1. Evolution & Making of the Constitution of India
The Constitution of India is the supreme law of the land, adopted on 26 November 1949 and enacted on 26 January 1950. It was drafted over 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days by the Constituent Assembly under the chairmanship of Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha (temporary president) and Dr. Rajendra Prasad (permanent president), with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar heading the Drafting Committee.
Government of India Act 1935
Provided over 50% of textual framework: Federal scheme, Office of Governor, Judiciary, Public Service Commissions, and Emergency provisions.
British Constitution
Parliamentary form of government, Rule of Law, Legislative procedure, Single Citizenship, Cabinet system, and Prerogative Writs.
US Constitution
Fundamental Rights, Independence of Judiciary, Judicial Review, Impeachment of President, and Removal of Supreme Court/High Court judges.
2. Part III: Fundamental Rights (Articles 12 to 35)
Referred to as the Magna Carta of India, Fundamental Rights are justiciable limitations on executive and legislative tyranny:
Right to Equality (Articles 14 to 18)
Article 14: Equality before law & equal protection of laws. Article 15: Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. Article 16: Equality of opportunity in public employment. Article 17: Abolition of untouchability. Article 18: Abolition of titles (except military and academic).
Right to Freedom (Articles 19 to 22)
Article 19: Protection of 6 democratic freedoms (speech & expression, assembly, association, movement, residence, and profession). Article 20: Protection in respect of conviction for offences (no ex-post facto law, no double jeopardy, no self-incrimination). Article 21: Protection of life & personal liberty (expanded via Menaka Gandhi case 1978 and Right to Privacy Puttaswamy ruling 2017). Article 21A: Free & compulsory education (86th Amendment).
Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32)
Termed by Dr. Ambedkar as the "Heart and Soul of the Constitution". Empowers the Supreme Court to issue 5 prerogative writs: Habeas Corpus (produce the detained body), Mandamus (command a public official to perform duty), Prohibition (prevent lower courts from exceeding jurisdiction), Certiorari (quash an illegal order of inferior court), and Quo-Warranto (challenge unauthorized usurpation of public office).
3. High-Yield Constitutional Amendments Reference Table
| Amendment | Year | Key Provisions & Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 42nd Amendment | 1976 | Known as "Mini-Constitution". Added Socialist, Secular & Integrity to Preamble; added Part IV-A (Fundamental Duties). |
| 44th Amendment | 1978 | Restored civil liberties post-emergency; removed Right to Property from Fundamental Rights (made legal right under 300A). |
| 73rd & 74th | 1992 | Constitutionalized Panchayati Raj Institutions (Part IX, 11th Schedule) and Municipalities (Part IX-A, 12th Schedule). |
| 86th Amendment | 2002 | Inserted Article 21A making free elementary education for children aged 6-14 a Fundamental Right. |
| 101st Amendment | 2016 | Introduced Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime across India and established the GST Council under Article 279A. |
| 106th Amendment | 2023 | Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam: 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. |
4. Read Full Indian Polity Notes & Attempt MCQs
SF Prep hosts chapter-wise notes on the President, Parliament, Supreme Court, Governor, and Emergency provisions with solved PYQs from the last 15 years.