Special features of the Indian Constitution

The Indian Constitution is one of the most detailed in the world. It has several special features that make it unique. As a responsible citizen, it is important to know what are the features of the Indian constitution and why they are so important. The Preamble of the Indian Constitution lays out the basic principles that guide India as a nation. One should be able to lay down the fundamental rights and duties enshrined in the Constitution, as well as describe the main features of the preamble of the Indian constitution. 

Indian Constitution

Constitution, as per the Oxford dictionary is a set of basic principles or established precedents according to which another organisation or a state is governed. The Indian Constitution has been framed on the same lines and it comprises 470 articles, 12 schedules and 25 parts as of today.

What are the five pillars of the Indian Constitution?

The Constitution of India consists of various salient features which we will discuss in detail. But before that, let’s have a look at the five pillars on which Indian Constitution is based:

• The Preamble of the Indian Constitution lays down the aims and objectives of the government and serves as a guiding light in times of crisis.

• The Fundamental Rights ensure that none is denied his/her basic human rights such as freedom, equality and justice.

• The Directive Principles of State Policy aim to establish a just and equitable society in India.

• The Constitution provides for the establishment of three organs of the government viz. legislature, executive and judiciary for smooth functioning of the country.

• The Fundamental Duties are the moral obligations of the citizens towards their nation.

These five pillars are essential for a democratic country to function properly and hence, they form an important part of the Indian Constitution. Now, let’s learn about what are the features of the Indian constitution.

What are the features of the Indian constitution?

Here are some of the key features of the Indian constitution:

Lengthiest constitution:  The Indian Constitution is the longest written constitution of any country in the world. It has a total of 470 articles and 12 schedules.

Preamble:  The Preamble is the beginning of the Constitution that states and explains its basic values, principles and ideals. It includes:

-Justice: The Constitution promises justice to all its citizens.

-Liberty: It guarantees liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship to all its citizens.

-Equality:  The Constitution provides for equality of status and opportunity to all its citizens irrespective of their religion, race, caste or sex.

-Fraternity: It assures the fraternity of all its citizens.

Fundamental Rights: The Fundamental Rights are a set of rights granted to the citizens of India which are protected by the Constitution. These include:

-Right to Equality: This guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws.

-Right to Freedom: This guarantees freedom of speech and expression, freedom to combine or assemble peacefully and form associations, freedom to practice any religion and freedom to travel throughout India.

-Right against Exploitation: This prohibits all forms of exploitation including slavery, forced labour, etc.

-Right to Equality of Opportunity: This ensures that all citizens have an equal opportunity to avail employment, education and other benefits provided by the state.

-Right to Constitutional Remedies: This is a legal provision that allows citizens to approach courts if their fundamental rights are violated.

Fundamental Duties of Constitution

Fundamental Duties: The Constitution also includes a list of duties that every citizen must follow. These include:

-The duty to respect the National Flag, Constitution and institutions

-The duty to protect the environment and public property

-The duty to safeguard national security and sovereignty

-The duty to promote harmony and the spirit of brotherhood amongst all people

-The duty to work for the welfare of the people

-The duty to uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India.

Directive Principles of State Policy

Directive Principles of State Policy: The Directive Principles of State Policy are a set of guidelines that the government must follow while making laws and policies. These include:

-The state will ensure social, economic and political justice to all its citizens.

-The state will provide adequate means of livelihood to the people.

-The state will promote international peace and security.

-The state will work towards the establishment of a socialist order.

-The state will protect and promote the interests of minorities.

Describe the main features of the preamble of the Indian constitution

The preamble to a statute is a statement of the purpose or objectives for which the statute is enacted. The Preamble to the Indian Constitution is unique in that it not only sets out the objectives of the Constitution but also defines the fundamental principles on which it is based. These principles are known as the “Basic Structure” of the Indian Constitution.

Some of the key features of the Preamble are:

– The words “Justice, Social, Economic and Political” and “Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship” was added by the 42nd Amendment.

– “Equality of status and opportunity” was added by the Constitution (79th Amendment) Act, 1995.

– The Preamble reflects the secular character of the Indian Constitution.

– The Preamble also guarantees certain rights to citizens, such as the right to equality, freedom of speech and religion, etc.

The Preamble is an important part of the Indian Constitution and sets out the fundamental principles on which it is based. It is also a reflection of the secular character of our Constitution. The Preamble guarantees certain rights to citizens, such as the right to equality, freedom of speech and religion.

Conclusion

Indian Constitution is a remarkable document that has withstood the test of time. It has many interesting and unique features that students should be aware of. We hope this article will help you learn more about the Indian Constitution and the key features of the Indian constitution.