Brief Summary
This video provides an overview of the Indian Constitution and its schedules. It explains the structure of the Indian government, dividing it into legislative, executive, and judiciary branches. The video also details the original and current number of schedules, parts, and articles in the Constitution, along with key dates like the date of adoption and enforcement. Additionally, it introduces a mnemonic to remember the 12 schedules of the Indian Constitution.
- Key aspects of the Indian Constitution, including its structure and components.
- Division of the Indian government into legislative, executive, and judiciary branches.
- Important dates related to the adoption and enforcement of the Constitution.
- Schedules of the Indian Constitution, including a mnemonic to aid memorization.
Introduction to the Indian Constitution
The video introduces Indian Polity, focusing on the Indian Constitution and its schedules. The Indian Constitution is defined as a rule book for governing India, primarily drafted by a committee led by B.R. Ambedkar, which was established on August 29, 1947. The Constitution was adopted on November 26, 1949, and came into force on January 26, 1950, which is celebrated as Republic Day.
Original vs. Current Constitution Structure
Originally, the Indian Constitution had eight schedules, 22 parts, and 395 articles. Currently, it consists of 12 schedules, 25 parts, and 448 articles. These numbers are important for exam preparation.
Three Branches of Government
The Indian government is divided into three branches: the legislative, the executive, and the judiciary. The legislative branch makes laws, the executive branch implements them, and the judiciary interprets them. The legislative branch includes the Parliament at the national level, comprising the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and the State Legislative Assembly at the state level. Most states have only the State Legislative Assembly, while six states have both the Assembly and the State Legislative Council.
Executive and Judiciary Branches
The executive branch is divided into the Central Government and the State Government. The Central Government includes the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Council of Ministers, and Attorney General. The State Government includes the Governor, Chief Minister, Council of Ministers, and Advocate General. The judiciary consists of the Supreme Court, High Courts, and Lower Courts, including District Courts and Civil/Criminal Courts. Article 32 empowers the Supreme Court to issue writs, while Article 226 grants similar powers to the High Courts.
Schedules of the Indian Constitution
The Indian Constitution originally had eight schedules, which have since increased to 12. The First Schedule lists the states and union territories of India. The Second Schedule details the emoluments and allowances of important constitutional positions. The Third Schedule contains the oaths and affirmations taken by officials. The Fourth Schedule allocates seats in the Rajya Sabha to the states. The Fifth Schedule deals with the administration of scheduled areas. The Sixth Schedule covers the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
Division of Powers and Official Languages
The Seventh Schedule divides powers between the Union and the States, as per Article 246. The Eighth Schedule recognizes 22 official languages of India. The Ninth Schedule addresses land reforms and the abolition of the Zamindar system.
Anti-Defection Law and Panchayats
The Tenth Schedule contains the anti-defection law, which was introduced by the 52nd Amendment Act of 1985 to prevent legislators from switching parties. The Eleventh Schedule grants powers to Panchayats, covering 29 matters, and was established through the 73rd Amendment Act of 1992.
Municipalities and Mnemonic for Schedules
The Twelfth Schedule pertains to municipalities, reserving 18 subjects for them, and was enacted via the 74th Amendment Act of 1992. A mnemonic "Tears of Old PM" is introduced to help remember the 12 schedules: Territories, Emoluments, Affirmations/Oaths, Rajya Sabha, Scheduled Areas, Other Tribal Areas, Federal List, Official Languages, Land Reforms, Defection (Anti-Defection Law), Panchayats, and Municipalities.
Practice Questions: Rajya Sabha and Union Territories
The video includes practice questions related to the schedules. One question asks which schedule contains details about the allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha. Another question concerns the incorporation of Goa, Daman, and Diu as Union Territories of India under the First Schedule, which occurred via the 12th Amendment Act of 1962. The 13th Amendment Act added Nagaland as a state, and the 14th Amendment Act made Pondicherry a Union Territory.
Historical Context and Additional Information
The video provides historical context, noting that 1962 was also the year of the India-China War. Goa was formerly under Portuguese control, while Pondicherry was under French control. The sequence of European colonizers in India is recalled with Portuguese arriving first and French arriving last.
