Features of Indian Constitution|NDA, CDS, UPSC, AFCAT, RRB, IBPS-PO, SSC, KVS, CLAT Notes, MCQS, FAQs

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Key Features of the Indian Constitution

1. Bulkiest Constitution in the World
   • The Indian Constitution is one of the longest in the world.
   • Originally, it had 395 Articles, 22 Parts, and 8 Schedules.
   • After multiple amendments, it now has 447 Articles, 24 Parts, and 12 Schedules.
2. Combination of Rigidity and Flexibility
   • Some provisions can be amended by a simple majority in Parliament.
   • Others require a two-thirds majority and ratification by at least half of the state legislatures (Article 368).
3. Parliamentary System of Government
   • The real executive power rests with the Council of Ministers.
   • The President is the nominal head.
   • Ministers remain in office as long as they enjoy the confidence of Parliament.
4. Federal System with a Unitary Bias
   • India is a Union of States, not a result of an agreement among states.
   • During an emergency, India’s federal structure can take a unitary character.
   • K.C. Wheare: Quasi-federal setup
   • Morris Jones: Bargaining Federalism
   • Granville Austin: Cooperative Federalism
5. Fundamental Rights
   • The Constitution provides six fundamental rights.
   • The state cannot make laws that violate these rights.
   • Courts can declare such laws unconstitutional.
6. Fundamental Duties
   • There are 11 Fundamental Duties.
   • First 10 duties were added by the 42nd Amendment (1976).
   • The 11th duty was added by the 86th Amendment (2002).
7. Directive Principles of State Policy
   • Aim to establish a welfare state.
   • Unlike Fundamental Rights, they are non-justiciable.
8. Secular State
   • No state religion.
   • Citizens have freedom to practice any religion.
   • Religious freedom can be regulated in the public interest.
9. Independent & Integrated Judiciary
   • The Supreme Court is the guardian of the Constitution.
   • Single integrated judiciary with High Courts and Subordinate Courts.
10. People as Source of Authority
    • The Constitution derives its authority from the people.
    • Preamble: “We, the people of India…”
11. Universal Adult Franchise
    • Voting rights for all citizens above 18 years.
    • Special provisions for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
12. Emergency Powers
    • Extraordinary powers to the President during national emergencies.
    • Emergency types:
      1. National Emergency (War or external aggression)
      2. State Emergency (Failure of constitutional machinery in a state)
      3. Financial Emergency (Threat to India’s financial stability)
13. Single Citizenship
    • All Indians are citizens of India.
    • No separate citizenship for different states.
14. Bicameral Legislature
    • Lok Sabha (House of People) and Rajya Sabha (Council of States).
    • Lok Sabha represents the people, Rajya Sabha represents the states.
15. Special Provisions for Minorities
    • Reserved seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
    • Special rights and privileges granted.
16. Panchayati Raj
    • 73rd and 74th Amendments (1992) provided a constitutional basis for local governance.
17. Balance between Constitutional Supremacy & Parliamentary Sovereignty
    • Judicial Review: The Supreme Court can declare unconstitutional laws.
    • Amendment Power: Parliament can amend major portions of the Constitution.
18. Basic Structure Doctrine
    • Some features of the Constitution cannot be amended.
    • Supreme Court established this doctrine in Kesavananda Bharati Case (1973).
    • Key elements of the basic structure:
      • Supremacy of the Constitution
      • Republican and democratic government
      • Secularism
      • Federal character
      • Sovereignty of India
      • Parliamentary democracy
      • Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1: Why is the Indian Constitution called the bulkiest in the world?
A: It originally had 395 Articles, 22 Parts, and 8 Schedules. After amendments, it now has 447 Articles, 24 Parts, and 12 Schedules.

Q2: What makes the Indian Constitution both rigid and flexible?
A: Some provisions require a simple majority, others need a two-thirds majority and state ratification.

Q3: What is meant by the Parliamentary system of government?
A: The Council of Ministers holds real power, while the President is the nominal head.

Q4: Why is India called a federal system with a unitary bias?
A: India has federal features but can switch to a unitary system during emergencies.

Q5: What is the significance of the Basic Structure Doctrine?
A: It ensures that Parliament cannot amend key constitutional features like sovereignty, democracy, and secularism.

MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions)

Q1: Who described India’s federal system as ‘Quasi-federal’?
A) Granville Austin
B) Morris Jones
C) K.C. Wheare
D) B.R. Ambedkar
Answer: C) K.C. Wheare
Explanation: K.C. Wheare called India’s system Quasi-federal, meaning it has both federal and unitary features.

Q2: How many Fundamental Duties are there in the Indian Constitution?
A) 9
B) 10
C) 11
D) 12
Answer: C) 11
Explanation: The 42nd Amendment (1976) added 10 Fundamental Duties, and the 86th Amendment (2002) added the 11th.

Q3: Which case established the Basic Structure Doctrine?
A) Golaknath Case
B) Kesavananda Bharati Case
C) Minerva Mills Case
D) Maneka Gandhi Case
Answer: B) Kesavananda Bharati Case
Explanation: The Kesavananda Bharati Case (1973) ruled that Parliament cannot amend the basic structure of the Constitution.

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