Schedules of Indian Constitution: 12 Schedules, Governance & Democracy |
Schedules of Indian Constitution in Democratic Governance
The Schedules of Indian Constitution is a complex and comprehensive document, features a set of schedules that play a vital role in providing additional clauses and detailed provisions on various aspects of governance.
- Objective: To enhance and clarify specific areas within the constitution, ensuring that the core sections and articles are not burdened with excessive details.
- Component: Schedules of Indian Constitution originally encompassed eight schedules that addressed various matters, from the allocation of Rajya Sabha seats to the recognition of languages.
- However, with the passage of time and evolving needs, the Constitution has been enriched to include 12 schedules.
- Philosophy: The Schedules of Indian Constitution reflects India’s commitment to a robust and adaptive democracy.
- They have been instrumental in sustaining the foundational ideals of the Constitution while ensuring that the governance framework remains relevant and effective.
Also Read: UNDERSTANDING THE PREAMBLE OF INDIAN CONSTITUTION: SIGNIFICANCE, EVOLUTION, AND CONTEMPORARY DEBATES |
What are the 12 Vital Schedules of Indian Constitution?
Schedule | Subject Matters | Related Articles |
First |
|
Articles: 1 and 4 |
Second |
(Note: No provision for Chairman of UPSC, ECI, AGI) |
Articles: 59, 65, 75, 97, 125, 148, 158, 164, 186 and 221 |
Third | It contains Form of Oath for office, Secrecy and Affirmation
Form of Oath or Affirmation to be made by
(NOTE: No oath for President, Governor ,Member of Election Commission and other Bodies like NCSC,NCST etc and Attorney General in Third Schedule) |
Articles: 75, 99, 124, 148, 164, 188 and 219 |
Fourth |
|
Articles: 4 and 80 |
Fifth |
|
Article: 244 |
Sixth |
|
Article: 244 and 275 |
Seventh |
|
Article 246 |
Eighth | It deals with languages recognised by the Constitution of India.
|
Articles: 344 and 351 |
Ninth |
|
Article: 31B |
Tenth |
|
Article: 102 and 191 |
Eleventh |
(Note: National Panchayati Raj Day is observed on April 24th.) |
Article: 243G |
Twelfth |
|
Article: 243W |
Schedules of Indian Constitution Adapting to Changing Times
- Fulfilling Aspirations: The Schedules of Indian Constitution have evolved over time to mirror the dynamic demands and aspirations of the nation.
- These changes have fortified India’s democracy and played a crucial role in upholding the fundamental principles of the Constitution.
- Accommodate Changes: As India progressed and its social, political, and economic landscape transformed, the Schedules of Indian Constitution were amended and expanded to accommodate these shifts.
- Flexibility: The flexibility of the Schedules of Indian Constitution allowed for the inclusion of new provisions, addressing emerging challenges and opportunities.
- To meet these needs, four more schedules, The Ninth, Tenth, Elevent, and Twelfth Schedules of Indian Constitution were added through the 1st, 52nd, 73rd, and 74th Constitutional Amendments, respectively.
Also Read: CONSTITUTION AND CONSTITUTIONALISM: PRINCIPLES, SAFEGUARDS, AND CHALLENGES IN GOVERNANCE |
How many parts, articles and schedules constitute the framework of the Indian Constitution?
Original constitution consisted of 395 articles divided into 22 parts and 8 schedules.
However, a number of amendments were made in the constitution which changed, deleted and added new article , parts and the Schedules of Indian Constitution.
- The 7th Amendment Act (1956) deleted Part VII (dealing with Part-B states)
- The 42nd Amendment Act (1976) added both Part IV-A and Part XIV-A.
- The 74th Amendment Act (1992) added Part IX-A.
- The 97th Amendment Act (2011) added Part IX-B.
- Currently, there are 448 articles categorized into 25 parts and 12 schedules.
List of Parts in the Constitution as below.
Parts | Subject Matter |
Part I | The Union and its territory (Articles 1 to 4) |
Part II | Citizenship (Articles 5 to 11) |
Part III | Fundamental Rights (Articles 12 to 35) |
Part IV | Directive Principles of State Policy (Articles 36 to 51) |
Part IVA | Fundamental Duties (Article 51A) |
Part V |
The Union (Articles 52 to 151) |
Chapter I – The Executive ( Article 52 to 78 )
Chapter II – Parliament (79 to 122) Chapter III – Legislative Powers of President (123) Chapter IV – The Union Judiciary (124 to 147) Chapter V – Comptroller and Auditor-General of India (148 to 151 ) (Note: It does not include UPSC,ECI) |
|
Part VI |
The States (Articles 152 to 237) Chapter I – General 152Chapter II – The Executive 153 to 167Chapter III – The State Legislature 168 to 212Chapter IV – Legislative Powers of Governor 213Chapter V – The High Courts 214 to 232Chapter VI – Subordinate Courts 233 to 237(Note: It does not include State Election Commission and State service COmmission) |
Part VII |
The States in Part B of the First Schedule (deleted) |
Part IX | The Panchayats (Articles 243 to 243O) |
Part IXA | The Municipalities (Articles 243P to 243 ZG) |
Part IXB | Co-operative Societies (Articles 243H to 243 ZT) |
Part X | The Schedules of Indian Constitution and Tribal Areas (Articles 244 to 244A) |
Part XI | The relations between the Union and the States (Articles 245 to 263) |
Part XII | Finance, Property, Contracts, and Suits (Articles 264 to 300A)
Right to property (Article 300 A) |
Part XIII | Trade, Commerce and Intercourse within the Territory of India (Articles 301 to 307) |
Part XIV | Part XIV : Services under the Union and the States (Articles 308 to 323) |
Part XIVA | Tribunals (Articles 323A and 323B ) |
Part XV | Elections (Articles 324 to 329A) |
Part XVI | Special provisions relating to certain classes (Articles 330 to 342) |
Part XVII | Official Language (Articles 343 to 351) |
Part XVIII | Emergency Provisions (Articles 352 to 360) |
Part XIX | Miscellaneous (Articles 361 to 367) |
Part XX | Amendment to the Constitution ( Article 368) |
Part XXI | Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions (Articles 369 to 392) |
Part XXII |
Short title, commencement, authoritative text in Hindi and repeals (Articles 393 to 395) |
Previous Year Question (Prelims)
1. Under which Schedule of the Constitution of India can the transfer of tribal land to private parties for mining be declared null and void? [2019]
- Third Schedule
- Fifth Schedule
- Ninth Schedule
- Twelfth Schedule
2. The Ninth Schedule was introduced in the Constitution of India during the prime ministership of: (2019)
- Jawaharlal Nehru
- Lal Bahadur Shastri
- Indira Gandhi
- Morarji Desai
3. The provisions in the Fifth Schedule and Sixth Schedule in the Constitution of India are made in order to_______________(2015)
- protect the interests of Scheduled Tribes
- determine the boundaries between States
- determine the powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats
- protect the interests of all the border States
4. Which one of the following Schedules of the Constitution of India contains provisions regarding anti-defection? [2014]
- Second Schedule
- Fifth Schedule
- Eighth Schedule
- Tenth Schedule
Also Read: REGULATING ACT 1773: SHAPING EAST INDIA COMPANY’S GOVERNANCE |