The Indian Constitution
The Indian Constitution is the Supreme law of our country. It tells how India should be governed and how power is shared between the Union and State governments. It makes India a Sovereign, Secular, Democratic Republic where people choose their leaders through elections. It gives people Fundamental Rights to live with freedom and equality and also gives Fundamental Duties to follow as responsible citizens.
Introduction
The Preamble is the short introduction placed at the very beginning of the Indian Constitution. It tells us who has given the Constitution, what type of country India is, and what goals the Constitution wants to achieve.
It begins with “We, the People of India…” which shows that the real power in India comes from the people, not from any king or foreign ruler.
Aims of the Constitution (from the Preamble)
- To make India a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic.
- To secure Justice – social, economic and political – for all people.
- To secure Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship.
- To secure Equality of status and opportunity.
- To promote Fraternity (brotherhood) assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the nation.
Values and Philosophy in the Preamble
- People are supreme – all authority comes from “We, the People of India”.
- Democratic values – leaders are chosen by free and fair elections.
- Social justice and equality – no group should be oppressed or treated as inferior.
- Respect for diversity – different religions, languages and cultures live together with equal respect.
- National unity – all citizens are part of one united India, with a feeling of fraternity.
The Supreme Court said that the Preamble is part of the Constitution, but not a source of powers or a section like other Articles. It only explains the spirit and direction of the Constitution.
Articles
| Item | Exact Count | Article Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Fundamental Rights | 6 Rights | Articles 12 – 35 |
| Originally Fundamental Rights | 7 (Right to Property removed later) | Article 31 (removed by 44th Amendment) |
| Fundamental Duties | 11 Duties | Article 51A (added by 42nd & 86th Amendments) |
| Right to Education | 1 Special Right | Article 21A |
| Right to Freedom of Speech | Part of Freedom Rights | Article 19(1)(a) |
| Right to Property | Now a Legal Right | Article 300A |
- Fundamental Rights are directly enforceable by courts.
- Fundamental Duties are moral-legal obligations, not directly enforceable by courts.
- Right to Property was removed as a Fundamental Right in 1978 by the 44th Constitutional Amendment.
FR = 6, FD = 11, RTE = Article 21A, Speech = 19(1)(a), Property = 300A.
Right to Information (RTI) Act
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Law Name | Right to Information Act |
| Year Enacted | 2005 |
| Constitutional Base | Derived from Article 19(1)(a) – Freedom of Speech & Expression |
| Main Purpose | To ensure transparency and accountability in administration |
| Authorities Covered | Central Government, State Governments, Local Bodies, Public Authorities |
- RTI strengthens democracy by allowing citizens to question government functioning.
- Public Information Officers operate at Ministry, State, District and Local levels.
RTI is NOT a Fundamental Right but it comes under Article 19(1)(a).
Secularism – Meaning, Greatness and Motive
| Point | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Meaning | No official religion of the State |
| Article Basis | Preamble + Articles 25–28 |
| Main Motive | Equality among all religious communities |
| Greatness | Allows unity among diverse religions, cultures, castes |
| Government Role | Protect + regulate religious freedom without favor |
- Protects minority and majority communities equally.
- Ensures social harmony in a multi-religious society.
Indian Secularism = Equal Respect + Neutral Governance
Federalism and System of Governance
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Nature | Federal with strong unitary features |
| Power Lists | Union List, State List, Concurrent List |
| Central Powers | Defence, Foreign Affairs, Railways, Currency |
| State Powers | Police, Agriculture, Health, Local Governance |
| Shared Powers | Education, Forests, Labour Laws |
- Ensures decentralization and balanced regional power.
- Maintains unity while respecting state diversity.
India is not purely federal — it has strong center during emergencies.
Important Constitutional Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 9 Dec 1946 | First meeting of Constituent Assembly |
| 22 Jan 1947 | Objectives Resolution adopted |
| 26 Nov 1949 | Constitution adopted |
| 26 Jan 1950 | Indian Constitution came into force |
Executive Bodies under Constitution
| Level | Executive Head | Real Power Holder |
|---|---|---|
| Union | President | Prime Minister + Council of Ministers |
| State | Governor | Chief Minister + Council of Ministers |
- President and Governor act on the advice of Council of Ministers.
- Executive implements laws and policies framed by legislatures.
Nominal Head = President/Governor, Real Power = PM/CM.
Andhra Pradesh – Constitutional Application
| Feature | Application in Andhra Pradesh |
|---|---|
| State Executive | Governor + Chief Minister + Council of Ministers |
| Judiciary | High Court of Andhra Pradesh at Amaravati |
| Local Governance | Panchayats, Municipalities, District Administration |
| Social Welfare | State schemes guided by constitutional principles of social justice |