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.
- The Constitution has unique provisions for three types of emergencies: national emergency, state emergency, and financial emergency.
- Unlike some federal systems, India has single citizenship. Every citizen is a citizen of the Indian Union and enjoys the same set of fundamental rights and duties.
- The Preamble of the Constitution declares India to be a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic, ensuring justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity for its citizens.
- The Constitution of India is one of the longest written constitutions in the world.
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:
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UNITED KINGDOM
Parliamentary government
Nominal head of the state
Concept of single citizenship
Legislative procedure
Bicameral legislature
Rule of Law
Cabinet system
Parliamentary Privilege
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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
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Ireland
Directive Principles of State Policy
Method of election of the President
Nomination of members to the Rajya Sabha by the President
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Australia
Provision of Joint Session of the Parliament
Concurrent List
Freedom of trade between states[
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France
Notions of liberty, equality, fraternity
The ideals of republic in the preamble
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South Africa
Amendment procedure of the constitution
Election of members of Rajya Sabha
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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