Constitution of India

The Constitution of India is the Supreme law of India, it was adopted 19th November 1949 and came into affect on 26th January 1950 for establishing  the structure, powers, duties and rights of the government and its citizens. It establishes India as a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic and Republic. (S.S.S.D.R)

PREAMBLE :  We The People of India. 

Preamble :    Sets out the objectives of the Constitution including Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.

Fundamental Rights :    Guarantees individual rights such as freedom of speech, equality before the law, and protection against exploitation.

Directive Principles of State Policy :    Outlines the principles that guide the government's policies including social and economic justice and protection of the environment.

Separation of Powers :    Divides power among the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government.

Federal Structure :    Establishes a federal system of government, with power divided between the central government and the states.

The 1st Amendment (1951) :    Added Ninth Schedule to protect land reform laws.

The 7th Amendment (1956) :    Reorganized states and union territories.

The 42nd Amendment (1976) :    Added fundamental duties and changed the preamble.

The 73rd Amendment (1992) :    Added provisions for local self-government.

The 101st Amendment (2016) :    Introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Sovereign :    India is a self governing nation.

Socialist :    India aims to promote social and economic equality.

Secular :    India is a neutral state, respecting all religions. 

Democratic :    India is a democracy, where power rests with the people.

Republic :    India is a republic, where the head of state is elected.

Justice :    Social, economic, and political justice for all citizens.

Liberty :    Freedom of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship.

Equality :    Equal states and opportunities for all citizens.

Fraternity :    Promoting unity. integrity, and dignity among citizens.

Legals Light

Justice Sanjiv Khanna to take oath as Chief Justice of India on November 11, 2024

Justice Khanna ill have a tenure of a little over six months as CJI and will demit office on may 13, 2005. The Union Government on Thursday (October 24, 2024) notified the appointment of Justice Sanjiv Khanna as the 51st Chief Justice of India  with effect from November 11. In exercise of the powers coffered by clause (2) of article 124 of the Constitution of India, the president is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Judge of the Supreme Court, to be the Chief Justice of India with effect from November 11, 2024 the department of justice notification read.

Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud,  who is scheduled to retire on November 10, 2024 had recommended Justice Khanna as his successor in office, on October 17, 2024.

Born on May 14, 1960 Justice Khanna enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Council of Delhi in 1983.  He initially practiced in District Court  and later, in the High Court of Delhi in various fields of law including Constitutional Law, Direct Taxation, Arbitration, Commercial Law, Company Law, Land Law, Environmental Law, and Medical Negligence.

He was senior standing counsel for the Income Tax department. He had also functioned as standing counsel for the National Capital Territory of Delhi and had appeared as Additional Public Prosecutor and amicus curiae in the High Court.

He was elevated as an Additional Judge of the Delhi High Court in 2005 and made a Permanent Judge in 2006. He was appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court on January 18, 2019. Justice Khanna was ranked 33 in the combined seniority of High Court Judges on all India basis, but the then Supreme Court Collegium headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi had recommended him over others on grounds of merit and integrity.

Justice Khanna had led the Supreme Court Bench Which gave interim bail to former Delhi Chief Minister Aevind Kejriwal to campaign in the Lok Sabha Election 2024.

He was also a member of the Constitution Bench that upheld the Dilution of Articles 370 of the Constitution in Jammu and Kashmir.