Various References Used In Drafting The Constitution Of India

Major Provisions/References Adapted From Constitutions Of Different Countries

Makers of our Indian Constitution never shied away or hesitate to learn from other constitutions. Our constitution makers never opposed to borrowing the provisions or references from other countries constitution, it was a testament to their wide learning that they could lay their hands upon any intellectual arguement. They borrowed a few numbers of provisions from different countries.

The provisions that they adapted from different countries are:

• British 
  1. First Past the Post
  2. Parliamentary Form Of Government
  3. The Idea of the Rule Of Law
  4. Speaker and his Role
  5. Law Making Procedure

• The United States
  1. Charter Of Fundamental Rights
  2. Power Of Judicial Review and Independence of the Judiciary.

• Canada
  1. A Quasi-federal form of government
  2. The idea of residual Powers.

• Ireland
  1. Directive Principles of State Policy

• France
  1. Principle of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity

These are the above references that were borrowed by the Drafting Committee, the drafting committee did not blindly adopt these provisions, each provision of the respective Constitution had to defend on the grounds that it was suited to the Indian Problems and Aspirations.

"One Likes to ask whether there can be anything new in a Constitution framed at this hour in the history of the world... The only new things, if there can be any, in a constitution framed so late in the day are the variations made to remove the faults and to accommodate it to needs of the Country"

                                                                    - Dr B.R. Ambedkar

Thank You!!

Jai Hind!!