14/04/2025
The Constitution of India: Parts and Schedules
A Simplified Overview
Parts of the Constitution
The Constitution is divided into sections called Parts, each addressing specific aspects of governance:
Part I: States and Union Territories
Part II: Citizenship
Part III: Fundamental Rights
Part IV: Directive Principles of State Policy
Part IVA: Fundamental Duties
Part V: The Union
Part VI: The States
Part VII: States in Part B of the First Schedule (repealed)
Part VIII: Union Territories
Part IX: Panchayats
Part IXA: Municipalities
Part IXB: Co-operative Societies
Part X: Scheduled and Tribal Areas
Part XI: Relations between the Union and States
Part XII: Finance, Property, Contracts, and Suits
Part XIII: Trade and Commerce within India
Part XIV: Services under the Union and States
Part XIVA: Tribunals
Part XV: Elections
Part XVI: Special Provisions for Certain Classes
Part XVII: Languages
Part XVIII: Emergency Provisions
Part XIX: Miscellaneous
Part XX: Amending the Constitution
Part XXI: Temporary, Transitional, and Special Provisions
Part XXII: Short Title, Date of Commencement, Authoritative Text in Hindi, and Repeals
Key Terms:
"Preamble": Introduces the Constitution.
"Socialist" & "Secular": Added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976.
Schedules of the Constitution
Schedules are lists that categorize and facilitate governance and policy:
First Schedule (Articles 1, 4): Lists States, UTs, and changes in borders.
Second Schedule (Articles 59(3), 65(3), 75(6), etc.): Salaries of public officials (e.g., President, Judges).
Third Schedule (Articles 75(4), 99, 124(6), etc.): Forms of oaths for elected officials and judges.
Fourth Schedule (Articles 4(1), 80(2)): Seat allocation in Rajya Sabha (upper house).
Fifth Schedule (Article 244(1)): Administration of Scheduled Areas and Tribes.
Sixth Schedule (Articles 244(2), 275(1)): Tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram.
Seventh Schedule (Article 246): Division of powers (Union, State, Concurrent Lists).
Eighth Schedule (Articles 344(1), 351): 22 Official Languages.
Ninth Schedule (Article 31-B): Validates certain acts and regulations.
Tenth Schedule (Articles 102(2), 191(2)): Anti-defection provisions for MPs/MLAs.
Eleventh Schedule (Article 243-G): Powers of Panchayati Raj (rural governance).
Twelfth Schedule (Article 243-W): Powers of Municipalities (urban governance).
Fun Fact
Lesotho, San Marino, and Vatican City are the only three countries completely landlocked by another country. Lesotho is surrounded by South Africa, while San Marino and Vatican City are within Italy.
Why This Matters
Understanding the Parts and Schedules of the Indian Constitution helps us grasp how the country’s governance, rights, and responsibilities are structured. It’s the backbone of India’s legal and political framework!
