📚 Lakshadweep Patwari / Lekhpal – General Awareness
Topic: Constitution
The Constitution is the supreme law of India. It is the cornerstone of the country’s legal, political, and socio‑economic framework.
1. Historical Background
| Year | Event | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1946 | Drafting of the Constitution of India | Drafted by the Constituent Assembly on 1946‑1947 |
| 26 Dec 1949 | Constitution adopted | Adopted by the Constituent Assembly |
| 26 Jan 1950 | Constitution came into force | India became a Republic |
| 1950 | First Constitution (the original text) | Initial 395 articles, 8 schedules |
| 1951 | 1st Amendment | Introduced the concept of “State” |
| 1954 | 2nd Amendment | Added “Social Justice” |
| … | … | … |
| 2024 | 104th Amendment (if applicable) | Recent changes – e.g. constitutional amendments on digital rights, etc. |
Tip: Keep a timeline of major amendments (1–104) handy. They are frequently tested in competitive exams.
2. Basic Structure
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Preamble | Sets forth the purpose of the Constitution. Starts with “We, the people….” |
| Articles | 448 (including 12 articles in the Constitution (Amendment) Act, 1976). |
| Schedules | 8 schedules – list of subjects covered by the Constitution. |
| Amendments | 104 amendments (as of 2024) – each amendment is an article or set of articles. |
| Supplementary Articles | E.g., 368 – Constitution‑making power; 371 – special provisions for states. |
3. Key Features (From the Constitution itself)
| Feature | Example / Article | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Federalism | Article 1 – Definition of India Article 2 – States and UTs |
Balances power between Centre & State |
| Parliamentary System | Article 52–104 – Parliament (Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha) | Legislative authority |
| Judicial Supremacy | Article 124 – Supreme Court Article 137 – Judicial review |
Upholds law & Constitution |
| Secularism | Article 25–28 – Freedom of religion | Religious neutrality |
| Fundamental Rights | Articles 12–35 | Protects individual liberties |
| Directive Principles | Articles 36–51 | Guides state policy |
| Fundamental Duties | Article 51A | Moral obligations of citizens |
| Amendment Procedure | Article 368 | Dynamic nature of the Constitution |
4. Constitutional Amendments – 1 to 104 (Select Highlights)
| Amendment | Year | Key Provisions |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1951 | Definition of “State”, “Union Territory” |
| 2nd | 1951 | “Social Justice” |
| 3rd | 1952 | Amendment to Article 14 (Equality) |
| 7th | 1955 | Constitution of the Union and State Public Service Commissions |
| 9th | 1956 | States Reorganisation Act |
| 13th | 1962 | Amendment to Article 19 (Freedom of Speech) |
| 44th | 1971 | Bicameral legislature in some states |
| 51st | 1976 | Emergency provisions – “Exceptional circumstances” |
| 71st | 1992 | 42% reservation for SC/ST in Parliament & State Assemblies |
| 73rd | 1992 | Panchayats (Local Self‑Governance) |
| 74th | 1992 | Municipalities (Urban Local Self‑Governance) |
| 95th | 2011 | Right to Education (RTE) Act |
| 103rd | 2022 | Digital India & e‑Governance (example) |
| 104th | 2024 | New provisions on Data Protection & Digital Rights (example) |
Exam Tip: Memorize the year → amendment number → key clause. Many multiple‑choice questions ask for this exact mapping.
5. Fundamental Rights (Articles 12–35)
| Right | Article | Core Provisions | Common Tricky Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right to Equality | 14 | Equality before law, equal protection | “Equality” vs “equality of opportunity” |
| Freedom of Religion | 25 | Freedom to practice, propagate | Distinguish religion vs belief |
| Right to Freedom of Speech | 19 | Freedom of speech & expression | Exceptions: defamation, sedition, etc. |
| Right to Property | 31 (abolished 1976) | No longer a Fundamental Right | Many MCQs test this change |
| Right to Life & Personal Liberty | 21 | Right to live with dignity | Right to die with dignity debate |
| Right against Exploitation | 23 | Prohibition of forced labour | Distinguish from child labour |
| Right to Freedom of Movement | 19(6) | Implied right | Often mis‑interpreted as a Fundamental Right |
| Right to Constitution | 15 | No discrimination on class, caste | Mixed interpretations |
Derivation: The Supreme Court’s Kesavananda Bharati judgment (1973) introduced the “basic structure doctrine” – certain rights cannot be abridged even by amendment.
6. Directive Principles of State Policy (Articles 36–51)
| Principle | Article | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Economic Planning | 41 | Five‑Year Plans (historical) |
| Social Welfare | 42 | National Social Security |
| Education & Health |