Sources of Indian Constitution

Introduction 

India is declared to be a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic by the constitution and also ensures its people liberty, justice, equality, and endeavors to promote fraternity. The Indian constitution is the longest national written social code in the world.

The Constitution was ratified on 26 November 1949 and legally validated on 26 January 1950. There are a total of 105 amendments in the Constitution. The main authors of the Constitution were Dr. Ambedkar, who was the chairman of the drafting committee, and other members of the constituent assembly.

There were 284 signatories who were all members of the constituent assembly. The Constitution is more powerful than the Parliament, and thus Parliament cannot override it.

The Constitution wasn’t created by the Parliament rather was created by the constituent assembly. To honour the legal effect of the Constitution, we celebrate Republic Day on 26th  January every year.

Factual Information

• The father of the Constitution is Ambedkar, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Ambedkar was prepared to burn the prestigious Constitution if it failed to protect its people. On 9th December 1946, the constituent assembly met for the first time.
• When the first draft was put up for feedback and exchange of views, 2000 amendments took place. Initially, there were 389 members in the assembly with 15 women. However, the number of members was reduced to 299 after the partition. Both English and Hindi were mediums in which original copies were written. The English version of the Constitution consists of 117,369 words.
• There were a total of 395 articles, 22 parts, and eight schedules; however, now there are 470 articles, 25 parts & 12 schedules. This longest constitution was never typed or printed. Prem Behari Narain Raizada wrote it down with his own hands.
• The authentic Constitution was written in italics style, which was flowing. What makes the Constitution more special is that every page was uniquely designed by the art prodigies from Shantiniketan.
• It took more than two years, 11 months, and 18 days to write the Constitution. 26th November is now celebrated as the constitution day because the final draft was ready on that day.
• On 24 January 1950, 284 signatories signed the constitution. On 26 January 1950, the Constitution came into effect also the national emblem of India was sanctioned on the same day.
• The Constitution of India is a mixed constitution that is neither rigid nor flexible.
• Currently, the original copies are preserved in helium filled containers in the Indian Parliament at Delhi, India. One more amusing fact about the Indian Constitution is that the last article is still numbered “395.” Hence, all the amendments added after the Constitution came into effect, are organised alphabetically. Since the Constitution first came into effect in 1950, there have been 105 amendments till now. 

Sources of Indian Constitution 

When you think about drafting the Constitution, the first question that comes to mind is, “what are the sources of the Indian constitution?”. The laws weren’t finalized all along, and in fact, some of the laws are ‘borrowed.’ The Great Indian lawbook is sometimes referred to as “Bag of borrowings.” As some of the laws were adopted from the notions of other country’s constitutions.

The main sources of the Indian constitution are elucidated as:

Government of India act of 1935 (During British rule)

• Emergency provisions
• Public service commission
• Judiciary system
• Federal scheme
• Office of governor

United States of America (American)

• Fundamental rights
• Judicial review
• Impeachment of the President
• Removal of the Supreme Court judge and High Court judge
• Preamble of the Constitution
• Independence of the judiciary
• Electoral college

The United Kingdom (British)

• Writs
• Parliamentary form of government
• Rule of law
• Single citizenship
• Procedure of lawmaking

Ireland (Irish)

• Directive principles of state policy
• Method of election of president and method of nominating members to Rajya Sabha by the President

Germany (Weinar)

• Suspension of fundamental rights during emergency

South Africa

• Amendment of the Constitution
• Election of members and Rajya Sabha

Constitution of Soviet Union (USSR)

• Fundamental duties
• Ideals of justice

Canada

• Federal structure
• Centre appoints the governors of the state
• Residue repowers vest with the Centre

Australia

• Concurrent list seventh schedule
• Freedom of trade and commerce
• Joint sitting of the two houses (of parliament)

France (French)

• Ideals of fraternity, liberty, equality, and Republic

Japan

• The procedure established by the law

Conclusion

The Indian constitution is dynamic in nature. The more you read about it, the newer facts you get to know about it. The Indian constitution gave its people the right to vote in 1950, whereas some of the most developed countries were still behind us then. The sources of the Indian constitution made the constitution far more interesting. The bizarre history and features make the Indian constitution the greatest of all time.