Unit 1
Unit 1
Unit 1
(BNC501/ BNC601)
Unit 1-
Introduction and Basic Information about Indian Constitution: Meaning of the constitution law and
constitutionalism, Historical Background of the Constituent Assembly, Government of India Act of
1935 and Indian Independence Act of 1947,Enforcement of the Constitution, Indian Constitution and
its Salient Features, The Preamble of the Constitution, Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties,
Directive Principles of State Policy, Parliamentary System, Federal System, Centre-State Relations,
Amendment of the Constitutional Powers and Procedure, The historical perspectives of the
constitutional amendments in India, Emergency Provisions: National Emergency, President Rule,
Financial Emergency, and Local Self Government – Constitutional Scheme in India.
Introduction and Basic Information about Indian Constitution
Meaning of Constitution:
The Constitution of India is the highest law in independent India. It is the longest written constitution of any
democratic country in the world.
A constitution is the main law of a country that explains how the government will work, what powers
different parts of the government have, and the basic principles the society will follow.
Constitutionalism:
The doctrine or system of government in which governing power is constrained by enforceable laws, and
power is distributed with checks and balances to ensure the protection of the fundamental rights of individuals
and groups.
Historical Background of the Constituent Assembly
Constituent Assembly
The Constituent Assembly of India was formed in 1946 to draft the country's Constitution, based on
recommendations from the Cabinet Mission. It had 389 members, representing both British India and the
Princely States. The first meeting took place on December 9, 1946, with Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha as the
temporary Chairman. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was later elected as the President on December 11, 1946.
The Assembly worked for about three years and became India's first parliament after independence.
The Constitution of India was created by the Constituent Assembly, which began its work in December
1946 and completed it in just under three years. After the partition, the Assembly had 299 members who
carefully discussed each clause.
The Constitution was adopted on November 26, 1949, and came into effect on January 26, 1950.
November 26 is now celebrated as Constitution Day, and January 26 as Republic Day.
Functions of the Constituent Assembly:
4. Elected Dr. Rajendra Prasad as India's first President on January 24, 1950.
The Government of India Act of 1935, passed by the British Parliament, was its longest act at the time. It was
split into the Government of India Act and the Government of Burma Act. The act drew from sources like the
Simon Commission report and the Third Round Table Conference. It ended the dyarchy system from the 1919
Act and proposed an Indian Federation of British provinces and princely states, though the federation never
materialized due to lack of participation from the princely states.
Salient features
4. Proposed an All India Federation with British India and princely states.
The Indian Independence Act, passed by the British Parliament on 18 July 1947, created two independent
Dominions: India and Pakistan. British provinces joined either India or Pakistan based on their majority
religion (Hindu or Muslim). The princely states were free to choose between the two. India gained
independence on 15 August 1947.
Salient features
2. British authority over princely states ended, allowing them to join either India or Pakistan or remain
independent.
3. The constituent assemblies of both states could create their own constitutions.
Salient Features:
4. Single Citizenship: All Indians are citizens of India, regardless of where they live.
6. Universal Adult Franchise: Every adult citizen has the right to vote.
A preamble is an introductory statement in a document that explains the document's philosophy and objectives.
In a Constitution, it presents the intention of its framers, the history behind its creation, and the core values and
principles of the nation.
Key Terms:
•We, the people of India: Indicates that the power lies with the people.
•Sovereign: India has independent authority and is not controlled by any outside power.
•Socialist: Aims for socialist goals through democratic means, allowing both private and public sectors.
•Secular: All religions receive equal respect and protection from the state.
•Democratic: The Constitution derives its authority from the will of the people, expressed through elections.
•Republic: The head of the state is elected, with the President of India serving in this role.
Fundamental Rights
Fundamental rights are the basic human rights enshrined in the Constitution of India which are guaranteed to
all citizens. They are applied without discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, etc.
There are 6 Fundamental rights which are given by the Indian constitution.
1) Right to Equality :
The constitutional articles related to right to equality are mentioned in Articles 14 - 18. It guarantees equal
rights for everyone, irrespective of religion, gender, caste, race or place of birth.
2) Right to Freedom :
The constitutional articles related to right to freedom are mentioned in Articles 19 - 22. Freedom is the most
important ideals of any democratic society. The Indian Constitution guarantees freedom to citizens.
The constitutional articles related to right against exploitation are mentioned in Articles 23 - 24. This right
implies the prohibition of traffic in human beings, begar, and other forms of forced labour.
4) Right to Freedom of Religion :
The constitutional articles related to right to freedom of religion are mentioned in Articles 25 - 28. Every
person has the right to freely practice his or her faith, establish and maintain religious and charitable institutions.
The constitutional articles related to cultural and educational rights are mentioned in Articles 29 - 30. These
rights protect the rights of religious, cultural and linguistic minorities, by facilitating them to preserve their
heritage and culture.
The constitutional articles related to right to constitutional remedies are mentioned in Articles 32. The
Constitution guarantees remedies if citizens' fundamental rights are violated.
Fundamental duties
The Indian Constitution did not originally categorize the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs), but they are
generally classified into three types based on their content and direction:
The DPSP are found in Part IV of the Constitution of India, from Articles 36 to 51.
India is a federal democratic republic with a parliamentary government similar to the UK's. Its legislative branch
includes the President, the Rajya Sabha (the upper house), and the Lok Sabha (the lower house).
Features
1. Nominal and Real Head: The head of state, like the President, has a ceremonial role and is the nominal
executive.
Article 75 allows the President to appoint the Prime Minister, who leads a council of ministers to advise the
President (as stated in Article 74).
2. Executive in Legislature: The executive is part of the legislature. To be a member of the executive, a person
must be in Parliament. If not, they can serve as a minister for up to six months.
3. Majority Party Rule: The party with the most seats in the Lok Sabha forms the government. The President
invites the leader of this party to be the Prime Minister and appoints other ministers on the Prime Minister's
advice.
4. Parliamentary Opposition: Since no party has a full majority, the opposition is important for keeping the
government in check and preventing misuse of power.
Federal system
A federal state has two levels of government: one at the central level and another at the state level.
i. A written constitution
Centre-state relations in India are the dynamic of how the central government and state governments share
powers and responsibilities.
The Indian Constitution's federal system divides legislative, executive, and financial powers between the center
and the states.
The administrative relations between the central and state governments are explained in Articles 256 to 263 of
the Constitution. These ensure cooperation between the two while keeping the country united.
For legislative subjects, the Constitution divides them into three lists: the Union List (for the central
government), the State List (for state governments), and the Concurrent List (for both).
The judicial system is a single system for the whole country, applying both central and state laws, with no
separate courts for each.
Amendment of the Constitutional Powers and Procedure
1. An amendment bill is introduced in either House of Parliament (not in state legislatures) by any member,
without needing the President’s approval.
3. If the bill affects federal provisions, half of the states must approve it.
4. Once passed by Parliament and the states (if needed), the bill is sent to the President, who must give approval.
5. After the President's assent, the bill becomes law, and the Constitution is amended.
Emergency provisions in Indian Constitution
The Indian Constitution allows the President to declare three types of emergencies:
- Declared when India's security is threatened by war, external aggression, or armed rebellion.
- Requires approval by a special majority in Parliament.
- The Lok Sabha can revoke it if requested by at least 1/10th of its members.
Local self-government in India is a system where local bodies are elected by the people to manage the affairs of
local communities.
It is the third tier of government in India, below the state and central governments.