(i) The Constitution of India is a written document which is not very rigid in nature. It gives the guidelines to an effective government. The main features of Indian Constitution are:
(a) A written Constitution: The Indian Constitutions is a voluminous written document. Unlike the Constitution of United Kingdom, it encorporates the features of many existing constitutions.
(b) Parliamentary Democracy: The Indian Constitution aims at a parliamentary form of government where government is for the people, of the people and by the people. The act of governance is carried out by the Prime Minister and his council of Ministers. The President is the head of the state. There are three major organs of the government:
(i). Legislature
(ii). Executive
(iii). Judiciary
(c) Independence of Judiciary: The constitution provides independence to judiciary from all pressures. The judiciary includes the Supreme Court, High Court and District Court.
(d) Cooperative Federalism: India is neither a federal state nor a unitary state. The Constitution divides the country into central and state government. The Union List is under the Central Government while the State List. under the State Government. Both central and state work in cooperation to carry out administration in the country. This is known as cooperative federalism.
(e) Fundamental Rights and Duties: The constitution of our country defines the fundamental rights which are engaged by every citizen of our country.
These includes:
• Right to Equality
• Right to Freedom
• Right Against Exploitation
• Right to Religion
• Cultural and Educational Rights
• Rights to Constitutional Remedies
These rights are granted for the well key of citizens. With these rights the citizens are obliged to do some duties which have been stated in the Constitution.
These duties include:-
(a) Respect for national flag and emblem.
(b) Promotion of clean environment, etc.
(f) Directive Principles of the State Policy: These are guidelines to good governance. They are not legally enforceable. They have been influenced from constitution. These include:
(a) Provision of equal pay for equal work.
(b) Prohibition of all intoxicant.
(c) Promotion of small and cottage industries, etc
