The indian constitution

1
The indian constitution

• The Preamble

2
Recap of previous lessons

• What is a Constitution?
• A constitution is a written document that
  contains a set of rules for a government.
• It defines the structure, procedures, powers and
  duties, of a government.
• Most constitutions guarantee certain rights to
  the people called Fundamental Rights, such as
  Freedom of Speech, Freedom to Worship.
• The term constitution can be applied to any
  overall law that defines the functioning of a
  government.

3
Why do we need a constitution?

• To live in peace in a large community with
  members of diverse beliefs, races, occupations,
  religions, economic status, political ideologies
• It defines the powers of the government
• It defines the rights and duties of citizens and
  residents of the country
• It gives force to the laws of a country
• It defines the political system of a country and
  with whom the ultimate power rests
• It defines the administrative structure of the
  country and separation of powers between the
  judiciary, executive and legislature.

4
Introduction to the Indian Constitution

• The Constitution of India is the world's
  lengthiest written constitution with 395 articles
  and 8 schedules.
• It was passed on 26 Nov 1949 by the 'The
  Constituent Assembly' and is fully applicable
  since 26 Jan 1950.
• It contains the good points taken from the
  constitution's of many countries in the world.
• It draws extensively from Western legal
  traditions and its principles of liberal
  democracy.
• It follows a British parliamentary pattern with a
  lower and upper house.
• It embodies some Fundamental Rights which are
  similar to the Bill of Rights declared by the
  United States constitution.
• It also borrows the concept of a Supreme Court
  from the US.
• India is a federal system in which residual
  powers of legislation remain with the central
  government, similar to that in Canada.
• The constitution provides detailed lists dividing
  up powers between central and state governments
  as in Australia
• It has a set of Directive Principles of State
  Policy as does the Irish constitution.

5
The preamble

• We, The people of India, having solemnly resolved
  to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST
  SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all
  its citizens
• JUSTICE, social, economic and political
• LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and
  worship
• EQUALITY of status and of opportunity
• and to promote among them all
• FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual
  and the unity and integrity of the Nation
• IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day
  of November, 1949,
• do hereby Adopt, Enact and give ourselves this
  Constitution.