Polity

The non-justiciable goals for government in Part IV (Articles 36–51) that aim at a welfare state, and the Fundamental Duties of citizens in Article 51A.

How representatives are chosen, and the independent Election Commission (Article 324) that conducts free and fair elections.

The three emergencies (Articles 352–360) that let the Union meet a war, a breakdown in a state, or a financial crisis.

In Indian democracy every person is recognised as equal; equality is a continuous struggle centred on dignity.

The branch that carries out the laws — its forms, and the offices of the Union Executive: the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, Council of Ministers and Attorney General.

The division of power between the Union and the states, and the legislative, administrative and financial relations between them.

Freedom is being in control of your own life and choices, with only the constraints that are genuinely necessary for living together.

The justiciable rights in Part III (Articles 12–35) that the Constitution guarantees and the courts enforce.

How power is actually used — good governance, e-governance and anti-corruption bodies — and how public policy is made.

The principles that have guided India's dealings with the world — non-alignment, peace and self-respect — and the wars and choices that tested them.

Why nations build international organisations, and the structure and work of the United Nations, the most important of them all.

The organ that settles disputes under the rule of law — the Supreme Court, High Courts and subordinate courts, their jurisdiction, judicial review and key doctrines.

The law-making organ — Parliament (Articles 79–122): the two Houses, presiding officers, procedure, bills, the budget and committees.

Self-government at the village, town and district level, given constitutional status by the 73rd and 74th Amendments.

How a newly free India was welded into one nation — the integration of the princely states and the reorganisation of states on linguistic lines.

A nation is a group of people who believe they belong together and want to govern themselves. Nationalism is the force behind that belief.

How the Constitution (Articles 343–351) handles language — Hindi and English for the Union, state languages, and the Eighth Schedule.

Democracy is judged by what it delivers: an accountable, responsive and legitimate government, reasonable economic development, less inequality, the accommodation of social diversity, and the dignity and freedom of citizens.

How parties organise democracy, the party system in India, and the pressure groups that influence policy without contesting elections.

Power-sharing means distributing power among different organs and levels of government and among social groups, so that no single body holds all of it. It is the very spirit of democracy.

How India accommodated the demands of its diverse regions, and how the era of one-party dominance gave way to coalition governments.

The laws and schemes that give practical force to rights — for women, children, the disabled, forest dwellers, workers and consumers.

The special administrative status (Article 244) for tribal areas through the Fifth and Sixth Schedules.

Secularism opposes the domination of one religious group over another and of one group within a religion over its own members.

Justice means giving each person their due, which today means a fair share of social goods and the conditions to live with dignity.

How a state is governed (Part VI) — the Governor, the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers, and the State Legislature.

World politics since 1945: the Cold War and its blocs, the collapse of the USSR and the end of bipolarity, US hegemony, and the rise of alternative centres of power such as the EU, ASEAN and China.

A constitution is the body of basic rules by which a country is governed. It sets up the government, limits its power and states a people's shared goals.

The first decades after independence, when the Congress dominated elections, and how India's democracy and party system began.

The Preamble introduces the Constitution — it declares the nature of the Indian state (sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic, republic) and the goals of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.