Indian Constitution Provisions Adopted from Other Countries

Source of Constitutional Provisions Adopted from other Countries

GOI Act, 1935:

1. Federal structure

2. Office of Governor

3. Judiciary Power Division

4. Service Commission

Britain:

1. Parliamentary System

2. Rule of Law

3. Single Citizenship

4. Office of CAG

5. Legislation

6. Cabinet form of government

7. Prerogative writs and Bicameralism.

USA:

1. Fundamental Rights

2. Judicial Review

3. Office of Vice-president

4. Independence of Judiciary

5. Impeachment of President

6. Impeachment process of Supreme Court and High Court Judges.

Canada:

1. Quasi Federal Structure with strong center (Residuary Powers)

2. Appointment of State Governors by Center and Advisory/Review role of Supreme Court

Australia:

1. Concurrent List

2. Freedom of Trade

3. Commerce and interstate trade

4. Joint sitting of Parliament.

USSR:

preamble and Fundamental Duties.

Germany:

Emergency provisions and suspensions of rights during of emergency.

South Africa:

1. Amendment Procedure

2. Indirect election of Rajya Sabha members.

Ireland:

1. DPSP-Directive Principles of State Policy

2. Election process of President and Nomination of members by President.

Japan: Procedures established by law. 

Russian Revolution, 1917:

Idea of Justice in Education, Social, Political and Economic Idea of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.

Salient Features of Indian Constitution

  <<Back

General Knowledge Part I 

General Knowledge Question & Answers Part II                      

General Knowledge Part III

General Knowledge About India

General Knowledge in Tamil

To download CURRENT AFFAIRS - Click here

About Constitution of India - Salient Features,Fundamental Rights,Fundamental Duties

Salient Features of Indian Constitution

The constitution of India is lengthiest and most detailed compared to any constitutions in the world.

It originally had 395 Articles divided in to 22 parts and 9 schedules. There are 6 Fundamental Rights in the constitution. India is a secular state meaning the state does not uphold a particular religion on its own – Articles 25 to 28 gives shape to this secularism.

It provides for single citizenship for the whole of India. There is no citizenship for each state.

The preamble of the constitution states India has a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular and Democratic Republic.

Sovereign: Country does not dependent on any outside authority.

Socialist: Ownership of the revenues of production and distribution by the state – insertion made through 42nt amendment Act.

Democratic:  It has the government which gets its authority from the will of the people.

Republic: Indian democracy is based on adult suffrage, where any person who is 18 years of age and who is otherwise eligible has a right to vote without any discrimination on gender or religion.

Drafting Constitution:

            The Indian constitution was drawn up by constituent assembly (established in accordance with  the Cabinet Mission Plan) initially summoned on Dec 9 1946, under the presidentship of Sachithanandha Sinha for undivided India. On 1^st July, 1947 the British Parliament passed the Indian Independence Act to divide the country into India and Pakistan. With partition of India the representative of East Bengal, West Punjab, Sindh and Baluchisthan, N-W Frontier Provenience and the Sylhet District of Assam, which joined Pakisthan, ceased to be member of constitution assembly. On August 14 1947, the constituent assembly met again as the Sovereign Constituent Assembly for the Territory of India under the presidentship of Schithananda Sinha. On the demise of Schithananda Sinha Dr.Rajendra Prasad became the president of constituent assembly. A draft constitution was published Feb 1948. 284 out of 299 members affixed their signature to the constitution finally adopted it on 26^th Nove 1949. It came into effect on 26^th Janu 1950.

Drafting Committee:   

Chairman: Dr.B.R.Ambedkar. Members: Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyyar, N.Gopalswami Iyangar, Syed Md.Saadulla, Dr.K.M.Munshi, B.L.Mitter (was replaced by N.Madhava Rao), and D.P.Khaitan (was replaced by T.T.Krishnamaachari).

            The work started with the presentation of the ‘Objective Resolution’ moved by Jawaharlal Nehru was adopted on Jan 22 1947. The committee for scrutinizing draft constitution and suggesting amendments was formed Aug 29 1947. The draft was prepared by Feb 1948. The constituent asssembly met three times to read the draft Clause by Clause in Nov 1948, Oct 1949 and Nov 1949. After the 3^rd reading, it was signed by the Indian President and was adopted on Nov 26 1949. In fact, a Committee on Rules of Procedure was in place as early as

Dec 1946.

            The constitution of India closely follows the British-Parliamentary model but differs from it in 1 aspect that is, the Constitution is supreme, not Parliament. Hence, the Indian courts are conferred with the authority to adjudicate on the constitutionality of any law enacted by the Indian Parliament.

The Indian Constitution consists of the following: 

1. The Preamble,

2. Parts I to XXII covering articles 1 to 395,

3. Schedules 1 to 12

4. Appendix. Part IX and Schedule XI (Article 243-G) have been incorporated under 73^rd Constitution Amendment Act 1992.

The Fundamental Rights:

• The Right to Equality
• Right to Freedom
• Right against Exploitation
• Right to Freedom of Religion
• Cultural and Educational Rights
• Right to Constitutional Remedies

The Fundamental Duties:

• To abide by the Constitution & respect the ideals and Institutions.
• To reverence the National Flag and National Anthem.
• To realize and follow the vital ideals of secularism, democracy and non-violence.
• To preserve the culture and heritage of our nation.
• To guard the Sovereignty, Unity and Integrity of our nation.
• To safeguard the public property.
• To protect the country even at the cost of our life.
• To protect natural resources.
• To strictly avoid dowry, Gambling and other social evils.
• To endeavor towards excellence in the respective spheres of activities of the individuals.

Source of Constitutional Provisions Adopted from other Countries

  <<Back

General Knowledge Part I 

General Knowledge Question & Answers Part II                      

General Knowledge Part III

General Knowledge About India

General Knowledge in Tamil

To download CURRENT AFFAIRS - Click here

First Indian in Various Fields - Record List - 3

First Indian in Various Field – Record List - 3

Politics and Government:

• First Bengali to become President of India – Pranab Mukarji (2012 July 25).
• First Indian Finance Minister to present the budget 6 times in the row – Manmohan Singh (1991-91916).
• First Indian to become PM after having been the Opposition Leader in Lok Sabha – Atal Behari Vajpayee (1996 May 16).
• First Indian origin woman to become the Governer of State in USA – Nikki Haley, South Carolina (2011).
• First woman Chief Minister of West Bengal – Mamta Benarji, Trinamool Congress (2011).
• First woman speaker of Lok Sabha in India – Meira Kumar (2009).
• First Indian PM to be voted out of office – Indirs Gandhi (1977).
• First Non-congress Government in India – Janata Party Government with Morarji Desai as Prime Minister (1977-1979).
• 1^st woman ruler of India – Razia Suthana. She is the first woman ruler in south Asia (1236).
• First woman minister in India Vijalakshmi Pandit, Uttra Pradesh (1937).
• First woman foreign secretary of India – Chokila Iyar (2001).
• First woman Air Marshal in India – Padma Bandobadhyaya (2002).
• First woman Director General of Police (DGP) in India – Kanchan Bhattacharya, Uttaranchal (2004).
• First woman Union Minister in India – Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur, Cabinet Minister, Health Portfolio (1947).
• First woman Prime Minister in India – Indira Gandhi (1966).
• First woman to become president of United Nation General Assembly – Vijayalakshmi Pandit (1953).
• First woman President of Indian National Congresss party – Annie Besant (19170.
• First woman Chief Minister of State in India – Sucheta Kripalani, Uttar Pardesh (1963-67).
• First woman Governor of State in India – Sarojini Naidu, United provinces (UP) (1947-49).
• First Indian Ambassador – Vijalakshmi Pandit, USSR (1947-49).

 Film:

• First film screened in India – French cameraman Marius Sestier screened the first motion picture at Bombay’s Watson’s Hotel. The entry fee was one rupee per person (1896 July 07).
• First indigenous full length future film produced by an Indian – Raja Harish Chandra, by Dadasheb Phalke. It was released at Coronation Cinematograph, Bombay (1913 May 03).
• First fully indigenous color movie Kisan Kaya, by Moti B Gidwani. It was made in India by using indigenously developed color technics (1937).
• First woman cinematographer  to win national film award – Anjali Shukla, Camerawoman of the film Kutty Srank by Shaji.N.Karun (2010 Sep).
• First cinematographer to win the Dadasaheb Phalke award – V.K.Murthy, Mysore (2010 Jan).
• First 70mm animation film in India – Lava Kusa the warrior Twins (2010).
• First Indian to win an Oscar in Technical Category – Resul Pookuty, Sound mixing (2009 Feb).
• First Indian Lyricist to win an Oscar – Gulzar (2009 Feb).
• First India to win Dada Sahep Paalke award – Devika Rani (1970).
• 1^st Indian ‘’Oscar winner’’ – Baanu Aathaiya, for best costume design for the film ‘Gandhi’ (1982).
• First Indian Oscar nomination for the Best Foreign-Language film – Mother India (1957).
• First Actress of Indian Talkies – Rani Zubeida, Alam Aara. She acted in 36 silent films (1931).

1   2   3

  <<Back

General Knowledge Part I 

General Knowledge Question & Answers Part II                      

General Knowledge Part III

General Knowledge About India

General Knowledge in Tamil

To download CURRENT AFFAIRS - Click here

First Indian in Various Fields - Record List 2

First Indian in Various Field – Record List - 2

Business and Commerce:

• First Bank in India – Bank of Hindustan (1779).
• First ATM in India – HSBC, Mumbai (1987).
• First Indian Bank opened its branch outside India – Bank of India, London (1946).
• First Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in India – Kandla, Gujarat (1965).
• First Sugar Factory in India – Set up at Saran, Bihar (1903).
• First Indian Tyre Company crossed 10,000 crore turnover – MRF Ltd (2011 Oct).
• First Titanium Sponge Plant in India – Titanium Sponge Plant of the Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd, Chavara, Kollam (2011).
• First private company in India to get a protection from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) – Infosys Technologies Ltd (2009).
• First Oil well and oil refinery in India – Dig boi, Borbil (1890).
• First Iron and Steel factory in India – Bengal Iron Works Company, Kulti, West Bengal (1870).
• First Private sector Steel Plant in India – Tata Steel founded by Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata (1907 Aug).
• First 5 star Hotel in India – Taj Mahal Hotel, Bombay, started by Tata (1903).
• First underground Bazar in India – Palika Bazar in New Delhi (1978).
• First Tea museum in India – Munnar, Kerala was established by Tata Tea (2004 March).

Education:

• First Fisheries university in India – Kerala university of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) (2011 Feb).
• First Indian professor at Harvard university – Githa Gobinath, Economics (2010 May).
• First Space University in India as well as Asia – Indian Institute of Space and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala (2009 Aug).
• First education minister of free India – Maulana Abulkalam Azad (1947).
• First woman’s university in India – Indian Woman’s university, Pune, Now known as SNDT woman’s university, Mumbai (1916).
• First Woman’s College in India – Bethune College, Calcutta (1879).
• First National Professsor in India – C.V.Raman (1947).
• First Indian professor at the Oxford university – Dr.S.Radhakrishnan, former president of India (1936 Feb).
• First woman law graduate in India – Cornelia Sorabji (1894).
• First university in India – Calcutta university (1857).
• First Open University in India – Andhra Pradesh Open university (1982). In 1991 it was renamed as Ambedkar University.
• First College in India – Fort William College, Calcutta (1800).
• First engineering college in India – Roor kee Engineering College (1847). In 1854 it was renamed as the Thomason College of Civil Engineering. In 1949 it was given University status, making it the first engineering university of independent India. In 2001 it was declared an Indian Institute of technology, making it the 7^th IIT of India.
• First educational institution for blind in India – Sharp Memorial School, Dehradun (1887).
• First medical University in India – University of Medical Sciences, Vijayawada (1986).

 Law and Judiciary:

• First Indian to hold the post of Advocate General – Sir V.Bhashyam Iyengar. He was the acting advocate general of Madras Province (1897).
• First woman High Court judge in India – Anna Chadi, High Court of Kerala (1959)
• First woman advocate in India – Cornelia Sorabji, Allahabad High Court (1986).
• 1^st  Chief justice of the Supreme Court of India – H.J.Kania (1950).
• First Indian to become the president of International Court of justice – Dr.Nagendira Singh (1976).
• First judge to face impeachment on Lok Sabha – Ramaswami (1993).
• First Indian Lawgiver – Manu, Manu Smirthi (3100 BC).
• First woman Chief Justice of HighCourt in India – Leila Seth, Himacahl Pradesh (1991).
• 1^st  woman judge of the Supreme Court of India – M.Fathima Beevi (1989).
• First woman magistrate in India – Omana Kunjamma, Eraniyal in the erstwhile Travancore (1946).

1   2   3

  <<Back

General Knowledge Part I 

General Knowledge Question & Answers Part II                      

General Knowledge Part III

General Knowledge About India

General Knowledge in Tamil

To download CURRENT AFFAIRS - Click here

First Indian in Various Fields - Record List 1

First Indian in Various Field – Record List - 1

Awards andHonours:

• First Indian to win Nobel Prize for Chemistry – Ramakrishnan Venkatraman (2009)
• First Indian to win Nobel Prize in Literature – Rabindranath Tagore (1913). He was also the First Asian to get the Prize.
• First Indian woman to win a Grammy – Tanvi Sha (2010), for the Spanish version of the lyric “Jai Ho” of the Oscar winning film Slum Dog Millionaire.
• First Indian to win two Grammies in a year – A.R.Rahman (2010), for his foot taping number Jai Ho and outstanding sound track for the film Slum Dog Millionaire.
• First Indian to win Booker Prize – Arundhati Rai (1997), for the God of Small Things.
• First Indians to win Bartha Ratna – Dr.S.Radhakrishnan, C.Rajagopalachari and Dr.C.V.Raman (1954).
• First woman from India to win Nobel Prize – Mother Theresa (1979), peace prize.
• First Indian woman featured in Postal Stamp – Meera Bhai (1952).
• First Indian to be the Miss-World – Reita Faria (1966 Nov 17).

 Transport and Vehicles:

• First Indian Automobiles Company to produce one lakh commercial vehicle in a financial year – Tata Motors (2011 Mar)
• First seaplane service in India – Operated jointly by the Andaman Nicobar Administration and the Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd (2010).
• First marina in India – Kochin (2010).
• First state in India to start Airlines of its own – Uttar Prades (1995).
• First Indian woman commercial pilot Durba Banerjee, Indian Airlines (1966).
• First International flight in by Air India – Bombay to London by the Aircraft Malabar Princess (1948).
• First Indian to become a Pilot – J.R.D.Tata, Tata Airlines (1929).
• First Indian automobiles company to cross the production mark of one crore cars – Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (2011).
• First Indian electric car – Reva, a battery operated car developed by Chetan Maine (1997).
• First car factory in India – the plant established in Mumbai by General Motors to assemble cars and trucks using imported parts (1928).
•  First High Way in India – Grant Trunk Road (1540).
• First car registered in India – De Dion Bouton, imported from France by the Maharaj of Patiala (1892).
• First Maruti car owner – Harpal Singh, Delhi (1984).
• First Indian train fueled by biodiesel – Delhi to Amritsar Express. It used a fuel mixed with 5% biodiesel (2002).
• First interstate metro railway in India – Delhi Metro Railway, it extent to UP through the Yemuna Bank-Noida reach (2009).
• First super-fast passenger train in India – Howrah  New Delhi Rajdhani Express (1969).
• First green railway station in India – Manwal Railway Station on the Jammu to Udhampur route (2011).
• First Indian Passenger Train to Bangladesh – Maitree Express from Kolkata to Dhaka (2008).
• First private port in India – Pipavav Port in Gujarat (1996).
• First railway station in India  - Boribunder, Now it is known as Mumbai CST (1853).
• First hill railway in India –  Darjeeling Himalayan Railway(DHR). The train in this route are powered by steam engines (1881).
• First Internationall Container Transshipment Terminal in India – Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal, Kochi (2011).
• First national waterways in India – NW1, Allahabad-Haldia stretch of Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hoogly river systems (1986)

 Adventure:

• First Indian Naval ship to circumnavigate the globe – INS Tarangini. It called at thirty seven ports in eighteen countries covering 34,923 nautical miles (from Jan 23 2003 to April 25 2004).
• First Indian to circumnavigate the globe solo no a sailboat – Commander Dilip Donde, a Naval officer (2009 Aug to 2010 May).
• First Indian woman to ski to the SouthPole – Reena Kaushal. She was part of the eight woman commonwealth team that crossed a 900 kilometers Antarctic ice trek to reach  South Pole to mark the sixtieth anniversary of the formation of commonwealth.
• First Indian female to summit Mount Everest – Bachendiri Paal. She was fifth woman in the world to achieve this (1984 May 23).
• First Indian Woman to swim across seven seas of the world – Bulaa Choudhary. She was the first Indian woman to cross English Channel twice (2004).
• First Indian woman to reach Antarctica – Mehar Moos (1976).

 Science and Technology:

• First cloned Buffalo calf in India – Sam Rupa (2009).
• First Indian Research station in the Arctic – Himadri. It will carry out research in present fields of Arctic Science with special importance on climate change (2008).
• First Indian in Space – Rakesh Sharma, aboard Salyut7 (1984).
• First Indian (origin) woman in Space – Kalpana Chawla aboard space Shuttle Columbia flight STS-87. She was naturalized US citizen and representing the US during the event (19197 Nov 19).

 Medicine:

• First successful Heart transplant in India – by Dr.P.Venugopal, AIIMs, New Delhi, on Dev Ram a mechanic (1994 Aug).
• First Indian Test Tube baby – Harsha, at KEM hospital, Mumbai, Indhira  Induja was the Doctor (1986).

 Literature andMedia:

• First Government organization in India to be on the social networking site Twitter – Department of Posts (2010 May).
• First talking newspaper in India (world) – A special issue of The Hindu, issued in Mumbai to introduce the Vento, Volkswagen’ premium entry level sedan car in India (2010).
• First golden stamp replicas issued by the Postal Department – ‘The Pride of India Collection’ a set of 25 classic stamp replicas struck on pure Swiss silver and layered with 24 carat gold (2010).
• First Indian City to introduce the mobile phone service – Kolkata (1995 July).

1   2   3

  <<Back

General Knowledge Part I 

General Knowledge Question & Answers Part II                      

General Knowledge Part III

General Knowledge About India

General Knowledge in Tamil

To download CURRENT AFFAIRS - Click here

Important Days,National and International,World Important Day

Important Days

January- 9	NRI Day	July- 1	Doctor’s Day
January- 10	World Laughter Day	July -11	World Population Day
January- 12	National youth day	August 1st Sunday	International Friendship Day
January -15	Army Day	August- 6	Hiroshima Day
January -25	National Tourism day	August -8	World senior Citizen’s day
January -26	India’s Republic Day	August- 9	Quit India Day, Nagasaaki Day
January -30	Martyrs’ Day and World Leprosy Eradication Day	August -15	Indian Independence Day
February -28	National Science Days	August -18	Intl. Day of World Indigenous People
March 2nd Thursday	World Kidney Day	August -29	National Sports day
March 2nd Monday	Commonwealth Day	September -5	Teachers’ day
March -8	Internationall Women’s Day	September -8	International Literacy Day
March -15	World Disabled day, World Consumer Rights Day	September- 16	World Ozone Day
March -21	World Forestry Day	September- 21	Alzheimers’ Day
March -22	World Day for Water	September -26	Day of the Deaf
March -23	World Meteorological Day	September -27	World Tourism Day
March -24	World TB Day	October- 1	International day for the Elderly
April -3	World Autism Day	October -2	Gandhi Jayanthii, International Day of Non-Violence
April -7	World Health day	October -3	World Habitat Day
April -17	World Hemophilia day	October -4	World Animal Welfare day
April -18	World Heritage Day	October -8	Indian Air Force Day
April -21	Secretaries’ Day	October -10	National Post day
April -22	Earth Day	October 2nd Thursday	World Sight Day
April -23	World Book and Copyright Day	October- 15	Worlds White Cane Day -(Guiding the Blind)
April -26	World Intellectual Property Day	October- 16	World Food Day
May -1	Worker’s Day	October -24	UN Day, World Developments Information Day
May 1st Tuesday	World Asthma Day	October- 30	World Thrift Day
May- 3	Press Freedom Day	November- 9	Legal Services day
May 2nd Sunday	Mother’s day	November -14	Childrens’ Day, Diabetes Day
May -8	World Red Cross Day	November -17	National Epilepsy Day
May- 9	World Thalassemia Day	November -19	Citizen’s Day
May -11	National Technology Day	November -20	Universal Children’s Day (UN), Africa Industrialization Day
May -12	International Nurses Day	December -1	World AIDS Day
May- 15	International Day of Family	December -3	World Day of Handicapped
May -17	World Telecommunication Day	December -4	Navy Day
May -25	World Thyroid Day	December -7	Armed Forces Flag day
May -31	Anti-tobacco Day	December -10	Human Rights Day, International Childrens’ Day of Broadcastings
June- 1	World Milk Day (FAO)	December -18	Minorities Rights day (India)
June -4	International Day of Innocent Children, Victims of Aggression	December- 23	Kisan Divas (Farmer’s Day)
June -5	World Environment Day
June 3rd Sunday	Father’s Day
June- 14	World Blood Donor Day
June- 26	Internationall Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

  <<Back

General Knowledge Part I 

General Knowledge Question & Answers Part II                      

General Knowledge Part III

General Knowledge About India

General Knowledge in Tamil

To download CURRENT AFFAIRS - Click here