Topic 01 of 5 ยท Chapter 04 ยท Indian Polity
Sources of the Indian Constitution โ Country-wise
Features borrowed from UK, USA, Ireland, Canada, Australia, Germany, South Africa, USSR, Japan and GoI Act 1935.
๐ In This Article
1. Overview โ Why Borrowed?
The framers of the Indian Constitution studied constitutions of over 60 countries and borrowed the best features from each. This was not mere copying โ they adapted each feature to suit India’s unique needs, diversity, and conditions.
โญ Key Fact: The largest single source is the Government of India Act, 1935. About 250 provisions were directly taken from it. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar studied constitutions of over 60 countries while drafting the Constitution.
2. Country-wise Features Borrowed
๐ฌ๐ง United Kingdom (UK)
โข Parliamentary system of government
โข Rule of Law
โข Single citizenship
โข Cabinet system
โข Writs
โข Bicameral Parliament
โข Speaker in Lok Sabha
โข Privilege of Parliament
โข Rule of Law
โข Single citizenship
โข Cabinet system
โข Writs
โข Bicameral Parliament
โข Speaker in Lok Sabha
โข Privilege of Parliament
๐บ๐ธ United States of America
โข Fundamental Rights
โข Judicial Review
โข Independence of Judiciary
โข Preamble
โข Impeachment of President
โข Removal of Supreme Court judges
โข Vice-President as Presiding Officer of Upper House
โข Judicial Review
โข Independence of Judiciary
โข Preamble
โข Impeachment of President
โข Removal of Supreme Court judges
โข Vice-President as Presiding Officer of Upper House
๐ฎ๐ช Ireland
โข Directive Principles of State Policy
โข Nomination of members to Rajya Sabha
โข Method of election of President
โข Nomination of members to Rajya Sabha
โข Method of election of President
๐จ๐ฆ Canada
โข Federal system with strong Centre
โข Residuary powers with Centre
โข Advisory jurisdiction of Supreme Court
โข Appointment of State Governors by Centre
โข Residuary powers with Centre
โข Advisory jurisdiction of Supreme Court
โข Appointment of State Governors by Centre
๐ฆ๐บ Australia
โข Concurrent List
โข Freedom of trade and commerce
โข Joint sitting of Parliament
โข Language of the Preamble
โข Freedom of trade and commerce
โข Joint sitting of Parliament
โข Language of the Preamble
๐ฉ๐ช Germany (Weimar)
โข Suspension of Fundamental Rights during Emergency
โข Emergency provisions
โข Emergency provisions
๐ฟ๐ฆ South Africa
โข Amendment procedure (Article 368)
โข Election of members of Rajya Sabha
โข Election of members of Rajya Sabha
๐ท๐บ USSR (Soviet Union)
โข Fundamental Duties
โข Ideals of Justice (social, economic, political) in Preamble
โข Five Year Plans (not constitutional but inspired)
โข Ideals of Justice (social, economic, political) in Preamble
โข Five Year Plans (not constitutional but inspired)
๐ฏ๐ต Japan
โข Procedure established by law (Article 21)
๐ซ๐ท France
โข Republic
โข Liberty, Equality, Fraternity ideals in Preamble
โข Liberty, Equality, Fraternity ideals in Preamble
3. Government of India Act, 1935 โ Main Source
The Government of India Act, 1935 is the single largest source. Features borrowed:
- Federal structure with Centre-State division of powers
- Office of Governor
- Structure of judiciary
- Public Service Commissions (UPSC, SPSC)
- Emergency provisions
- Administrative details
- Three Lists โ Union, State, Concurrent
- Bicameral legislature at Centre
๐ก Note: The GoI Act 1935 was itself a very detailed document โ the longest act ever passed by the British Parliament at that time. India’s Constitution inherited this detailed nature.
4. Key Points for Exam
๐ Must-Remember Facts
- Largest source: Government of India Act, 1935
- UK: Parliamentary system, Rule of Law, Single citizenship, Writs
- USA: Fundamental Rights, Judicial Review, Preamble, Impeachment
- Ireland: DPSP, Nomination to Rajya Sabha, Election of President
- Canada: Federal with strong Centre, Residuary powers with Centre
- Australia: Concurrent List, Joint sitting of Parliament
- Germany: Suspension of FR during Emergency
- South Africa: Amendment procedure (Article 368)
- USSR: Fundamental Duties, Justice ideals in Preamble
- Japan: Procedure established by law (Article 21)
- France: Republic, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity