8 Facts You Have To Know About The Indian Constitution

1. The Indian Constitution is the longest in the world. 

It has 444 articles, 12 schedules and 94 amendments. On the other hand, the American constitution is the shortest.

2. It took nearly 3 years to draft the Indian Constitution.

The Constituent Assembly had 284 members, out of which 15 were women. The Drafting Committee submitted the draft, after which they took three more years to complete it. 

3. The Constitution of India was handwritten and calligraphed both in English and Hindi.  

It wasn't typed or printed. The original copies are kept safely inside helium-filled cases in the library of the Parliament of India. 

4. The Indian Constitution is called the bag of borrowings. 

The Indian Constitution has taken various features from other constitutions. The concepts of liberty, equality and fraternity were taken from the French Constitution. The idea of 5 year plans was taken from the USSR and the concept of socio-economic rights was taken from Ireland. Most importantly, the law on which the Supreme Court works was taken from Japan. There are many other concepts that have been borrowed from other countries. 

5. The Indian Constitution came into force on January 26, 1950. 

284 members of the Constituent Assembly signed the handwritten documents on January 24, 1950. Two days after, on 26th January, India celebrated its first Republic Day. 

6. Our Republic day is celebrated for 3 days. 

Beating the retreat marks the end of the celebration on January 29. 

7.  The national emblem of India was adopted on January 26, 1950. 

The national emblem of India is an adapted version of the Sarnath Lion of Ashoka. 

8. B.R. Ambedkar had a major role to play in the formulation of the Indian Constitution. 

Ambedkar was the chief architect of our constitution. It is because of him that our constitution covers a wide range of civil liberties including the freedom of religion and the abolition of untouchability.