The document summarizes the key features of the Indian constitution. It notes that the Indian constitution is the longest written constitution in the world, originally containing 395 articles across 8 schedules and 22 parts and now containing 448 articles across 25 parts and 12 schedules. It highlights some of the main features borrowed from other countries that influenced the Indian constitution, including parliamentary democracy from the UK, fundamental rights and an independent judiciary from the US, fundamental duties from the USSR, and the concept of directive principles of state policy from Ireland. The constitution establishes India as a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic with a parliamentary form of government, federal structure, and guarantees of fundamental rights.

1. SALIENT FEATURES OF INDIAN
CONSTITUTION
Prepared By:
Ms. Janki Srivastava
Assistant Professor
Amity University

2. INDIAN CONSTITUTION
 The Constitution is a document that guides the way to all
the institutions of a country. All the other laws and
customs of the country must conform to it in order to be
valid.
 The Constitution of India was enforced on January 26,
1950, which contained 395 Articles, 8 schedules, and 22
parts.
 It is the lengthiest written constitution of the world.
 At present, the Constitution contains 448 articles in 25
parts and 12 schedules.

3. SALIENT FEATURES OF THE
CONSTITUTION
 Lengthiest Constitution in the World
 Single Constitution for both Union and
States
 Borrowed features from various
Countries
 Rigidity and Flexibility

4.  Secular State
 Federalism
 Parliamentary Form of Government
 Single Citizenship
 Integrated and Independent Judiciary
 Fundamental Rights
 Directive Principles of State Policy
 Fundamental Duties
 Universal Adult Franchise
 Emergency Provisions

5.  The Constitution of India thus stands as an
embodiment of democracy, fundamental rights,
and decentralization of power to the lowest or to
the grass-root level.
 In order to protect against any possible dilution
of these powers and rights, the Supreme Court
functions as the guardian of the Constitution
with the power to invalidate any legislation or
executive act if it violates the Constitution and
thus affirms and enforce the supremacy of the
Constitution.

6. THE FEATURES OF THE
CONSTITUTION
BORROWED FROM DIFFERENT
COUNTRIES

7. FEATURES BORROWED FROM THE
UNITED KINGDOM
 Nominal Head – President (like Queen)
 Cabinet System of Ministers
 Post of PM (Real Head)
 Parliamentary Type of Govt.
 Bicameral Parliament
 Lower House more powerful
 Council of Ministers responsible to Lower House
 Speaker in Lok Sabha

8. FEATURES BORROWED FROM U.S.A.
 Written Constitution
 Executive head of state-President
 Vice-President
 Fundamental Rights

9.  Supreme Court
 Provision of States
 Independence of Judiciary and judicial
review
 Preamble
 Removal of Supreme Court and High
Court Judges

10. FEATURES BORROWED FROM USSR (RUSIA)
 Fundamental Duties
 Five year Plan
Features borrowed From AUSTRALIA
o Concurrent list
o Joint sitting of the two houses
o Freedom of trade and commerce

11. Features borrowed From JAPAN
 Laws on which the Supreme Court functions
Features borrowed From GERMANY
 Suspension of Fundamental Rights during the
emergency
Features borrowed From CANADA
 Scheme of federation with a strong centre
 Distribution of powers between centre and the states
 And placing residuary powers with the centre

12. Features borrowed From IRELAND
 Concept of Directive Principles of States Policy
(Ireland borrowed it from SPAIN)
 Method of election of President
 Nomination of members in the Rajya Sabha by the
President

13. Types of Constitution:
1. Written Constitution:
2. Unwritten Constitution
3. Flexible Constitution:
4. Rigid Constitution:
5. Evolved Constitution:
6. Enacted Constitution:

14. WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES OF A GOOD
CONSTITUTION ?

15. QUALITIES OF A GOOD CONSTITUTION:
1. Constitution must be systematically written.
2. It should incorporate the constitutional law of the state and
enjoy supremacy.
3. It should have the ability to develop and change in
accordance with the changes in the environment and needs
of the people.
4. It should be neither unduly rigid nor unduly flexible.
5. It must provide for Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of
the people.
6. It should clearly define the organisation, powers, functions
inter-relations of the government of the state and its three
organs.
7

16. 7. It must provide for the organisation of a representative,
responsible, limited and accountable government.
8. It must provide for:
(i) Rule of Law
(ii) De-centralisation of powers
(iii) Independent and powerful Judiciary
(iv) A system of Local self-government
(v) A Sound Method of Amendment of the Constitution
(vi) Process and Machinery for the conduct of free and elections
9. The Constitution must clearly reflect the sovereignty of the
people.
10. The language of the constitution should be simple, clear and
unambiguous