Part of: Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 329

Which one of the following is not a key feature of the Indian Constitution

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Consider the form of government in India and its constitutional features.

Correct Answer: C) Presidential form of government.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, Banking Exams, State PSC

Difficulty: Moderate

Explanations:

The Indian Constitution is a comprehensive document that outlines the structure and functioning of the Indian government. It is one of the longest written constitutions in the world and was adopted on January 26, 1950. The Constitution is divided into several parts, including the Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policy, and Fundamental Duties, among others.

One of the key features of the Indian Constitution is the separation of powers. This principle ensures that the government is divided into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Each branch has distinct functions and powers, and they operate independently to maintain a balance of power and prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. The legislative branch is responsible for making laws, the executive branch for enforcing laws, and the judicial branch for interpreting laws and resolving disputes.

Secularism is another fundamental principle of the Indian Constitution. The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and ensures that the state does not favor any particular religion. This means that the government must treat all religions equally and cannot discriminate against any individual based on their religious beliefs. This principle is enshrined in the Constitution to promote social harmony and prevent religious conflicts.

Federalism is also a key feature of the Indian Constitution. The Constitution establishes a federal system of government, where powers are divided between the central government and the state governments. The central government has powers over matters of national importance, such as defense, foreign affairs, and currency, while the state governments have powers over matters of local importance, such as education, health, and agriculture. This division of powers ensures that the central government can maintain national unity while allowing state governments to address local issues effectively.

However, the Indian Constitution does not adopt a presidential form of government. Instead, it establishes a parliamentary system, where the Prime Minister is the head of the government and the President is a ceremonial head of state. In a parliamentary system, the Prime Minister is elected by the members of the legislative branch and is responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the government. The President, on the other hand, has limited powers and acts on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers.

Therefore, the correct answer is that the presidential form of government is not a key feature of the Indian Constitution. The Indian Constitution is characterized by the separation of powers, secularism, and federalism, but it operates under a parliamentary system of government.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: This option is incorrect. The separation of powers is a key feature of the Indian Constitution, dividing governmental functions into legislative, executive, and judicial branches to ensure checks and balances.
  • Option B: This option is incorrect. Secularism is a fundamental principle of the Indian Constitution, ensuring that the state does not favor any particular religion and treats all religions equally.
  • Option C: This option is correct. The Indian Constitution does not adopt a presidential form of government. Instead, it establishes a parliamentary system where the Prime Minister is the head of the government and the President is a ceremonial head of state.
  • Option D: This option is incorrect. Federalism is a key feature of the Indian Constitution, dividing powers between the central government and the state governments, with a clear demarcation of legislative, executive, and administrative powers.

Mnemonic: S-S-F-P (Separation, Secularism, Federalism, Parliamentary)

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