What you didn’t learn in Civics class!
The Indian Constitution is the longest written constitution in the world. When adopted in 1950, the Constitution contained 395 Articles, 8 Schedules and 22 parts. It has 25 parts as of now, although the last part is still numbered as XXII, because several new parts were inserted (such as Parts IVA, IXA, IXB, and XIVA), while Part VII was deleted.
This makes it the longest written constitution of any sovereign democratic nation.
The Constitution of India is not merely a legal document—it has several interesting aspects to it, most of which we do not learn about in our classes at school, but which form a significant part of the history of modern India. Framed after independence and adopted on 26 November 1949, it governs the world’s largest democracy and reflects centuries of political thought, anti-colonial struggle, and social reform.
Beyond the familiar lessons from civics textbooks, there are extraordinary stories, strange debates, artistic achievements, and constitutional innovations that many Indians have never heard about. At Chrysalis High we believe in extending knowledge gained through textbooks, into exploring further about any topic. Let us attempt to do so now as well.
Scholars of constitutional law, political science, and modern Indian history describe the Indian Constitution as both deeply idealistic and astonishingly practical.
Here are some bizarre, brilliant, and little-known facts about the Indian Constitution, which you probably were not familiar with.
1. India Granted Universal Voting Rights Immediately
India adopted a universal adult franchise from the very beginning.
At a time when literacy was low and poverty widespread, every adult citizen—regardless of caste, gender, religion, education, or wealth—received the right to vote. Despite having an illiteracy rate exceeding 80 percent and enormous social inequalities, the Constitution granted voting rights to every adult citizen. In 1950, most newly independent nations restricted voting based on literacy, property ownership, education, or gender. India did not.
Even in older European countries, including England, our colonisers, voting rights were not universal at all: many were monarchies, who did not have the right for long, and did not grant them to women when voting was institutionalised.
That is the reason why political scientists describe this as one of the greatest democratic milestones in history. Around 173 million people became eligible voters in 1951–52. Scholars such as Ornit Shani argue that India chose democracy before economic development, not after it. Whether that was the ideal path or not, may be debated, but for a freedom movement that sought to place the reins of power in the hands of the people, this was a non negotiable matter.
2. The Constitution Was Handwritten, Not Typed
The original Constitution was handwritten in elegant calligraphy by Prem Behari Narain Raizada.Remarkably, he charged no fee for his work. Instead, he requested permission to sign every page and include his grandfather’s name on the final page. The copperplate calligraphy in itself is a testament of great artistic presentation, but the presence of such consistent and even beauty across one of the longest documents is also a feat of great skill and artistry.
The pages of the Indian Constitution are not just beautifully written, every single page of the original document is visually designed artistically and illustrated under the supervision of artist Nandalal Bose from Tagore’s Vishwa Bharati University, Shantiniketan. The execution was done by his apprentices from the Kala Bhavan.
The illustrations draw from the different styles of art across India’s civilisational journey from the Indus Valley Civilisation to the freedom struggle itself.
Historians often describe the Constitution as both a legal manuscript and a national artistic archive. Also, few constitutions in the world are simultaneously legal texts and works of fine art.
3. It is preserved using the best of Archival preservation techniques
The original handwritten copies of the Indian Constitution (in both English and Hindi) are permanently housed in special, hermetically sealed, helium-filled glass cases. These are kept in a climate-controlled strong room at the Parliament Library Building in New Delhi.
How it is Preserved
To prevent the aging, yellowing, or decay of the 1950 documents, meticulous scientific measures are in place:
- Helium-Filled Receptacles: The manuscripts are enclosed in cases filled with helium to prevent oxidation and protect the delicate parchment and calligraphy from moisture, pollutants, and insects.
- Micro-Environment: The cases maintain a strictly monitored environment with less than 1% oxygen and 45% relative humidity.
- Protective Vault: The cases are secured inside a massive, climate-controlled vault (20°C and 30% relative humidity) designed by the CSIR-National Physical Laboratory and the Getty Conservation Institute.
4. The Original document is signed in both English and Hindi
There was significant debate about the language in which the Indian Constitution was drafted in, as well as the languages it would be signed in. English was initially adopted as a temporary language for deliberations, but it still functions as an official language as it is more universally accepted all across the country.
Finally, the Constitution of India was signed in both English and Hindi and the original documents also exist in these two languages.
5. It is one of the most ‘inclusive’ documents ever written: its creation was also a beacon of its democratic spirit
Inspired by several Constitutions
The Constitution of India as framed by the Constituent Assembly under the Chairmanship of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar drew inspiration from several global constitutions. The collective wisdom from several other constitutions have informed the Constituent Assembly’s choice of the following features. :
| Feature | Borrowed From |
| Fundamental Rights | United States |
| Parliamentary System | United Kingdom |
| Directive Principles | Ireland |
| Federalism | Canada |
| Emergency Provisions | Germany |
| Concurrent List | Australia |
Scholars emphasize that these features were adapted creatively for Indian realities rather than copied mechanically. For instance the guarantee of Fundamental rights as per the principles of the United States Constitution was a necessity in the multi-cultural and multi- faceted society as India is. At the same time, it did not adopt the Federal system of government or the presidential system from that constitution because dual citizenship would serve to be divisive, rather than unifying for our diverse nation.
The Emergency provisions were inspired by the German constitution, and these provisions were proved their worth during the days of the Emergency in 1970’s where it showed up as both the strength of our constitution as well as its greatest vulnerability as well.
Ordinary citizens have sent in their suggestions to the Constituent Assembly
Recent research shows thousands of letters and petitions were sent by ordinary Indians to the Constituent Assembly. People wrote about
- Minority protections
- Women’s rights
- Language
- Electoral systems
- Education
Hence, our Constitution of India, was partially ‘crowdsourced’ decades before the internet existed, or this was a practice. Visionary, wasn’t it?
The Constituent Assembly Included Extraordinary Diversity
The Constituent Assembly led by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, included lawyers, scholars, social reformers, administrators, freedom fighters, women leaders, and minority representatives.
Women such as Hansa Mehta, Dakshayani Velayudhan, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur played major roles in debates on equality and rights.
6. The Indian Constitution is a ‘Living Document’
The Preamble to the Bharatiya Samvidhan originally did not contain the words:
- Socialist
- Secular
- Integrity
These were added later through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment during the Emergency (1976).
The Constitution itself evolved along with political developments.
Also, the Constitution of India aimed at social revolution and not on limiting government power.
Granville Austin famously called it “the cornerstone of a nation committed to social transformation.”
It sought to:
- End caste discrimination
- Promote equality
- Expand education
- Build a welfare state
- Protect minorities
The aim was to dismantle centuries of caste discrimination, promote equality, expand education, and improve socio-economic conditions. The Directive Principles of State Policy were included specifically to guide future governments toward building a welfare state.
It is also relatively easier to make amendments to India’s Constitution, which is why it is referred to as partly rigid and partly flexible.
Some amendments require a simple majority in Parliament, while others require a special majority, including ratification by states.
This balance was also designed deliberately. It was felt that keeping the route of reform open at the constitutional level was extremely important for it to be relevant to the citizens of the Indian republic in the future.
Between 1975 and 1977, India experienced a National Emergency where several restrictions on civil liberties were instituted and executive power was disproportionately expanded. Constitutional amendments during this period significantly altered the balance among institutions. Scholars often cite the Emergency as a critical test of constitutional resilience. Following the Emergency, several safeguards were strengthened to prevent future misuse of constitutional provisions.
So we see how the Constitution evolved through experience and correction, demonstrating its adaptability.
7. Emergency Powers granted by the Indian Constitution Were Influenced by Fear of National Collapse
The framers of the Constitution of India had witnessed:
- Partition violence
- Communal riots
- Refugee crises
- Princely state integration challenges
These experiences influenced strong emergency provisions. Ironically, the Emergency of 1975 later exposed how dangerous such powers could become. This has been discussed in the previous point.
8. There Was Serious Debate About Which Language It Should Be Written In
One of the most heated debates in the Constituent Assembly concerned language. Some members argued that the Constitution should be written only in Hindi or Hindustani. Others believed English was necessary for precision and administrative continuity. Assembly debates reveal passionate arguments on both sides. There were concerns about the risk of regional dominance as a result of the selection of language, and as we can see by the recent language debates that rage even today, we have not settled this to the satisfaction of the polity. The compromise ultimately allowed English to remain while promoting Hindi.
Language debates reflected deeper questions about identity, culture, and nationhood. Nearly 8 decades into our nationhood, we still have the language debate rage on, and await a democratic and ‘inclusive’ resolution of the same. Shall our visionary Constituent Assembly thought leaders influence today’s thought? Perhaps you could read the assembly debates and form that opinion!
9. The Indian Constitution Protects Both Individual Rights and Community Rights
India’s constitutional framework protects:
- Individual liberty
- Minority educational institutions
- Religious freedom
- Reservation policies
- Cultural rights
- Tribal and indigenous cultures
and many more. The possibility of conflict prompted the Assembly to remove the Right to Property from its list of Fundamental Rights, as there was a tremendous potential for it to cause conflict between individual rights and community welfare.
This balancing act remains one of its most debated features.
10. “We, the People” Was More Than a Phrase
The opening words of the Preamble—“We, the People of India”—are among the most powerful in constitutional history. It reflects the genuine will of the Assembly in granting to the people their right to self governance, for which the freedom struggle was fought.
In the colonial times, laws were imposed from our colonisers, but the Constitution derives its authority from the people themselves. The Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution on 26 November 1949, and it came into force on 26 January 1950, marking the birth of the Republic of India. This date commemorated the 1930 declaration of Purna Swaraj (complete independence) by the Indian National Congress.
The Indian Constitution’s legitimacy rests not on a monarch, parliament, or colonial authority, but on the sovereignty of Indian citizens.
Conclusion
The Indian Constitution is far more than a legal handbook. It is a remarkable blend of idealism and pragmatism, tradition and modernity, global influences and Indian realities. It enfranchised millions before many developed nations had done the same, sought to transform society through law, and created institutions capable of governing one of the most diverse populations in human history. The endurance of our democracy is the greatest testament to its relevance and fluid adaptability to the needs of the current society. It placed its faith in its ordinary people, and that is at the heart of this great Pole Star of our democratic will.
Perhaps the most astonishing fact is that a document drafted nearly eight decades ago continues to guide over 1.4 billion people while adapting to changing times. Few constitutions in the world have attempted so much—and fewer still have endured so successfully.
At Chrysalis High, it is our commitment to create future citizens who understand their roots and take pride in it. Knowing such enriched facts about the Pole Star of our democratic system is but one aspect of creating community-minded and nation-focussed citizens.
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Written By – Amrita Paul,
School Coordinator – Chrysalis High
Frequently Asked Questions:
The Constitution of India originally contained 395 Articles, 22 Parts, and 8 Schedules. Today, it has grown through amendments, making it the world’s longest written constitution of any sovereign democratic nation.
The original Constitution was beautifully handwritten by Prem Behari Narain Raizada, who declined payment and instead requested permission to sign every page of his work.
The Constitution evolves through constitutional amendments, allowing it to address changing social, political, and economic needs while preserving democratic values.
The Preamble reflects the core values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity, expressing the aspirations of the people of India and serving as the guiding philosophy of the Constitution.
The best CBSE & ICSE schools in Bangalore, such as Chrysalis High, focus on expanding education beyond standard textbooks. Instead of just memorizing articles, students engage in interactive learning—like analyzing the Constituent Assembly debates, studying Nandalal Bose’s original artwork, and participating in mock parliaments. This experimental approach helps nurture community-minded, nation-focused future citizens across their multiple campuses in Bengaluru.
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