The document summarizes some key features of the Indian Constitution. It notes that the Constitution has been amended 104 times as of 2020. It incorporates influences from other constitutions like fundamental rights from the US, parliamentary system from the UK, and emergency provisions from Germany. The Indian Constitution is also considered flexible as it can be amended by a majority vote in both houses of Parliament. It uniquely adopted universal adult suffrage from the beginning. It also superimposes an elected President on the parliamentary system of government.

1. Polity for UPSC
By: Yuvraj
All rights reserved

2. Chapter 1: Features of Indian Constitution
Some basic facts of constitution to be remembered:
1. Original features of constitution of 1949 modified by 78
amendments till 1996.
2. Out of these amendments 42nd amendment, 43rd and 44th are
worth noting.
3. 73rd amendment added 16 articles to the constitution, which
provides for establishment and election at panchayat level.
4. 74th amendment provides municipalities and their election.

3. 1. Longest known constitution in the world
• Originally constitution had 395 articles and 8 schedules.
• Till the year 2008, there were 444 articles and 12 schedules.
• Presently, i.e. up-til 2020, there are : 448 articles in 25 parts and 12
schedules.
• There are 104 amendments that have been made in the Indian
constitution up to January 25, 2020

4. 2. Incorporation of different constitutions
across the world
• Fundamental Rights: American Constitution;
• Parliamentary system of Government: United Kingdom;
• Directive Principles of State Policy: Constitution of Eire;
• Emergency Provisions: Constitution of German Reich and Govt. of
India Act 1935;
• Special Status for Jammu and Kashmir: Article 370 (now amended by
Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. This removed the
special status conferred on J & K).

5. 3. Flexible Constitution
• The Indian constitution to be called flexible because it can be
amended by a majority vote in both houses at the centre level.
• There is no need for a special majority to amend the constitution.
• Remedies such as enforcing of Fundamental Rights upon the citizens,
and making them unamendable*(will be discussed in Part III
discussion) and justiciable.
• Writ provisions*(will be discussed in Part III discussion) 1. Habeas
Corpus, 2. Mandamus, 3. Prohibition, 4. Quo Warranto, 5. Certiorari.

6. Some exceptional Features of the Indian
Constitution
• The adoption of Universal Adult Franchise or Universal Adult Suffrage,
without any qualifying facts for it like, caste/sex/property/gender.
Article 326 provides for this feature.
• The Indian Constitution superimposes an elected President upon the
parliamentary system of Govt..
• President shall act in accordance with the advise of Council of
Ministers.*(will be discussed in detail under Legislature).