Basic Ideas of the Constitution

Basic Ideas of the Constitution

1. The Preamble

   • Summarizes the aims and objectives of the Constitution
   • First line : 'We, The People of India',
   • Last line : 'adopt, enact and give to ourselves thus Constitution',
   • Suggests that power lies in the hands of the people
   • States that a citizen plays a more important role than a monarchy of kings or queens.
   • It was on behalf of the people of India that the members of the constituent Assembly framed the Constitution
   • Most Precious part, the soul, the key and the jewel set, of the Constitution

2. Basic Start

   • Still reeling under problems
   • Achieved independence on 15th August 1947
   • A large section still lives under the poverty line
   • Many other social and economic problems are obstacles in India
   • The constitution was able to tackle these problems in due course by providing equality and justice

3. Nature of the State

   • Socialist
     • The word 'Socialist' was added to the Preamble by the 42nd Amendment Act in 1976
     • Aimed to established a society based on ecological and social equality
     • Aimed to raise the standard of living especially in weaker sections of society.
   • Secular
     • The word 'Secular' was added to the Preamble by the 42nd Amendment Act in 1976
     • It implies that there is no official or state religion in India
     • People can practice any religion.
     • The government will never discriminate against any citizen on the basis of their religion
       • People of all religions are equal in the eyes of law
   • Sovereign
     • The Preamble states that India is a 'Sovereign State'
     • Free to take it's own decisions is internal and external matters.
     • No country or individual can interfere with its internal affairs.
     • Free to take its own stand in world issues unlike under the British Raj
   • Democratic
     • 'Democratic' implies that the the supreme power lies in the hands of the people
     • It says that the government was formed by the will of the people
     • People elect their representatives, who in turn form the government
   • Republic
     • A state which has an elected head
     • India became a republic in 1950
     • In India, the head of the state is the President
     • The post is hereditary

4. Features

   • Written Constitution (unlike the British Constitution)
   • Single Citizenship which means that a citizen may belong to any state but is always a citizen of India
   • The constitution is a blend of Rigidity and Flexibility
   • The constitution provides for a Federal Form of Government meaning that laws are applied only within the state and they are made by the Central government.
   • The constitution provides for a parliamentary government meaning that the government is run by the PM and the members of the Council of Ministers. The President is the nominal head.
   • Through certain provisions, the Constitution has tried to establish a welfare policy for the people

5. Amendment

   • The constitution has been amended 93 times till 2003. The last one is the 93rd Amendment