Bharat’s Constitution: An Overview

Bharat’s Constitution is the supreme law of the land, providing the framework for governance, rights, and responsibilities of its citizens. It is a living document that has evolved over time through amendments to address the changing needs of the nation. Enacted on January 26, 1950, it establishes the political structure of Bharat as a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic.

One of the lengthiest written constitutions in the world, Bharat’s Constitution lays down fundamental principles of governance, ensuring justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity for all citizens. It consists of numerous Parts and Articles that define the roles and responsibilities of the legislature, executive, and judiciary while safeguarding the rights of individuals and communities.

Index of Bharat’s Constitution

Preamble

Parts and Articles

Part I: The Union and Its Territory (Articles 1 – 4)

1. Article 1 – Name and territory of the Union
2. Article 2 – Admission or establishment of new States
3. Article 3 – Formation of new States and alteration of areas, boundaries, or names of existing States
4. Article 4 – Laws made under Articles 2 and 3 to provide for the amendment of the First and the Fourth Schedules and supplemental, incidental, and consequential matters

Part II: Citizenship (Articles 5 – 11)

5. Article 5 – Citizenship at the commencement of the Constitution
6. Article 6 – Rights of citizenship of certain persons who have migrated to India from Pakistan
7. Article 7 – Rights of citizenship of certain migrants to Pakistan
8. Article 8 – Rights of citizenship of certain persons of Indian origin residing outside India
9. Article 9 – Persons voluntarily acquiring citizenship of a foreign State not to be citizens
10. Article 10 – Continuance of the rights of citizenship
11. Article 11 – Parliament to regulate the right of citizenship by law

Part III: Fundamental Rights (Articles 12 – 35)

12. Article 12 – Definition
13. Article 13 – Laws inconsistent with or in derogation of the fundamental rights
14. Article 14 – Right to equality
15. Article 15 – Prohibition of discrimination
16. Article 16 – Equality of opportunity in public employment
17. Article 17 – Abolition of Untouchability
18. Article 18 – Abolition of titles
19. Article 19 – Protection of certain rights regarding freedom of speech, etc.
20. Article 20 – Protection in respect of conviction for offences
21. Article 21 – Protection of life and personal liberty
22. Article 21A – Right to education
23. Article 22 – Protection against arbitrary arrest and detention
24. Article 23 – Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labor
25. Article 24 – Prohibition of employment of children in factories, etc.
26. Article 25 – Freedom of religion
27. Article 26 – Freedom to manage religious affairs
28. Article 27 – Freedom from taxation for religious purposes
29. Article 28 – Freedom from religious instruction in certain institutions
30. Article 29 – Protection of interests of minorities
31. Article 30 – Right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions
32. Article 31 – [Repealed]
33. Article 32 – Right to constitutional remedies
34. Article 33 – Power of Parliament to modify rights in certain services
35. Article 34 – Restriction on rights while martial law is in force
36. Article 35 – Legislation to give effect to provisions of this Part

Part IV: Directive Principles of State Policy (Articles 36 – 51)

37. Articles 36 to 51 – Various directive principles covering economic, social, and political policies

Part IVA: Fundamental Duties (Article 51A)

38. Article 51A – Fundamental Duties of citizens

Part V: The Union (Articles 52 – 151)

39. Articles 52 to 151 – Cover the President, Vice President, Parliament, Union Judiciary, and Comptroller and Auditor-General

Part VI: The States (Articles 152 – 237)

40. Articles 152 to 237 – Cover the Governor, State Legislature, High Courts, and subordinate courts

Part VII: [Repealed]

Part VIII: The Union Territories (Articles 239 – 242)

41. Articles 239 to 242 – Administration and governance of Union Territories

Part IX: Panchayati Raj (Articles 243 – 243O)

42. Articles 243 to 243O – Structure, elections, and powers of Panchayats

Part IXA: Municipalities (Articles 243P – 243ZG)

43. Articles 243P to 243ZG – Structure and governance of municipalities

Part IXB: Co-operative Societies (Articles 243ZH – 243ZT)

44. Articles 243ZH to 243ZT – Co-operative societies governance

Part X: The Scheduled and Tribal Areas (Articles 244 – 244A)

45. Articles 244 to 244A – Administration of Scheduled Areas

Part XI: Relations Between the Union and the States (Articles 245 – 263)

46. Articles 245 to 263 – Legislative, administrative, and financial relations

Part XII: Finance, Property, Contracts, and Suits (Articles 264 – 300A)

47. Articles 264 to 300A – Cover financial matters, borrowing, trade, and government property

Part XIII: Trade, Commerce, and Intercourse (Articles 301 – 307)

48. Articles 301 to 307 – Cover freedom of trade and commerce

Part XIV: Services Under the Union and the States (Articles 308 – 323)

49. Articles 308 to 323 – Cover Public Services and Public Service Commissions

Part XIVA: Tribunals (Articles 323A – 323B)

50. Articles 323A to 323B – Cover administrative and other tribunals

Part XV: Elections (Articles 324 – 329A)

51. Articles 324 to 329A – Cover the Election Commission and election processes

Part XVI: Special Provisions Relating to Certain Classes (Articles 330 – 342)

52. Articles 330 to 342 – Cover reservations for SC/ST and other special provisions

Part XVII: Official Language (Articles 343 – 351)

53. Articles 343 to 351 – Cover language-related provisions

Part XVIII: Emergency Provisions (Articles 352 – 360)

54. Articles 352 to 360 – Cover National Emergency, President’s Rule, and Financial Emergency

Part XIX: Miscellaneous (Articles 361 – 367)

55. Articles 361 to 367 – Cover legal protections for the President and Governors, definitions, etc.

Part XX: Amendment of the Constitution (Article 368)

56. Article 368 – Procedure for amending the Constitution

Part XXI: Temporary, Transitional, and Special Provisions (Articles 369 – 392)

57. Articles 369 to 392 – Cover temporary provisions related to J&K, transition, etc.

Part XXII: Short Title, Commencement, Authoritative Texts (Articles 393 – 395)

58. Articles 393 to 395 – Cover the short title, commencement, and repeal of acts.

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FAQs on Bharat’s Constitution

Q1: What is Bharat’s Constitution?

A1: Bharat’s Constitution is the supreme law of the land, providing the framework for governance, rights, and responsibilities of citizens. It establishes the country as a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic.

Q2: When did Bharat’s Constitution come into effect?

A2: Bharat’s Constitution came into effect on January 26, 1950, a day celebrated as Republic Day.

Q3: How many Articles are there in Bharat’s Constitution?

A3: Initially, Bharat’s Constitution had 395 Articles divided into 22 Parts. Over time, amendments have increased the number of Articles to more than 470.

Q4: What are the key Parts of Bharat’s Constitution?

A4: The Constitution is divided into multiple Parts, including:

• Part III: Fundamental Rights
• Part IV: Directive Principles of State Policy
• Part V: The Union (covering the President, Parliament, and Judiciary)
• Part VI: The States
• Part XVIII: Emergency Provisions
• Part XX: Amendment of the Constitution

Q5: What are Fundamental Rights in Bharat’s Constitution?

A5: Fundamental Rights, enshrined in Part III (Articles 12-35), include the Right to Equality, Right to Freedom, Right Against Exploitation, Right to Freedom of Religion, Cultural and Educational Rights, and Right to Constitutional Remedies.

Q6: What is the significance of the Preamble?

A6: The Preamble sets out the philosophy of Bharat’s Constitution, stating that the country is a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, and Democratic Republic ensuring Justice, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.

Q7: What are Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)?

A7: Directive Principles (Part IV, Articles 36-51) guide the government in policymaking to achieve social and economic justice. These are non-justiciable, meaning they cannot be enforced by courts.

Q8: How can Bharat’s Constitution be amended?

A8: The Constitution can be amended through Article 368. Amendments can be classified as:

• Simple Majority Amendments
• Special Majority Amendments
• Amendments requiring ratification by States

Q9: What are the Emergency Provisions in Bharat’s Constitution?

A9: Emergency Provisions (Part XVIII, Articles 352-360) empower the President to declare a National Emergency, President’s Rule in states, and Financial Emergency under specific conditions.

Q10: What is the difference between Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties?

A10: Fundamental Rights (Articles 12-35) grant citizens essential freedoms and protections, while Fundamental Duties (Article 51A) outline responsibilities every citizen must uphold for national integrity and development.