SSC
When it was adopted in 1949, the original Constitution of India contained:
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Answer: Option A — 395 Articles, 8 Schedules and 22 Parts
Detailed Solution
The original Constitution of India, as adopted in 1949, contained a Preamble, 395 Articles divided into 22 Parts, and 8 Schedules.
Changes since then:
- Over the years, many amendments have added new Articles, Parts and Schedules.
- At present, the Constitution has about 448 Articles in 25 Parts, and 12 Schedules (the numbering of the Articles has been kept the same, with new Articles given numbers such as 21A or 51A).
- Some Articles have also been repealed.
The Schedules and Parts added later:
- Four new Schedules (the Ninth to the Twelfth) were added by different amendments, dealing with matters such as the protection of certain laws, anti-defection, panchayats and municipalities.
- Part IV-A (Fundamental Duties) was added by the 42nd Amendment (1976).
- New Parts on panchayats, municipalities and tribunals were also added.
- Some Parts, such as Part VII (Part B States), were repealed.
Why the Constitution is so long:
India's size and diversity, the need for detailed provisions on the Centre-State relations, the experience of the Government of India Act (1935), and the many special provisions for different groups and regions made the Constitution very detailed.
Physical form:
- The original Constitution was handwritten in English and Hindi, and decorated by artists of Santiniketan under Nandalal Bose.
- The Articles are the basic units of the Constitution; related Articles are grouped into Parts, while the Schedules contain lists and details, such as the names of the states and the languages.
- The Preamble is the introduction to the Constitution.
Why not the other options?
- ✗448 Articles, 12 Schedules and 25 Parts is the approximate present position; the other combinations are not correct.
Quick tip
Remember: original Constitution (1949) = Preamble, 395 Articles, 22 Parts, 8 Schedules; now about 448 Articles, 25 Parts, 12 Schedules.
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Important Articles & Schedules — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Important Articles & Schedules, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers the important articles of the Constitution that exams test most often, the parts of the Constitution, and the twelve schedules, such as the Seventh Schedule (Union, State and Concurrent Lists), the Eighth Schedule (languages) and the Tenth Schedule (anti-defection law). Questions directly ask which article or schedule deals with a subject, so make a table and revise it often. High-frequency examples include Article 112 (annual financial statement), Article 280 (Finance Commission), Article 324 (Election Commission) and Article 368 (amendment procedure). Remember that the Ninth Schedule was added by the 1st Amendment in 1951. Practise the important articles and schedules questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.