Comparison with Other Constitutions
Comparative constitutions for UPSC: sources of the Indian Constitution, and India compared with the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia, Ireland and others on executive, federalism and courts.
SyllabusGS II · Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries
The framers of the Constitution studied the constitutions of many countries and adapted what suited India. This chapter does two things: it maps what was borrowed from where, and it compares the Indian constitutional scheme with those of the UK and the USA in particular — the two models the Constituent Assembly debated most.
What UPSC asks
- Prelims: matching features to their source countries (DPSP from Ireland, Concurrent List from Australia, residuary powers from Canada, suspension of rights from Weimar Germany, and so on) and contrasts such as “procedure established by law” vs “due process of law”.
- Mains GS II: comparative questions — parliamentary vs presidential executive, Indian vs American federalism, judicial review, the amendment process, and whether a “borrowed” Constitution is an original one.
Key comparisons
| Theme | India | UK | USA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form of constitution | Written, codified | Uncodified | Written, short |
| Executive | Parliamentary | Parliamentary | Presidential |
| Head of State | Indirectly elected President | Hereditary monarch | Directly chosen (Electoral College) President |
| Supremacy | Constitution | Parliament | Constitution |
| Federalism | Union with strong Centre | Unitary (with devolution) | Federal; residuary powers with states |
| Citizenship | Single | Single | Dual (federal and state) |
Start with The Indian Constitution Compared, then revise with the quick revision sheet and test yourself on the practice questions.