Indian Polity
Comparison of the Indian Constitution with Other Countries
- 17 Oct 2024
- 22 min read
For Prelims: Indian Constitution, Federalism, Judicial review, Parliamentary form of government, Secular state, Universal Adult Franchise, Single citizenship, Election Commission, Comptroller and Auditor-General of India, Union Public Service Commission, Emergency provisions, Panchayats, Municipalities, Co-operative Societies, Equality, Liberty, Fraternity, Social justice, Directive Principles, Fundamental Rights
For Mains: Salient Features of Indian Constitution, Comparison of Indian Constitution with constitution of other major countries.
The Indian constitutional framework, as embodied in the Constitution of India, exhibits several distinctive features and characteristics that set it apart from the constitutional frameworks of numerous other nations. Although it shares some common elements with other democracies, it also possesses unique characteristics that reflect India's historical, social, and political context.
What are the Borrowed Features of the Indian Constitution?
| Sources | Features Borrowed |
| Government of India Act, 1935 | Federal Scheme, Office of Governor, Judiciary, Public Service Commissions, Emergency Provisions, Administrative Details |
| British Constitution | Parliamentary Government, Rule of Law, Legislative Procedure, Single Citizenship, Cabinet System, Prerogative Writs, Parliamentary Privileges, Bicameralism |
| US Constitution | Fundamental Rights, Independence of Judiciary, Judicial Review, Impeachment of President, Removal of Supreme Court and High Court Judges, Post of Vice-President |
| Irish Constitution | Directive Principles of State Policy, Nomination of Members to Rajya Sabha, Method of Election of President |
| Canadian Constitution | Federation with a Strong Centre, Vesting of Residuary Powers in the Centre, Appointment of State Governors by the Centre, Advisory Jurisdiction of Supreme Court |
| Australian Constitution | Concurrent List, Freedom of Trade, Commerce, and Inter-course, Joint Sitting of Two Houses of Parliament |
| Weimar Constitution of Germany | Suspension of Fundamental Rights During Emergency |
| Soviet Constitution (USSR, now Russia) | Fundamental Duties, Ideal of Justice (Social, Economic, and Political) in Preamble |
| French Constitution | Republic and Ideals of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity in Preamble |
| South African Constitution | Procedure for Amendment of Constitution, Election of Members of Rajya Sabha |
| Japanese Constitution | Procedure Established by Law |
What are the Similarities and Differences between the Indian and US Constitution?
- Similarities in Indian and US Constitution:
- Written Constitutions: Both India and the United States have written constitutions. India has the largest written constitution in the world, while the US Constitution is one of the oldest.
- Federal Structure: Both countries practice federalism, sharing powers between central and state authorities.
- In India, the Seventh Schedule delineates the Union, State, and Concurrent Lists, while the US Constitution divides powers between the federal government and the states.
- Rights for Citizens: The US Bill of Rights consists of the first ten amendments, while India's Fundamental Rights, detailed in Articles 12 to 35, protect citizens from arbitrary state actions.
- Judicial Review: Both countries empower their judiciaries to interpret laws in accordance with constitutional principles.
- Bicameral Legislature: Both nations feature a two-house legislative system.
- India has the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and Rajya Sabha (Council of States), while the US has the House of Representatives and the Senate.
- Republics: Both countries are republics, where the head of state is an elected representative.
- Preambles: Both constitutions begin with preambles that articulate their fundamental ideologies.
- For instance, India’s Preamble starts with “We, the people of India…” similar to the U.S. Preamble, which begins with “We the People…”
- Differences in Indian and US Constitution:
- Length and Structure: The Indian Constitution is the longest written constitution in the world, comprising 448 articles across 25 parts and 12 schedules, along with 101 amendments.
- In contrast, the US Constitution is the shortest, consisting of 7 articles and 27 amendments.
- Historical Context: The US became a federal republic in 1789, while India adopted its Constitution in 1950, defining itself as a socialist, sovereign, secular, and democratic republic.
- Nature of Constitution: The US Constitution is strictly federal, whereas the Indian Constitution is quasi-federal, allowing the central government to override state powers if necessary.
- Formation of Federation: Indian federation is not the result of an agreement between states whereas American federation is the result of an agreement between States.
- Citizenship: The Indian Constitution provides for single citizenship for all Indians (Articles 5-11), while the US Constitution allows for dual citizenship- federal and state.
- Also, a US citizen can have dual citizenship with the US and another country.
- Representation in Legislature: In India, representation in Parliament is based on state populations, while each US state sends an equal number of representatives to the Senate.
- Legislative Powers: The Indian Constitution delineates three lists (Union List, State List, and Concurrent List) in Article 246 of the Seventh Schedule.
- The US Constitution has a clear division of legislative powers, with both the federal government and states being sovereign within their respective spheres.
- Secession of States: No state can secede from India, whereas states in the US can separate based on the agreement forming the federation.
- Residuary Powers: In India, the Parliament holds residuary powers as per Article 248(2), while in the US, states retain these powers.
- Constitutional Framework: India has a single constitution for both the Union and the states.
- Whereas the US has separate constitutions for the federal government and each state.
- Uniformity of Laws: The Indian Constitution ensures uniformity in basic and criminal laws, except for personal laws, while the US has varying civil and criminal laws that differ from state to state.
- Alteration of State Boundaries: In India, the Parliament can alter the area and identity of a state, while in the US, no such power exists at the federal level.
- Terminology: The term "federal" is not mentioned in the Indian Constitution; it refers to the "Union."
- In contrast, the term "federal" is frequently used in the US Constitution.
- Form of Government: India operates under a parliamentary system where the Prime Minister and cabinet hold real power, while the President is a nominal head.
- The U.S. has a presidential system where the President is both the head of state and government, serving a 4-year term.
- Judicial Tenure: In the US, judges serve for life or until they can no longer perform their duties.
- Whereas Indian judges have fixed retirement ages. District Judges at 60, High Court Judges at 62, and Supreme Court Judges at 65.
- Length and Structure: The Indian Constitution is the longest written constitution in the world, comprising 448 articles across 25 parts and 12 schedules, along with 101 amendments.
What are the Similarities and Differences between Indian and UK Constitution?
- Similarities in Indian and UK Constitution:
- Parliamentary System: Both India and Britain have a Parliamentary form of government where the Prime Minister and Ministers are responsible to the legislature, and the executive and legislature are not separated.
- Ministers from the majority party in Parliament remain in office as long as they retain its confidence.
- Legislature:
- Both British and Indian Parliaments are bicameral, with India having the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, while Britain has the House of Commons and House of Lords.
- Executive:
- Presence of Real and Nominal Executive: In India, the President is the nominal executive and head of state, while the Prime Minister is the real executive and head of government.
- Similarly, in Britain, the Crown serves as the nominal executive, with the Prime Minister as the real executive.
- Cabinet form of Government: Britain and India have a cabinet form of government, where power resides with the Council of Ministers, emphasizing collective responsibility to the Lower House, meaning all ministers share success and failure together.
- The Prime Minister in both countries is the leader of the party with an absolute majority in the Lower House; if no party has a majority, the leader of the largest party is invited to form a coalition.
- The Prime Minister in India, modeled after the British system, serves as the head of the Cabinet, links the President and Parliament, advises on House dissolution, and recommends appointments of other ministers.
- Indian bureaucracy, modeled after the British system, features competitive recruitment and political neutrality.
- Presence of Real and Nominal Executive: In India, the President is the nominal executive and head of state, while the Prime Minister is the real executive and head of government.
- Independence of Judiciary: Both Britain and India ensure judicial independence, allowing the judiciary to declare executive actions ultra vires and interpret the Constitution.
- Judges in both countries enjoy security of tenure, with removal requiring serious misbehavior and parliamentary consent, promoting impartiality in their judgments.
- Similarities in Elections: Both the House of Commons and the Lok Sabha use the first-past-the-post electoral system for their general elections.
- Parliamentary System: Both India and Britain have a Parliamentary form of government where the Prime Minister and Ministers are responsible to the legislature, and the executive and legislature are not separated.
- Differences in Indian and UK Constitution:
- Framing of Constitution: The British Constitution has evolved over more than a thousand years without being framed by a constituent assembly, reflecting an unbroken continuity of development.
- In contrast, the Indian Constitution was created by a constituent assembly and contains clearly defined provisions.
- Nature of Constitution: The British Constitution is unwritten, as it is not codified in a single document and is instead based on established customs, political practices, and traditions.
- In contrast, the Indian Constitution is the longest written constitution globally.
- Citizenship: The Constitution of India does not permit dual citizenship, allowing individuals to hold only Indian citizenship, whereas the UK allows dual nationality, enabling individuals to be British citizens while also holding citizenship of other countries.
- Flexibility/ Amendmendibility: India’s constitutional amendment process is a synthesis of flexibility and rigidity.
- According to Article 368, amendments require a bill to be introduced in Parliament, with separate approval from each House. For amendments affecting federal provisions, the bill must also receive approval from a simple majority in the legislatures of at least half the states.
- In contrast, the British Constitution is highly flexible, there is no formal amendment process, allowing for amendments through ordinary laws passed by Parliament.
- In the British constitution, there is no distinction between a constitutional law and an ordinary law as both are treated alike.
- Head of the State: In Britain, the Head of State is a hereditary monarch, while India has a republican system where the Head of State, the President, is elected.
- Prime Minister and Other Ministers: In India, the Prime Minister can be a member of either house of Parliament.
- In the UK, the Prime Minister is conventionally a member of the lower house.
- In the UK, only members of Parliament can be appointed as ministers, while in India, a non-member can be appointed as a minister for a maximum of six months.
- Sovereignty of Parliament: The British Constitution is characterized by parliamentary sovereignty, allowing the British Parliament to legislate, amend, or repeal laws without restrictions, and courts do not have the authority to question these laws.
- While, in India, the Parliament's powers are limited by a written Constitution, which incorporates federalism, judicial review, and the safeguarding of fundamental rights.
- Office of Speaker: In the UK, there is a convention that once a Speaker, always a Speaker. He remains neutral, resigning from their political party.
- The Indian Speaker is not required to resign from their political party, and if they choose to do so, they are not disqualified under the Anti-defection Law.
- Scope of Judicial Review: The UK has limited scope for judicial review as the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty limits the judiciary's ability to annul an Act of Parliament.
- Absence of a "Basic Structure" doctrine in UK constitution enables UK Parliament to override judicial decisions
- However, British courts retain several important powers such as:
- Interpreting the precise meaning of statutes.
- Reviewing the actions of ministers and public officials using the doctrine of ultra vires (beyond their powers).
- Enforcing natural justice in the actions of ministers and others.
- However, the Supreme Court and High Court in India can declare parliamentary laws unconstitutional through their power of judicial review.
- Directive Principles of State Policy and Fundamental Duties: The UK Constitution does not include provisions equivalent to India's Directive Principles of State Policy and Fundamental Duties.
- In India, the DPSP are outlined in Part IV, guide the state towards establishing economic and social democracy.
- Additionally, Fundamental Duties, detailed in Part IVA, remind citizens of their responsibilities towards the country, society, and fellow citizens while enjoying their rights.
- In India, the DPSP are outlined in Part IV, guide the state towards establishing economic and social democracy.
- Shadow Cabinet: The shadow cabinet is a distinctive feature of the UK system, formed by the opposition party to balance the ruling cabinet and prepare members for future ministerial roles.
- India does not have a similar institution.
- Legal responsibility of Ministers: In Britain, ministers have legal responsibility and must countersign the official acts of the Head of State.
- In India, ministers are not required to do so.
- Role of Conventions: Conventions play a crucial role in the unwritten British Constitution, such as the Queen's practice of granting assent to Parliament's measures.
- In India, conventions have a minimal role due to a detailed constitutional framework supported by various statutes.
- Framing of Constitution: The British Constitution has evolved over more than a thousand years without being framed by a constituent assembly, reflecting an unbroken continuity of development.
What are the Similarities and Differences between India and the French Constitution?
- Similarities in Indian and French Constitution:
- Written Constitution: Both France and India have written constitutions.
- France has undergone multiple constitutional changes, with its current Fifth Republic established in 1958. The First Republic emerged in 1793, followed by subsequent republics in 1848, 1875, and 1946.
- Parliamentary System: Both India and France operate under a bicameral parliamentary system of government, with the President as Head of State and a Prime Minister as the Head of Government.
- Federal Structure: Both India and France constitutions establish a federal structure that delineates the distribution of powers between the central government and the states (in India) or regions (in France).
- Emergency Provision: The provision of emergency is also entrenched in the Constitution of both countries.
- Amendment Procedures: Both constitutions provide procedures for amending them to address societal changes.
- Written Constitution: Both France and India have written constitutions.
- Differences in Indian and French Constitution:
- Secularism: The French Constitution emphasizes a strict separation between the state and religion, while India adopts a more inclusive approach, where the state promotes and accommodates diverse religious practices.
- Role of President: The Indian President has a largely ceremonial role with limited powers, whereas the French President holds more substantial executive authority, reflecting the semi-presidential system in France.
- The Indian President is elected indirectly for a 5-year term with no limit on the number of terms.
- The French President is elected for a 5-year term by direct universal suffrage and cannot be elected for more than 2 consecutive terms.
- Federal Structure: India has a federal system, while France is a unitary state where the French national government in Paris has complete authority over several provinces, known as departments and local governments carry out directives of the central government without acting independently.
- Judicial System: India has an integrated judicial system where higher court decisions are binding on lower courts and includes an appellate system.
- In contrast, France has separate judicial authorities, with distinct legal jurisdictions for civil disputes and administrative jurisdictions for issues between citizens and public authorities.
- Involvement of Civil Society: India lacks provisions for civil society involvement in governance.
- France's Constitution establishes the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) to engage civil society in government policies related to these areas.
- Dual Citizenship: France allows dual citizenship, whereas India only allows single citizenship.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims:
Q. What was the exact constitutional status of India on 26th January, 1950? (2021)
(a) A Democratic Republic
(b) A Sovereign Democratic Republic
(c) A Sovereign Secular Democratic Republic
(d) A Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic
Ans: (b)
Q. The distribution of powers between the Centre and the States in the Indian Constitution is based on the scheme provided in the (2012)
(a) Morley-Minto Reforms, 1909
(b) Montagu-Chelmsford Act, 1919
(c) Government of India Act, 1935
(d) Indian Independence Act, 1947
Ans: (c)
Mains:
Q. What can France learn from the Indian Constitution’s approach to secularism? (2019)
Q. Examine the scope of Fundamental Rights in the light of the latest judgement of the Supreme Court on Right to Privacy. (2017)
