What is Indian Constitution?
Historical Background
Key Points
10 points- 1.
Preamble: Declares India a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic, and secures Justice, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity for its citizens.
- 2.
Part III - Fundamental Rights: Guarantees basic civil liberties to all citizens, enforceable by courts (e.g., Right to Equality, Freedom, Life).
- 3.
Part IV - Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP): Non-justiciable guidelines for the state to promote social and economic justice.
- 4.
Part IVA - Fundamental Duties: Moral obligations of citizens to uphold the unity and integrity of India and promote a spirit of patriotism.
- 5.
Parliamentary Form of Government: Based on the Westminster model, with a President as nominal head and Prime Minister as real executive.
- 6.
Federal System with Unitary Bias: Division of powers between the Union and State governments, but with a strong central government.
- 7.
Independent Judiciary: Supreme Court as the highest judicial authority, with powers of judicial review.
- 8.
Universal Adult Franchise: Grants voting rights to all citizens aged 18 and above.
- 9.
Amendment Procedure (Article 368): Provides for a flexible yet rigid process for amending the Constitution.
- 10.
Emergency Provisions (Parts XVIII): Allows the Union government to assume extraordinary powers during national, state, or financial emergencies.
Visual Insights
Fundamental Rights vs. Directive Principles
Comparison of key features of Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy.
| Feature | Fundamental Rights | Directive Principles |
|---|---|---|
| Part of Constitution | Part III | Part IV |
| Nature | Justiciable (enforceable in court) | Non-justiciable (not enforceable in court) |
| Purpose | Protect individual rights | Promote social and economic welfare |
| Enforcement | Courts can enforce them | Depend on government policy |
| Examples | Right to Equality, Freedom of Speech | Promotion of education, organization of village panchayats |
Recent Developments
5 developmentsOngoing debates and judicial interpretations regarding the scope and limitations of fundamental rights, particularly the Right to Privacy (Puttaswamy judgment).
Discussions on the implementation of Directive Principles, especially concerning social and economic justice.
Challenges to constitutional amendments and the application of the Basic Structure Doctrine.
Emphasis on constitutional values in public discourse and education.
Reforms in electoral processes and parliamentary functioning to strengthen democratic principles.
This Concept in News
2 topicsDecolonization Requires Recognizing Colonialism's Manifestations Within India Itself
27 Feb 2026The news highlights the ongoing relevance of the Indian Constitution in the context of decolonization. It demonstrates that decolonization is not merely a historical event but a continuous process of critically examining and transforming societal structures and practices. The news challenges the notion that simply replacing foreign rulers with Indian leaders constitutes complete decolonization. It suggests that many aspects of Indian society, including legal frameworks, administrative systems, and cultural norms, may still bear the imprint of colonial rule. This news applies the concept of decolonization to the Indian context, urging a deeper examination of internal power dynamics and inequalities. It reveals that true decolonization requires addressing the legacies of colonialism within India itself, including caste-based discrimination, regional disparities, and the marginalization of indigenous communities. Understanding the Indian Constitution is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides the framework for addressing these issues through legal and policy reforms. The Constitution's commitment to equality, social justice, and fundamental rights serves as a benchmark for evaluating the progress of decolonization in India.
Condemnation After Racial Abuse of Arunachal Women in Delhi
25 Feb 2026The news of racial abuse directly relates to the Fundamental Rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution, specifically Article 14 (Right to Equality) and Article 15 (Prohibition of Discrimination). The incident demonstrates a clear violation of these rights, as the victims were subjected to discriminatory treatment based on their ethnicity and origin. This news challenges the practical application of constitutional principles, highlighting the persistence of prejudice and discrimination in Indian society despite constitutional guarantees. The incident reveals the gap between constitutional ideals and the lived realities of marginalized communities. It underscores the need for greater awareness, education, and enforcement of anti-discrimination laws to ensure that constitutional rights are effectively protected. Understanding the constitutional provisions related to equality and non-discrimination is crucial for analyzing and addressing such incidents and for advocating for a more just and equitable society. The incident also highlights the importance of Article 19 (Freedom of Speech and Expression), and its limitations, as hate speech can be restricted to protect the dignity and rights of others. The UPSC examiner will expect you to link such incidents to the relevant constitutional provisions and analyze the effectiveness of the legal and institutional mechanisms in addressing discrimination.
