SALIENT FEATURES OF THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION
The Indian Constitution was accepted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950. The main features of the Indian Constitution are as follows-
1. Written and Comprehensive Constitution —
Indian Constitution is a written constitution. It has a total of 395 articles and 12 schedules. The Constitution of India is the most detailed constitution in the world.
2. Fundamental Rights -
From Articles 14 to 32 of the Indian Constitution, fundamental rights have been provided to Indians. These fundamental rights are divided into 6 categories. These are- (1) Right to equality (2) Right to liberty (3) Right against exploitation (4) Right to religious freedom (5) Cultural and educational rights (6) Right to constitutional remedies.
3. Right to Property is an Ordinary Right -
Till 1979, the ‘right to property’ of Indian citizens was a fundamental right. But by the 44th amendment, ‘right to property’ has been removed from the list of fundamental rights. Therefore, this right has been given the form of a simple right.
4. Fundamental Duties –
In 1976, by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment, the following ten fundamental duties of Indian citizens were mentioned in the Indian Constitution-
(1) To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals, its institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem.
(2) To respect and follow all those ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom.
(3) To support and protect the security and integrity of the country.
(4) To do national service for the security and integrity of the country.
(5) To develop a sense of co-fraternity and equality among all the people of India by rising above religious, linguistic, regional and class differences and to renounce practices that insult the dignity of women.
(6) To respect and establish and protect the unprecedented heritage of joint culture.
(7) To protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife and to protect animals to behave with kindness
(8) To develop scientific temper, humanism and tendency to observe and improve.
(9) Pledge to protect public property and renounce violence.
(10) To achieve excellence in every field of individual and collective activity so that the nation continues to march towards higher levels of progress and achievements.
5. Directive Principles of State Policy —
Directive principles of state policy have been described from Articles 36 to 51 of the Indian Constitution. Directive Principles of State Policy They have been mentioned in the constitution to guide the government and to establish social and economic democracy. The main guiding principles are- (1) To arrange adequate resources for livelihood. (2) Equal pay for equal work for men and women. (3) Free education for children up to the age of 14 years. (4) Managing the security of historical buildings. (5) Establishment of village panchayats. (6) To encourage cottage industries, agriculture and animal husbandry. (7) Making laws for the upliftment of Harijans, backward castes and tribes. (8) Helping the old and the disabled. (9) Getting the prohibition implemented. (10) Separation of executive and judiciary.
These Directive Principles are not equitable. The meaning is that no court can be taken to implement these principles, that is, if a government does not implement them, then no action can be taken against it in any court.
6. Sovereign Socialist Secular and Democratic Republic —
In the Preamble, India has been declared as a sovereign, socialist and secular democratic republic.
(1) India is a fully sovereign state. This means that it is completely free to formulate its internal and external policy.
(2) India has been called a socialist state in the Preamble. This means that all the citizens of India will get equal opportunities for their progress and development. Production and distribution will be used for the whole society.
(3) India is a secular republic because the Indian Constitution has not recognized any particular religion as the state religion and has given the right of religious freedom to all Indians.
(4) India is a democratic state because the constitution has provided for fixed elections on the basis of adult franchise. Every person of 18 years of age and above has been given the right to vote. Every eligible person of the age of 25 years and above has been given the right to contest the elections to the Lok Sabha and the State Legislative Assemblies.
(5) India is a republic because its head, meaning the President, is indirectly elected by the representatives of the people.
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