The Constitution of India is the supreme law of India. The document lays down the framework that demarcates fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions and sets out fundamental rights, directive principles, and the duties of citizens.
It was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on 26 November 1949 and became effective on 26 January 1950. The constitution replaced the Government of India Act 1935 as the country's fundamental governing document, and the Dominion of India became the Republic of India.
WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a
SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens:
IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.
The Constitution of India originally had 22 parts. Currently, it has 25 parts with 448 articles and 12 schedules.
| Part | Subject | Articles |
|---|---|---|
| Part I | The Union and its Territory | 1-4 |
| Part II | Citizenship | 5-11 |
| Part III | Fundamental Rights | 12-35 |
| Part IV | Directive Principles of State Policy | 36-51 |
| Part IVA | Fundamental Duties | 51A |
| Part V | The Union | 52-151 |
| Part VI | The States | 152-237 |
| Part VII | States in Part B of First Schedule (Repealed) | 238 (Repealed) |
| Part VIII | The Union Territories | 239-242 |
| Part IX | The Panchayats | 243-243O |
| Part IXA | The Municipalities | 243P-243ZG |
| Part IXB | The Co-operative Societies | 243ZH-243ZT |
| Part X | The Scheduled and Tribal Areas | 244-244A |
| Part XI | Relations between the Union and the States | 245-263 |
| Part XII | Finance, Property, Contracts and Suits | 264-300A |
| Part XIII | Trade, Commerce and Intercourse within the Territory of India | 301-307 |
| Part XIV | Services under the Union and the States | 308-323 |
| Part XIVA | Tribunals | 323A-323B |
| Part XV | Elections | 324-329A |
| Part XVI | Special Provisions relating to certain Classes | 330-342 |
| Part XVII | Official Language | 343-351 |
| Part XVIII | Emergency Provisions | 352-360 |
| Part XIX | Miscellaneous | 361-367 |
| Part XX | Amendment of the Constitution | 368 |
| Part XXI | Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions | 369-392 |
| Part XXII | Short title, Commencement, Authoritative text in Hindi and Repeals | 393-395 |
Fundamental Rights are the basic human rights enshrined in the Constitution of India which are guaranteed to all citizens.
Equality before law, prohibition of discrimination, equality of opportunity, abolition of untouchability, abolition of titles
Freedom of speech, assembly, association, movement, residence, profession, protection in respect of conviction
Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour, prohibition of employment of children
Freedom of conscience, profession, practice and propagation of religion, freedom to manage religious affairs
Protection of interests of minorities, right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions
Right to move the Supreme Court for enforcement of fundamental rights
Directive Principles of State Policy are guidelines for the framing of laws by the government. These are non-justiciable rights of the people, fundamental in the governance of the country.
Fundamental Duties were added to the Constitution by the 42nd Amendment in 1976. These are moral obligations of all citizens to help promote a spirit of patriotism and to uphold the unity of India.
The Constitution originally had 8 schedules. Currently, it has 12 schedules.
| Schedule | Subject |
|---|---|
| First Schedule | List of States and Union Territories and their territories |
| Second Schedule | Provisions relating to emoluments, allowances, privileges of President, Governors, Judges, etc. |
| Third Schedule | Forms of Oaths and Affirmations |
| Fourth Schedule | Allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha |
| Fifth Schedule | Provisions relating to the administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes |
| Sixth Schedule | Provisions relating to the administration of Tribal Areas in the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram |
| Seventh Schedule | Union List, State List and Concurrent List |
| Eighth Schedule | Languages recognized by the Constitution |
| Ninth Schedule | Laws and regulations that deal with land reforms and abolition of the zamindari system |
| Tenth Schedule | Provisions relating to disqualification on ground of defection |
| Eleventh Schedule | Powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats |
| Twelfth Schedule | Powers, authority and responsibilities of Municipalities |
The Constitution of India has been amended 105 times as of 2024. Some of the most significant amendments include:
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