The Indian Constitution borrowed many ideas and features from other countries and from earlier laws. This is why it is sometimes called a bag of borrowings. Knowing which feature came from which country is a very common exam question.
The Biggest Source
The single largest source of the Indian Constitution is the Government of India Act, 1935. Many provisions on federal structure, the office of Governor and emergency powers come from this Act.
Features Borrowed from Different Countries
- United Kingdom: Parliamentary system, rule of law, single citizenship and the Speaker's office.
- United States: Fundamental Rights, judicial review, independence of the judiciary and impeachment of the President.
- Ireland: Directive Principles of State Policy and nomination of members to Rajya Sabha.
- Canada: Federation with a strong Centre and residuary powers.
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More Borrowed Features
- USSR (erstwhile): Fundamental Duties and the ideal of justice in the Preamble.
- France: The ideals of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity and the Republic.
- Australia: Concurrent List, freedom of trade and joint sitting of Parliament.
- South Africa: Procedure for amendment and election of Rajya Sabha members.
How to Remember
Link each feature to its country. For example, Fundamental Rights with the USA and Directive Principles with Ireland. These two are the most asked.
Quick Revision Points
- Largest source: Government of India Act, 1935.
- Parliamentary system and rule of law from the UK.
- Fundamental Rights and judicial review from the USA.
- Directive Principles from Ireland.
- Strong Centre federation from Canada.
- Fundamental Duties from the USSR.
- Liberty, Equality, Fraternity from France.