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Revisiting the Republic: An Interactive Look at India's Constitution

Table of Contents

  • Rights &
    Freedoms

  • How Republic
    works

  • Then &
    Now

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Rights & Freedoms

India guarantees six Fundamental Rights
  • Right to Equality to Equality to Equality
  • Right to Freedom
  • Freedom of Religion
  • Protection from Exploitation
  • Cultural and Educational Rights
  • Right to Constitutional Remedies

Rights & Freedoms

Which of these is a Fundamental Right?
Right to Education
Right to Internet Access
Right to Work

The Right to Education is a Fundamental Right. It guarantees schooling for children aged 6 - 14.

Rights & Freedoms

Freedom of speech has limits.
True
False

Rights are protected, not unlimited. Article 19 allows reasonable restrictions by law.

Rights & Freedoms

Which of these freedoms is explicitly mentioned in the Constitution?
Freedom of opinion
Freedom of speech and expression
Freedom of information

The Constitution explicitly guarantees freedom of speech and expression.

Rights & Freedoms

You post a critical comment about a public policy online. Is this protected by the Constitution?
Yes
No

Yes, as long as it stays within legal limits. Peaceful criticism is protected under Article 19. Discomfort is not the same as illegality.

Rights & Freedoms

Article 32 is often called the heart of the Constitution.

It allows citizens to directly approach the Supreme Court when rights are violated.

Rights & Freedoms

Article 19 guarantees 6 freedoms.

Speech. Assembly. Association.

Movement. Residence. Profession.

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How the Republic Works

The Constitution divides power into three branches.
  • Legislature - makes laws
  • Executive - implements laws
  • Judiciary - interprets laws

No single branch controls the rest.

How the Republic Works

Match the institution
to its role.
Supreme Court
A
B
C
Parliament
A
B
C
Executive
A
B
C

A = Makes law
B = Implements laws
C = Interprets law

How the Republic Works

Who appoints the Chief Justice of India?
The Prime Minister
The President
Parliament

The President appoints the Chief Justice of India. This is provided under Article 124 of the Constitution.

How the Republic Works

Parliament can overrule the Supreme Court.
True
False

Courts can review laws passed by Parliament. This power is called judicial review under the Constitution.

How the Republic Works

How a law is made
Proposal by an MP
Debate in Parliament
Assent by the President
Passage by both Houses
Tap to know the flow!

Each stage exists to prevent rushed or unchecked lawmaking, with thorough reviews at every level.

How the Republic Works

Who is the final authority on interpreting the Constitution?
Parliament
Supreme Court
Election Commission

Article 141 states that the Supreme Court is the final interpreter of the Constitution. Its decisions are binding on all courts and authorities.

How the Republic Works

Who is the final authority on interpreting the Constitution?

India has over 4,000 legislators across Parliament and State Assemblies.

All operate under one Constitution.

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Then & Now

The Constitution came into force in 1950

Since then, it has been amended over 100 times.

It’s designed to be an evolving document, with change built into the system.

Then & Now

Then
395 Articles
8 Schedules
Now
470+ Articles
12 Schedules

The document grew with the
country.

Then & Now

The Constitution has remained unchanged since 1950.
True
False

Amendments are part of its design.

Then & Now

Which of these was once a Fundamental Right?
Right to Property
Right to Education
Right to Information

The Right to Property was removed as a Fundamental Right in 1978. This change came through the 44th Constitutional Amendment.

Then & Now

Then
Right to Property
A Fundamental Right
Now
Right to Property
A Legal Right

Its status changed, not its
importance.

Then & Now

Every amendment must be: Passed by Parliament.

In some cases, approved by States. Formally recorded.

These steps are laid out in Article 368 of the Constitution.

Then & Now

The original Constitution took 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days to draft.

It has been evolving ever since.

This chapter ends here.

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