1. Lengthiest Written Constitution

The Constitution, Originally (1949), Contained :

• Preamble,
• 395 Articles (divided into 22 Parts)
• 8 Schedules.

Now (2019) :

• Preamble,
• 470 Articles (divided into 25 Parts)
• 12 Schedules.

2. Drawn From Various Sources

US Constitution :

• Fundamental rights
• Independence of judiciary
• Judicial review
• Impeachment of the President
• Removal of supreme court and high court judges
• Post of Vice President

British Constitution :

• Parliamentary Government
• Rule of Law
• Legislative procedure
• Single citizenship
• Cabinet system
• Prerogative writs
• Parliamentary privileges
• Bicameralism.

Irish Constitution

• Directive Principles of State Policy,
• Nomination of members

Australian Constitution

• Concurrent List
• Freedom of trade, commerce and inter-course
• Joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament

Canadian Constitution

• Federation with a strong Center
• Vesting of residuary powers in the center
• Appointment of State governors by the Center
• Advisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court

Weimar Constitution of Germany

• Suspension of Fundamental Rights during Emergency

Soviet Constitution (USSR, now Russia)

• Fundamental duties
• The ideal of justice (social economic and political) in the Preamble

French Constitution

• Republic and the ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity in the Preamble.

South African Constitution

• Procedure for amendment of the Constitution
• Election of members of Rajya Sabha

Government of India Act 1935

• Federal Scheme
• Office of Governor
• Judiciary
• Public Service Commission
• Emergency provisions
• Administrative details

Japanese Constitution

• Procedure established by Law.

3. Blend of Rigidity and Flexibility

US Constitution :

• A rigid Constitution - requires a special procedure for its amendment (Eg: American Constitution)
• A flexible constitution - can be amended as the ordinary laws are made (Eg: British Constitution).
• The Constitution of India is a synthesis of both(rigid & flexible).

4. Federal System with Unitary Bias

Features of a Federation :

• Two Government
• Division of powers
• Written Constitution
• Supremacy of Constitution
• Rigidity of Constitution
• Independent judiciary
• Bicameralism.

The Indian Constitution also contains a large number of unitary or non-federal features

Non-Federal Features :

• Strong Centret
• Single Constitution
• Single citizenship
• Flexibility of Constitution,
• Integrated judiciary
• Appointment of state governor by the Centre
• All-India services
• Emergency provisions Etc.,

The term ‘Federation’ has nowhere been used in the Constitution.

5. Parliamentary Form of Government

• India had chosen the British Parliamentary System of Government (America - Presidential System)
• Based on the principle of co-operation and co-ordination between the legislative and executive organs (presidential system - the doctrine of separation of powers)

The Parliamentary System is also Known as :

• The ‘Westminster’ Model of Government
• Responsible Government
• Cabinet Government.
• The parliamentary system in the states.

The Features :

• Presence of nominal and real executives
• Majority party rule
• Collective responsibility of the executive to the legislature
• Membership of the ministers in the legislature
• Leadership of the Prime Minister or the Chief Minister
• Dissolution of the lower House (Lok Sabha or Assembly).
• The role of the Prime Minister is crucial (‘Prime Ministerial Government’).

6. Synthesis of Parliamentary Sovereignty Judicial Supremacy

• The sovereignty of Parliament - British Parliament.
• The judicial supremacy - American Supreme Court.
• The Indian Constitution was a synthesis of the parliamentary sovereignty and the judicial supremacy.

How :

• The Supreme Court can declare the parliamentary laws as unconstitutional through its power of judicial review.
• The Parliament can amend the major portion of the Constitution through its constituent power.

7. Integrated and Independent Judiciary

• The Supreme Court is the apex body of the integrated judicial system in India and cintrols high courts at the state level.
• High court control subordinate courts, that is, district courts and other lower courts.
• All Courts enforce both the central laws and thestate laws.
• The Supreme Court is the guarantor of the fundamental rights of the citizens
• The guardian of the Constitution.

8. Fundamental Rights

9. Directive Principles of State Policy

10. Fundamental Duties

11. A Secular State

12. Universal Adult Franchise

13. Single Citizenship

14. Independent Bodies

• Independent bodies were the bulwarks of the democratic system of Government in India.

These are:

• Election Commission
• Comptroller and Auditor-General of India
• Union Public Service Commission
• State Public Service Commission

15. Emergency Provisions

16. Three-tier Government

17. Co-operative Societies