Constitution of India

The country attained freedom on 15 August 1947. The Constitution of the Republic came into effect on 26 January 1950. It was drawn up by a Constituent Assembly initially summoned on December 9, 1946. A draft of the Constitution was published in February 1948. The Constitution was finally adopted for 26 November 1949. It came into effect on 26 January 1950.

The Preamble of the Constitution reads as follows:
We, the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic and to secure to all its citizens:
Justice, social, economic and political; Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;
Equality of status and of opportunity; and to promote among them all.
Fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation; in our constituent assembly this twenty-sixth of November, 1949, do hereby adopt, enact and give to ourselves this Constitution.

The Indian Constitution closely follows the the British Parliamentary model, but differs from it in one important respect that is, the Constitution is supreme, not the Parliament. So the Indian courts are vested with the authority to adjudicate on the constitutionality of any law passed by the Indian Parliament.

The methods for amendment of the Constitution are three according to the subject matter of the Article concerned.

1. Articles that may be amended by a simple majority of Parliament. These are matters of detail, like those provided in the Schedules.
2. Articles that may be amended by two thirds majority of bot houses. These are comparatively important matters.
3. Articles that require not only two-thirds majority of the Parliament but also ratification by at least one-half of the State Legislatures.