Nature and Salient Features of the Indian Constitution

Indian Constitution describes India as a Independent democratic Country. According to Constitution, a centralized federal administration system is existing in India. As per Constitution, india has a quasi-federal administrative system. The term 'federal' is not mentioned in any part of the Indian Constitution. According to indian constitution, It is easy for legislation when compared to the Amendment of Constitution. Some salient features of indian constitution are as follows.

Written Constitution

There are written and unwritten constitutions in the world. India has the largest written constitution in the world. The Unwritten constitution means that there is no documented constitution prepared in a book. In Unwritten constitutions, the laws and rules of administration was existed in the form of royal decree, court order, rituals and procedures. India is described by the constitution as a 'Union of States'. Unlike other federal constitutions, it contains the constitution of states also. It describe in detail many not so important subjects like elections, citizenship and administrative services. The constitutional Amendments have further added to the size of the constitution.

Both Flexible and Rigid

Indian Constitution is partly flexible and partly rigid. Some of its provisions can be amended by a simple majority of parliament while others require a two - third majority of parliament besides the accent of majority of state legislature.

Unitary and Federal

Indian Constitution is described as federal in term but unitary in spirit. Indian constitution is Quasi-federal. The word federal is however absent in the Indian constitution. The constitution establishes a federal structure in India. ie, there are separate governments of the union and states and there is a division of powers between the two. By giving more powers and prominence to the Union in comparison to states it impart unitary features.

Parliamentary Government

The Indian Constitution envisages a parliamentary democratic system of government. The people elected by the people act as a representative body for the country. This representative body is known as Parliament. A parliamentary system of government is a system of government in which the government is governed by a representative body elected by the people. The main function of Parliament is to make laws. India has opted for the parliament form of government. In the parliamentary system, the president is the nominal head and the council of ministers headed by the prime minister is the real executive. The council of ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. In India, there are elected representative bodies at the Centre and in the states under the parliamentary system of government. Like the Parliament at the Centre, there are state legislatures in the states. If the Prime Minister and other ministers lose their majority in the Parliament, and if the Chief Minister and other ministers lose their majority in the state legislature, they cannot continue in power. The parliamentary system of government ensures the power and control of the people over the rulers through the representatives they elect.

Fundamental Rights

Fundamental Rights are the rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution for the success of democracy and the all-round development of its citizens. Governments are responsible for ensuring that Fundamental Rights are not denied to citizens. If Fundamental Rights are violated, the citizen can approach the High Courts or the Supreme Court. In such cases, the Constitution empowers the courts to issue orders to protect the rights of the citizen.

Fundamental Duties

Fundamental Duties urge citizens to respect the Constitution and institutions of government, protect nature, and preserve India's great cultural heritage.

Directive Principles of State Policy

Directive Principles are a set of guidelines included in the Constitution as guidelines for the administration of the state to ensure social justice. Directive Principles must be followed for the welfare, prosperity and progress of the people. The government tries to implement Directive Principles through the legislative process. The court cannot be approached for the implementation of Directive Principles.

Rule of Law

The rule of law means that everyone is equal before the law. The rule of law developed in its refined and modern form through the British Constitution.

Independent Judiciary

Judiciary occupies an important place in our Constitution. India has an independent judiciary to protect the rights of its citizens. The main function of the judiciary is to punish criminals and ensure the rule of law. The judiciary is independent from the influence of the other two branches of government, the legislature and the executive. An independent judiciary is a feature of the Indian Constitution. It acts as protection of fundamental rights of indian citizens and guardian of the constitution.

Single Citizenship

In a federation there is usually double citizenship. Citizenship of the state in which he is born and the citizenship of the federation. But in India, there is single citizenship. Citizens belong to the Indian Union and not to any state.

Adult & Universal Franchise

The Indian Constitution provides for Adult and Universal franchise to all citizens. The voting right has been granted to every citizen of 18 years or more without any discrimination as to caste, creed, religion, race, sex or place of birth.

Secular State

India is a secular state because it makes no discrimination among individuals on the basis of religion. Right to freedom of religion is ensured in the constitution and people belonging to any religious group have the right to profess, practice or propagate any religion they like.