The Labour Party won the elections held in 1945 in England.
The Cabinet Mission came to India in 1946.
Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha was the first Chairman of the Constituent Assembly.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the President of the Drafting Committee of Indian Constitution.
The words "Socialist" and "Secular" were incorporated in the Preamble through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment in 1976.
The English word "Federation" has been derived from the Latin word "foedus".
The United States of America is regarded as the "Homeland" of federation.
No, India does not have a dual citizenship system.
The concept of India's Parliamentary democracy has been followed from the British Constitution.
The British government sent the Cabinet Mission to India in 1946 to discuss and finalize the transfer of power from British rule to Indian leadership. The mission aimed to establish a constituent assembly and create a framework for India's independence. It proposed a federal structure with a weak center and strong provinces. The mission also sought to resolve the differences between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League.
Between 15 August 1947 and 26 January 1950, India's administration was governed according to the Government of India Act, 1935. This Act was enacted by the British Parliament. It served as the provisional constitution until the Indian Constitution came into force. The Act was adapted to suit the needs of independent India during this transitional period.
The words "We the people of India" have been incorporated in the preamble to emphasize that the Constitution derives its authority from the people of India. It establishes that India is a sovereign nation governed by its people. This phrase reflects the democratic spirit and people's participation in governance. It signifies that ultimate power rests with the citizens of India.
Sovereign means that India is an independent nation that is not under the control of any foreign power. The country has complete freedom to govern itself without external interference. India can make its own laws and conduct its internal and external affairs independently. Sovereignty signifies that the state has supreme power and authority within its territorial boundaries.
The words "Socialist" and "Secular" were incorporated in the Preamble through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976. This amendment was passed during the Emergency period. It explicitly declared India as a Socialist and Secular republic. The amendment aimed to strengthen the fundamental principles of the Indian Constitution.
A quasi-federal state is one that has features of both unitary and federal systems. India is described as quasi-federal because it has a strong central government compared to state governments. The Constitution provides for division of powers between center and states, but the center has overriding authority in certain matters. During emergencies, India can function as a unitary state.
The Government of India Act, 1919 introduced limited Parliamentary democracy in pre-independence India. This Act is also known as the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms. It established a diarchal system of government in the provinces. The Act introduced the concept of responsible government to some extent in British India.
The Preamble of the Indian Constitution embodies the fundamental ideals and philosophy of the Constitution. It declares India to be a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic. The Preamble establishes justice, liberty, equality and fraternity as the core objectives. It emphasizes that the Constitution derives its authority from the people of India.
The ideals of justice encompass social, economic and political justice for all citizens. Liberty includes freedom of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship. Equality ensures equal status and opportunity for all. Fraternity promotes dignity and unity of the nation. The Preamble serves as the guiding light for interpreting the Constitution.
Sovereign: India is an independent nation free from external control with complete authority over its territory and governance.
Socialist: India follows democratic socialism focusing on reducing economic inequalities and ensuring equitable distribution of wealth.
Secular: The state has no official religion and treats all religions equally, ensuring freedom of religion to all citizens.
Democratic: The government is formed by elected representatives of people who exercise power on behalf of citizens.
Republic: The head of state (President) is elected by people indirectly, not a hereditary monarch, ensuring people's participation in governance.
These principles collectively define the basic structure and character of the Indian political system as envisioned by the Constitution makers.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru moved the Objective Resolution on December 13, 1946, which outlined the fundamental principles of the Constitution. The resolution declared India as an Independent Sovereign Republic. It emphasized that all power and authority derive from the people of India.
The resolution guaranteed justice, social, economic and political; equality of status and opportunity; and freedom of thought, expression, belief, faith, worship, vocation, association and action. It provided for adequate safeguards for minorities, backward and tribal areas, and depressed classes.
The Objective Resolution laid the foundation for the Preamble and the basic structure of the Constitution. It reflected the aspirations of the Indian people and became the philosophical basis for constitutional provisions.
The Indian federal system has several distinctive characteristics. It has a written Constitution that is supreme. There is a clear division of powers between the center and states through the Union, State and Concurrent Lists. The Constitution establishes an independent judiciary with the Supreme Court as the apex court.
India has a bicameral legislature with representation of states in the Rajya Sabha. The Constitution provides for a single citizenship for the entire country. There is a single unified judiciary and integrated administrative system. The Constitution contains emergency provisions that can convert the federal structure into a unitary one during emergencies.
India is described as a quasi-federal state because the center has more powers compared to states. The Governor acts as the center's representative in states. The Parliament can alter state boundaries and create new states.
The Parliamentary form of government in India has several key characteristics. There is a nominal head of state (President) and real executive (Prime Minister and Council of Ministers). The executive is responsible to the legislature and remains in power as long as it enjoys the confidence of the Lok Sabha.
There is a close relationship between the executive and legislature as ministers are members of Parliament. The system follows the principle of collective responsibility where the entire council of ministers is responsible for government policies and actions. The Prime Minister plays a crucial role as the head of government and leader of the majority party.
The opposition plays an important role in keeping check on the government. There is a bicameral legislature at the center and unicameral or bicameral legislatures in states. The system ensures accountability of the government to the people through their representatives.