Question

How many parts did the Indian Constitution have when it came into force?

• A. 12
• B. 22
• C. 18
• D. 20

Answer 1

Answer:

B. 22

• At the time of its adoption on November 26, 1949, and commencement on January 26, 1950, the Constitution of India consisted of 22 Parts, 8 Schedules, and 395 Articles.

• Current Status: Due to numerous constitutional amendments, the document has expanded, yet the original numbering system is maintained. While some parts were deleted (e.g., Part VII), others were added (e.g., Part IVA, IXA, IXB, and XIVA), as a result, there are a total of 25 parts..

• Key Constitutional Amendments:

  • 42nd Amendment (1976): Added Part IVA (Fundamental Duties) and Part XIVA (Tribunals).

  • 73rd Amendment (1992): Added Part IX (The Panchayats).

  • 74th Amendment (1992): Added Part IXA (The Municipalities).

  • 97th Amendment (2011): Added Part IXB (The Co-operative Societies).

• Notable Omissions: Part VII, which dealt with 'States in Part B of the First Schedule,' was repealed by the 7th Amendment Act, 1956, following the reorganization of states.

• Technical Note: In Indian constitutional law, when a new part or article is added, it is typically designated with an alphabetical suffix (e.g., Part IVA) rather than changing the existing numbering of subsequent parts, preserving the historical integrity of the document.