Quick Links
Quick Links
UPSC Exams
Latest Update
Coaching
UPSC Current Affairs
Syllabus
UPSC Notes
Previous Year Papers
UPSC Mains Previous Year Question Papers Last 25 Years UPSC Prelims Question Papers Last 10 Years UPSC Question Papers UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Question Paper UPSC Mains 2024 Model Answers UPSC 2024 Question Papers UPSC 2023 Question Papers UPSC 2022 Question Papers UPSC 2021 Question Papers UPSC 2020 Question Papers UPSC 2019 Question Papers UPSC 2018 Question Papers UPSC 2017 Question Papers UPSC 2016 Question Papers UPSC 2015 Question Papers UPSC 2014 Question Papers UPSC CSAT Question Papers UPSC IFS Previous Year Paper UPSC Assistant Labour Commissioner Previous Question Year Papers UPSC Combined Geo Scientist Previous Year Paper UPSC APFC Previous Year Question Papers UPSC CMS Previous Year Question Paper UPSC EPFO Previous Year Paper UPSC Air Safety Officer Previous Year Papers UPSC SO Steno Previous Year Paper UPSC IES ISS Previous Year Question Papers
Mock Tests
UPSC Editorial
Bilateral Ties
Albania India Relations India Algeria Relations Andorra India Relations India Angola Relations India Antigua Barbuda Relations India Argentina Relations Austria India Relations India Azerbaijan Relations Bahamas India Relations India Bahrain Relations Barbados India Relations India Belarus Relations Belgium India Relations Belize India Relations Benin India Relations Bolivia India Relations India Bosnia Herzegovina Relations India Botswana Relations Brazil India Relations Brunei India Relations Bulgaria India Relations Burundi India Relations Cabo Verde India Relations India Cambodia Relations India Cameroon Relations Canada India Relations India Cayman Islands Relations India Central African Republic Relations India Chad Relations Chile India Relations India Colombia Relations India Comoros Relations India Democratic Republic Of The Congo Relations India Republic Of The Congo Relations India Cook Islands Relations India Costa Rica Relations India Ivory Coast Relations India Croatia Relations India Cyprus Relations India Czech Republic Relations India Djibouti Relations India Dominica Relations India Dominican Republic Relations India Ecuador Relations India El Salvador Relations India Equatorial Guinea Relations India Eritrea Relations Estonia India Relations India Ethiopia Relations India Fiji Relations India Finland Relations India Gabon Relations India Gambia Relations India Georgia Relations Germany India Relations India Ghana Relations India Greece Relations India Grenada Relations India Guatemala Relations India Guinea Relations India Guinea Bissau Relations India Guyana Relations India Haiti Relations India Holy See Relations India Honduras Relations India Hong Kong Relations India Hungary Relations India Iceland Relations India Indonesia Relations India Iran Relations India Iraq Relations India Ireland Relations India Jamaica Relations India Kazakhstan Relations India Kenya Relations India Kingdom Of Eswatini Relations India Kiribati Relations India Kuwait Relations India Kyrgyzstan Relations India Laos Relations Latvia India Relations India Lebanon Relations India Lesotho Relations India Liberia Relations Libya India Relations Liechtenstein India Relations India Lithuania Relations India Luxembourg Relations India Macao Relations Madagascar India Relations India Malawi Relations India Mali Relations India Malta Relations India Marshall Islands Relations India Mauritania Relations India Micronesia Relations India Moldova Relations Monaco India Relations India Montenegro Relations India Montserrat Relations India Morocco Relations Mozambique India Relations India Namibia Relations India Nauru Relations Netherlands India Relations India Nicaragua Relations India Niger Relations India Nigeria Relations India Niue Relations India North Macedonia Relations Norway India Relations India Palau Relations India Panama Relations India Papua New Guinea Relations India Paraguay Relations Peru India Relations India Philippines Relations Qatar India Relations India Romania Relations Rwanda India Relations India Saint Kitts And Nevis Relations India Saint Lucia Relations India Saint Vincent And Grenadines Relations India Samoa Relations India Sao Tome And Principe Relations Saudi Arabia India Relations India Senegal Relations Serbia India Relations India Sierra Leone Relations India Singapore Relations India Slovak Republic Relations India Slovenia Relations India Solomon Islands Relations Somalia India Relations India South Sudan Relations India Spain Relations India Sudan Relations Suriname India Relations India Sweden Relations India Syria Relations India Tajikistan Relations Tanzania India Relations India Togo Relations India Tonga Islands Relations India Trinidad And Tobago Relations India Tunisia Relations India Turkmenistan Relations India Turks And Caicos Islands Relations India Tuvalu Relations India Uganda Relations India Ukraine Relations India Uae Relations India Uruguay Relations India Uzbekistan Relations India Vanuatu Relations India Venezuela Relations India British Virgin Islands Relations Yemen India Relations India Zambia Relations India Zimbabwe Relations
Books
Government Schemes
Production Linked Incentive Scheme Integrated Processing Development Scheme Rodtep Scheme Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme Saathi Scheme Uday Scheme Hriday Scheme Samagra Shiksha Scheme India Nishta Scheme Stand Up India Scheme Sahakar Mitra Scheme Mdms Mid Day Meal Scheme Integrated Child Protection Scheme Vatsalya Scheme Operation Green Scheme Nai Roshni Scheme Nutrient Based Subsidy Scheme Kalia Scheme Ayushman Sahakar Scheme Nirvik Scheme Fame India Scheme Kusum Scheme Pm Svanidhi Scheme Pmvvy Scheme Pm Aasha Scheme Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra Scheme Pradhan Mantri Lpg Panjayat Scheme Mplads Scheme Svamitva Scheme Pat Scheme Udan Scheme Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat Scheme National Pension Scheme Ujala Scheme Operation Greens Scheme Gold Monetisation Scheme Family Planning Insurance Scheme Target Olympic Podium Scheme
Topics
NASA Space Missions
NASA Mercury-Redstone 3 (Freedom 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Redstone 4 (Liberty Bell 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 6 (Friendship 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 7 (Aurora 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 8 (Sigma 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 9 (Faith 7) Mission NASA Gemini 3 Mission NASA Gemini 4 Mission NASA Gemini 5 Mission NASA Gemini 7 Mission NASA Gemini 8 Mission NASA Gemini 9 Mission NASA Gemini 10 Mission NASA Gemini 11 Mission NASA Gemini 12 Mission NASA Apollo 1 (AS‑204) Mission NASA Apollo 7 Mission NASA Apollo 8 Mission NASA Apollo 9 Mission NASA Apollo 10 Mission NASA Apollo 11 Mission NASA Apollo 12 Mission NASA Apollo 13 Mission NASA Apollo 14 Mission NASA Apollo 15 Mission NASA Apollo 16 Mission NASA Apollo 17 Mission NASA Skylab Orbital Workshop Mission NASA Skylab 2 Mission NASA Skylab 3 Mission NASA Skylab 4 Mission NASA Apollo–Soyuz Test Project Mission NASA STS‑1 Columbia Mission NASA STS‑3 Columbia Mission NASA STS‑7 Challenger Mission NASA STS‑8 Challenger Mission NASA STS‑41B Challenger Mission NASA STS‑41G Discovery (1st female EVA) Mission NASA STS‑51L Challenger (accident) Mission NASA STS‑26 Discovery (Return‑to‑Flight) Mission NASA STS‑31 Discovery (Hubble Launch) Mission NASA STS‑49 Endeavour (first capture EVA) Mission NASA STS‑61 Endeavour (Hubble Servicing 1) Mission NASA STS‑73 Columbia (microgravity) Mission NASA STS‑95 Discovery (John Glenn returns) Mission NASA STS‑107 Columbia (accident) Mission NASA STS‑114 Discovery (RTF‑2) Mission NASA STS‑120 Discovery (Node 2) Mission NASA STS‑125 Atlantis (Final Hubble Service) Mission NASA STS‑132 Atlantis Mission NASA STS‑135 Atlantis (Final Shuttle flight) Mission NASA Artemis I (Orion/ SLS‑1) Mission NASA Artemis II (Planned) Mission NASA Artemis III (Planned lunar landing) Mission NASA Mariner 4 Mission NASA Mariner 6 Mission NASA Mariner 7 Mission NASA Mariner 9 Mission NASA Viking 1 Orbiter/Lander Mission NASA Viking 2 Orbiter/Lander Mission NASA Mars Pathfinder & Sojourner Mission NASA Mars Global Surveyor Mission NASA 2001 Mars Odyssey Mission NASA Mars Exploration Rover – Spirit Mission NASA Mars Exploration Rover – Opportunity Mission NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission NASA Phoenix Mars Lander Mission NASA InSight Mars Lander Mission NASA Mars 2020 (Perseverance & Ingenuity) Mission NASA Mars Sample Return – SRL (planned) Mission NASA Pioneer 10 Mission NASA Pioneer 11 Mission NASA Voyager 1 Mission NASA Voyager 2 Mission NASA Galileo Jupiter Orbiter/Probe Mission NASA Cassini–Huygens Mission NASA New Horizons (Pluto & KBO) Mission NASA Juno Mission NASA Europa Clipper (planned) Mission NASA Parker Solar Probe Mission NASA Solar Orbiter (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA Surveyor 1 Mission NASA Lunar Orbiter 1 Mission NASA Lunar Prospector Mission NASA LCROSS Mission NASA LADEE Mission NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Mission NASA CAPSTONE Mission NASA VIPER Rover (planned) Mission NASA NEAR Shoemaker Mission NASA Deep Space 1 Mission NASA Stardust Mission NASA Genesis Mission NASA Deep Impact Mission NASA Dawn (Vesta/Ceres) Mission NASA OSIRIS‑REx Mission NASA Lucy Mission NASA DART Mission NASA Landsat‑1 (ERTS‑1) Mission NASA Landsat‑5 Mission NASA Landsat‑9 Mission NASA Terra Mission NASA Aqua Mission NASA Aura Mission NASA Suomi NPP Mission NASA Sentinel‑6 Michael Freilich Mission NASA ICESat‑2 Mission NASA GRACE‑FO Mission NASA SMAP Mission NASA GPM Core Observatory Mission NASA CALIPSO Mission NASA CloudSat Mission NASA NISAR (NASA‑ISRO) Mission NASA Explorer 1 Mission NASA COBE Mission NASA Compton Gamma Ray Observatory Mission NASA Hubble Space Telescope Mission NASA Chandra X‑ray Observatory Mission NASA Spitzer Space Telescope Mission NASA WISE Mission NASA Kepler Mission NASA TESS Mission NASA Fermi Gamma‑ray Space Telescope Mission NASA NICER Mission NASA IXPE Mission NASA Roman Space Telescope (planned) Mission NASA NuSTAR Mission NASA GALEX Mission NASA Swift Mission NASA SOHO (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA Cluster II (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA TIMED Mission NASA STEREO‑A/B Mission NASA MMS Mission NASA IRIS Mission NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory Mission NASA X‑37B OTV‑1 (USAF/NASA liaison) Mission NASA X‑59 QueSST Mission NASA Mars Helicopter Ingenuity Mission NASA Valkyrie R5 Robot Mission NASA Low‑Boom Flight Demo Mission NASA CRS‑1 Dragon Mission NASA CRS‑1 Cygnus Mission NASA Crew Dragon Demo‑2 Mission NASA Starliner OFT‑2 Mission NASA STS-2 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-4 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-5 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-6 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-41C (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-41D (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-51A (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-61C (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-26 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-27 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-29 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-30 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-32 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-34 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-38 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-45 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-60 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-70 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-71 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-73 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-88 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-92 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-97 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-99 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-100 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-104 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-106 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-110 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-112 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-115 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-116 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-117 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-118 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-120 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-122 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-123 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-126 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-130 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA Vanguard 1 Mission NASA Transit 1B Mission NASA Echo 1 Mission NASA Telstar 1 Mission NASA Syncom 3 Mission NASA ATS‑6 Mission NASA Skynet Mission NASA Nimbus‑1 Mission NASA Nimbus‑7 Mission NASA ERS-1 Mission NASA SeaSat Mission NASA QuikSCAT Mission NASA Jason‑1 Mission NASA Jason‑3 Mission NASA ICESat Mission NASA Earth Observing‑1 Mission NASA Orbiting Carbon Observatory‑2 Mission NASA CYGNSS Mission NASA PACE Mission NASA TRMM Mission NASA Terrestrial Planet Finder (cxl) Mission NASA Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) Mission NASA Explorer 33 Mission NASA Voyager Interstellar Mission Mission NASA Helios‑A Mission NASA Helios‑B Mission NASA ISEE‑3 (ICE) Mission NASA ACE Mission NASA DSCOVR Mission NASA IBEX Mission NASA Solar Orbiter Heliospheric Imager Mission NASA SAGE‑III ISS Mission NASA SPACE Telescope Imaging Spectrograph Mission NASA ARIEL (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA OSAM‑1 (Restore‑L) Mission NASA Dragonfly (Titan rotorcraft) Mission NASA VERITAS (Venus orbiter) Mission NASA DAVINCI (Venus probe) Mission NASA SPHEREx Mission NASA MAGGIE (Mars Geophysical) Mission NASA CLPS – Peregrine Mission NASA CLPS – VIPER Delivery Mission NASA CAPSTONE Mission NASA Gateway (HALO / PPE) Mission NASA Mars Telecommunication Orbiter (cxl) Mission NASA Mars Polar Lander (MPL) Mission NASA Mars Climate Orbiter Mission NASA Pathfinder Mission Mission NASA SLS Block 1B (Exploration Upper Stage) Mission NASA Orion Crew Module Mission NASA Commercial LEO Destinations – Axiom Station Mission NASA ISS Expedition 1 Mission NASA ISS Expedition 70 Mission NASA CRS‑11 (Dragon) Mission NASA CRS‑21 (Dragon 2) Mission NASA Snoopy CubeSat Mission
Home / IAS Preparation / Major Features Of The Constitution

Salient Features of The Constitution of India - Learn In Detail With 15 Main Pointers

Last Updated on Jan 17, 2024
Also Read Major Features Of The Constitution in Hindi
Download As PDF
IMPORTANT LINKS
Agriculture Notes For UPSC Public Administration UPSC Notes Modern History Books For UPSC Overseas Citizen Of India Caste System & Panchayati Raj Godavari River Federalism Indira Point New Development Bank Battle Of Sinhagad Sankalp And Strive Schemes Digital India High Yielding Varieties Economic Growth Development League Of Nations Ease Of Doing Business Mid Day Meal Scheme Wildlife Protection Act 1972 UPSC Notes International Union Conservation Nature

The Constitution of India is considered a unique constitution across the world. It is the largest written liberal democratic constitution in the world. The salient features of the Indian Constitution are a mixture of federalism and unity and its flexibility and rigidity. Features of the Indian Constitution are an important topic in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. The candidates must have complete information about this.

Checkout the video on 'Major Features of the Constitution' and boost your preparation

https://youtu.be/1-Zx0OUcEIw

The outline of the Constitution of India was prepared by a Constituent Assembly. This assembly was an indirectly elected body. It laid down certain ideals for inclusion in the Constitution. These ideals included a commitment to democracy, guarantees to all the people of India, justice, equality, and liberty. It also declared that India would be a democratic republic.

  • The Constitution of India begins with a Preamble.
  • The Constitution is the foundational law for a country that defines the fundamental rights and directive principles on which the governance of the country is based.
  • The Constitution lays down the framework for the functioning of various systems in the government and the interaction between the Government and the citizens.
  • It required 2 years 11 months, and 18 days to complete the Indian Constitution.
  • The Constitution of India is an amalgamation of different constitutions and sources. It has taken its many features from different constitutions such as the USA, Russia, Japan, France, etc.

Read the whole article to know in detail about the Salient Features of the Indian Constitution, an important topic in the UPSC Civil Services Exam.

Important Features of the Constitution of India

The important features of the Constitution of India are listed below.

1. Lengthiest Written Constitution

One of the main Features of the Indian Constitution is that at present, after several major amendments, we have 395 articles divided into 25 parts along with 12 schedules.

Factors responsible – 

  • Geographical vastness and diversity of India.
  • Historical acts during British rule.
  • Single constitution for state and centre.
  • The dominance of legal luminaries.

2. Drawn From Various Sources

S.No

Source

Features included

1.

Government of India Act 1935

(Major source)

2.

British constitution

3.

US Constitution

4.

Irish constitution

5.

Canadian constitution

6.

Germany’s constitution

7.

Australian constitution

8.

Russian constitution

9.

France constitution
  • Republic, liberty, equality, and fraternity in the preamble

10.

South Africa’s constitution
  • The procedure of constitutional amendment
  • Election of members of Rajya Sabha.

11.

Japan’s constitution
  • The procedure of establishment of law.

Also, read Procedure Established by Law and Due Process of Law for UPSC here.

Criticism of Borrowed Constitution

Unwieldy

It was assumed that the entire constitution of a country must be found in one compact document; many such details, practices, and statements are included in one single document in India and this has made the constitution large.

Unrepresentative

The adult franchise was not granted when the constituent assembly was formed. Thus, the constitution formed was not a representation of all sections of society.

Alien to our Conditions

The Indian Constitution is an amalgamation of borrowed articles from Western constitutions. Hence, it received criticism.

Know more about Criticism of the Amendment Procedure of the Indian Constitution here.

3. Rigidity and Flexibility

  • One of the key features of the Indian Constitution is that it is neither completely rigid nor completely flexible but a mix of both.
  • This is depicted through article 368 where different types of majority are required for amendment in the constitution.

Types of Majority

There are several types of majority in the Indian Parliament, they are mentioned below.

  • Simple- More than 50% of the present in voting.
  • Absolute- More than 50% of the total members of the house.
  • Effective- More than 50% of the effective strength (excluding the vacant).
  • The special majority- More than 2/3rd members present and vote along with 50% of the total strength of the House.

4. Federal System with Unitary Bias

The federal features of the Indian constitution as compared to the unitary features of the Indian constitution are given below.

Federal features of Indian constitution

Unitary features of Indian constitution

Division of powers

Strong centre

Presence of two governments

Presence of All India services

Provision of a written constitution

Presence of a single constitution

Supremacy of constitution

Provision of a single citizenship

The rigidity of the constitution

The flexibility of the constitution

Independent Judiciary

Integrated judiciary

Presence of bicameralism.

Emergency provisions

Also learn about Schedules of Indian Constitution here!

5. Parliamentary Form of Government

  • The Indian Parliament is a republic, and there exists cooperation between the executive and legislature.
  • Presence of a nominal head as a President and a real head as a Prime Minister.
  • Rule of the Majority party.
  • Collective responsibility of the Executive to the Legislature.
  • There is the amalgamation of Parliamentary Sovereignty and Judicial supremacy under Article 368.

6. Integrated and Independent Judiciary

  • The Judiciary is not dependent on the executive.
  • There exists a division of courts in the form of a supreme court at the centre, high courts at the state level, and district courts at the district level.

Know more about the Indian Parliament And its Functions here.

7. Fundamental Rights

  • Enforced by the court (Justiciable).
  • Mentioned in the constitution from articles 12-35 in part III.
  • These are not absolute.
  • There are 6 fundamental rights as of today.
  • Provision of writs in case of violation of fundamental rights.

8. Directive Principles of State Policy

  • Listed in part IV of the constitution from articles 36-51.
  • These are non-justiciable but fundamental for the governance in the country.
  • They aim to establish a welfare state.

9. Fundamental Duties

  • Non-justiciable.
  • Added by the 42nd Amendment Act,1976 in Article 51 A of the constitution.
  • There are 10 duties included in the constitution on the recommendations of the Swaran Singh Committee. The 11th Fundamental duty was added later after the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act.

10. Secular State

  • The term secular has been added through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act 1976.
  • No state religion.
  • This provision of granting equal status to all religions is guarded by Articles 25-28.

11. Universal Adult Franchise

  • Article 326 provides universal adult suffrage.
  • The 61st constitutional amendment act 1988 reduced the age limit from 21 to 18 for voting.

Check out the Important article of the Indian Constitution here.

12. Single Citizenship

  • This promotes a sense of brotherhood.

13. Independent Bodies

  • The constitution has provisions for the appointment of other independent bodies apart from the Legislature, and executive.
  • ECI (Election Commission of India) conducts elections for the Parliament and for the Legislative assembly and Legislative Councils of other states.
  • CAG (Comptroller Auditor General) audits the accounts of Central and state governments.
  • UPSC conducts exams for recruitment to all Indian services.

14. Emergency Provision

  • These provisions are included in part VIII of the constitution.
  • National emergency- under article 352.
  • State emergency- under Article 356.
  • Financial emergency- under article 360.

15. 3-tier Government

  • Apart from governments at the center and state level, the constitutional amendment acts in 1992 included provisions for government at a local level.
  • The 73rd amendment act introduced panchayats in rural areas.
  • The 74th Amendment Act introduced municipalities in urban areas.

Testbook is a one-stop solution for all your exam preparations. Be it preparing for UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, or any other competitive exams. You can have access to study material for different subjects and even check your progress through our daily quizzes, mock tests, question banks, etc. Stay updated with current affairs and classroom sessions. Ace your UPSC preparation with our UPSC Online Coaching, and download the Testbook App now to check out various other topics relevant to the UPSC IAS Exam.

More Articles for IAS Preparation

Salient features of the Indian Constitution FAQs

The Constitution of India is an amalgamation of different constitutions and sources. It has taken its many features from different constitutions such as the USA, Russia, Japan, France etc.

It refers to the method of existence of the constitution which forms the basis of the effectiveness of the constitution. The Indian constitution derives its legacy from the national movements. It was made by people who were elected by the public, thus granting credibility.

It required 2 years 11 months and 18 days to complete the Indian Constitution. There were eleven sessions held by the constituent assembly to complete the constitution.

This topic is important for UPSC, as it gives ideas about the making of constitution, its functioning, Constituent Assembly and various sources from which our Indian Constitution is borrowed.

The Constitution is the foundational law for a country that defines the fundamental principles on which the governance of the country is based. The Constitution lays down the framework for functioning of various systems in the government and interaction between Government and the citizens.

Report An Error
Exams Tests Super Practice