Parts of Indian Constitution – List, Articles, and Summary

The Parts of Indian Constitution refer to the broad divisions or segments into which the Constitution is systematically organized. Each Part focuses on a specific aspect of governance, rights, or administration, such as citizenship, fundamental rights, the Parliament, the judiciary, and the States. When the Constitution came into force on January 26, 1950, it originally consisted of 22 Parts. Over the years, through various constitutional amendments, this number has increased to 25 Parts, reflecting India’s dynamic political and administrative evolution.

These Parts form the backbone of the Constitution, ensuring clarity, organization, and coherence in defining the powers, responsibilities, and relationships among different organs of government. They collectively uphold the democratic framework of India, balancing individual freedoms with national unity.

Understanding the Parts of Indian Constitution is crucial for anyone studying Indian polity, as it provides a structured overview of how the nation functions. This topic is frequently asked in competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, and State PSCs, making it an essential area of focus for aspirants aiming to master the fundamentals of Indian governance.

Overview of the Indian Constitution

The Constitution of India, adopted on 26 November 1949 and enforced on 26 January 1950, is the supreme law of the land. It lays down the framework that defines the political principles, procedures, and powers of various government institutions and citizens’ fundamental rights and duties. It is often described as the world’s longest written Constitution and reflects India’s vast diversity and complex administrative structure.

The Constitution is systematically divided into Parts, Articles, and Schedules to ensure clarity and comprehensiveness. Initially, it contained 395 Articles, under 22 Parts and 8 Schedules. However, through successive constitutional amendments, it has expanded to 470 Articles, 25 Parts, and 12 Schedules.

Each Part of the Constitution deals with a specific aspect of governance, from citizenship and fundamental rights to the functioning of the Parliament, judiciary, and states. The Articles provide detailed legal provisions, while the Schedules supplement these with lists and administrative details, such as the division of powers between the Union and States.

Interestingly, the Indian Constitution contains 25 Parts, each meticulously crafted to address vital areas of governance, justice, and administration. This extensive structure ensures the Constitution remains adaptable yet stable, making it a cornerstone of India’s democratic and federal system.

Total Parts of Indian Constitution (Originally vs Currently)

When the Constitution of India came into effect in 1950, it was divided into 22 Parts. Over the years, various constitutional amendments of the Indian Constitution have modified this structure to reflect the nation’s evolving political, social, and economic landscape. Today, the Constitution consists of 25 Parts.

Several key amendments contributed to this evolution:

• The 7th Amendment (1956) reorganized the States and repealed Part VII, which dealt with Part B states earlier.
• The 42nd Amendment (1976) introduced Part IVA, adding the Fundamental Duties of citizens.
• The 44th Amendment (1978) further updated the provisions of fundamental rights and emergency powers.
• The 97th Amendment (2011) inserted Part IXB, dealing with Cooperative Societies.

Stage	No. of Parts	Initial structure of enforcement
1950 (Original)	22	After the 7th Amendment (1956)
After the 42nd Amendment (1976)	21	Part VII repealed
After the 97th Amendment (2011)	22	Part IVA added (Fundamental Duties)
After 97th Amendment (2011)	25	Part IXB added (Cooperative Societies)

List of 25 Parts of Indian Constitution with Articles and Subjects

The Parts of Indian Constitution form the structural backbone of India’s governance and legal system. Each Part is systematically arranged to cover specific themes such as rights and duties, the functioning of the Union and States, and other key administrative areas. Initially, there were 22 Parts, but today, the Constitution comprises 25 Parts spanning Articles 1 to 395 (and beyond through amendments).

Below is a complete and updated table listing all 25 Parts of Indian Constitution, their Articles, Subjects, and Key Notes for exam preparation (UPSC, SSC, and State PSCs).

Parts of Indian Constitution – Articles, Subjects & Key Notes

Part	Articles Covered	Subject / Description	Key Notes
Part I	Articles 1–4	Union and its Territory	Defines India’s name, territory, formation of new states, and alteration of boundaries.
Part II	Articles 5–11	Citizenship	Deals with citizenship at the commencement of the Constitution.
Part III	Articles 12–35	Fundamental Rights	Guarantees six categories of Fundamental Rights, known as the “Magna Carta of India.”
Part IV	Articles 36–51	Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs)	Guidelines for governance aimed at establishing a welfare state.
Part IVA	Article 51A	Fundamental Duties	Defines the structure and powers of the Union Government – President, Parliament, and Supreme Court.
Part V	Articles 52–151	The Union (Executive, Parliament, Judiciary)	Defines structure and powers of the Union Government – President, Parliament, and Supreme Court.
Part VI	Articles 152–237	The States	Describes the State Government – Governor, State Legislature, and High Courts.
Part VII	—	States in Part B of the First Schedule (Repealed)	Removed by the 7th Amendment (1956).
Part VIII	Articles 239–242	Union Territories	Covers administration of Union Territories; includes special provisions for Delhi, Puducherry, etc.
Part IX	Articles 243–243O	Panchayati Raj	Added by the 73rd Amendment (1992); deals with local self-government in rural areas.
Part IXA	Articles 243P–243ZG	Municipalities	Added by the 74th Amendment (1992); governs urban local bodies.
Part IXB	Articles 243ZH–243ZT	Cooperative Societies	Added by the 97th Amendment (2011); focuses on autonomous functioning of cooperatives.
Part X	Articles 244–244A	Scheduled and Tribal Areas	Provides for administration of Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas.
Part XI	Articles 245–263	Relations between the Union and the States	Defines legislative, administrative, and financial relations.
Part XII	Articles 264–300A	Finance, Property, Contracts, and Suits	Covers financial provisions, property of the Union and States, and the right to property (Article 300A).
Part XIII	Articles 301–307	Trade, Commerce, and Intercourse within India	Ensures freedom of trade and commerce throughout India.
Part XIV	Articles 308–323	Services under the Union and the States	Deals with Public Service Commissions and service conditions of government employees.
Part XIVA	Articles 323A–323B	Tribunals	Added by the 42nd Amendment (1976); provides for Administrative and other tribunals.
Part XV	Articles 324–329A	Elections	Establishes the Election Commission and governs the conduct of elections.
Part XVI	Articles 330–342	Special Provisions for Certain Classes	Provides safeguards for SCs, STs, and Anglo-Indians.
Part XVII	Articles 343–351	Official Language	Defines the official language of the Union and provisions for regional languages.
Part XVIII	Articles 352–360	Emergency Provisions	Describes three types of emergencies – National, State, and Financial.
Part XIX	Articles 361–367	Miscellaneous	Contains provisions like privileges of the President and Governors, and interpretation of the Constitution.
Part XX	Articles 368	Amendment of the Constitution	Describes the procedure for constitutional amendments.
Part XXI	Articles 369–392	Temporary, Transitional, and Special Provisions	Provides temporary provisions for certain States and regions (e.g., J&K before 2019).
Part XXII	Articles 393–395	Short Title, Commencement, and Repeals	Final provisions marking the adoption and enforcement of the Constitution.

Important Parts of Indian Constitution

Foundational and Rights-Based Parts (Parts I–IV & IVA)

• Part I (Union and its Territory) establishes India’s territorial integrity and identity.
• Part II (Citizenship) clarifies who qualifies as an Indian citizen at the commencement of the Constitution.
• Part III (Fundamental Rights) is one of the most significant sections, safeguarding individuals’ civil liberties and restricting arbitrary state actions.
• Part IV (Directive Principles of State Policy) directs the state to promote social welfare, economic justice, and equality.
• Part IVA (Fundamental Duties) reminds citizens of their moral obligations towards the nation.

Exam Tip: Part III is often called the “Magna Carta of India,” while Part IV and IVA balance citizens’ rights and duties.

Administrative and Federal Structure (Parts V–IXB)

These Parts outline the machinery of governance:

• Part V – The Union Government, covering the President, Vice-President, Parliament, and Supreme Court.
• Part VI – The State Governments, including Governors, Legislatures, and High Courts.
• Part VIII – Union Territories and their administration.
• Part IX & IXA – Local self-governance through Panchayati Raj Institutions (rural) and Municipalities (urban), introduced by the 73rd and 74th Amendments.
• Part IXB – Cooperative Societies, emphasizing democratic management and autonomy, was added by the 97th Amendment (2011).

Exam Tip: These Parts reflect India’s federal character with a unitary bias, ensuring power-sharing between the Center and States

Legislative, Financial, and Service Provisions (Parts X–XIVA)

• Part X – Administration of Scheduled and Tribal Areas to protect vulnerable communities.
• Part XI – Defines Center-State relations, dividing powers between the Union and States through three lists.
• Part XII – Governs financial matters, taxation, and property rights.
• Part XIII – Ensures freedom of trade and commerce across India.
• Part XIV & XIVA – Regulate public services and tribunals, ensuring efficiency and justice in administration.

Exam Tip: The 44th Amendment (1978) moved Article 300A (Right to Property) from Part III to Part XII.

Democratic and Linguistic Framework (Parts XV–XVII)

• Part XV – Provides for free and fair elections, empowering the Election Commission of India.
• Part XVI – Safeguards representation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Anglo-Indians.
• Part XVII – Establishes Hindi as the official language while protecting linguistic diversity.

Exam Tip: Article 343 designates Hindi in the Devanagari script as the official language of the Union.

Emergency, Amendments, and Transitional Provisions (Parts XVIII–XXII)

• Part XVIII – Describes the Emergency Provisions, allowing the Center to assume greater powers during crises.
• Part XIX – Covers miscellaneous legal interpretations and protections for top offices.
• Part XX – Explains how the Constitution can be amended, ensuring flexibility.
• Part XXI – Contains temporary and special provisions for certain States and regions.
• Part XXII – Marks the formal commencement and title of the Constitution.

Exam Tip:

• Part XVIII includes Articles 352–360 (emergency powers).
• Part XX contains Article 368, which is vital for understanding the amendment process.

Quick Recap for Aspirants

• Total Parts: 25
• Total Articles: 470 (approx.)
• Total Schedules: 12
• Originally: 22 Parts, now 25 after amendments
• Key Additions: Part IVA (Fundamental Duties), Part IX, IXA (Local Governance), Part IXB (Cooperative Societies)

The 25 Parts of Indian Constitution collectively define India’s democratic structure, citizen rights, and administrative balance, making them a must-know topic for UPSC, SSC, and State PSC aspirants.

Repealed and Added Parts of Indian Constitution

Over time, the Indian Constitution has evolved to reflect the nation’s changing political and social landscape. While one Part was repealed, several others were added through necessary amendments to address emerging governance needs.

• Part VII, which dealt with States in Part B of the First Schedule, was repealed by the 7th Amendment Act, 1956. This was part of the States Reorganization Act, which reorganized India’s states and territories on linguistic lines.

In the decades that followed, new Parts were introduced to strengthen democratic participation, promote civic responsibility, and modernize administration:

Timeline of Added Parts:

• 1976 – Part IVA: Fundamental Duties (42nd Amendment) — listed 11 moral duties of every citizen.
• 1992 – Part IX: Panchayats (73rd Amendment) — institutionalized local self-government in rural areas.
• 1992 – Part IXA: Municipalities (74th Amendment) — empowered urban local bodies for decentralized governance.
• 2011 – Part IXB: Cooperative Societies (97th Amendment) — promoted democratic management and autonomy of cooperatives.

These additions reflect India’s commitment to strengthening grassroots democracy and ensuring citizens’ participation in governance. Together, they mark a journey of constitutional evolution from 22 Parts in 1950 to 25 Parts today, making the Constitution more inclusive and adaptive.

Key Highlights and Facts about the Parts of Indian Constitution

The Parts of Indian Constitution collectively shape India’s political, legal, and administrative framework. Each Part deals with a distinct theme ranging from rights and duties to governance and federal relations.

• Part III deals with Fundamental Rights, safeguarding civil liberties such as equality, freedom, and justice.
• Part IV outlines the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs), guiding the State in policymaking to promote social and economic welfare.
• Part IVA specifies Fundamental Duties, reminding citizens of their moral and civic responsibilities.
• Part V (The Union) is the longest Part of the Constitution. It details the structure and functioning of the Central Government.
• Part VI, related to Part B States earlier, was repealed by the 7th Amendment Act, 1956.

The Constitution has 25 Parts, 470+ Articles, and 12 Schedules, making it the longest written Constitution in the world.

Interesting Facts (Exam Pointers):

• The term “India, that is Bharat” appears in Article 1 (Part I).
• Part III is often called the “Magna Carta of India.”
• Part IX & IXA institutionalize local self-government in rural and urban areas.
• Part XX (Article 368) defines the procedure for constitutional amendments.
• Part XVIII empowers the President to declare a National Emergency under Article 352.

Connection Between Parts, Articles, and Schedules

The Indian Constitution is organized in a structured hierarchy of Parts, Articles, and Schedules, each serving a distinct but interconnected role.

• Parts are the broad divisions of the Constitution, grouping related provisions under common themes such as rights, governance, or administration.
• Articles are the individual clauses within each Part that lay down specific rules, powers, and responsibilities.
• Schedules act as supplementary documents, providing detailed lists, classifications, or procedural frameworks that support the Articles.

For example:

• Part XI (Articles 245–263) discusses the relations between the Union and the States, while Schedule VII lists the Union, State, and Concurrent Lists, detailing how powers are distributed between them.
• Similarly, Part IX (Panchayati Raj) is linked with Schedule XI, which outlines the 29 subjects under the jurisdiction of Panchayats.

To learn more about each Schedule’s detailed structure and purpose, refer to Chegg’s article on Schedules of the Indian Constitution.

Importance of Studying Parts of Indian Constitution (For Exams & Awareness)

Understanding the Parts of Indian Constitution is crucial for both competitive exams and general awareness. Topics like citizenship, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs), Panchayati Raj, and Fundamental Duties frequently appear in UPSC, SSC, Railways, and State PSC exams.

Knowing the Parts helps aspirants quickly locate relevant Articles and understand the context of constitutional amendments, saving time during preparation and enhancing answer accuracy. For instance, recognizing that Part III covers Fundamental Rights or Part IX deals with Panchayati Raj institutions allows candidates to link provisions, landmark judgments, and amendment details efficiently.

Moreover, a clear grasp of the Constitution’s structure fosters civic literacy, enabling citizens to understand their rights, duties, and the functioning of government institutions. In essence, studying the Parts not only aids exam success but also strengthens one’s knowledge of India’s democratic and legal framework, making it an indispensable aspect of both academic and practical learning.

Conclusion

The Parts of Indian Constitution form the backbone of India’s democratic, legal, and administrative framework. They organize the Constitution into clear segments, covering everything from citizenship and Fundamental Rights to governance, local self-government, and cooperative societies. Originally consisting of 22 Parts, the Constitution has evolved to 25 Parts through various amendments, reflecting India’s dynamic political and social landscape.

A thorough understanding of these Parts helps aspirants excel in UPSC, SSC, and State PSC exams. It enhances civic awareness, enabling citizens to comprehend their rights, duties, and the functioning of government institutions.

Read More:-

• Salient Features of the Indian Constitution: An Overview
• Preamble of Indian Constitution | A Brief Overview
• Constituent Assembly of India: An Overview

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