17 Salient Features of the Indian Constitution I Leverage Edu

The Indian Constitution is a unique document in its content and spirit. Although it has adopted several aspects from the constitutions around the world, the Constitution of India has many salient features that differentiate it from other countries. In this blog, we will learn about the 17 salient features of the Indian constitution and what they mean. Read to find out more!

Also Read: Unicameral and Bicameral Legislature: Meaning, Characterstics, Differences

Table of Contents

1 Salient Features of the Indian Constitution

Salient Features of the Indian Constitution

As you already know, there are 17 unique Salient Features of the Indian Constitution. Although these features have been amended over the past years, the features as they stand today are as follows:

1. Lengthiest Written Constitution

The Constitution of India is the lengthiest of all the written and unwritten constitutions in the world. Moreover, it is a very comprehensive, elaborate, and detailed document. Four factors have contributed to the huge size of our Constitution, they are as follows:

Geographical factors: Vastness of the country as well as diversity present in the Indian population.
Historical factors: The influence of the Government of India Act of 1935 which was bulky.
Single constitution for both, the Centre and the State.
Dominance of legal luminaries in the Constituent Assembly.

The Constitution contains not just the fundamental principles of governance but also detailed administrative provisions.

Also Read: The Making of Indian Constitution [Constitutional Design]

2. Drawn From Various Sources

The Constitution of India has borrowed most of its provisions from the constitutions of various other countries. Dr B R Ambedkar proudly claimed that the Constitution has been framed after ‘ransacking all the known Constitutions of the world’.

Moreover, the Constitution has drawn from the Government of India Act of 1935. Furthermore, 75% of the provisions of our Constitution are identical or bear a close resemblance to the Act of 1935. Additionally, the Federal Scheme, the Judiciary, Governors, Emergency Powers, the Public Service Commissions, and most of the administrative details are drawn from this act.

Also Read: All the Emergency Provisions in the Indian Constitution

3. Blend of Rigidity and Flexibility

A rigid constitution requires a special provision for its Amendment, for example, the American constitution. A flexible constitution, on the other hand, can be amended in the same manner as ordinary laws are made. However, the Constitution of India is neither rigid nor flexible but the synthesis of both. Moreover, Article 368 provides for two types of Amendments.

Some provisions can be amended by the special majority of the Parliament. Which is two-thirds majority of the members of each House and the majority of the total number of each house.

Some other provisions can be amended by a special majority of the parliament and with the ratification of half of the total states.

Also Read: Types of Amendments in the Indian Constitution

4. Federal System with Unitary Bias

The Constitution of India establishes a Federal system of government.

It contains the usual features of Federalism, i.e., two government structures, division of powers, written constitution, independent judiciary and bicameralism.
Although the term ‘federation’ has not been used in our Constitution, the country has been defined as a ‘Union of States’.
The Constitution has also been described as ‘federal in form but unitary in spirit.

Also Read: What is Federalism?

5. Parliamentary Form of Government

The Indian Constitution suggests that the Government of India work on the Parliamentary Form of Government. Let us learn more about what it means:

The Parliamentary system of government is the cooperation and coordination between the legislative and executive organs.
The Presidential system of government is based on the doctrine of separation of powers between the organs.
The Parliamentary system is also called the ‘Westminster’ system of government.

Furthermore, the Features of a Parliamentary system are as follows:

Majority party rules.
The system consists of nominal and real executives.
Membership of the ministers in the legislature.
The Prime Minister or Chief Minister has the role of leadership.
There is a collective responsibility of the executive to the legislature.

Also Read: What is the Difference between Parliamentary and Presidential System of Government?

6. Synthesis of Parliamentary Sovereignty and Judicial Supremacy

Our Constitution contains the essence of both, Parliamentary Sovereignty and Judicial Supremacy. Let us learn more about what this Salient Feature of the Indian Constitution means:

Sovereignty in Parliament comes from the British Parliament.
The principle of Judicial Supremacy comes from the American Supreme Court.
The Indian Constitution provides the due procedure of law, made and amended by the legislature.
Supreme Court on the other hand can declare the Parliamentary laws are unconstitutional through its power of Judicial Review.

Also Read: What is the Difference between Procedure Established by Law and Due Process of Law?

7. Integrated and Independent Judiciary

The Constitution of India establishes the Judicial system as integrated as well as independent.

The Supreme Court is the highest court of appeal in the federal courts.
It is the utmost protector of the Fundamental Rights of the citizens and the Guardian of the Constitution.
There are certain provisions in the Constitution which provide for making the Judiciary independent. They are as follows:
- Fixed service conditions of the judges.
- There is a prohibition on the discussion on the conduct of judges in the legislature.
- All the expenses incurred by the Supreme Court is carried out by the Consolidated Fund of India.

Also Read: Powers & Functions of the Indian Judiciary: Important Notes

8. Fundamental Rights

The Fundamental rights are meant to promote political democracy. There are 6 Fundamental Rights given under the Constitution of India. They are as follows.

9. Directive Principles of State Policy

The Directive Principles of State Policy can be classified into three broad categories.

Socialistic
Gandhian
Liberal-intellectual

The Directive Principles are upheld to protect and promote social and economic democracy.
They are meant to establish a ‘welfare state’ in the country.
However, they are not enforceable by the courts.

10. Fundamental Duties

The Constitution did not previously provide for Fundamental Duties. Furthermore, these were added during the internal emergency by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act 1976.

The Constitution provided for the establishment of 11 Fundamental Duties. Some of them were as follows
- Respect the Constitution, National Flag and National Anthem.
- Protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of the country.
- Promote the spirit of common brotherhood.
- Preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture etc.

Also Read: What are Fundamental Rights and Duties?

11. Secular State

The constitution of India stands for a secular state. It does not uphold the banner of any particular community or religion.

The Preamble secures all the citizens of India’s liberty of belief, faith and worship
The State shall not discriminate against any citizen based on religion. (Article 15)
No religious instruction will be provided in any educational institution maintained by the State (Article 28).

12. Universal Adult Franchise

The Constitution of India adopts Universal Adult Franchise as a means of election for the Lok Sabha.

This is the case in the State Legislative Assembly as well.
The voting age was reduced from 21 years to 18 years in 1989 with the 61st Constitutional Amendment Act of 1988.

13. Single Citizenship

The Indian constitution is federal and works on a dual polity- Center and States.

Moreover, it provides for only a single citizenship.
Such is not the case in countries like the USA, where citizens are provided citizenship of the USA plus the citizenship of the particular State that they reside in.
However, this is an exception for a few areas like tribal areas and previously Jammu and Kashmir.

14. Independent Bodies

India has several Independent Bodies for free and fair working. Some of these are as follows:

Election Commission for ensuring free and fair elections.
Comptroller and Auditor General of India to audit the accounts of the Central and State Governments.
Union Public Service Commission to conduct examinations for recruitment of All Indian Services and to advise the Governor on disciplinary matters.
State Public Service Commission to conduct examinations for recruitment of State services and advise the Governor on disciplinary matters.

15. Emergence Provisions

The Constitution envisages three types of emergencies, namely,

National Emergency on the grounds of war or external aggression
State Emergency on the grounds of failure of constitutional machinery
Financial Emergency on the ground of threat to financial stability or credit of India.

During the Emergency, the Central Government becomes all-powerful and the states give into total control of the centre.

Also Read: What is a National Emergency?

16. Three-tier Government

Previously the government worked on the dual polity. The Constitution contained information on the powers of the Central government and State governments.

Later the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments introduced a three-tier government.
This three-tier government is not found anywhere in the world
This gave recognition to the panchayats ie rural local governments.
This was done due to the vastness of the country and the large area to be administered.

Also Read: Devolution of Powers and Finances up to Local Levels

17. Co-operative Societies

The 97th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2011 gave constitutional status to co-operative societies.
Furthermore, it gave these societies the right to form and included this in Fundamental Rights.
Moreover, it included a new Directive Principle of State Policy on promoting co-operative societies.

Related Blogs

What is Adjournment Motion?	Meaning of Zero Hour
What is the Doctrine of Colourable Legislation?	What is a Writ of Prohibition?
What is the Difference between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles?	What is the Difference between Fundamental Duties and Directive Principles?
What is Universal Adult Franchise?	What is the Difference Between Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties?

Lastly, we hope you liked our blog and gained an understanding of the Salient Features of Indian Constitution. Moreover, you may even read more blogs and empower yourself with knowledge regarding Civics and Polity!

Here’s your New Year gift

One app for all your

study abroad needs

Start your journey, track your progress, grow with the community and so much more

17 Salient Features of the Indian Constitution