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Sources of Indian Constitution –
On November 26, 1949, the Indian Constitution had been adopted. The Constituent Assembly of India drafted the constitution by incorporating into features of other countries’ constitutions as well as the Government of India Act 1935. Some parts of the Indian constitution are drawn from a variety of sources.
Our constitution incorporates some characteristics from the Government of India Act of 1935.
These characteristics are as follows: • Federal Scheme, Governor’s Office, Judiciary, Public service commissions, emergency provisions and administrative details.
The following provisions were borrowed from several countries and are detailed in the table below:
| Country | Borrowed features from other countries |
| US | Fundamental rights, Independence of judiciary, Judicial review, Impeachment of the president, Removal of Supreme Court and High Court judges, Post of vice President |
| UK | Parliamentary government, Rule of Law, Legislative procedure, Single Citizenship, Cabinet system, Prerogative writs, Bicameralism, Parliamentary Privileges |
| USSR (now, Russia) | Fundamental duties, Ideals of justice (social, economic and political) in the Preamble |
| Australia | Concurrent list, Freedom of trade, Commerce and intercourse, Joint-sitting of the two Houses of Parliament |
| Canada | Federation with a strong Centre, Vesting of residuary powers in the Centre, Appointment of state governors by the Centre, Advisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court |
| Ireland | Directive Principles of State Policy, Nomination of members to Rajya Sabha, Method of election of the president |
| Japan | Procedure Established by law |
| France | Republic, Ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity in the Preamble |
| Germany (Weimar) | Suspension of Fundamental Rights during emergency |
| South Africa | Procedure for amendment of the Indian Constitution, Election of members of Rajya Sabha |
MCQs
Q. 1 What is the primary source of the Constitution of India ?
- Us
- UK
- Russia
- Irland
Answer (2)
Q . 2 Which of the following is a source of the Indian Constitution?
- Constituent Assembly debates
- Government of India Act, 1935
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- General Clause Act
Answer (4)
Q. 3 Which part of the Constitution of India is borrowed from the U.S. Constitution?
- Preamble
- Fundamental Rights
- Directive Principles of State Policy
- Emergency provisions
Answer (2)
Q. 4 The idea of an independent judiciary in India is borrowed from …………..the Constitution?
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Australia
- Canada
Answer (1)
Q. 5 Which part of the Constitution of India is influenced by the Government of India Act, 1935?
- Fundamental Rights
- Directive Principles of State Policy
- Emergency provisions
- Federal structure
Answer (4)
Q. 6 The idea of single citizenship is taken from …………the country.
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Australia
- Canada
Answer (2)