Constitutions and Law

Article 1 of the Indian Constitution declares India as a 'Union of States,' emphasizing that the states have no right to secede from the Union. This wording was deliberately chosen by the framers to contrast with the federal structure of the United States and to emphasize India's indestructible unity.

Article 50 of the Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV) explicitly directs the State to take steps to separate the judiciary from the executive in the public services of the State. This provision was included to ensure judicial independence and prevent executive interference in the judicial process, though implementation varies across states.

The Government of India Act 1935 provided the basic framework for the Indian Constitution, including the federal structure, provincial autonomy, and emergency provisions. The Indian Constituent Assembly extensively borrowed from this Act while adapting it to Indian needs and incorporating democratic principles. While other constitutions influenced specific provisions, the 1935 Act was the foundational document.

Under Article 11 of the Indian Constitution, Parliament has the exclusive power to regulate citizenship by law. This means only the Indian Parliament can make laws regarding who is a citizen, how citizenship is acquired, lost, or terminated. The Supreme Court interprets these laws but cannot regulate citizenship itself.

Article 1 of the Indian Constitution explicitly states: 'India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.' This describes India as a union of states, not a federation. The distinction is important because states in India cannot secede from the Union, unlike in a true federation. The term 'quasi-federal' describes the CHARACTER of Indian federalism, not what Article 1 explicitly states.

Article 370 granted special autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir, allowing the state its own constitution and significant independence from central Indian laws. This was a temporary provision included in the Constitution at the time of accession in 1947.

The First Schedule of the constitution deals with the list of states and union territories.

Fourth Schedule allocates seats in the Council of States, i.e. the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament).

Article 257 in the constitution states that the executive power of every State shall be so exercised as not to impede or prejudice the exercise of the executive power of the Union, and the executive power of the Union shall extend to the giving of such directions to a State as may appear to the Government of India to be necessary for that purpose. Article 258: Power of the Union to confer powers on the States in certain cases; Article 355: Duty of the Union to protect States against external aggression and internal disturbance; Article 35: Suspension of provisions of Article 19 during emergencies.

Article 24 of the constitution states that no child below the age of fourteen years shall be employed to work in any factory or mine or engaged in any other hazardous employment.

Part IX and Eleventh Schedule were added by 73^rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 which contain provisions for Panchayats, Part IX A. Twelfth Schedule was added by 74^th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 which contains provisions for Municipalities, but Article 243 Q envisages three types of municipalities: Nagar Panchayats for a transitional area, Municipal Council for smaller urban areas and Municipal Corporation for larger urban areas.

Superintendence, direction and control of elections were to be vested in an Election Commission under Article 324.

The Constitution of India has 24 parts, 12 Schedules and more than 444 Articles at present. In the original constitution, there were 22 Parts, 8 Schedules and 395 Articles. Ninth Schedule was added by the 1^st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1951. Tenth Schedule was added by the 52^nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1985. Eleventh Schedule was added by the 73^rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992. Twelfth Schedule was added by the 74^th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992.

Article 371 A to Ideals with special provisions to Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Goa. The Constitution of India envisages a single policy for both Union and the States. A naturalised citizen is one who acquires citizenship either by naturalisation or by registration. They can be deprived of citizenship if they acquire citizenship by using fraudulent means.

Fifth schedule relates to the control and administration of scheduled areas in states other than Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram, while sixth schedule deals with administration and control of tribal areas in the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura.