The Indian Constitution is considered one of the lengthiest Constitutions in the world. Originally, the Constitution had 395 Articles and 8 Schedules. Over the years, several amendments have been made to our Constitution which has made it more voluminous.
Why Lengthiest Constitution in the World?
- The Indian Constitution is based on the Government of India Act, 1935, which was a lengthy document.
- It is a lengthy Constitution as it has incorporated several features of other constitutions. While our Constitution has adopted several features of the parliamentary form of government of Great Britain, it has also incorporated many features of the American Constitution.
- Our Constitution contains details about the working of the union government, state government and services such as the Public Service Commission and Election Commission.
- Many tribes, communities and people of various religious affiliations reside in India. Our Constitution also deals with their problems. This has also added to the bulkiness of the Indian Constitution.
Drafting Committee
- Eight committees were part of the Constituent Assembly. Dr B. R. Ambedkar was appointed as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee which was responsible for drafting the Constitution of India.
- The draft of the Constituent Assembly was discussed clause by clause in the first reading. The draft then underwent the second reading which was completed on 17 October 1949. It then went through the third and final reading which was completed on 26 November 1949.
- Two years, eleven months and 17 days were taken by the Constituent Assembly to prepare the Constitution of India.
- The Constitution of India came into force on 26 January 1950.
- After the Constitution came into force, C. Rajagopalachari became the Governor General of free India.
- The Constituent Assembly became the Provisional Parliament until the new general elections were held in 1951–52.
- Our Constitution came into force on 26 January because it was on this day that the call for ‘Poorna Swaraj’ or ‘complete independence’ was given by the leaders in 1929 at the Lahore Session of the Congress.
- Read also Salient Features of the Constitution
The Preamble
- The Preamble is an introductory part of the Constitution of India. It reveals the intention of the framers of the Constitution and the basic features and ideals of the nation.
- India was declared as a Sovereign Democratic Republic. Later, the words, ‘secular’, ‘socialist’ and ‘integrity’ were added to it by the Amendment Act of 1976.
- The Preamble of the Constitution stresses that the real authority lies with the ‘People of India’ as it starts with the words, ‘We the people of India’. It shows that the Constitution of India derives its authority from the people.
- The words ‘Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic’ reflect the pattern of our political society.