parts
• Schedules – 8 schedules

Present form

• Articles – 448 Articles
• Parts – 22 Parts
• Schedules – 12 Schedules
• Appendices – 5
• Amendments – 122 crossed ( last recently includes National judicial appointment commission (NJAC) Bill)

Sources of Indian Constitution

Government of India Act 1935

Taken the concepts of

• Federal scheme
• Public service Commissions
• Office of Governor
• Judiciary
• Emergency provisions
• Administrative details

British Constitution

• Rule of Law
• Legislative procedure and Cabinet System
• Single Citizenship
• Parliamentary Privileges and Bicameralism
• Prerogative Writs
• Parlimentary Governmnet

US Constitution

• Fundamental rights
• Independence of judiciary
• Judicial review
• Removal of Supreme court and High court judges and post of Vice President
• Impeachment of president

Australian Constitution

• Concurrent List
• Freedom of Trade
• Commerece and Intercourse
• Joint sitting of two houses of parliament

South African Constitution

• Procedure for Amendment of constitution
• Election of Raja Sabha Member’s

Irish constitution

• Directive Principles of State Policy
• Nomination of the members to Raja Sabha
• Method of Election of President

Canadian Constitution

• Federation with Strong Center
• Vesting of Residuary Powers in the Center
• Appointmnet of State governers by the center
• Advisory Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court

From USSR (Now Russia)

• Fundamental duties
• Ideals of Justice (social, economic and political) in the preamble

French Constitution

• Republic and ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity in the preamble

Constitution of Germany

• Suspension of Fundamental rights during Emergency

Japanese Constitution

• Procedure Established by law