Salient Features of Indian Constitution - 1 Video Lecture | Laxmikanth for Indian Polity: Summaries, MCQs & videos - UPSC

Ans. The salient features of the Indian Constitution include: - Written Constitution: The Indian Constitution is a written document that lays down the fundamental principles and framework of the governance of the country. - Federal Structure: The Constitution establishes a federal structure with a clear division of powers between the central government and the state governments. - Parliamentary System: It adopts a parliamentary system of government where the President is the head of state and the Prime Minister is the head of government. - Fundamental Rights: The Constitution guarantees fundamental rights to its citizens, such as the right to equality, freedom of speech and expression, and the right to life. - Directive Principles of State Policy: It incorporates directive principles of state policy which provide guidelines for the government to establish a just and welfare state.

Ans. The Indian Constitution differs from other constitutions in several ways: - Length and Detail: The Indian Constitution is one of the longest and most detailed constitutions in the world, containing 448 articles and 12 schedules. - Blend of Rigidity and Flexibility: It strikes a balance between rigidity and flexibility by providing both amendable and unamendable provisions. - Unique Fundamental Rights: The Indian Constitution includes unique fundamental rights, such as the right to protection of cultural and educational rights for minorities. - Single Citizenship: Unlike many other federal constitutions, the Indian Constitution provides for single citizenship, where all citizens are citizens of India and not of individual states. - Emergency Provisions: The Constitution contains emergency provisions that can be invoked during times of war, external aggression, or internal disturbances.

Ans. The Indian Constitution ensures the independence of the judiciary through the following measures: - Separation of Powers: The Constitution establishes a clear separation of powers between the judiciary, executive, and legislature, preventing any interference by the other two branches. - Appointment and Tenure: Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts are appointed by the President in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, ensuring their independence. They also enjoy security of tenure until the age of retirement. - Financial Independence: The salaries and allowances of judges are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India, making them financially independent of the executive. - Judicial Review: The Constitution grants the judiciary the power of judicial review, allowing it to review the constitutionality of laws and executive actions. - Contempt of Court: The judiciary has the power to punish for contempt of court, ensuring respect for its authority and independence.

Ans. The Indian Constitution plays a crucial role in protecting minority rights through the following provisions: - Fundamental Rights: The Constitution guarantees fundamental rights to all citizens, including minorities, ensuring their right to equality, freedom of religion, and cultural and educational rights. - Reservation: The Constitution provides for reservation of seats in educational institutions and government jobs for socially and educationally backward classes, including minorities. - Cultural and Educational Rights: It safeguards the rights of minorities to conserve their distinct language, script, and culture, and to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. - National Commission for Minorities: The Constitution provides for the establishment of a National Commission for Minorities to safeguard the interests of minorities and prevent discrimination. - Prohibition of Discrimination: The Constitution prohibits discrimination on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth, ensuring equal rights for all, including minorities.

Ans. The Indian Constitution can be amended through the following process: - Amendment Proposal: An amendment to the Constitution can be proposed by either house of Parliament. It requires a simple majority for introduction. - Special Majority: After the amendment is introduced, it must be passed by each house of Parliament with a special majority, which is a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting, and a majority of the total membership of the house. - Presidential Assent: Once the amendment is passed by both houses, it requires the assent of the President of India to become law. - Judicial Review: The Supreme Court has the power of judicial review and can strike down any amendment that violates the basic structure of the Constitution. - Limitations on Amendment: Certain provisions of the Constitution, such as the federal structure, secularism, and the democratic system, cannot be amended without the consent of at least half of the states.