Indian Polity: Essential Constitutional Facts — High-Yield Exam Guide
Master the foundational pillars of Indian Polity and the Constitution with this concise, exam-focused PDF. Designed for competitive exams, this guide distills complex constitutional concepts into clear, memorable one-liners. From the Preamble and Parliament to Fundamental Rights and Emergency Provisions, this document covers the most frequently asked topics in UPSC, SSC, State PSCs, and other government examinations. Whether you’re a first-time aspirant or revising for the final lap, these essential facts will sharpen your recall and boost your confidence.

Stop getting lost in lengthy commentaries. This PDF is your targeted, streamlined reference to the constitutional framework of India—optimized for quick revision and last-minute review on any device.

Constitutional Genesis & Foundation:

• Adoption Date: 26 November 1949

• Enforcement Date: 26 January 1950 (Republic Day)

• Father of the Indian Constitution: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

• Original vs. Current Articles: 395 → 448 Articles

• Parts & Schedules: 25 Parts, 12 Schedules

The Preamble & Key Terms:

• Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic

• 42nd Amendment (1976) added “Socialist” and “Secular”

• Only amendment to the Preamble

Parliamentary System & Executive:

• Parliamentary form of government

• President: Constitutional head, elected by Electoral College

• Prime Minister: Real executive power

• Vice-President: Ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha

The Parliament (Sansad):

• Lok Sabha: Maximum strength 552, tenure 5 years, minimum age 25

• Rajya Sabha: Permanent House, staggered retirement, minimum age 30

• Money bills originate only in Lok Sabha

Judiciary & Judicial Review:

• Supreme Court: Guardian of the Constitution

• Chief Justice of India appointed by President

• Judicial Review power with Supreme Court & High Courts

• Article 32: Right to Constitutional Remedies

Fundamental Rights & Duties:

• Part III: 6 Fundamental Rights (justiciable)

• Part IV: Directive Principles of State Policy (non-justiciable)

• Part IVA: 11 Fundamental Duties

• 86th Amendment: Right to Education

Emergency Provisions & Federal Structure:

• Article 352: National Emergency

• Article 356: State Emergency (President’s Rule)

• Article 360: Financial Emergency

• Article 1: India as a Union of States

Constitutional Bodies & Official Language:

• Election Commission: Ensures free and fair elections

• Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG): Audits government finances

• Official Language: Hindi in Devanagari script

• Protection of scheduled languages