Constitutional Law Assignment

Important Features of the Indian Constitution

By: Sylvinn Simjo

1950536
5-BBA-LLB-B

Some of the Key Features of Indian Constitution are listed below:

1. Federalism
2. Parliamentary Form of Government
3. Separation of Powers
4. Fundamental Rights
5. Secularism

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.

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.

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.

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. 

1. The first objective is that every citizen must be in a position to claim those rights.
2. And secondly, every authority that has got the power to make law these rights must be
binding upon them.

Secularism:

As per Secularism, a state does not promote any 1 religion as the state religion.