Schedules of Indian Constitution: 12 Schedules, Governance & Democracy
In short
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.
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.
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Also Read: UNDERSTANDING THE PREAMBLE OF INDIAN CONSTITUTION: SIGNIFICANCE, EVOLUTION, AND CONTEMPORARY DEBATESWhat 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 |
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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.
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.
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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) |
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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
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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
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What is Schedules of Indian Constitution?
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.
Why is Schedules of Indian Constitution important for the UPSC exam?
Indian Polity topics like this appear in both Prelims and Mains. These notes cover the concepts, examples and current relevance you need for the UPSC Indian Polity syllabus.