On the basis of relations between the national government and its constituent parts, such as states or provinces, the government can be classified into unitary and federal. In a unitary government, the relationship between the centre and its constituent parts such as states or provinces are largely one-sided, with the central government enjoying almost complete control over its constituent parts such as states or provinces. In a unitary system, almost all power and responsibility are vested in the central government. Local governments may only exercise power through the central government. In this system, sovereignty is vested in the central government alone.

Introduction Another important feature of the Indian political system is its parliamentary form of government both at the union and state levels. However, democratic governments are classified into parliamentary and presidential on the basis of nature of relations between the executive and the legislative organs of the government. The Constitution of India provides for a

The Constituent Assembly adopted the Indian Constitution on 26th November 1949, and it came into effect on 26th January 1950. The Constitution of India has borrowed most of its provisions from various constitutions of the countries as well as from the Government of India Act of 1935. The structural part of the Constitution is to a large extent and derived from the Government of India Act of 1935.

The Indian Constitution is neither flexible nor rigid but a synthesis of both that can be amended according to the needs of society whenever required. Constitution under Article 368 grants power to the Parliament to amend whenever there is a necessity. The Article also lays down the procedure for amendment in detail. However, this power of the Parliament is not absolute. The Supreme Court has the power to declare any law that it finds unconstitutional void.

Like any other written constitution, the Constitution of India also provides for its amendment in order to adjust itself to the changing conditions and needs. However, the procedure laid down for its amendment is neither as difficult as in the USA nor as easy as in Britain. In other words, the Constitution of India is neither flexible nor rigid but a synthesis of both.

Though the rights and duties of citizens are correlative and inseparable, the original Constitution, enforced on January 26th, 1950, did not mention anything about the duties of citizens. The framers of the Constitution expected that the citizens of free India would perform their duties willingly. But things did not go as expected. Therefore, ten fundamental duties were added in Part-IV A of the Constitution under Article 51-A in the year 1976 through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment. In 2002, one more fundamental duty was added.

In the Preamble of the Indian Constitution, India is described as a \”sovereign socialist secular democratic republic\”. Accordingly, the Constitution has extensive provisions to ensure the social and economic welfare of the people of India. In this regard, two specific provisions have been made, one in the form of Fundamental Rights and the other as Directive Principles of State Policy.