Paper I Material: Facts of Indian Constitution

Interesting Facts of Indian Constitution

ü    The Constitution of India is written and is the most elaborate constitution of the world. It was finally passed and accepted on Nov 26, 1949.

ü    The National Emblem was adopted by the Government on 26 January, 1950.

ü    There are 12 schedules, 448 articles, and 98 amendments, till date, in our Constitution.

ü    The words ‘SOCIALIST’, ‘SECULAR’ and ‘UNITY’ & ‘INTEGRITY’ were added to its preamble by the 42nd Amendment in 1976.

ü    Preamble is not justifiable.

ü    Indian Constitution is a rigid one. An amendment has to be passed by at least two-thirds majority of the members present and voting there in. However, in addition to this process, some amendments must be approved by at least 50% of the states. After this procedure the amendment is signed by the head of the state i.e; the President of India.

ü    There is a clear division of powers. Our constitution enumerates three lists, viz. the Union, the State and the Concurrent List. 

ü    The Union List consists of 97 subjects of national importance such as Defence, Railways, Post and Telegraph, etc. The State List consists of 66 subjects of local interest such as Public Health, Police etc. The Concurrent List has 47 subjects important to both the Union and the State. such as Electricity, Trade Union, Economic and Social Planning, Education etc.

ü    Both the Parliament and the State Legislatures can make laws on the subjects included in Concurrent list.

ü    The State governments may delegate some of its administrative functions relating to the State subjects, to Union Government for a specified period.

ü    The Indian states have no freedom to secede or separate from the Union. The federation is a union and Constitution is not truly a federal one. For example, The federal principle envisages a dual system of Courts. But, in India we have unified Judiciary with the Supreme Court at the apex.

ü    Constitutional experts have called it ‘semi-federal’ of ‘quasi federal’ system.

ü    The Centre appoints the Governors of the States and may take over the administration of the State on the recommendations of the Governor or otherwise.

ü    State Governors act more as Centre’s representative than as the head of the State. This enables the Union government to exercise control over the State administration.

ü    Indian states have equal representation in Lok Sabha but unequal representation in the Rajya Sabha.

ü    The States cannot propose amendments to, the Constitution. As such amendments can only be made by the Union Parliament.

ü    All important appointments such as the Chief Election Commissioner, the Comptroller and Auditor General are made by the Union Government.

ü    The Parliament, by law may increase or decrease the area of any State and may alter its name and boundaries.

ü    The Sarkaria Commission was appointed by Union Government to suggest ways and means to improve

ü    Centre-State relations. The commission recommended the establishment of permanent Inter-State Council.