You Must Know Your Constitution

26 November 1949 marks the date when the longest constitution in the world was formally adopted to guide the largest democracy in the world. It effectively transformed the British Dominion of India into one nation-the independent Republic of India. The supreme law of the land set forth the workings of Indian democracy and polity, and its provisions aimed to secure justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity for the people of India. As drafted and as conceived, the constitution makes provision for a functioning democracy and not an electoral autocracy, and this is how it has to be worked. It is therefore imperative for all citizens to familiarise themselves with its provisions.

In this definitive tome, the author (who commenced his legal practice in the year the constitution was enacted) presents his comments in a style that is comprehensive, lucid, and systematic. The book traces the history and the origins of India's document of governance and explains its provisions. Some of the salient features of the book include:

• An educative and informative exposition of the different parts of the Indian Constitution, including a bird's-eye view of-and with comments on-all the three hundred and ninety-five articles of the constitution and additions made by constitutional amendments.
• Provides references of critical cases and prominent constitutional developments up to 31 July 2023.
• Insightfully describes the structure, powers, and directive principles of government institutions.
• Contains updated judicial pronouncements and legislative and constitutional amendments.

In essence, You Must Know Your Constitution is an immensely readable and insightful compendium, inter alia, for judiciary aspirants, academicians, legal and administrative authorities, policymakers, research scholars, and students as well as for general readers who are interested in exploring the manifold facets of India's core document of governance.

Autorentext

Fali S. Nariman is a senior advocate, Supreme Court of India. He was inducted as a member of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) from 1988 to 2003 and functioned as vice-president of the ICC Court of International Arbitration, Paris, from 1989 to 2005. He was elected president of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA) from 1994 to 2002, and since then has been designated its honorary president. Awarded the Padma Bhushan in January 1991 for recognition of "distinguished services in the field of jurisprudence", he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan (India's second highest civilian award) in January 2007, for recognition of "exceptional and distinguished services in the field of public affairs". He served as a nominated member of the Upper House of India's Parliament from 1999 to 2005.