Introduction to
Constitution of India
 Legally written document of the organisation of the country
What is
Constitution?
 A base for the democratic country
 States what fundamental rights it provides its people
 Details power distribution and power limitation
• The Company Rule (1773-1858)
 Regulating Act of 1773:
Historical
background of
Indian
Constitution
 It was the first take by British Government to control and regulate the
affairs of East India Company
 It recognised, for the first time the political and administrative
functions of the Company
 It laid the foundations of central administration in India
 Pitt’s Act of 1784:
 British Government got the supreme control of the company and its
administration in India
 Company territories were called as ‘British possession in India’
 Charter Act of 1833:
 East India company became a pure administrative body
 Governor-General of Bengal was made as Governor-General of India
 Charter Act of 1853:
 Indian Legislative Council was formed
 Macaulay committee was formed in 1854
 The Crown Rule(1858-1947)
 Government of India Act 1858
 Governor-General of India was changed as Viceroy of India
 A new office, Secretary of State was formed
 This office holds the complete power
 It was a member of British cabinet.
Historical
background of
Indian
Constitution
 This act is largely confined to the improvement of the administrative of
Indian Government under the control of England.
 Indian council Act 1861
 It made the beginning of Representative institutions
 It initiated the process of decentralisation by restoring powers to
Bombay and Madras Presidencies
 It empowers Viceroy to make rules and also recognised ‘portfolio’
system
 Indian council Act 1892
 It increased the number of additional members in additional and
provincial legislative councils
 It made a limited and indirect provision for electing the members.
 Indian council Act 1909
 It further increased the number of representatives
 It provided association of Indians with executive Councils
 It introduced a system of communal representation for Muslims
 Government of India Act,1919
 It relaxed the central control
 Central and Provincial were authorised to make laws on the their respective list of
subjects
 Provincial budgets were authorised for the first time
Historical
background of
Indian
Constitution
 A system of dyarchy was formed
 Bicameralism and direct elections were introduced
 Communal representation was extended to Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians
and European
 A Central Public Service Commission (CPSC) was set up in 1926
 Government of India Act,1935
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Federal, Provincial and concurrent list were made
It abolished dyarchy
Bicameralism was introduced in 6 provinces
Communal representation was extended to depressed class(scheduled class)
Right to Franchise was extended
Reserve Bank of India was established
Provincial and Joint Public service Commissions were established
Federal court was established in 1937
 Indian Independence Act,1947
 On February 20,1947 it was declared that British rule in India would end by June
30,1948
 India was declared as Independent State from August 15,1947
 It provided partition of India and Pakistan
 It deprived all the British power with India and Pakistan
 Princely States were given freedom to join India or Pakistan or to remain as
Independent State
Borrowed
features of
Indian
Constitution
Australia
 Concurrent list
 Freedom of Trade
 Joint – sitting of two houses
Canada
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Ireland
 Directive Principles of State Policy
 Nomination of members to Rajya Sabha
 Method of election of President
Japan
 Procedure Established by law
Soviet
Union(present
Russia)
 Fundamental duties
 Ideas of justice(social, economic ,political) in
the Preamble
UK
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Federation with a strong Centre
Vesting of residuary powers in the Centre
Appointment of state governors by Centre
Advisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court
Parliamentary government
Rule of Law
Legislative procedure
Single Citizenship
Cabinet system
Prerogative writs
Parliamentary privileges
Bicameralism
Borrowed
features of
Indian
Constitution
US
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Germany
 Suspension of Fundamental Rights during
emergency
South Africa
 Procedure for amendment in the Indian
Constitution
 Election of members of Rajya Sabha
France
 Republic
 Ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity in the
Preamble
Fundamental rights
Independence of judiciary
Judicial review
Impeachment of the president
Removal of Supreme Court and High Court
judges
 Post of vice-president
Preamble
Some other
important
points
 Indian Constitution is the lengthiest written Constitution in the
world
 395 Articles
 22 Parts
 8 Schedules
 Total no of Amendments : 104 (till 2020)