India attained freedom on 15 August 1947. The Constitution of the
Republic came into effect on 26th January 1950. It was drawn up by a
Constituent Assembly initially summoned on 9th December 1946. A draft of
the Constitution was published in February 1948. The Constitution was
finally adopted for 26th November 1949.
The Preamble of the Constitution reads as follows:
We, the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India
into a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic and to secure
to all its citizens: Justice, social, economic and political; Liberty of
thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; Equality of status and
of opportunity; and to promote among them all. Fraternity assuring the
dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation; in
our constituent assembly this twenty-sixth of November, 1949, do hereby
adopt, enact and give to ourselves this Constitution.
The Indian Constitution closely follows the British Parliamentary
model, but differs from it in one important respect that is, the
Constitution is supreme, not the Parliament. So the Indian courts are
vested with the authority to adjudicate on the constitutionality of any
law passed by the Indian Parliament.
The methods for amendment of the Constitution are three according to
the subject matter of the Article concerned.
Articles that may be amended by a simple majority of Parliament. These
are matters of detail, like those provided in the Schedules.
Articles that may be amended by two thirds majority of both houses.
These are comparatively important matters.
Articles that require not only two-thirds majority of the Parliament
but also ratification by at least one-half of the State Legislatures.
