What is Constitution of India

The Constitution of India is the supreme law of India, drafted by a constituent assembly and adopted on 26th January 1950, which came into effect on the same day. It is the lengthiest written constitution of any country on Earth.

The Constitution of India serves as the framework for the governance of the country and lays down the powers and duties of the government institutions, as well as the rights and duties of the citizens. It provides a comprehensive set of guidelines and principles that govern the political, social, and economic life of the country.

Key Features of the Indian Constitution:

1. Preamble: The Constitution begins with a preamble that outlines the ideals and aspirations of the people of India, including justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.

2. Federal Structure: India has a federal structure of government, with powers divided between the central government and the states. However, it also has unitary features, where the central government has overriding powers in certain situations.

3. Parliamentary Democracy: India follows the parliamentary system of government where the President is the head of state, and the Prime Minister is the head of government.

4. Fundamental Rights: The Constitution guarantees several fundamental rights to the citizens, including right to equality, right to freedom, right against exploitation, right to freedom of religion, cultural and educational rights, and right to constitutional remedies.

5. Directive Principles of State Policy: The Constitution also contains a set of directive principles which are guidelines for the government to establish a just society in the country. These principles are not legally enforceable but are fundamental to the governance of the country.

6. Independent Judiciary: The judiciary in India is independent of the executive and legislative branches. The Supreme Court of India is the highest judicial body in the country.

7. Amendment Procedure: The Constitution provides for its own amendment, ensuring that it can be adapted to changing needs and circumstances. Amendments can be initiated by the introduction of a bill in either House of Parliament.

8. Secularism: India is a secular state, meaning that the state does not have an official religion. It treats all religions equally and does not discriminate against any religion.

9. Universal Adult Suffrage: Every citizen of India who is 18 years old and above has the right to vote, irrespective of caste, creed, religion, or gender.

10. Emergency Provisions: The Constitution provides for three types of emergencies - National Emergency, State Emergency (President's Rule), and Financial Emergency, during which the central government gains special powers.

11. The Constitution of India has been amended several times since its enactment to meet the evolving needs of the country. As of my last update in September 2021, there have been 105 amendments to the Constitution. Please note that there might have been additional amendments since that time.