Constitution: Constitution is the
foundational law of a country which ordains the fundamental principles on which
the government (or the governance) of that country is based. It lays down the
framework and principal functions of various organs of the government as well
as the modalities of interaction between the government and its citizens. With
the exception of the United Kingdom (U.K), almost all democratic countries
possess a written constitution. India also possesses an elaborate written
constitution which was enacted by a constituent assembly specifically set up
for the purpose.
Our Constitution:
Our present constitution – the first Constitution of India framed and given to
themselves by the people of India was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26
November, 1949. It came into full operation with effect from 26 January, 1950.
The Constitution as originally adopted had 22 parts, 395 articles and 8
schedules. Its present text is as amended from time to time.
Although the systems of ancient India do have their reflections in the
Constitution of India, the direct sources of the Constitution lie in the
administrative and legislative developments of the British period. A concise
and chronological description of the Acts, documents and events that culminated
in the framing of the world’s largest written Constitution is given here.
Administrative &
Legislative Reforms Before 1857
