Facts About Indian Constitution: What Every Citizen Should Know

Every year India November 26 is celebrated as "Constitution Day" to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution.The constitution of India was adopted by the constituent assembly on 26 November 1949 which came into force on 26 January 1950.

Do you know? The constituent assembly took 2 years 11 months and 18 days to prepare the largest written constitution of the world. Yes! Our great constitution of India is the world’s largest written constitution which includes a preamble and 470 articles which are grouped into 25 parts. It has twelve schedules and five appendices. It has been amended 104 times since 1951.

Father of Indian constitution Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, who designed the Indian constitution, also chaired the drafting committee. In this article we are going to share 15 amazing facts about the Indian constitution that you will feel surprised to know.

1. Longest Hand Written Constitution

The Indian Constitution is the world’s largest written constitution that has a preamble, 25 parts consist of 470 articles, With 5 appendices and 115 amendments. Our Indian constitution consists of 146,385 words in the English language which is comparatively longer than any other constitution of the world.

It was originally written by “Prem Behari Narain Raizada” in a calligraphy font.

2. Father of Indian Constitution Wanted to Burn Constitution

Did you know that the architect of the most detailed constitution of the world was about to burn the Indian constitution. While addressing the Rajya Sabha on 2 September 1953 Ambedkar stated that there was fear among minorities and small class people that the majority class would suppress them and British parliament work by suppressing this fear. “My friends telling me that I have made the constitution but I am fully ready to say that I shall be the first person to burn it”.

3. Sources of Constitution

Our Indian Constitution is a borrowed bag. It has adopted features and functions from the constitution of different countries. For e.g. Fundamental rights have been taken from the United States of America, Single citizenship from the United Kingdom etc. Sources of Constitution are UK, US, Russia, Australia, France, Ireland, Canada, Japan, Germany and South Africa.

4. Mini Constitution

The 42nd amendment 1976 is regarded as the “Mini constitution” of India. This amendment was brought under the prime minister Smt. Indira gandhi. Due to the large number of amendments in the Indian constitution this is known as Mini constitution of India.

5. Original Constitution

The original constitution of India is kept in the library of the Parliament of India, preserved in the special helium filled case. It is signed by the architects of the constitution who laid the foundations of the republic of India.

6. Almost Three Years to Frame Constitution

It took almost three years(2 Years 11 Months and 18 Days) for drafting the world’s greatest written constitution. Total 299 members of constituent assembly give their ultimate over three years to design the Indian constitution.

On 26 November 1949 final reading took place and after a few months the constitution of India came into force on 26 January 1950.

7. Preamble is not Included in The Constitution

It is very interesting to know that the law book which opens with, was not the first to come while drafting the constitution. In the berubari case supreme court held the decision that Indian constitution does not include preamble but in the Kesavananda Bharati case it stated preamble is part of the constitution.

Preamble is not part of the Indian constitution.

8. Expenditure on Making Constitution

Approx 63 million spent on the constituent assembly to make the Indian constitution.

9. Abolition of Fundamental Rights During Emergency

During National Emergency, the six fundamental rights defined in article 19 are automatically suspended. During an emergency any orders and provision will be considered as null and void.

In other words, the union has the right to abolish the fundamental rights during the proclamation of emergency. When the National emergency ends fundamental rights restart functioning in the same order and enter into force.

10. Right to Education

Article 21 states fundamental right(Right to life) but in 2002,An amendment took place in this article and inserted the article 21(A) “Right to education” by the 86th amendment. It is the duty of the government to ensure free education to children of all age groups from 6 to 14 years as a fundamental right.

11. First Draft Consist 2000 Amendments

Drafting the Indian Constitution was not a one step process. It took several deep discussions and procedures to finalize the world’s largest written constitution. Almost 2000 amendments were taken over before finalizing the constitution of India.

12. 616 Signatures

On 24 January 1950, the members of 308 of the constituent assembly signed on the two copies of original constitution(Hindi and English).The first president of india Dr Rajendra prasad first took his signature on the constitution of india.

13. Heart and Soul of Constitution

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar entitled the article 32 as Heart and Soul of the constitution of India.

14. Idea of Indian constitution

In 1934 M.N. Roy had given the Idea of Indian constitution.

15. Official Name

India and Bharat are the two official names of our country. We represent our country as India and Bharat all over the world. The first article of the constitution states that India that is Bharat shall be a union of the states. There are 22 official languages registered in the Indian constitution.

Also check: Why do we need a parliament

Conclusion

It’s been 75 years of Independence, over the years our country has seen several ups and downs but somehow we have managed to get out. Religious books such as Geeta, bible, Quran etc. can’t run the country. It can only run by certain rules and regulations. Constitution of India that is shaped by India's sharpest minds, keeping in mind each of every citizen. Every citizen must know about one of the proud things of the country i.e. Indian constitution.