PPT: Basic Features of Indian Constitution | Indian Polity for UPSC CSE PDF Download

 Page 1


Lecture 1 
Basic F eatures of Indian 
Constitution
Capstone IAS Learning
Page 2


Lecture 1 
Basic F eatures of Indian 
Constitution
Capstone IAS Learning
What will we cover
Salient features of Indian Constitution 
Why do we need a Constitution ?
Page 3


Lecture 1 
Basic F eatures of Indian 
Constitution
Capstone IAS Learning
What will we cover
Salient features of Indian Constitution 
Why do we need a Constitution ?
Why do we need a 
Constitution ???
It allows Coordination and Assurance
Speci?es Decision 
Making powers
Limits onP owers of 
Government 
Aspirations & Goals  
Of Society
Fundamental  
Identity of people
Page 4


Lecture 1 
Basic F eatures of Indian 
Constitution
Capstone IAS Learning
What will we cover
Salient features of Indian Constitution 
Why do we need a Constitution ?
Why do we need a 
Constitution ???
It allows Coordination and Assurance
Speci?es Decision 
Making powers
Limits onP owers of 
Government 
Aspirations & Goals  
Of Society
Fundamental  
Identity of people
Drawn from different sources
The Constitution of India was prepared after “ransacking all the known 
constitutions of the world” and most of its provisions are substantially 
borrowed from others. 
Though our Constitution may be said to be a “borrowed”, credit should be 
given to its framers for gathering the best features of existing constitutions 
and modifying/adapting them to existing conditions. 
Therefore, rather than using the word “borrowed”, we should use “a beautiful 
patchwork”. 
There were members in the constituent assembly who criticised the 
constitution for being a “slavish imitation of the west” or “ not suited to the 
genius” of the people. Many argued that it would be unworkable. But the fact 
that it has survived for so long speaks volumes of the genius of our 
Constitution.
Page 5


Lecture 1 
Basic F eatures of Indian 
Constitution
Capstone IAS Learning
What will we cover
Salient features of Indian Constitution 
Why do we need a Constitution ?
Why do we need a 
Constitution ???
It allows Coordination and Assurance
Speci?es Decision 
Making powers
Limits onP owers of 
Government 
Aspirations & Goals  
Of Society
Fundamental  
Identity of people
Drawn from different sources
The Constitution of India was prepared after “ransacking all the known 
constitutions of the world” and most of its provisions are substantially 
borrowed from others. 
Though our Constitution may be said to be a “borrowed”, credit should be 
given to its framers for gathering the best features of existing constitutions 
and modifying/adapting them to existing conditions. 
Therefore, rather than using the word “borrowed”, we should use “a beautiful 
patchwork”. 
There were members in the constituent assembly who criticised the 
constitution for being a “slavish imitation of the west” or “ not suited to the 
genius” of the people. Many argued that it would be unworkable. But the fact 
that it has survived for so long speaks volumes of the genius of our 
Constitution.
Dr. B.R Amedkar 
“One likes to ask whether there can be 
anything new in a Constitution framed at this 
hour in the history of the world. More than 100 
years have rolled when the ?rst written 
Constitution was drafted. It has been followed 
by many other countries reducing their 
Constitutions to writing. Given these facts, all 
Constitutions in their main provisions must 
look similar. The only new things, if there be 
any, in a Constitution framed so late in the day 
are the variations made to remove the faults 
and to accommodate it to the needs of the 
country.