Sources of Indian Constitution- Complete Notes for UPSC Exams

Editor’s Note: A student can choose to skip this Article, and it can be revisited once the syllabus till the Governor is complete. At that point, one should be better equipped to understand this Article and compare the Indian Constitution with all the other constitutions of the world.

Sources of Indian Constitution

The Sources of Indian Constitution are diverse, from Government of India Act 1935 to Global influences like British, American, French, Canada, and Irish constitutions. This harmonious blend has established a governance model that champions democracy, justice, and equality, embodying the diverse ethos of India. Below is the list of Important Sources of Indian Constitution:

1. Government of India Act of 1935
2. British Constitution
3. United States Constitution
4. Irish Constitution
5. Canadian Constitution
6. Australian Constitution
7. French Constitution
8. Weimar Constitution of Germany
9. Soviet Constitution (USSR)
10. South African Constitution

The constitution makers of India wanted to accommodate universal values of democracy in the Indian Constitution; hence the constituent assembly adopted several provisions from the Constitution of other countries and adapted them to the needs of the country.

On the accusation that the draft constitution heavily borrowed from the Government of India Act 1935, BR Ambedkar, chairman of the drafting committee, said, “Nobody holds any patent rights in the fundamental ideas of a Constitution”. In fact, he proudly claimed that the Constitution has been framed after “ransacking all the known Constitutions of the World.”

Government of India Act 1935

The Government of India Act 1935 served as a precursor to the Constitution of 1950. The act was the longest act passed by the British government and consisted of 321 sections and 10 schedules.

It drew its content from four sources

1. Report of the Simon Commission
2. 
   Discussions at the Third Round Table Conference which included inputs from Indian Princes, various elected representatives and class-based leaders.

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Related FAQs of Sources of Indian Constitution

What are the main sources of the Indian Constitution?

The Indian Constitution draws from multiple sources like the Government of India Act 1935, British Constitution, US Constitution, Irish Constitution, Canada, Australia, France, USSR, and others.

What features of the Indian Constitution are borrowed from the Government of India Act 1935?

Federal structure, Office of Governor, Public Service Commission, Emergency Provisions, Administrative details, and Judiciary were borrowed from the Government of India Act 1935.

Which parts of the Indian Constitution are inspired by the British Constitution?

Parliamentary system of government, Rule of Law, Single Citizenship, Prerogative Writs, Collective Responsibility, and Parliamentary Privileges are influenced by the British system.

What is borrowed from the US Constitution in the Indian Constitution?

Fundamental Rights, Judicial Review, Independence of Judiciary, Impeachment of President, and Removal of Judges are borrowed from the US Constitution.

What features are taken from the Irish Constitution in the Indian Constitution?

Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs), Method of Presidential Election, and Nomination of members to Rajya Sabha are inspired by the Irish Constitution.