Important Articles of the Constitution of India

Articles - Subject
Part I
Ar . 1 – 4 – The Union and its Territory

Part II

Art. 5 to 11 – Citizenship

Part – III : Fundamental Rights

Art. 14.  Equality before law.
Art. 15. Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
Art. 16.  Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment.
Art. 17.  Abolition of Untouchability.
Art. 18.  Abolition of titles.

Sources of the Indian Constitution

The frame of the constitution was built on the basis of Government of India Act, 1935. However, many ideas were brought from other constitutions of the world as listed below-

• Government of India Act 1935 - The federal scheme, Office of the Governor, Role of federal judiciary, Emergency provisions.
• UK Constitution - Law making procedures, Parliamentary Government, Rule of Law, Single citizenship, Cabinet system
• Canadian Constitution - Federal system, Federation with strong centre, Residuary powers in the centre

Members of Drafting Committee of Constitution of India

Drafting Committee, which bore the responsibility of drafting the Constitutional document during the recess of the Constituent Assembly, from July 1947 to Sept 1948, was formed on Aug 29, 1947.

Working of Constituent Assembly

• December 9, 1946 : The first meeting of Constituent Assembly was held in the constitution hall(now 'Central Hall of Parliament House'). Demanding a separate state, the Muslim League boycotted the meeting. Dr.Sanchidanand Sinha was elected as temporary President of Assembly following the French practice.

Committees under the Constituent Assembly

• Committee on the Rules of procedure - Rajendra Prasad
• Drafting Committee - B.R. Ambedkar
• Steering Committee - Rajendra Prasad

The Constituent Assembly and Making of Indian Constitution

The Constituent Assembly was set up while India was still under British rule, following negotiations between Indian leaders and members of the 1946 Cabinet Mission to India from the United Kingdom. The Assembly members were elected to it indirectly by the members of the individual provincial legislative assemblies, and initially included representatives for those provinces which came to form part of Pakistan, some of which are now within Bangladesh. The Constituent Assembly had 217 representatives, including 15 women.