1(a) Outstanding Features

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INDIAN POLITY & GOVERNANCE Topic

Outstanding features of the Indian Constitution

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Indian Constitution is a written Constitution. Written constitution is that which is drafted after a prolonged process of discussion by a representative body elected for this very purpose.

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The best features in the Indian Constitution, drew from many sources as shown below : British Constitution • Parliamentary form of government • Rule of law • Procedure established by Law

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United States Constitution • Charter of Fundamental Rights • Electoral College • Independence of the judiciary • Judicial review

Irish Constitution • Directive principles of state policy

Australian Constitution • Concurrent List • Joint sitting of the Parliament © IASEXAMPORTAL .COM

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French Constitution

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• Ideals of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity

Canadian Constitution

• A quasi-federal form of government, i.e. a federal system

with a

strong central government

• The idea of Residuary Powers with centre

Constitution of the Soviet Union • Fundamental Duties (Art. 51-A) on the recommendations of Sardar swaran Singh Committee 1976)

Other Constitutions • Emergency Provision from Weimar Constitution of Germany •Amendment of Constitution from South Africa © IASEXAMPORTAL .COM

Salient Features of Indian Constitution:

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Lengthiest Constitution • Indian

Constitution is the lengthiest in the world in terms of the number of articles. Originally, at the time of being adopted, it consisted of 395 articles but after 97 amendments (2012), it presently has more than 440 articles. There are 12 Schedules to amplify and support the contents in the Articles.

Parliamentary System of Democracy •

The Constitution of India adopts Parliamentary system of democracy in order to represent the pluralist tradition and interests of the country. © IASEXAMPORTAL .COM

Welfare State

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Constitution has many features that commit the country to a welfare State. The Preamble to the Constitution was amended in 1976 (Forty-second Amendment Act, 1976) to insert the goal of socialism. Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV) aim at the establishment of a Welfare State in India. Progressive taxation, developmental interventions like the various flagship programmes of the government (MGNREGS), nationalization of banks in 1969 and 1980, land reforms and various subsidies are meant to establish a welfare state. Affirmative action (positive discrimination) by the Government in favour of the socially marginalised like dalits is an important aspect of the welfare state.

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Secular State

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State has no official religion State and religion are separate State has an equidistant policy towards all religions All individuals have the right to pursue the religion of their choice

Unified, Hierarchical & Independent Judiciary Indian Constitution provides for a single integrated judiciary headed by the Supreme Court. Each state, or a group of them, has a High Court with administrative control over the subordinate judiciary (district and below).

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Universal Adult Franchise

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The Constitution provides for Universal Adult Franchise. The citizens of India who are 18 years of age and above have been granted the right to vote irrespective of any qualification pertaining to education, possession of property or payment of income tax.

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Important Points ● Written Constitution ● Various Sources of the Constitution ● Important features

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