Indian Constitution: Making, Features, Fundamental Rights and Duties, Directive Principles
What the domain tests
This is a high-weight domain: the Constituent Assembly, key features, rights, duties and directive principles. Accuracy on articles and dates matters.
Core ideas
- Making: the Constituent Assembly first met in December 1946; Dr Rajendra Prasad was President and Dr B. R. Ambedkar chaired the Drafting Committee. The Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950.
- Features: written and lengthy; parliamentary system; federal with unitary bias; secular; universal adult franchise; independent judiciary; judicial review; single citizenship.
- Fundamental Rights: Articles 12-35, covering equality, freedom, against exploitation, religion, cultural and educational rights, and constitutional remedies.
- Fundamental Duties: Article 51A, eleven duties.
- Directive Principles: Articles 36-51, non-justiciable guidelines for welfare and policy.
Worked example
Article 21A guarantees elementary education as a fundamental right, while Article 45 directs the state to provide early childhood care and education. The reasoning shows rights enforceable in court and directives guiding policy.
Traps
Do not say Directive Principles are enforceable in court. Do not claim fundamental rights are absolute. Do not confuse adoption date with enforcement date.