INDIAN CONSTITUTION OVERVIEW – For JKSSB Naib Tehsildar Exam (With Simple Explanations)
BASIC INFORMATION - Adopted: 26 November 1949 (This is the date when it was finalized) - Came into
force: 26 January 1950 (Celebrated as Republic Day because Constitution came into action) - Drafted by:
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (He led the team who wrote the Constitution) - Preamble: It starts with a declaration
that India is free (Sovereign), aims at equality for all (Socialist), respects all religions (Secular), and
follows the rule by elected leaders (Democratic Republic)
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND & IMPORTANT ACTS - Regulating Act, 1773: First law passed by British to
control East India Company - Pitt's India Act, 1784: Gave some control of company to British
Government - Charter Act, 1813: Ended Company’s trade monopoly, allowing others to trade too -
Charter Act, 1833: Power centralized under one Governor-General - Charter Act, 1853: Introduced
exams for Civil Services (like UPSC today) - Government of India Act, 1858: After 1857 revolt, British
Government took full control from the Company - Indian Councils Act, 1909: Allowed Indians to enter
Legislative Councils (Morley-Minto Reforms) - Government of India Act, 1919: Introduced system of
shared power (Dyarchy) in provinces - Government of India Act, 1935: Gave provincial independence
and structure for future Constitution
MAKING OF THE CONSTITUTION - Idea of Constitution was suggested by M.N. Roy in 1934 - INC
officially demanded it in 1935 - Constituent Assembly was formed in 1946 to write it - First meeting: 9
December 1946 - Dr. Rajendra Prasad became the President of the Assembly - Drafting Committee
formed on 29 August 1947 under Dr. Ambedkar - Constitution adopted on 26 November 1949, and
enforced on 26 January 1950
KEY FEATURES - World's longest written constitution - Mix of federal and unitary systems (States have
power but Centre is stronger) - Parliament system like UK (PM is real head, President is formal head) -
Power divided into three parts – Law makers, law enforcers, and judges - Supreme Court ensures laws
follow Constitution - Directive Principles guide government to work for public welfare - Fundamental
Rights like right to equality, freedom, etc. - Fundamental Duties like respecting national symbols,
following rules (added in 1976) - One citizenship for all Indians - All adults (18+) can vote
STRUCTURE OF THE CONSTITUTION - 25 Parts (Main divisions) - Articles: Originally 395, now 470+ (Each
article is a rule) - Schedules: 12 (Extra details like states, languages, etc.) - Amendments: 105+ changes
have been made till now
IMPORTANT PARTS TO REMEMBER - Part I: India and its areas - Part II: Rules of citizenship - Part III:
Rights of people - Part IV: Government's duties - Part IVA: Citizens' duties - Part V: Central Government -
Part VI: State Governments - Part IX: Panchayats (added in 73rd Amendment) - Part IXA: Municipalities
(added in 74th Amendment) - Part XII: Finance and properties
IMPORTANT AMENDMENTS - 1st Amendment (1951): Allowed government to limit speech in special
cases - 42nd Amendment (1976): Major changes; added words Socialist, Secular, and Integrity - 44th
Amendment (1978): Removed right to property as a fundamental right - 73rd & 74th Amendments:
Panchayats and municipalities became part of Constitution - 86th Amendment (2002): Made education a
fundamental right (Article 21A)
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THREE ORGANS OF THE GOVERNMENT - Legislature: Makes the laws (Parliament – Lok Sabha and Rajya
Sabha) - Executive: Applies the laws (President, PM, Ministers) - Judiciary: Checks if laws are correct
(Supreme Court, High Courts)
IMPORTANT ARTICLES TO REMEMBER - Article 14: Equal laws for all - Article 19: Freedom of speech,
expression, etc. - Article 21: Right to life and liberty - Article 32: You can go to court if your rights are
violated - Article 280: Formation of Finance Commission - Article 368: How to change the Constitution -
Article 370: Gave special status to J&K (now removed)
PREAMBLE KEYWORDS - Sovereign: India is independent and not ruled by any foreign power - Socialist:
Everyone should get fair share in resources - Secular: All religions are respected equally - Democratic:
People choose leaders by voting - Republic: President is elected, not from royal family
