What are the main features of our Constitution. Briefly explain.
Answers
Answer:
The basic structure of the Constitution i.e. its most fundamental features can be described as: Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, Secularism, Federalism, Republicanism, Independence of Judiciary, Rule of Law, and Liberal Democracy.
Some of the Key Features of Indian Constitution are listed below:
Federalism
Parliamentary Form of Government
Separation of Powers
Fundamental Rights
Secularism
Fundamental Rights
The Fundamental Rights section of the Indian Constitution has often been referred to as its ‘conscience.’
The objective of Fundamental Rights is two-fold as per Dr. BR Ambedkar.
The first objective is that every citizen must be in a position to claim those rights.
And secondly, every authority that has got the power to make law these rights must be binding upon them.
Fundamental Rights – Protection it guarantees
Fundamental Rights, therefore, protect citizens against the arbitrary and absolute exercise of power by the State.
The Constitution guarantees the rights of individuals against other individuals and against the State.
In addition to Fundamental Rights, there is a section which was designed by the members of the Constituent Assembly to ensure greater economic and social reforms. This section of the constitution is known as Directive Principles of State Policy.
List of Fundamental Rights
The different fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution are listed below-
Right to Equality
Right to Freedom
Right Against Exploitation
Right to Freedom of Religion
Cultural and Education Rights
Right to Constitutional Remedies
Right to Equality
Secularism
As per Secularism, a state does not promote any 1 religion as the state religion.
Separation of Powers
There are 3 organs of the Government, as per the Constitution of India.
The 3 organs are Executive, Legislature and Judiciary.
Each of these 3 organs have different powers as per the Constitution of India, this is done to ensure that there is no misuse of power and balance of power is maintained.
The executive is a smaller group of people who are responsible for running the government and implementing the laws.
Our elected representatives are known as the Legislature.
The System of courts is known as the Judiciary.
Parliamentary Form of Government
Every citizen of the country, irrespective of his/her social background, can contest in elections.
People of India have a direct role in electing their representatives through elections.
The Constitution of India guarantees universal adult suffrage for all citizens.
Elected representatives are accountable to the people.
Federalism
Federalism refers to the existence of more than one level of Government in India.
The 1st tier is the Central Government, 2nd tier are the State Governments and 3rd tier is the Panchayati Raj or Local Self Government.
This is done so that there is decentralization of power, when decisions are made for a particular area.
The Constitution of India has demarcated the powers of different tiers of Government through creation of Union List, State List and Concurrent List.
Subjects of national concern require that all of these states follow the laws of the Central government.