Constitution of India is the supreme law of India. It frames fundamental political principles, procedures, practices, rights, powers, and duties of the government. It imparts constitutional supremacy and not parliamentary supremacy, as it is not created by the Parliament but, by a constituent assembly, and adopted by its people, with a declaration in its preamble. Parliament cannot override it.
The world’s longest constitution is the Indian’s constitution. At its commencement, it had 395 articles in 22 parts and 8 schedules. It consists of approximately 145,000 words, making it the second largest active constitution in the world. Currently, it has a preamble, 25 parts with 12 schedules, 5 appendices, 448 articles, and 101 amendments.
History
The constitution of India was adopted on the 26th of November, in the year 1949. However, it came to effect on the 26th of January, 1950. 26th of January is celebrated as the Republic Day of India.
It was adopted by the Constitution Assembly. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the chairman of the Drafting Committee, is widely considered to be the architect of the Constitution of India. After, the adoption of the constitution, The Union of India became the contemporary and modern Republic of India
Fundamental Rights
The Constitution of India provides its citizens with six fundamental rights. These rights are the Right to Freedom, Right to Equality, Cultural and Educational Rights, Right to Constitutional Remedies, Right against Exploitation, Right against Exploitation. Recently, the Right to Privacy has also been added to the fundamental rights.
The Government of the Union of India is parliamentary in character One of the characteristics of a parliamentary system of Government is:
- The Ministry is collectively responsible to both House of Parliament
- Ministry is responsible to the Head State of the Parliament
- The Ministry is not responsible to the Parliament
- The Ministry is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha
The Council of Ministers are directly responsible to the Lok Sabha and can remain in office so long as they enjoy the majority support in the House of the People. If the Lok Sabha passes a vote of no confidence against the Council of Ministers they have to resign collectively.
The Constitution of India came into force with effect from:
- August 9, 1942
- November 26, 1949
- August 15, 1947
- January 26, 1950
Republic Day honours the date on which the Constitution of India came into effect on 26 January 1950 replacing the Government of India Act in 1935 as the governing document of India. The Constitution was adopted by the Indian Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949 and came into effect on 26 January 1950 with a democratic government system, completing the country’s transition towards becoming an independent republic.
26 January was chosen as the Republic day because it was on this day in 1930 when Declaration of Indian Independence known as Purna Swaraj was proclaimed by the Indian National Congress as opposed to the Dominion status offered by British Regime.
