Parts of the Indian Constitution Notes for UPSC

The Constitution of India is a very long document, and the easiest way to understand it is to see how it is divided. It is organised into Parts, each Part is divided into Articles, and the lists and details are placed in Schedules. The original Constitution of 1950 had 395 articles in 22 parts and 8 schedules. After many amendments, the Constitution now has about 448 articles in 25 parts and 12 schedules. These notes give a clear overview of every Part with its article numbers and what it deals with, which is a favourite area for UPSC Prelims questions.

How the Constitution Is Arranged

• Preamble: The introduction that states the aims and values of the Constitution. It is not a Part.
• Parts: Broad subjects such as Citizenship, Fundamental Rights, the Union and the States.
• Chapters: Some Parts are divided into chapters (for example, Part V has five chapters).
• Articles: The numbered provisions. New articles inserted by amendments get letter suffixes, such as Article 21A, 31C, 243A or 338B.
• Schedules: Lists attached to the main text, for example the list of states or the Union, State and Concurrent Lists.
• Appendices: Four appendices are attached, on the amendments and other documents.

Part-wise Overview of the Constitution

Note: Articles 238 (Part VII), 242, and several others have been repealed. Part VII of the original Constitution was repealed, which is why the numbering moves from Part VI to Part VIII.

Important Parts Explained in Simple Words

Part I: The Union and its Territory (Articles 1 to 4)

Article 1 says that India, that is Bharat, is a Union of States. Articles 2 to 4 give Parliament the power to admit new states, to form new states, and to change the areas, boundaries or names of existing states. This is the basis of the reorganisation of states.

Part II: Citizenship (Articles 5 to 11)

It tells us who were citizens at the commencement of the Constitution. The law-making power over the acquisition and loss of citizenship belongs to Parliament (Article 11), which has passed the Citizenship Act, 1955.

Part III: Fundamental Rights (Articles 12 to 35)

The six fundamental rights (Right to Equality, Freedom, against Exploitation, Freedom of Religion, Cultural and Educational Rights, and Constitutional Remedies) are guaranteed here. The Right to Property was removed from this Part by the 44th Amendment and placed in Article 300-A as a legal right.

Part IV: Directive Principles (Articles 36 to 51)

These are guidelines to the state for building a welfare state. They are not enforceable by courts but are fundamental in governance (Article 37).

Part V: The Union (Articles 52 to 151)

This is the biggest Part about the working of the central government. It has five chapters: the Executive (President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers, Attorney General, Articles 52 to 78), Parliament (Articles 79 to 122), the Legislative Power of the President (Article 123, ordinances), the Union Judiciary (Articles 124 to 147, the Supreme Court) and the Comptroller and Auditor General (Articles 148 to 151).

Part VI: The States (Articles 152 to 237)

It mirrors Part V for the states: the Governor (Articles 153 to 167), the State Legislature (Articles 168 to 212), the High Courts (Articles 214 to 232) and the Subordinate Courts (Articles 233 to 237). Article 152 says the Part does not apply to Jammu and Kashmir, which was the case before the changes of 2019, after which the Part applies to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir only to the extent of the later laws.

Parts IX, IX-A and IX-B: Local Government

The 73rd and 74th Amendments of 1992 made Panchayats and Municipalities constitutional bodies. The 97th Amendment (2011) added Part IX-B for cooperative societies. Articles 243-O and 243-ZG bar the courts from interfering in the electoral matters of these bodies.

Part XI: Centre-State Relations (Articles 245 to 263)

This Part divides the legislative and administrative powers between the Union and the States. Article 246 and the Seventh Schedule contain the three lists. It also has the provision for the Inter-State Council (Article 263).

Part XII: Finance, Property, Contracts and Suits (Articles 264 to 300-A)

It deals with the distribution of revenues, the Consolidated Fund, the Finance Commission (Article 280) and the right to property (Article 300-A). Taxes from GST are governed by Article 246-A and 279-A, added by the 101st Amendment.

Part XV: Elections (Articles 324 to 329-A)

It establishes the Election Commission (Article 324) and the principle of universal adult franchise (Article 326). The minimum voting age was lowered from 21 to 18 by the 61st Amendment (1988).

Part XVIII: Emergency Provisions (Articles 352 to 360)

It includes the National Emergency (Article 352), the President's Rule in a state (Article 356) and the Financial Emergency (Article 360).

Part XX: Amendment of the Constitution (Article 368)

The single article that explains the procedure for amending the Constitution: by a simple majority (outside Article 368), a special majority, or a special majority with ratification by half of the states.

Part XXI: Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions (Articles 369 to 392)

It contains temporary provisions and special provisions for several states under Articles 371, 371-A to 371-J (for Maharashtra, Gujarat, Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Sikkim, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa and Karnataka). Article 370, which gave a special status to Jammu and Kashmir, was made inoperative by a Presidential Order in August 2019.

How the Constitution Has Grown Since 1950

The Constitution is a living document. Between 1950 and now, Parliament has passed more than a hundred amendments, and these amendments have changed the count of the Parts and Articles. Some examples are given in the table below, which are useful to remember as one-line facts for the exam.

Parts, Chapters, Articles and Schedules: What Is the Difference?

• A Part is the largest division and deals with a broad subject, such as citizenship or elections.
• A Chapter is a sub-division inside a Part, and not every Part has chapters. Part V has five chapters and Part XI has two chapters (legislative and administrative relations).
• An Article is a single numbered provision that states a rule or a right.
• A Schedule is an annexure for lists, forms and detailed tables, which would make the main text too long.

Memory Tips for the Parts

• I to V: Union, Citizenship, Rights, Directive Principles, the Union government.
• VI to X: States, (Part VII repealed), UTs, Panchayats, Scheduled Areas.
• XI to XV: Centre-State, Finance, Trade, Services, Elections.
• XVI to XXII: Special classes, Language, Emergency, Miscellaneous, Amendment, Temporary, Short title.
• Use the story: "The Union (I) gives Citizens (II) Rights (III) and Directives (IV), and works through its Executive, Parliament and Courts (V)".

Frequently Asked Points for Exams

• Which Part deals with Fundamental Rights? Part III. Which Part has Fundamental Duties? Part IV-A.
• Which Part was added by the 73rd Amendment? Part IX. By the 74th? Part IX-A. By the 97th? Part IX-B.
• Which Part deals with the emergency? Part XVIII. With amendment? Part XX.
• Which Part was repealed? Part VII, by the Seventh Amendment Act, 1956.
• The Constitution of India has how many Parts now? 25 Parts, as per the commonly quoted figure after the amendments.

Related Reading

Continue with the Preamble and Salient Features of the Constitution, Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles and Fundamental Duties. All chapters are listed in our Indian Polity and Governance notes, and more preparation guides are on the UPSC blog.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How many Parts did the original Constitution of India have?

The original Constitution had 22 Parts, 395 articles and 8 schedules.

How many Parts does the Constitution have now?

25 Parts, about 448 articles and 12 schedules, after the amendments.

Which Part of the Constitution deals with Fundamental Rights?

Part III (Articles 12 to 35).

Which Part contains the Directive Principles?

Part IV (Articles 36 to 51).

Which Part contains the Fundamental Duties?

Part IV-A (Article 51A), added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976.

Which Part deals with the Union government?

Part V (Articles 52 to 151), which covers the President, Parliament, the Supreme Court and the CAG.

Which Part deals with State governments?

Part VI (Articles 152 to 237).

Which Part deals with Panchayats?

Part IX (Articles 243 to 243-O), added by the 73rd Amendment in 1992.

Which Part deals with Municipalities?

Part IX-A (Articles 243-P to 243-ZG), added by the 74th Amendment in 1992.

Which Part deals with Cooperative Societies?

Part IX-B (Articles 243-ZH to 243-ZT), added by the 97th Amendment in 2011.

Which Part deals with emergency provisions?

Part XVIII (Articles 352 to 360).

Which Part contains the amendment procedure?

Part XX, Article 368.

Which Part was repealed?

Part VII, by the 7th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1956.

Which Part deals with elections?

Part XV (Articles 324 to 329-A).

Which Part deals with tribunals?

Part XIV-A (Articles 323-A and 323-B).

Where are the Union, State and Concurrent Lists placed?

In the Seventh Schedule, under the power of Article 246 in Part XI.