• The Preamble to the Constitution of India (Click here)
  Full Text:
  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;
  • Fraternity – assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation;

  
  IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.
  
  Explanation:
  

  The Preamble of the Indian Constitution reflects the spirit and philosophy of the Constitution. It begins with "We, the People of India", emphasizing that the power of governance lies with the citizens of the country. It defines India as a Sovereign nation, free from external control, Socialist ensuring economic and social equality, Secular respecting all religions equally, Democratic allowing people to elect their representatives, and a Republic where the head of the state is elected.

  
  Amendments:
  

  The words "Socialist" and "Secular" were added to the Preamble by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976, during the Emergency period. This amendment strengthened the commitment of the Indian State towards social justice and religious neutrality.

• 1. Name and territory of the Union
  Article 1 – Name and Territory of the Union
  
  Full Text:
  (1) India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.
  (2) The States and the territories thereof shall be as specified in the First Schedule.
  (3) The territory of India shall comprise:
  (a) the territories of the States;
  (b) the Union territories specified in the First Schedule; and
  (c) such other territories as may be acquired.
  
  Explanation:

  Article 1 defines the name, structure, and territorial extent of India. It clearly states that the country is called India or Bharat and that it is a Union of States. This means Indian states do not have the right to separate from the Union on their own.

  Clause (2) refers to the First Schedule of the Constitution, which contains the official list of all States and Union Territories along with their boundaries. Any change in state boundaries requires a constitutional procedure.

  Clause (3) explains that the territory of India includes present States, Union Territories, and any new territories that India may acquire in the future through lawful means.

  
  Key Points:

  • India has two official names – India and Bharat
  • India is a Union, not a federation formed by agreement
  • States cannot secede from India
  • Territory of India can expand lawfully

  
  Amendments:

  Article 1 itself has not been amended directly. However, the First Schedule has been amended multiple times due to reorganization of States and creation of new Union Territories.

• 2. Admission or establishment of new States
  Article 2 – Admission or Establishment of New States
  
  Full Text:
  Parliament may by law admit into the Union, or establish, new States on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit.
  
  Explanation:

  Article 2 gives the Parliament of India the power to admit new States into the Indian Union or establish new States. This means that India can include new territories or form new States through a law passed by Parliament.

  The phrase "on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit" shows that Parliament has full discretion to decide the rules, rights, and obligations of the newly admitted or established State.

  
  Important Points:

  • Only Parliament has the power under Article 2
  • It applies mainly to new or foreign territories
  • Admission is done through a law passed by Parliament
  • The Constitution itself need not be amended for admission

  
  Difference from Article 3:

  Article 2 deals with admission or establishment of new States, while Article 3 deals with reorganization of existing States such as formation, merger, or alteration of boundaries.

  
  Amendments:
  

  Article 2 has not been amended since the commencement of the Constitution. However, its power has been used in practice, for example, during the integration of territories like Sikkim into the Indian Union.

• 3. Formation of new States and alteration of areas...
  Article 3 – Formation of New States and Alteration of Areas, Boundaries or Names of Existing States
  
  Full Text:
  Parliament may by law—
  (a) form a new State by separation of territory from any State or by uniting two or more States or parts of States or by uniting any territory to a part of any State;
  (b) increase the area of any State;
  (c) diminish the area of any State;
  (d) alter the boundaries of any State;
  (e) alter the name of any State;
  
  Provided that no Bill for the purpose shall be introduced in either House of Parliament except on the recommendation of the President and unless, where the proposal affects the area, boundaries or name of any State, the Bill has been referred by the President to the Legislature of that State for expressing its views within such period as may be specified.
  
  Explanation:

  Article 3 empowers the Parliament of India to reorganize the existing States of the country. This includes creating new States, merging States, changing their boundaries, reducing or increasing their areas, or even changing their names.

  The President’s recommendation is mandatory before introducing any such Bill in Parliament. If the proposal affects a State’s area, boundary, or name, the State Legislature is consulted. However, the opinion of the State Legislature is not binding on Parliament.

  
  Procedure under Article 3:

  • President recommends the introduction of the Bill
  • Bill is referred to the concerned State Legislature for views
  • Parliament may accept or reject those views
  • Law is passed by a simple majority

  
  Important Examples:

  • Creation of Telangana (2014)
  • Formation of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand (2000)
  • Renaming of States like Orissa to Odisha

  
  Difference from Article 2:

  Article 3 deals with reorganization of existing States, whereas Article 2 deals with admission or establishment of new States from outside the existing territory of India.

  
  Amendments:
  

  Article 3 has not been amended directly. However, it has been used multiple times to reorganize States through parliamentary laws.

• 4. Laws made under articles 2 and 3...
  Article 4 – Laws Made Under Articles 2 and 3 to Provide for the Amendment of the First and the Fourth Schedules and Supplemental, Incidental and Consequential Matters
  
  Full Text:
  (1) Any law referred to in article 2 or article 3 shall contain such provisions for the amendment of the First Schedule and the Fourth Schedule as may be necessary to give effect to the provisions of the law and may also contain such supplemental, incidental and consequential provisions (including provisions as to representation in Parliament and in the Legislature or Legislatures of the State or States affected by such law) as Parliament may deem necessary.
  
  (2) No such law as aforesaid shall be deemed to be an amendment of this Constitution for the purposes of article 368.
  
  Explanation:

  Article 4 explains the legal effect of laws made under Article 2 (admission or establishment of new States) and Article 3 (reorganization of existing States). It clarifies that when Parliament creates or reorganizes States, it can automatically amend the First Schedule and Fourth Schedule of the Constitution.

  The most important feature of Article 4 is that such changes are not considered constitutional amendments. Therefore, they do not require the special procedure prescribed under Article 368.

  
  What are the Schedules Mentioned?

  • First Schedule: Lists the States and Union Territories of India
  • Fourth Schedule: Allocates seats in the Rajya Sabha to States and UTs

  
  Key Points:

  • Applies to laws made under Articles 2 and 3
  • Allows automatic amendment of First and Fourth Schedules
  • Such laws are not amendments under Article 368
  • Passed by a simple majority in Parliament

  
  Significance:

  Article 4 provides flexibility to Parliament in reorganizing the political map of India. It ensures that administrative and parliamentary changes can be made smoothly without following the rigid constitutional amendment procedure.

  
  Amendments:
  

  Article 4 has not been amended since the commencement of the Constitution. However, it has been used several times while creating new States and altering parliamentary representation.

• 5. Citizenship at the commencement of the Constitution
  Article 5 – Citizenship at the Commencement of the Constitution
  
  Full Text:
  At the commencement of this Constitution, every person who has his domicile in the territory of India and—
  (a) who was born in the territory of India; or
  (b) either of whose parents was born in the territory of India; or
  (c) who has been ordinarily resident in the territory of India for not less than five years immediately preceding such commencement,
  shall be a citizen of India.
  
  Explanation:

  Article 5 defines who became an Indian citizen on 26 January 1950, the day the Constitution came into force. It applies only to citizenship at the commencement of the Constitution.

  To qualify, a person must have domicile in India, meaning a permanent intention to reside in India, along with at least one of the conditions mentioned in clauses (a), (b), or (c).

  
  Conditions for Citizenship:

  • Person must have domicile in India
  • Born in India, or
  • Either parent born in India, or
  • Ordinarily resident in India for 5 years before 26 Jan 1950

  
  Important Terms:

  • Domicile: Permanent home with intention to stay
  • Ordinarily resident: Regular and lawful residence

  
  Significance:

  Article 5 played a crucial role after Independence by clearly identifying the initial citizens of India, especially during the period of Partition and mass migration.

  
  Amendments:
  

  Article 5 has not been amended. It is a temporary provision applicable only at the commencement of the Constitution.

• 6. Rights of citizenship of certain persons...
  [Full text of Article 6...]
• 7. Rights of citizenship of certain migrants to Pakistan.
  [Details...]
• 8. Rights of citizenship of certain persons of Indian origin residing outside India.
  [Details...]
• 9. Persons voluntarily acquiring citizenship of a foreign State not to be citizens.
  [Details...]
• 10. Continuance of the rights of citizenship.
  [Details...]
• 11. Parliament to regulate the right of citizenship by law.
  [Details...]

General

• 12. Definition.
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• 13. Laws inconsistent with or in derogation of the fundamental rights.
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Right to Equality

• 14. Equality before law.
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• 15. Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
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• 16. Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment.
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• 17. Abolition of Untouchability.
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• 18. Abolition of titles.
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[... Remaining Articles of Part III would follow this pattern ...]

• 36. Definition.
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• 44. Uniform civil code for the citizens.
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• 152. Definition
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• 52. The President of India.
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• 152. Definition
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• 152. Definition
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• 152. Definition
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• 243. Definitions
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• 152. Definition
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• 152. Definition
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• 152. Definition
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• 152. Definition
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• 152. Definition
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• 152. Definition
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• 152. Definition
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• 152. Definition
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• 152. Definition
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• 152. Definition
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• 152. Definition
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• 152. Definition
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• 152. Definition
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• 152. Definition
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• 152. Definition
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• 152. Definition
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• FIRST SCHEDULE [Articles 1 and 4]
  Content:
  List of States and Union Territories with their territories.
• SECOND SCHEDULE [Articles 59(3), 65(3), 75(6), 97, 125, 148(3), 158(3), 164(5), 186 and 221]
  Emoluments, allowances, privileges of President, Governors, Speakers, Judges, etc.
• THIRD SCHEDULE [Articles 75(4), 99, 124(6), 148(2), 164(3), 188 and 219]
  Forms of Oaths or Affirmations.
• FOURTH SCHEDULE [Articles 4(1) and 80(2)]
  Allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha.
• FIFTH SCHEDULE [Article 244(1)]
  Administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes.
• SIXTH SCHEDULE [Articles 244(2) and 275(1)]
  Administration of Tribal Areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram.
• SEVENTH SCHEDULE [Article 246]
  Union List, State List, Concurrent List.
• EIGHTH SCHEDULE [Articles 344(1) and 351]
  Languages: 22 official languages (Assamese, Bengali, etc.).
• NINTH SCHEDULE [Article 31B]
  Validation of certain Acts and Regulations (land reforms, etc.).
• TENTH SCHEDULE [Articles 102(2) and 191(2)]
  Provisions as to disqualification on ground of defection (Anti-defection law).
• ELEVENTH SCHEDULE [Article 243G]
  Powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats (29 subjects).
• TWELFTH SCHEDULE [Article 243W]
  Powers, authority and responsibilities of Municipalities (18 subjects).