The Indian Constitution is not just a book of laws — it’s the soul of our democratic nation. When India became a Republic on 26th January 1950, this document came into force. Over the years, it has grown in size and importance.
How is the Indian Constitution Structured?
When the Constitution was adopted in 1949, it had:
- 395 Articles
- 22 Parts
- 8 Schedules
Today, after multiple amendments, the Constitution has:
- 470+ Articles (grouped in 25 Parts)
- 12 Schedules
Parts of Indian Constitution
Parts of the Indian Constitution refer to the major sections of the Constitution that organize its content into subject-wise categories. Each part groups together related articles that deal with a particular aspect of the country’s governance, legal framework, or the rights and duties of citizens.
| Part No. | Subject/Heading | Articles Covered |
| Part I | The Union and its Territories | 1 – 4 |
| Part II | Citizenship | 5 – 11 |
| Part III | Fundamental Rights | 12 – 35 |
| Part IV | Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) | 36 – 51 |
| Part IVA | Fundamental Duties | 51A |
| Part V | The Union (Executive, Parliament, Judiciary) | 52 – 151 |
| Part VI | The States (Executive, Legislature, Judiciary) | 152 – 237 |
| Part VII | States in Part B of the First Schedule (Repealed) | 238 |
| Part VIII | The Union Territories | 239 – 242 |
| Part IX | The Panchayats (Local Self-Government – Rural) | 243 – 243O |
| Part IXA | The Municipalities (Urban Local Bodies) | 243P – 243ZG |
| Part IXB | Co-operative Societies | 243ZH – 243ZT |
| Part X | Scheduled and Tribal Areas | 244 – 244A |
| Part XI | Centre-State Relations | 245 – 263 |
| Part XII | Finance, Property, Contracts, and Suits | 264 – 300A |
| Part XIII | Trade, Commerce, and Intercourse within India | 301 – 307 |
| Part XIV | Services Under the Union and States | 308 – 323 |
| Part XIVA | Tribunals | 323A – 323B |
| Part XV | Elections | 324 – 329A |
| Part XVI | Special Provisions for Certain Classes | 330 – 342 |
| Part XVII | Official Languages | 343 – 351 |
| Part XVIII | Emergency Provisions | 352 – 360 |
| Part XIX | Miscellaneous | 361 – 367 |
| Part XX | Amendment of the Constitution | 368 |
| Part XXI | Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions | 369 – 392 |
| Part XXII | Short Title, Commencement, Authoritative Text, Repeals | 393 – 395 |
PART I: The Union and Its Territories (Articles 1–4)
This part talks about what India is — a Union of States. It also explains how new states can be created or existing states can be changed.
PART II: Citizenship (Articles 5–11)
This part tells us who is considered an Indian citizen, especially those who migrated during partition.
PART III: Fundamental Rights (Articles 12–35)
These are the heart of the Constitution. Fundamental Rights protect us from injustice and ensure equality. These include:
- Right to Equality
- Right to Freedom
- Right against Exploitation
- Right to Freedom of Religion
- Cultural and Educational Rights
- Right to Constitutional Remedies
PART IV: Directive Principles of State Policy (Articles 36–51)
DPSPs are like guidelines for the government. They are not enforceable in court but help make good policies. For example, equal pay for equal work.
PART IVA: Fundamental Duties (Article 51A)
These were added later (by 42nd Amendment). Citizens are expected to respect the Constitution, promote harmony, protect the environment, etc.
PART V to VII: Structure of Union and States
- Part V: Union government – President, Parliament, Supreme Court.
- Part VI: States – Governor, State Legislature, High Courts.
- Part VII: Repealed (dealt with old Part B states like Hyderabad).
PART VIII to X: Union Territories and Tribes
- Part VIII: How Union Territories are managed.
- Part IX: Panchayati Raj (village governance).
- Part IXA: Municipalities (city governance).
- Part IXB: Co-operative societies (added by 97th Amendment).
PART XI: Union-State Relations
This part explains how powers are shared between Centre and States — in law-making and administration.
PART XII to XIV: Financial and Government Services
- Part XII: Taxes, government money, and economic matters.
- Part XIII: Trade and commerce.
- Part XIV: Government jobs and civil services.
- Part XIVA: Tribunals for dispute resolution.
PART XV to XVIII: Elections, Emergency, and Language
- Part XV: Elections are managed by the Election Commission.
- Part XVI: Reservations and provisions for SCs, STs, and OBCs.
- Part XVII: Declares Hindi as the official language.
- Part XVIII: Emergency provisions – National, State, and Financial.
PART XIX to XXII: Amendments and Miscellaneous
- Part XIX: Other provisions (like protection of the President).
- Part XX: How the Constitution can be amended.
- Part XXI: Temporary and special provisions (like for J&K).
- Part XXII: Final formalities – short title, repeal, Hindi version.
Schedules in Indian Constitution
What are Schedules?
Think of Schedules as annexures or extra lists attached to the Constitution. They explain important details not covered in the main body.
Originally, there were 8 Schedules. Now, we have 12 Schedules.
| Schedule | Description |
| 1st | Names of States and Union Territories; their boundaries |
| 2nd | Salary and allowances of top government officials (like President, Governors, Judges, MPs) |
| 3rd | Oaths and affirmations by constitutional functionaries |
| 4th | Seats allotted to States and UTs in Rajya Sabha |
| 5th | Administration of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes |
| 6th | Provisions for Tribal Areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram |
| 7th | Division of powers between Centre and States – Union, State and Concurrent Lists |
| 8th | List of 22 official languages |
| 9th | Laws protected from being challenged in courts (especially land reforms) |
| 10th | Anti-defection law – disqualification of MPs and MLAs if they switch parties |
| 11th | Powers and responsibilities of Panchayats |
| 12th | Powers and responsibilities of Municipalities |
Tips to Remember Parts of the Indian Constitution for UPSC
- Link Parts to real-life events. Eg: Part III (Fundamental Rights) – connect to any recent Supreme Court case.
- Remember the difference: DPSP (Part IV) is not enforceable in court, but Fundamental Rights (Part III) are.
- Use mnemonics for Schedules. For example, TEA SPOON FML:
- T – Territory (1st)
- E – Emoluments (2nd)
- A – Affirmation (3rd)
- S – Seats in Rajya Sabha (4th)
- P – Provisions for ST/SC areas (5th, 6th)
- O – Official languages (8th)
- N – No court interference (9th)
- F – Federal lists (7th)
- M – Municipalities (12th)
- L – Law against defection (10th)
Conclusion
The Indian Constitution is not just a legal document—it’s the living foundation of our democracy. Each Part and Schedule is like a brick in the massive structure that governs India, ensuring justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity to all its citizens. Whether it’s the Fundamental Rights that protect individual freedoms or the Directive Principles that guide policymaking, every provision reflects the vision of the Constitution’s framers.
