The Indian Constitution shows the fundamental nature of the society and the type of government in a country. e.g., India is a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular and Democratic Republic. These words are the ideals of the society.
Features of the Indian Constitution
1. Written detailed Constitution: It took 2 years, 11 months and 18 days to prepare the Constitution.
2. Sovereignty: Sovereign power lies with the people of India. The constitution has been made by the people, for the people and dedicated to the people of India. Thus, the supreme power is vested in the people.
3. Secular State: No state religion in India, all the religions are equally respected.
4. Rigid and Flexible: Some constitu¬tional amendments can be made by a simple majority making it flexible, others by 2/3rds majority and some also need ratification by at least half of the state legislatures making the constitution rigid.
5. Parliamentary System: The Parliament is the supreme body. In a Parliamentary form of government, a distinction is made between the head of the State and the head of the government. The President is the Head of the state and the Prime Minister is the head of the government. Though the government is carried out in the name of the President at the Centre and the Governor in the states, actual admin¬istration is carried out by the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers at the Centre and the Chief Ministers in the States.
6. Independent Judiciary: The Supreme Court is the apex Judicial body. Judicial system is fair and impartial and is independent of executive and legislature.
7. Welfare State: State performs all those functions which promote the public welfare.
8. Fundamental Rights: For all round development of citizens there are six rights and the 7th right i.e right to property has been deleted.
9. Fundamental Duties: By 42nd Amendment, 1976,10 duties were added to the Constitution and by 86th Amendment too has been included.
10.Federal System: India is a union of states i.e. there are union and the state governments. Powers are divided among them as given in the three lists i.e. Union list, State list and Concurrent list.
11.Single Citizenship: Every Indian is the citizen of India only and not of any state.
12.Supporter of World Peace: India is a peace-loving country and believes in the principle of maintaining good, cordial and peaceful relations with other countries.
13.Universal Adult Franchise: Voting right is given to the citizens at the age of 18 years irrespective of caste, community, race, religion, qualification of education or property. No voting right is given to the lunatics, bankrupts and criminals of serious nature.