LGS 2026: Indian Constitution Basics — SSLC Level Revision

Constitution basics for the LGS exam on April 26, 2026. Expect 5-8 questions from Indian Polity. This covers SSLC-level content only — no graduate-depth detail.

The Constitution — Basic Facts

Fact	Answer
Adopted on	26 November 1949
Came into effect	26 January 1950 (Republic Day)
Time taken to draft	2 years, 11 months, 18 days
Chairman of Drafting Committee	Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Chairman of Constituent Assembly	Dr. Rajendra Prasad
Total Articles (original)	395
Total Schedules (original)	8 (now 12)
Total Parts (original)	22 (now 25)
Source/Inspiration	Multiple countries (see below)
Longest written constitution	In the world

Sources of the Constitution

Feature	Borrowed From
Parliamentary system	Britain (UK)
Fundamental Rights	USA
Directive Principles (DPSP)	Ireland
Federal structure with strong centre	Canada
Concurrent List	Australia
Emergency provisions	Germany (Weimar)
Fundamental Duties	USSR (Russia)
Republic, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity	France
Amendment procedure	South Africa

The Preamble — Key Words

The Preamble is the introduction to the Constitution. Memorise these keywords:

Keyword	Meaning
Sovereign	India is independent; no external authority
Socialist	Added by 42nd Amendment (1976); social and economic equality
Secular	Added by 42nd Amendment (1976); equal treatment of all religions
Democratic	Government by the people
Republic	Head of state (President) is elected, not hereditary
Justice	Social, Economic, and Political
Liberty	Of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship
Equality	Of status and opportunity
Fraternity	Brotherhood; assuring dignity of the individual

Preamble Fact	Answer
”We, the people of India”	Source of authority
42nd Amendment (1976)	Added Socialist, Secular, and Integrity
Original words	Sovereign, Democratic, Republic

Fundamental Rights (Part III, Articles 12-35)

There are 6 Fundamental Rights (originally 7 — Right to Property was removed by the 44th Amendment):

No.	Right	Articles	Key Points
1	Right to Equality	14-18	Equality before law; no discrimination; abolition of untouchability; abolition of titles
2	Right to Freedom	19-22	6 freedoms (speech, assembly, movement, residence, profession, association); protection from arrest
3	Right against Exploitation	23-24	No human trafficking; no child labour (below 14 years in factories)
4	Right to Freedom of Religion	25-28	Freedom of conscience; free profession and practice of religion
5	Cultural and Educational Rights	29-30	Minorities can conserve culture; run educational institutions
6	Right to Constitutional Remedies	32	Right to approach Supreme Court; Dr. Ambedkar called it “Heart and Soul” of Constitution

Important FR Facts	Answer
Article 14	Equality before law
Article 17	Abolition of untouchability
Article 19	6 freedoms
Article 21	Right to Life and Personal Liberty
Article 21A	Right to Education (added by 86th Amendment)
Article 32	Right to Constitutional Remedies

Writs (Under Article 32 and 226)

Writ	Meaning	Used For
Habeas Corpus	”Produce the body”	Unlawful detention
Mandamus	”We command”	Order a public authority to do duty
Prohibition	”To forbid”	Higher court stops lower court
Certiorari	”To be certified”	Higher court reviews lower court decision
Quo Warranto	”By what authority”	Challenge illegal holding of public office

Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV, Articles 36-51)

DPSPs are guidelines for the government. Not enforceable in court (unlike Fundamental Rights).

Key DPSP	Article
Equal justice and free legal aid	39A
Uniform Civil Code	44
Free and compulsory education for children	45
Promotion of cottage industries	43
Protection of monuments	49
Separation of judiciary from executive	50
Promotion of international peace	51

DPSP Fact	Answer
Part of Constitution	Part IV
Enforceable in court?	No
Based on	Irish Constitution
Purpose	Welfare state; social and economic democracy

Fundamental Duties (Part IV-A, Article 51A)

Added by 42nd Amendment (1976). Originally 10 duties, 11th added by 86th Amendment (2002).

No.	Duty (Simplified)
1	Abide by the Constitution; respect the Flag and National Anthem
2	Follow the noble ideals of the freedom struggle
3	Protect sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India
4	Defend the country and render national service
5	Promote harmony; renounce practices derogatory to women
6	Value and preserve composite culture
7	Protect natural environment (forests, lakes, rivers, wildlife)
8	Develop scientific temper and humanism
9	Safeguard public property; abjure violence
10	Strive towards excellence in all spheres
11	Provide education to children aged 6-14 (added 2002)

President of India

Fact	Answer
Head of State	President
Article	52
Elected by	Electoral College (MPs + MLAs)
Term	5 years
Minimum age	35 years
Must be	Citizen of India
Residence	Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi
First President	Dr. Rajendra Prasad
First woman President	Pratibha Patil
Current President	Droupadi Murmu (since 2022)
Impeachment	By Parliament (Article 61)

President Powers	Detail
Executive head	All executive actions in President’s name
Appoints	PM, Governors, SC/HC judges, CAG, AG
Supreme Commander	Armed Forces
Emergency powers	National (352), State (356), Financial (360)
Pardoning power	Article 72

Prime Minister of India

Fact	Answer
Head of Government	Prime Minister
Article	74 and 75
Appointed by	President
Must be	Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha)
First PM	Jawaharlal Nehru
First woman PM	Indira Gandhi
Current PM	Narendra Modi (since 2014)
Longest serving PM	Jawaharlal Nehru (17 years)

Governor

Fact	Answer
Constitutional head of state	Governor
Article	153
Appointed by	President of India
Term	5 years (serves at pleasure of President)
Minimum age	35 years
Appoints	Chief Minister, Advocate General
Pardoning power	Article 161

Parliament of India

Fact	Answer
Two Houses	Lok Sabha (Lower) and Rajya Sabha (Upper)
Lok Sabha members	543 elected (Anglo-Indian nomination abolished by 104th Amendment, 2020)
Rajya Sabha members	245 (max); 233 elected + 12 nominated
Lok Sabha term	5 years
Rajya Sabha	Permanent body; 1/3 retire every 2 years
Rajya Sabha member term	6 years
Speaker of Lok Sabha	Presides over Lok Sabha
Chairman of Rajya Sabha	Vice President of India
Minimum age for Lok Sabha	25 years
Minimum age for Rajya Sabha	30 years
Joint Session	Called by President; presided by Lok Sabha Speaker
Money Bill	Can only be introduced in Lok Sabha

Emergency Provisions

Type	Article	Declared By	Reason
National Emergency	352	President (on Cabinet advice)	War, external aggression, armed rebellion
State Emergency (President’s Rule)	356	President	Failure of constitutional machinery in a state
Financial Emergency	360	President	Financial stability of India threatened

Emergency Facts	Answer
National Emergency declared	3 times (1962, 1971, 1975)
Most controversial	1975 (by Indira Gandhi; internal disturbance)
State Emergency (356)	Used many times in various states
Financial Emergency (360)	Never declared

Important Amendments

Amendment	Year	Key Change
1st	1951	Restrictions on Fundamental Rights
42nd	1976	Added Socialist, Secular, Integrity to Preamble; added Fundamental Duties
44th	1978	Removed Right to Property from FRs
73rd	1992	Panchayati Raj (local self-government)
74th	1992	Municipalities
86th	2002	Right to Education (Article 21A); 11th Fundamental Duty
101st	2016	GST (Goods and Services Tax)

Local Self Government (Panchayati Raj)

Fact	Answer
Part of Constitution	Part IX (73rd Amendment)
Three tiers	Gram Panchayat, Block Panchayat, District Panchayat
In Kerala	Gram Panchayat, Block Panchayat, District Panchayat
Kerala has	941 Gram Panchayats, 152 Block Panchayats, 14 District Panchayats
Reservation for women	Not less than 1/3 of total seats
Kerala women reservation	50%
Election conducted by	State Election Commission
Term	5 years

Quick Memory Tricks

Question Pattern	Answer Pattern
”Which Article deals with…?”	Memorise Articles 14, 17, 19, 21, 21A, 32, 44, 51A
”Which Amendment…?“	42nd (Preamble + Duties), 44th (Property removed), 73rd (Panchayat), 86th (Education)
“Who appoints…?”	President appoints PM, Governors, Judges; Governor appoints CM
”Minimum age for…?”	President/Governor = 35; Lok Sabha = 25; Rajya Sabha = 30

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Tip: In LGS exams, 3-5 questions come from Constitution basics. Focus on Preamble keywords, Fundamental Rights names, and who-appoints-whom.