Salient Features of the Indian Constitution

Ruchika Mohapatra

2 September 20251 min read

Introduction

Constitution Day, also known as Samvidhan Divas, is celebrated in India on November 26th each year. This day commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of India. On November 26, 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India formally adopted the Constitution of India, and it came into effect on January 26, 1950. The Constitution of India is a comprehensive document that outlines the framework and principles of governance for the country.

Facts about the Indian Constitution

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the chairman of the drafting committee, which played a pivotal role in the formulation of the Constitution.
B. N. Rau served as the Constitutional Advisor to the Constituent Assembly of India. Rau assisted Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the Chairman of the Drafting Committee, in preparing the initial draft of the Constitution.
The original text of the Indian Constitution contained 395 Articles, 8 Schedules, and 22 Parts. Over the years, amendments have been made, and the Constitution has grown in length. Currently, the Indian Constitution has 470 Articles, 12 Schedules and 25 Parts.
The Constitution of India allows for amendments to be made to its provisions. The Indian Constitution has been amended 105 times with the latest amendment becoming effective on 15 August, 2021.
The original constitution is hand-written, with each page decorated by artists from Shantiniketan including Beohar Rammanohar Sinha and Nandalal Bose.

Borrowed Features of the Indian Constitution

The Indian Constitution has borrowed ideas and features from various sources, including the Constitutions of several countries.

Some of the borrowed features of the Indian Constitution include:

Edit UNITED KINGDOM Parliamentary government Nominal head of the state Concept of single citizenship Legislative procedure Bicameral legislature Rule of Law Cabinet system Parliamentary Privilege

Edit United States of America Bill of Rights Written Constitution Electoral College Preamble to the Constitution Federal structure of government Impeachment of the President Judicial review Equal protection under law Independent judiciary and separation of powers

Edit Ireland Directive Principles of State Policy Method of election of the President Nomination of members to the Rajya Sabha by the President

Edit Australia Provision of Joint Session of the Parliament Concurrent List Freedom of trade between states[

Edit France Notions of liberty, equality, fraternity The ideals of republic in the preamble

Edit South Africa Amendment procedure of the constitution Election of members of Rajya Sabha

Edit Canada Quasi-federal government Distribution of powers between the central and state government Residual powers Appointment of Governor of states by Centre Advisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court

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Ruchika Mohapatra

Contributing author

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Introduction

Facts about the Indian Constitution

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the chairman of the drafting committee, which played a pivotal role in the formulation of the Constitution.

B. N. Rau served as the Constitutional Advisor to the Constituent Assembly of India. Rau assisted Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the Chairman of the Drafting Committee, in preparing the initial draft of the Constitution.

The original text of the Indian Constitution contained 395 Articles, 8 Schedules, and 22 Parts. Over the years, amendments have been made, and the Constitution has grown in length. Currently, the Indian Constitution has 470 Articles, 12 Schedules and 25 Parts.

The Constitution of India allows for amendments to be made to its provisions. The Indian Constitution has been amended 105 times with the latest amendment becoming effective on 15 August, 2021.

The original constitution is hand-written, with each page decorated by artists from Shantiniketan including Beohar Rammanohar Sinha and Nandalal Bose.

Borrowed Features of the Indian Constitution

The Indian Constitution has borrowed ideas and features from various sources, including the Constitutions of several countries.

Some of the borrowed features of the Indian Constitution include:

Edit UNITED KINGDOM Parliamentary government Nominal head of the state Concept of single citizenship Legislative procedure Bicameral legislature Rule of Law Cabinet system Parliamentary Privilege

Edit Ireland Directive Principles of State Policy Method of election of the President Nomination of members to the Rajya Sabha by the President

Edit Australia Provision of Joint Session of the Parliament Concurrent List Freedom of trade between states[

Edit France Notions of liberty, equality, fraternity The ideals of republic in the preamble

Edit South Africa Amendment procedure of the constitution Election of members of Rajya Sabha