Topic 01 of 6 · Chapter 03 · Indian Polity
Salient Features of the Indian Constitution — Overview
What makes the Indian Constitution unique, why it is the lengthiest written constitution, and the diverse sources it draws from.
📋 In This Article
1. What Are Salient Features?
The salient features of the Indian Constitution are its distinctive characteristics that set it apart from the constitutions of other countries. These features reflect the unique socio-political context of India and the vision of the framers of the Constitution.
💡 Key Idea: The Indian Constitution is not a mere copy of any single constitution. It is a carefully crafted document that borrowed the best features from various constitutions and adapted them to suit India’s unique needs, diversity, and democratic aspirations.
2. Why Indian Constitution is Unique
The Indian Constitution is unique for several reasons:
- It is the longest written constitution in the world
- It combines features of both federal and unitary systems
- It provides for both Fundamental Rights (justiciable) and Directive Principles (non-justiciable)
- It establishes a parliamentary form of government at both Centre and State levels
- It has a single integrated judiciary with the Supreme Court at the apex
- It provides for universal adult suffrage from the very beginning
- It is both rigid and flexible — different procedures for different types of amendments
⭐ Exam Fact: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar called the Indian Constitution “a social document” aimed at transforming Indian society. Granville Austin described it as the “Cornerstone of a Nation.”
3. Lengthiest Written Constitution
The Indian Constitution is the lengthiest written constitution in the world. This is due to several factors:
Reasons for Length
- Geographical diversity: India’s vast size and diversity required detailed provisions
- Historical experience: Lessons from the Government of India Act 1935 (which was very detailed)
- Single constitution for Centre and States: Unlike the USA, India has one constitution for both
- Provisions for special groups: Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, linguistic minorities
- Emergency provisions: Detailed provisions for various types of emergencies
- Administrative details: Many administrative matters included in the Constitution itself
| Feature | Original (1950) | Current (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Articles | 395 | 448 (after amendments) |
| Parts | 22 | 25 |
| Schedules | 8 | 12 |
| Amendments | — | 106 (as of 2023) |
✅ Remember: Original Constitution had 395 Articles, 22 Parts, 8 Schedules. Currently it has about 448 Articles, 25 Parts, 12 Schedules.
4. Drawn from Various Sources
The Indian Constitution is often called a “borrowed constitution” — but this is not entirely accurate. While it drew inspiration from many constitutions, it adapted those features to suit India’s unique context.
| Country | Features Borrowed |
|---|---|
| Government of India Act, 1935 | Federal scheme, Office of Governor, Judiciary, Public Service Commissions, Emergency provisions |
| United Kingdom (UK) | Parliamentary system, Rule of Law, Legislative procedure, Single citizenship, Cabinet system |
| United States (USA) | Fundamental Rights, Judicial review, Independence of judiciary, Preamble, Impeachment of President |
| Ireland | Directive Principles of State Policy, Nomination of members to Rajya Sabha, Method of election of President |
| Canada | Federal system with strong Centre, Residuary powers with Centre, Advisory jurisdiction of Supreme Court |
| Australia | Concurrent List, Freedom of trade and commerce, Joint sitting of Parliament |
| Germany (Weimar) | Suspension of Fundamental Rights during Emergency |
| South Africa | Amendment procedure (special majority), Election of Rajya Sabha members |
| Soviet Union (USSR) | Fundamental Duties, Ideals of justice (social, economic, political) in Preamble |
| Japan | Procedure established by law (Article 21) |
| France | Republic, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity ideals in Preamble |
📌 Note: The Government of India Act, 1935 is the single largest source — about 250 provisions were taken from it. That is why critics called the Indian Constitution a “carbon copy” of the 1935 Act, though this is an exaggeration.
5. Complete List of Salient Features
The Indian Constitution has the following salient features:
- Lengthiest written constitution in the world
- Drawn from various sources — borrowed and adapted
- Blend of rigidity and flexibility — different amendment procedures
- Federal system with unitary bias — quasi-federal (K.C. Wheare)
- Parliamentary form of government — at Centre and States
- Synthesis of parliamentary sovereignty and judicial supremacy
- Integrated and independent judiciary
- Fundamental Rights — justiciable, enforceable
- Directive Principles of State Policy — non-justiciable but fundamental
- Fundamental Duties — added by 42nd Amendment
- Secular state — no state religion
- Universal adult suffrage — one person, one vote
- Single citizenship — unlike USA (dual citizenship)
- Emergency provisions — three types
- Three-tier government — Centre, State, Local (73rd & 74th Amendments)
- Independent constitutional bodies — ECI, CAG, UPSC, Finance Commission
- Welfare state — social and economic justice
6. Key Points for Exam
🔑 Must-Remember Facts
- Indian Constitution is the lengthiest written constitution in the world
- Original: 395 Articles, 22 Parts, 8 Schedules
- Current: ~448 Articles, 25 Parts, 12 Schedules
- Largest single source: Government of India Act, 1935 (~250 provisions)
- DPSP borrowed from Irish Constitution
- Fundamental Rights borrowed from USA
- Parliamentary system from UK
- Fundamental Duties from USSR
- K.C. Wheare called India “quasi-federal”
- Granville Austin: “Cornerstone of a Nation”
- India is a secular, socialist, democratic republic (42nd Amendment added socialist & secular)