Why Does a Country Need a Constitution?

All democratic countries are likely to have a Constitution, but on the other hand, it is
not necessary that all countries that have a Constitution are democratic.
The Constitution serves several purposes as listed below.
1. A Constitution tells us what the fundamental nature of our society is.
2. A Constitution helps serve as a set of rules and principles that all persons in a
country can agree upon as the basis of the way in which they want the country to be
governed.

Significant Reasons Why We Need a Constitution

1. In democratic societies, the Constitution often lays down rules that guard against
the misuse of authority by our political leaders.
2. The Constitution ensures that a dominant group does not use its power against less
powerful people or groups.
3. The Constitution helps to protect us against decisions that could have an adverse
effect on the larger principles that the country believes in.

The Indian Constitution: Key Features

A group of 300 people became members of the Constituent Assembly in 1946 and had
written India’s Constitution. While writing the Indian Constitution, these members
kept in mind the different communities who speak different languages, belong to
different religions, and have distinct cultures.

Listed below are the key features of the Indian Constitution.

1) Federalism : This refers to the existence of more than one level of government in
the country. In India, we have governments at the state level, at the centre and
Panchayati Raj at the village level. The Constitution contains lists that detail the
issues that each tier of government can make laws on. In addition, the Constitution
also specifies where each tier of government can get the money from, for the work
that it does. All persons in India are governed by laws and policies made by each of
these levels of government.
2) Parliamentary Form of Government : The people of India have a direct role in
electing their representatives. Also, every citizen of the country, irrespective of his/her
social background, can contest in elections.
3) Separation of Powers
There are 3 organs of government:
1. The legislature: refers to elected representatives by the people.
2. The executive: is a smaller group of people who are responsible for implementing
laws and running the government.
3. The judiciary: refers to the system of courts in India. Each organ mentioned above
acts as a check on the other organs of government. This ensures the balance of power
between all three.

Fundamental Rights : The constitution guarantees the rights of individuals against

the State as well as against other individuals. It also guarantees the rights of minorities
against the majority. The Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution include:
1. Right to Equality
2. Right to Freedom
3. Right against Exploitation
4. Right to Freedom of Religion
5. Cultural and Educational Rights
6. Right to Constitutional Remedies

Right to equality

This includes equal protection before the law, and protection from discrimination
based on religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. It also includes the right to equal
opportunity in public employment.

Right to freedom

This includes the right to freedom of speech and expression, assembly, association,
movement, and residence. It also includes the right to practice any profession,
occupation, trade, or business.

Right against exploitation

This includes the prohibition of forced labor, child labor, and human trafficking.

Right to freedom of religion

This includes the right to practice and follow any religion of choice, without
preference given to any religion by the state.

Cultural and educational rights

This includes the right of citizens to preserve their culture, language, or script. It also
includes the right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of
their choice.

Right to constitutional remedies

This includes the right to appeal to an administrative court if fundamental rights are
denied. It also includes the right to go to the Supreme Court to ask for enforcement or
protection against violations of fundamental rights.
 Fundamental Duties

The 11 fundamental duties of Indian citizens are:

Abide by the Constitution

Respect the national flag and anthem
Follow the ideals of the freedom struggle
Protect India's sovereignty and integrity
Render national service
Promote harmony and brotherhood
Preserve culture
Preserve the environment
Develop a scientific temper
Safeguard public property
Strive for excellence
Send children to school

It shall be the duty of every citizen of India

to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the
1
National Anthem;
2 to cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom;
3 to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India;
4 to defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so;
to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India
5 transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities; to renounce practices
derogatory to the dignity of women;
6 to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture;
to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life,
7
and to have compassion for living creatures;
8 to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform;
9 to safeguard public property and to abjure violence;
1 to strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collectiveactivity so that the
0 nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavour and achievement;
1 who is a parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to his child or, as the case
1 may be, ward between the age of six and fourteen years
Preamble of the Constitution

We THE PEOPLE OF INDIA having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a

SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to
secure to all its citizens: JUSTICE social economic and political; LIBERTY of
thought expression belief faith and worship; EQUALITY of status and of
opportunity and to promote among them all. FRATERNITY assuring the dignity
of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation; IN OUR
CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twentysixth day of November 1949 do
HEREBY ADOPT ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS
CONSTITUTION.

The brief introductory statement of the Indian Constitution is the Preamble. It sets out
specific guidelines for the people of India to conduct themselves in such a way that
the Constitution is never dishonoured. It was amended by the 42nd Constitutional
Amendment Act in the year 1976. In this amendment, three new words were added
which were Socialist, Secular, and Integrity. Our Preamble introduces us to the
Constitution. It safeguards justice, equality, liberty for all the citizens of India.
Moreover, it also promotes fraternity among people.
Quick Facts:

Constitution was drafted by Dr B.R. Ambedkar

It was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26th November 1949

It came into force on 26th January 1950

We the People of India: The Constitution has been drawn up and enacted by the
people through their representatives, and not handed down to them by a king or any
outside powers.

Sovereign: Government has the supreme right to make decisions on internal as well as
external matters. No external power can dictate the government of India.

Socialist: Wealth is generated socially and should be shared equally by the society.
Government should regulate the ownership of land and industry to reduce socio-
economic inequalities.

Secular: There is no official religion of the government. Government treats all

religious beliefs and practices with equal respect.

Democratic: A form of government where people enjoy equal political rights, elect
their rulers and hold them accountable.

Republic: The head of the state is an elected official and it is not a hereditary position.
Justice: Citizens cannot be discriminated against on the grounds of caste, religion and
gender. Government should work for the welfare of all, especially for the
disadvantaged groups.

Liberty: There are no unreasonable restrictions on the citizens about what they think,
how they wish to express their thoughts and the way they wish to follow up their
thoughts in actions.

Equality: All are equal before the law. The government should ensure equal
opportunity for all.

Fraternity: All of us should behave as if we are members of the same family. No one
should treat a yellow citizen as inferior.