Indian Polity — Features Borrowed from Other Countries

Figure 1: The Indian Constitution has borrowed features from various countries, making it a unique and comprehensive document frequently tested in UPSC examinations.

1. Features Borrowed from Other Countries

Country	Borrowed Features
Australia	Concurrent list Freedom of trade, commerce, and intercourse Joint-sitting of the two Houses of Parliament
Canada	Federation with a strong Centre Vesting of residuary powers in the Centre Appointment of state governors by the Centre Advisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court
Ireland	Directive Principles of State Policy Method of election of the President Nomination of members to Rajya Sabha
Japan	Procedure Established by Law
Soviet Union (USSR)	Fundamental Duties Ideals of justice (social, economic, and political) in the Preamble
United Kingdom (UK)	Parliamentary government Rule of Law Legislative procedure Single Citizenship Cabinet system Prerogative writs Parliamentary privileges Bicameralism
United States (USA)	Fundamental Rights Independence of judiciary Judicial review Impeachment of the President Removal of Supreme Court and High Court judges Post of Vice-President
Germany (Weimar)	Suspension of Fundamental Rights during Emergency
South Africa	Procedure for amendment in the Indian Constitution Election of members of Rajya Sabha
France	Republic Ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity in the Preamble

KNOWLEDGE NUGGET

• UK: Parliamentary system, Rule of Law, Single Citizenship, Cabinet system
• USA: Fundamental Rights, Judicial Review, Impeachment, Vice-President
• Ireland: DPSP, President's election, Rajya Sabha nominations
• Canada: Federation with strong Centre, Residuary powers, Governor appointment
• Australia: Concurrent list, Joint sitting, Freedom of trade
• USSR: Fundamental Duties, Ideals of Justice
• Germany (Weimar): Suspension of FRs during Emergency
• South Africa: Amendment procedure, Rajya Sabha elections
• France: Republic, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity
• Japan: Procedure Established by Law

2. Features Taken from the Government of India Act, 1935

• Federal Scheme
• Office of Governor
• Judiciary
• Public Service Commissions
• Emergency Provisions
• Administrative details

KEY INSIGHT

The Government of India Act, 1935 served as the blueprint for many structural and administrative provisions in the Indian Constitution. The federal scheme, office of governor, judiciary, and emergency provisions were directly inspired by this Act.

3. Summary: Features Borrowed at a Glance

Country	Key Features Borrowed
UK	Parliamentary government, Rule of Law, Single Citizenship, Cabinet system, Bicameralism, Prerogative writs
USA	Fundamental Rights, Judicial Review, Impeachment, Vice-President, Removal of judges
Ireland	DPSP, President's election, Rajya Sabha nominations
Canada	Federation with strong Centre, Residuary powers, Governor appointment, Advisory jurisdiction of SC
Australia	Concurrent list, Joint sitting, Freedom of trade
USSR	Fundamental Duties, Ideals of Justice
Germany (Weimar)	Suspension of FRs during Emergency
South Africa	Amendment procedure, Rajya Sabha elections
France	Republic, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity
Japan	Procedure Established by Law
GOI Act, 1935	Federal Scheme, Governor, Judiciary, PSC, Emergency Provisions, Administrative details

Key Takeaways for UPSC

• UK: Parliamentary system, Rule of Law, Single Citizenship, Cabinet system — [UPSC 2017]
• USA: Fundamental Rights, Judicial Review, Impeachment, Vice-President — [UPSC 2013]
• Ireland: DPSP, President's election — [UPSC 2015]
• Canada: Federation with strong Centre, Residuary powers — [UPSC 2017]
• Australia: Concurrent list, Joint sitting — [UPSC 2013]
• USSR: Fundamental Duties, Justice ideals
• Germany (Weimar): Suspension of FRs during Emergency
• South Africa: Amendment procedure
• France: Republic, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity
• Japan: Procedure Established by Law
• GOI Act, 1935: Federal Scheme, Governor, Judiciary, Emergency Provisions

High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Features Borrowed from Other Countries)

Q1. The concept of Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution was borrowed from which country?

Correct Answer: C. The concept of Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution was borrowed from the United States (Bill of Rights).

Q2. The Directive Principles of State Policy were borrowed from which country?

Correct Answer: B. The Directive Principles of State Policy were borrowed from the Irish Constitution.

Q3. The Parliamentary System in India is based on which country's model?

Correct Answer: B. The Parliamentary System in India is based on the British Westminster model.

Q4. The concept of 'Procedure Established by Law' was borrowed from which country?

Correct Answer: C. The concept of 'Procedure Established by Law' was borrowed from the Japanese Constitution.

Q5. The suspension of Fundamental Rights during Emergency was borrowed from which country?

Correct Answer: C. The suspension of Fundamental Rights during Emergency was borrowed from the Weimar Constitution of Germany.

Q6. The concept of 'Federation with a strong Centre' was borrowed from which country?

Correct Answer: B. The concept of 'Federation with a strong Centre' and vesting of residuary powers in the Centre was borrowed from Canada.

Q7. The Concurrent List was borrowed from which country?

Correct Answer: C. The Concurrent List and the concept of joint sitting of Parliament were borrowed from Australia.

Q8. Fundamental Duties were inspired by which country's Constitution?

Correct Answer: C. Fundamental Duties were inspired by the Soviet Union (USSR) Constitution.

Q9. The ideals of 'Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity' in the Preamble were borrowed from which country?

Correct Answer: C. The ideals of 'Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity' in the Preamble were borrowed from the French Revolution.

Q10. The procedure for amendment of the Constitution was borrowed from which country?

Correct Answer: C. The procedure for amendment of the Indian Constitution was borrowed from South Africa.