SST - SOCIAL AND POLITICAL SCI. - INDIAN CONSTITUTION -(FLASHCARDS)

right to equality

art. 14~18

right to freedom

art. 19~22: right to various freedoms

right against exploitation

art. 23: prohibits forced labour, work w/out payment, or immoral traffic in women and children. art. 24: prohibits employment of children below 14 in factories and mines

right to freedom of religion

art. 25~28: guarantee religious freedom

cultural and educational rights

art. 29 and 30: protect religious and cultural rights of minorities.

right to consitutional rememdies

art. 32: citizens who think their fundamental rights have been denied to them can move to supreme court or high court.

fundamental duties

42nd amendment act, 1976: 11 duties. ex. abide by the constitution and respect its ideals and instituions, national flag, and national anthem
to uphold and protect the sovereignty and integrity of india
to value and preserve our rich culture and heritage
to protect our national environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife

3 Significant Keys of constitution

guard against the misuse of authority by
our political leaders.
dominant group does not use its power against less powerful people or
groups.
protect us against decisions that could have an effect on the larger
principles that the country believes in.

How constitution?

A group of 300 people became members of the Constituent Assembly in 1946 and had written India’s
Constitution

Federalism

political system where powers to govern are divided into the central level, state level, Panchayati Raj at the village level. The Constitution details the issues that each tier of government can make laws on.
Union List, State List, Concurrent List

Union List

defence, foreign affairs, war, peace

State List

police, local government, land, etc.

Parliamentary Form of Government

The people of India have a direct role in electing their representatives. Also, every citizen of the country,
irrespective of his/her social background, can contest in elections

Seperation of powers

The legislature: make laws for the country and states and elected representatives
The executive: is a smaller group of people who are responsible for implementing laws and running the
government.
The judiciary: refers to the system of courts in India, interprets laws and punishes violaters of laws.
Each organ mentioned above acts as a check on the other organs of government. This ensures the balance of
power between all three

Fundamental Rights

The constitution guarantees the rights of individuals against the State as well as against other individuals. It
also guarantees the rights of minorities against the majority. Chapter 3, articles 12

The Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution include

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

Every citizen claim

fundamental rights.

Fundamental rights must be

binding upon every authority that has got the power to make laws.

The Constitution also has a section called

Directive Principles of State Policy which ensure greater social and economic reforms, and serve as a guide to the independent Indian State to institute laws and policies.

Secularism

A secular state is one in which the state does not officially promote any one religion as the state religion.