Foundational principles
The constitutional framework and how it changes.
A civic reference with all 25 retained Parts and all 12 Schedules. Article ranges retain constitutional numbering and may contain omitted provisions. Part VII was omitted. Legal provisions should be read in the official text and relevant judgments.
Explore this topic in the interactive atlas →Preamble
The Constitution’s statement of democratic purpose and public values.
Legislative Department · Constitution of India ↗- Justice, liberty, equality and fraternity guide its vision.
- The Preamble describes India’s sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic and republican character.
Parliamentary government
The executive is accountable to the elected legislature.
Supreme Court · Constitution ↗- At Union level, the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
- States have a corresponding parliamentary executive under constitutional provisions.
Federalism
The Constitution distributes legislative and executive responsibilities between the Union and states.
Supreme Court · Constitution ↗- The Seventh Schedule sets out three legislative lists.
- Some matters involve shared responsibility; constitutional rules govern conflicts.
Amending the Constitution
Article 368 sets out constitutional amendment procedures.
Legislative Department · Constitution of India ↗- Some amendments require ratification by at least half the state legislatures.
- The Supreme Court’s basic-structure doctrine limits the amending power.
Article 368
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