India's Democratic Beacon

Justice, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity: The Nation's Guiding Principles.

India's Democratic Beacon Landing
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India's Supreme Legal Document

📜 India's Supreme Legal Document

World's Longest Written Constitution

  • The Constitution of India is the supreme legal document of the country.
  • It establishes the framework for political code, government structure, powers, and duties.
  • It sets out fundamental rights, directive principles, and duties of citizens.
  • Adopted by a constituent assembly, it espouses constitutional supremacy over parliamentary supremacy.
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Global Comparison of National Constitution Lengths

📊 Global Comparison of National Constitution Lengths

Top 5 Longest Constitutions by Word Count

Constitute Project, World Constitutions Illustrated, Data Last Updated 2024

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Adoption and Commencement

🗓️ Adoption and Commencement

November 26, 1949 & January 26, 1950

  • The Constituent Assembly of India adopted the Constitution on 26 November 1949.
  • It became effective on 26 January 1950, marking the transformation of the Dominion of India into the Republic of India.
  • January 26 is celebrated annually as Republic Day.
  • Its framers repealed prior acts of the British Parliament to ensure constitutional autochthony.
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Preamble's Core Values

✨ Preamble's Core Values

Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic

  • The Preamble is based on the Objectives Resolution, moved by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1946.
  • It declares India a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, and Democratic Republic.
  • It assures citizens justice, equality, and liberty, and promotes fraternity.
  • The words 'socialist', 'secular', and 'integrity' were added later during the Indian Emergency.
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Comprehensive Legal Framework

📚 Comprehensive Legal Framework

World's Longest Written Document

  • The Constitution of India is the longest written national constitution globally.
  • It meticulously details the structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions.
  • It comprises numerous articles and schedules, addressing diverse aspects of governance.
  • Its extensive nature reflects the complex diversity and aspirations of the Indian nation.
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Fundamental Rights Overview

✊ Fundamental Rights Overview

Part III (Articles 12–35)

  • Fundamental Rights are enshrined in Part III of the Constitution, guaranteeing civil liberties.
  • These rights are crucial for the all-round development of every Indian citizen.
  • They apply universally, regardless of race, place of birth, religion, caste, or gender.
  • The Supreme Court and High Courts can issue writs for their enforcement under Articles 32 and 226.
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Categorization of Fundamental Rights in India

📊 Categorization of Fundamental Rights in India

Breakdown by Articles (Part III of the Constitution)

The Constitution of India, Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India (as amended up to 2024)

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Six Core Freedoms

⚖️ Six Core Freedoms

Equality, Freedom, Remedies

  • Key rights include the Right to Equality (Articles 14–18) and Right to Freedom (Articles 19–22).
  • It includes the Right against Exploitation, Right to Freedom of Religion, and Cultural and Educational Rights.
  • The Right to Constitutional Remedies provides legal avenues for rights protection.
  • These rights abolished untouchability and prohibit discrimination based on religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
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Basic Structure Doctrine

🏛️ Basic Structure Doctrine

Kesavananda Bharati Case (1973)

  • Parliament has the power to amend the Constitution, but not to alter its 'Basic Structure'.
  • This doctrine prevents amendments that would fundamentally change the Constitution's integral features.
  • The Supreme Court established this doctrine in the landmark 1973 Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala case.
  • This ensures the enduring nature of core constitutional principles.
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Key Milestones in India's Constitutional Journey

📊 Key Milestones in India's Constitutional Journey

Major Dates: Adoption, Amendments & Landmark Judgments

The Constitution of India, Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India (various years for amendments and judgments).

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Influence of Government of India Act 1935

📜 Influence of Government of India Act 1935

Pre-Independence Legislative Basis

  • The Government of India Act 1935 served as a significant basis for the Constitution of India.
  • This British parliamentary act established a federal structure and provincial autonomy.
  • It contributed major provisions and principles, influencing the framers.
  • Samuel Hoare was the primary drafter of the 1935 Act.
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Eighth Schedule Languages

🗣️ Eighth Schedule Languages

22 Officially Recognized Languages

  • The Eighth Schedule lists languages officially recognized by the Government of India.
  • As of 2024, the schedule includes 22 distinct languages.
  • This recognition aims to promote and preserve India's rich linguistic diversity.
  • The scheduled languages include Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu, among others.
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India's Constitutionally Recognized Languages (Eighth Schedule)

📊 India's Constitutionally Recognized Languages (Eighth Schedule)

22 Official Languages and Their Regional Presence

Census of India 2011, Languages Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India

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Original Document Preservation

🔒 Original Document Preservation

Parliament Library, New Delhi

  • The original 1950 Constitution of India is preserved with utmost care.
  • It is housed in a special nitrogen-filled case to protect it from degradation.
  • The precious document is kept at the Parliament Library Building in New Delhi.
  • This preservation highlights its enduring value as a historical and legal artifact.
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Supreme Court Upholds Article 370 Abrogation

🧑‍⚖️ Supreme Court Upholds Article 370 Abrogation

December 11, 2023 Ruling

  • On December 11, 2023, the Supreme Court of India unanimously upheld the abrogation of Article 370.
  • This article had granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir since 1952.
  • A five-judge constitutional bench ruled on the constitutionality of the 2019 presidential orders.
  • The court's decision addressed 23 petitions challenging the government's action.
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Jammu & Kashmir Reorganization

🗺️ Jammu & Kashmir Reorganization

Effective October 31, 2019

  • The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, was passed by Parliament.
  • It divided the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two new Union Territories.
  • The new entities are the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh.
  • This reorganization became effective on October 31, 2019, following the abrogation of Article 370.
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Jammu & Kashmir: Administrative Changes (Pre and Post 2019)

📊 Jammu & Kashmir: Administrative Changes (Pre and Post 2019)

Division into Union Territories: Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh

The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, Government of India

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