Indian Political System
An Introduction
IS INDIA A NATION ?
NATION: “a large body of people united by common descent, history, culture, or language, inhabiting a particular state or territory” (Oxford Dictionary)
In India we have…..
• No. of religions • Diverse physical features - Dry deserts, Evergreen forests, Fertile plains • No. of languages (200) and dialects (1400) • No uniform civil code • Diversity of clothing and attire • Diversity in food habits • Numerous tribal cultures
Emergence of a Nation - Freedom Struggle
• • • • • • •
Revolt of 1857 Phase of Moderates Gandhiji’s entry Extremist forces Second World War Partition Independence
A legal document for governance….. THE CONSTITUTION
Constitution of India - The Making
• Cabinet Mission Plan • ‘Constituent Assembly’ constituted in Nov, 1946 • Drafting Committee (Chairman: B R Ambedkar) • 2 years, 11 months, 18 days
• CAME INTO EFFECT: 26th Jan, 1950 • ‘British India’ + ‘Princely States’
IS THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY TRULY REPRESENTATIVE ?? (British India: 296 seats Princely States: 93 seats)
Features of the Constitution
• Longest written Constitution in the world
– 395 Articles (450), 22 Parts (24), 8 Schedules (12)
• • • • •
Fundamental Rights Directive Principles of State Policy Federal System with Unitary Bias Parliamentary form of Government Synthesis of Parliamentary Sovereignty & Judicial Supremacy • Universal Adult Franchise
Largely a borrowed Constitution!!!
• British Constitution – Parliamentary Government, Legislative Procedure, Bicameralism
• US Constitution – Fundamental Rights, Independent Judiciary
• Irish Constitution – Method of election of President, DPSPs
• South African Constitution – Procedure for Amendment of Constitution
“AN INTELLIGENT ACT OF POLITICAL ENGINEERING”
• Canada, USSR, Japan, Australia, France etc.
Nature of India
• • • • • • • •
Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic Liberty (of thought, expression,
IS INDIA A NATION ?
NATION: “a large body of people united by common descent, history, culture, or language, inhabiting a particular state or territory” (Oxford Dictionary)
In India we have…..
• No. of religions • Diverse physical features - Dry deserts, Evergreen forests, Fertile plains • No. of languages (200) and dialects (1400) • No uniform civil code • Diversity of clothing and attire • Diversity in food habits • Numerous tribal cultures
Emergence of a Nation - Freedom Struggle
• • • • • • •
Revolt of 1857 Phase of Moderates Gandhiji’s entry Extremist forces Second World War Partition Independence
A legal document for governance….. THE CONSTITUTION
Constitution of India - The Making
• Cabinet Mission Plan • ‘Constituent Assembly’ constituted in Nov, 1946 • Drafting Committee (Chairman: B R Ambedkar) • 2 years, 11 months, 18 days
• CAME INTO EFFECT: 26th Jan, 1950 • ‘British India’ + ‘Princely States’
IS THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY TRULY REPRESENTATIVE ?? (British India: 296 seats Princely States: 93 seats)
Features of the Constitution
• Longest written Constitution in the world
– 395 Articles (450), 22 Parts (24), 8 Schedules (12)
• • • • •
Fundamental Rights Directive Principles of State Policy Federal System with Unitary Bias Parliamentary form of Government Synthesis of Parliamentary Sovereignty & Judicial Supremacy • Universal Adult Franchise
Largely a borrowed Constitution!!!
• British Constitution – Parliamentary Government, Legislative Procedure, Bicameralism
• US Constitution – Fundamental Rights, Independent Judiciary
• Irish Constitution – Method of election of President, DPSPs
• South African Constitution – Procedure for Amendment of Constitution
“AN INTELLIGENT ACT OF POLITICAL ENGINEERING”
• Canada, USSR, Japan, Australia, France etc.
Nature of India
• • • • • • • •
Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic Liberty (of thought, expression,