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Main Sources of Indian Constitution | UPSC Preparation Notes

India, also known as Bharat is a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic, republic with a parliamentary system of government. The republic is governed by the constitution of India which was adopted on 26th November, 1949 and came into force on January 26th, 1950. 


Since the constitution of India was adopted on November 26th, 1949, this day is observed as Samvidhan Diwas or Constitution Day in India. It came into force two months later to mark the anniversary of “poorna swaraj” hence, this day is celebrated as Republic Day in India. 


The constitution of India is the lengthiest written constitution in the world. The unique feature of the constitution of India is that it has adopted provisions from various other constitutions suiting the aspirations and challenges of the Indian population. 


In this article, we have discussed the important sources of the Indian constitution at a glance. Questions from this topic are often asked in General Studies Paper-I in UPSC Prelims. Hence, prepare this topic holistically to ensure you’re able to attempt the questions from sources of the Indian constitution efficiently.

Important Sources of Indian Constitution at a Glimpse

Government of India Act 1935

  • Federal Scheme

  • Emergency Provisions

  • Public Service Commissions

  • Office of Governor

  • Judiciary

  • Administrative Details

Constitution of the United States

  • Preamble

  • Fundamental Rights

  • The federal structure of government

  • Electoral College

  • Independence of the judiciary and separation of powers among the three branches of the government

  • Judicial review

  • President as Supreme Commander of Armed Forces

  • Equal protection under law

British constitution

  • Parliamentary form of government

  • The idea of single citizenship

  • The idea of the Rule of law

  • Writs

  • Institution of Speaker and his role

  • Lawmaking procedure

  • Procedure established by Law

Irish constitution (Ireland)

  • Directive Principles of State Policy

  • Nomination of members to Rajya Sabha

  • Method of Election of President

Australian constitution

  • Freedom of trade and commerce within the country and between the states

  • Power of the national legislature to make laws for implementing treaties, even on matters outside normal Federal jurisdiction

  • Concurrent List

French constitution

  • Republic and the ideals of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity in the Preamble

Constitution of South Africa

  • Procedure for amendment

  • Election of Rajya Sabha members

Constitution of Soviet Union (USSR)

  • Fundamental Duties under Article 51-A

  • A Constitutionally mandated Planning Commission to oversee the development of the economy

Constitution of Germany

  • Emergency powers to be enjoyed by the Union

  • Suspension of Fundamental Rights during an emergency.

Constitution of Japan

  • Procedure Established by Law

Constitution of Russia

  • Fundamental Duties

  • Idea of Social, Economic, and Political Justice in Preamble

Questions From Polity in UPSC Prelims 2020

1. Rajya Sabha has equal powers with Lok Sabha in

  1. the matter of creating new All India Services

  2. amending the Constitution

  3. the removal of the government

  4. making cut motions


2. With reference to the funds under Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), which of the following statements are correct?


  1. MPLADS funds must be used to create durable assets like physical infrastructure for health, education, etc.

  2. A specified portion of each MP’s fund must benefit SC/ST populations.

  3. MPLADS funds are sanctioned on yearly basis and the unused funds cannot be carried forward to the next year.

  4. The district authority must inspect at least 10% of all works under implementation every year.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:


  1. 1 and 2 only

  2. 3 and 4 only

  3. 1, 2 and 3 only

  4. 1, 2 and 4 only


3. Which one of the following categories of ‘Fundamental Rights incorporated against untouchability as a form of discrimination?


  1. Right against Exploitation

  2. Right to Freedom

  3. Right to Constitutional Remedies

  4. Right to Equality


4. In India, separation of judiciary from the executive is enjoined by


  1. the Preamble of the Constitution

  2. a Directive Principle of State Policy

  3. the Seventh Schedule

  4. the conventional practice


5. Along with the Budget, the Finance Minister also places other documents before the Parliament which include ‘The Macro-Economic Framework Statement’. The aforesaid document is presented because this is mandated by


  1. Long-standing parliamentary convention

  2. Article 112 and Article 110(1) of the Constitution of India

  3. Article 113 of the Constitution of India

  4. Provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003


6. A constitutional government by definition is a


  1. Government by legislature

  2. Popular government

  3. Multi-party government

  4. Limited government


7. Other than the Fundamental Rights, which of the following parts of the Constitution of India reflect/reflect the principles and provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)?


  1. Preamble

  2. Directive Principles of State Policy

  3. Fundamental Duties

  4. Select the correct answer using the code given below:


  1. 1 and 2 only

  2. 2 only

  3. 1 and 3 only

  4. 1, 2 and 3


8. In India, Legal Services Authorities provide free legal services to which of the following type of citizens?


  1. Person with an annual income of less than Rs 1,00,000

  2. Transgender with an annual income of less than Rs 2,00,000

  3. Member of Other Backward Classes (OBC) with an annual income of less than ₹ 3,00,000

  4. All Senior Citizens


Select the correct answer using the code given below:


  1. 1 and 2 only

  2. 3 and 4 only

  3. 2 and 3 only

  4. 1 and 4 only


9. A Parliamentary System of Government is one in which


  1. All political parties in the Parliament are represented in the Government

  2. The Government is responsible to the Parliament and can be removed by it

  3. The Government is elected by the people and can be removed by them

  4. The Government is chosen by the Parliament but cannot be removed by it before completion of a fixed term


10. Which part of the Constitution of India declares the ideal of a Welfare State?


  1. Directive Principles of State Policy

  2. Fundamental Rights

  3. Preamble

  4. Seventh Schedule


11. Consider the following statements:


  1. The Constitution of India defines its ‘basic structure’ in terms of federalism, secularism, fundamental rights and democracy.

  2. The Constitution of India provides for ‘judicial review’ to safeguard the citizens’ liberties and to preserve the ideals on which the Constitution is based.


Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only

  2. 2 only

  3. Both 1 and 2

  4. Neither 1 nor 2


12. In the context of India, which one of the following is the characteristic appropriate for bureaucracy?


  1. An agency for widening the scope of parliamentary democracy

  2. An agency for strengthening the structure of federalism

  3. An agency for facilitating political stability and economic growth

  4. An agency for the implementation of public policy


13. The Preamble to the Constitution of India is


  1. a part of the Constitution but has no legal effect

  2. not a part of the Constitution and has no legal effect either

  3. Part of the Constitution and has the same legal effect as any other part

  4. a part of the Constitution but has no legal effect independently of other parts


14. With reference to the provisions contained in Part IV of the Constitution of India, which of the following statements is/are correct?


  1. They shall be enforceable by courts.

  2. They shall not be enforceable by any court.

  3. The principles laid down in this part are to influence the making of laws by the State.


Select the correct answer using the code given below:


  1. 1 only

  2. 2 only

  3. 1 and 3 only

  4. 2 and 3 only


15. Consider the following statements:


According to the Constitution of India, a person who is eligible to vote can be made a minister in a State for six months even if he/she is not a member of the Legislature of that State.

According to the Representation of People Act, 1951, a person convicted of a criminal offense and sentenced to imprisonment for five years is permanently disqualified from contesting an election even after his release from prison.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?


  1. 1 only

  2. 2 only

  3. Both 1 and 2

  4. Neither 1 nor 2


16. Consider the following statements:


  1. The President of India can summon a session of the Parliament at such a place as he/she thinks fit.

  2. The Constitution of India provides for three sessions of the Parliament in a year, but it is not mandatory to conduct all three sessions.

  3. There is no minimum number of days that the Parliament is required to meet in a year.

  4. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?


  1. 1 only

  2. 2 only

  3. 1 and 3 only

  4. 2 and 3 only


17. In which one of the following groups are all the four countries members of G20?


  1. Argentina, Mexico, South Africa and Turkey

  2. Australia, Canada, Malaysia and New Zealand

  3. Brazil, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam

  4. (d) Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and South Korea

 

This is a brief overview of the Sources of Indian constitution for UPSC Civil Services Examination. This topic is extensively discussed in our General Studies-I course for UPSC Mains exam. Further, since it is a part of History, it is also a part of our mini-course on Polity! 


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