⚡ Topic 06 of 6 · Chapter 03 · Quick Revision
Other Salient Features & Quick Revision
Single citizenship, universal suffrage, emergency provisions, integrated election machinery, and all key facts for exam.
📋 Other Important Salient Features
| Feature | Details | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Single Citizenship | All Indians are citizens of India only — no separate state citizenship (unlike USA) | UK |
| Universal Adult Suffrage | Every citizen above 18 can vote — no property, education, or gender qualification | Original feature |
| Single Integrated Judiciary | One Supreme Court for the whole country — unlike USA with separate federal and state courts | UK |
| Emergency Provisions | Three types: National (Art. 352), State (Art. 356), Financial (Art. 360) | Germany (Weimar) |
| Integrated Election Machinery | Single Election Commission of India conducts all elections — Parliament, State, President, VP | Original feature |
| Three-Language Formula | Hindi, English, and regional language — for official purposes | Original feature |
| Secular State | No state religion; equal respect for all religions | Original + 42nd Amendment |
| Welfare State | State aims to provide social security, education, health — through DPSPs | Ireland |
| Rigid and Flexible | Some provisions easy to amend (simple majority), some difficult (special majority + state ratification) | South Africa |
| Special Provisions for Minorities | Reservations for SC/ST, protection for minorities, special provisions for backward classes | Original feature |
⚡ Complete Salient Features — Quick Revision
✅ Lengthiest written constitution in the world
✅ Drawn from various sources — GoI Act 1935 is the main source
✅ Federal system with unitary bias (quasi-federal)
✅ Parliamentary form of government (Westminster model)
✅ Integrated and independent judiciary
✅ Judicial review — courts can declare laws unconstitutional
✅ Fundamental Rights — justiciable (Part III)
✅ Directive Principles — non-justiciable (Part IV)
✅ Fundamental Duties — non-justiciable (Part IVA)
✅ Secular state — no state religion
✅ Universal adult suffrage — voting age 18
✅ Single citizenship
✅ Emergency provisions — three types
✅ Integrated election machinery (ECI)
✅ Rigid and flexible — different amendment procedures
✅ Special provisions for minorities, SC/ST, backward classes
✅ Drawn from various sources — GoI Act 1935 is the main source
✅ Federal system with unitary bias (quasi-federal)
✅ Parliamentary form of government (Westminster model)
✅ Integrated and independent judiciary
✅ Judicial review — courts can declare laws unconstitutional
✅ Fundamental Rights — justiciable (Part III)
✅ Directive Principles — non-justiciable (Part IV)
✅ Fundamental Duties — non-justiciable (Part IVA)
✅ Secular state — no state religion
✅ Universal adult suffrage — voting age 18
✅ Single citizenship
✅ Emergency provisions — three types
✅ Integrated election machinery (ECI)
✅ Rigid and flexible — different amendment procedures
✅ Special provisions for minorities, SC/ST, backward classes
📊 Sources Summary Table
| Country | Feature Borrowed |
|---|---|
| UK | Parliamentary system, Rule of Law, Single citizenship, Writs, Speaker |
| 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 |
| USSR | Fundamental Duties, Justice ideals in Preamble |
| Japan | Procedure established by law |
| GoI Act 1935 | Federal structure, Governor, Judiciary, Emergency provisions |