Parts of The Indian Constitution (Indian Polity and Governance)

Parts

• A "Part" of the Constitution refers to a division within the Constitution that groups together Articles on similar subjects or themes.
• The Indian Constitution is structured into various Parts, each dealing with a specific aspect of the country's legal, administrative, or governmental framework.
• Originally, there were 22 parts in the Constitution of India. As of now, there are 25 parts of the Indian Constitution.
  Articles
• An "Article" refers to a specific provision or clause within the Constitution that details various aspects of the country's legal and governmental framework.
• Each part of the constitution contains several articles numbered sequentially.
• Originally, there were 395 articles in the Constitution of India. As of now, the Indian Constitution contains 448 articles.
  Schedules
• A "Schedule" refers to a list or a table attached to the Constitution that details certain additional information or guidelines relevant to the constitutional provisions.
• They provide clarity and supplementary details, making the Constitution more comprehensive and functional.
• Originally, there were 8 schedules in the Constitution of India. As of now, there are 12 schedules in the Indian Constitution.

Sources of the Constitution of India

• Government of India Act of 1935-Federal Scheme, Office of Governor, Judiciary, Public Service Commissions, Emergency Provisions, and Administrative Details.
• British Constitution - Parliamentary System of Government, Rule of Law, Legislative Procedure, Single Citizenship, Cabinet System, Prerogative Writs, Parliamentary Privileges, and Bicameralism.
• US Constitution - Fundamental Rights, Independence of the Judiciary, Judicial Review, Impeachment of the President, Removal of Supreme Court and High Court Judges, and the Post of the Vice-President.
• Irish Constitution - Directive Principles of State Policy, the Nomination of Members to Rajya Sabha, and Method of Election of the President.
• Canadian Constitution - Federation with a strong Centre, vesting of residuary powers in the Centre, appointment of state governors by the
  Centre, and advisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
• Australian Constitution - Concurrent List, Freedom of Trade, Commerce & Intercourse, and a Joint Sitting of the two Houses of Parliament.
  Weimar Constitution of Germany - Suspension of Fundamental Rights during Emergency.
• Soviet Constitution (USSR, now Russia) - Fundamental duties and the ideal of Justice (Social, Economic, and Political) in the Preamble.
• French Constitution - Republic and the ideals of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity in the Preamble.
• South African Constitution - Procedure for amendment of the Constitution and election of members of Rajya Sabha.
• Japanese Constitution - Procedure established by law.

Article 51A: Fundamental duties - It shall be the duty of every citizen of India...
(a) to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem.
(b) to cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom.
(c) to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.
(d) to defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so.
(e) to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood among all the people of India, transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional
diversities; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women.
(f) to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture.
(g) to protect and improve the natural environment, including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures.
(h) to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform.
(1) to safeguard public property and to abjure violence.
(3) to strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavour and achievement.
(k) who is a parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to his child or, as the case may be, a ward between the age of six and fourteen years.

At the base is Gram Panchayat, which covers a village or group of villages. The Intermediary level is the Mandal or Taluka Panchayat The intermediary level body need not be constituted in smaller states having a population of less than 20 lakhs. At the Apex is the Zila Panchayat, which covers the entire rural area of the District.

Key points covered in Chapter 1 (Articles 245-255):

• Article 245: Defines the extent of laws made by Parliament and State Legislatures. Parliament can make laws for the whole or any part of India, while State Legislatures can make laws for their respective states.
• Article 246: Deals with the subject matter of laws. It divides legislative powers into three lists: the Union List (exclusive to Parliament), the State List (exclusive to State Legislatures), and the Concurrent List (where both can legislate).
• Article 246A: Introduced by the 101st Amendment, this article provides special provisions for Goods and Services Tax (GST).
• Article 247: Empowers Parliament to establish certain additional courts for better administration of laws passed by it.
• Article 248: Deals with residuary powers of legislation, meaning that Parliament has the power to legislate on any matter not enumerated in any of the three lists.
• Article 249: Grants Parliament the power to legislate on a matter in the State List if the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) declares it to be of national interest.
• Article 250: Allows Parliament to legislate on any matter in the State List during a Proclamation of Emergency.
  Articles 251-255:

Article 51A: Fundamental duties - It shall be the duty of every citizen of India...
(a) to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem.
(b) to cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom.
(c) to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.
(d) to defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so.
(e) to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood among all the people of India, transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional
diversities; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women.
(f) to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture.
(g) to protect and improve the natural environment, including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures.
(h) to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform.
(1) to safeguard public property and to abjure violence.
(3) to strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavour and achievement.
(k) who is a parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to his child or, as the case may be, a ward between the age of six and fourteen years.