Anand Classes explains the Borrowed Features of the Indian Constitution highlight India’s unique ability to learn from different countries and adapt the best practices to suit its democratic framework. For CDS and AFCAT aspirants, this topic is crucial in the Polity section of the CDS and AFCAT exam, as questions are often asked about the origins of features like the Parliamentary System (UK), Judicial Review (USA), Directive Principles of State Policy (Ireland), and Fundamental Duties (USSR). A thorough understanding of these borrowed elements not only strengthens conceptual clarity but also boosts performance in CDS and AFCAT written exam Polity questions. Therefore, CDS and AFCAT aspirants must revise these features carefully and connect them with real-world governance in India.
Borrowed Features of the Indian Constitution
The Indian Constitution, the longest written constitution in the world, has adopted several important features from different countries. These borrowed features not only enrich our constitutional framework but also make it a very important topic for CDS and AFCAT exam preparation in Polity.
From UK (England)
- Parliamentary System of Government
- Lower House (Lok Sabha) more powerful
- Office of the Prime Minister
- Cabinet System of Ministers
- Single Citizenship
- Bicameral Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha)
- Provision of Speaker in Lok Sabha
- Council of Ministers collectively responsible to the Lower House
- Nominal Head of State – The President
From USA
- Written Constitution
- Post of Vice-President
- Fundamental Rights
- Independent Supreme Court
- Head of the State known as President
- Federal structure with States
- Judicial Review
From France
- Republican form of Government
- Ideals of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity in the Preamble
From Australia
- Concurrent List
- Centre–State Relationship
- Joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament
From USSR (Soviet Union)
- Fundamental Duties of citizens
- Ideals of Justice – Social, Economic, and Political in the Preamble
From Germany
- Suspension of Fundamental Rights during Emergency
From Japan
- Procedure established by law
From Canada
- Federal System with strong Centre
- Residuary powers with the Union
- Advisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court
From South Africa
- Procedure of Constitutional Amendment
- Election of Members of the Rajya Sabha
From Ireland
- Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) – originally borrowed from Spain
- Mode of election of the President
- Nomination of members to the Rajya Sabha
Got it ✅ Here are FAQs on Borrowed Features of Indian Constitution with CDS and AFCAT-related keywords naturally included in the questions:
FAQs on Borrowed Features of Indian Constitution (CDS and AFCAT Exam Preparation)
Q1. What are the borrowed features of the Indian Constitution for CDS and AFCAT exam preparation?
The Indian Constitution has borrowed several features from different countries like the UK, USA, France, Ireland, Canada, Australia, USSR, and others. For CDS and AFCAT exam, important borrowed features include Parliamentary System (UK), Judicial Review (USA), Directive Principles of State Policy (Ireland), and Fundamental Duties (USSR).
Q2. Which borrowed features from the UK are important for CDS and AFCAT Polity exam?
From the UK, India adopted the Parliamentary System, Cabinet System of Ministers, Single Citizenship, and Nominal Head (President), which are frequently asked in CDS and AFCAT Polity questions.
Q3. How are the borrowed features from the USA useful for CDS and AFCAT exam aspirants?
India borrowed the Written Constitution, Judicial Review, Fundamental Rights, and the Post of Vice-President from the USA. These features are often part of CDS and AFCAT written exam Polity MCQs.
Q4. Why is Ireland important in the context of borrowed features for CDS and AFCAT exam?
Ireland contributed the Directive Principles of State Policy and the mode of election of the President. CDS and AFCAT exam aspirants must remember that the concept of Directive Principles came from Ireland (inspired by Spain).
Q5. Which borrowed features from USSR are relevant for CDS and AFCAT Polity syllabus?
The USSR gave us the Fundamental Duties and the ideal of justice (social, economic, and political) in the Preamble, which are important for CDS and AFCAT Polity exam questions.
Q6. What is the significance of borrowed features in CDS and AFCAT exam current affairs and polity section?
Borrowed features help CDS and AFCAT aspirants understand how India’s Constitution is a blend of global best practices. Questions are often framed around “Which feature came from which country?” in CDS and AFCAT Polity section.
MCQs on Borrowed Features of Indian Constitution (For CDS and AFCAT Exam)
Q1. From which country did India borrow the concept of Parliamentary System for its Constitution? (CDS and AFCAT Polity Exam)
(a) USA
(b) UK
(c) Canada
(d) France
Answer: (b) UK
Explanation: The Parliamentary System, along with the Cabinet System of Ministers and the concept of Prime Minister, was borrowed from the UK.
Q2. The Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution are borrowed from which country? (CDS and AFCAT Constitution Question)
(a) France
(b) USSR
(c) USA
(d) Ireland
Answer: (c) USA
Explanation: India borrowed Fundamental Rights, Judicial Review, and the Written Constitution from the USA.
Q3. The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) in the Indian Constitution are borrowed from which nation? (CDS and AFCAT Polity Preparation)
(a) Japan
(b) France
(c) Ireland
(d) Germany
Answer: (c) Ireland
Explanation: The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) were borrowed from Ireland, originally inspired by Spain.
Q4. Which borrowed feature came from France in the Indian Constitution? (CDS and AFCAT Written Exam Polity)
(a) Fundamental Duties
(b) Ideals of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity
(c) Bicameral Parliament
(d) Judicial Review
Answer: (b) Ideals of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity
Explanation: The Republic ideals of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity in the Preamble were borrowed from the French Revolution.
Q5. From which country did India borrow the Fundamental Duties? (CDS and AFCAT Exam Polity MCQ)
(a) USSR
(b) USA
(c) UK
(d) Japan
Answer: (a) USSR
Explanation: The Fundamental Duties and the concept of justice (social, economic, and political) were taken from the USSR.
Q6. The procedure of Constitutional Amendment in India is borrowed from which country? (CDS and AFCAT Constitution Preparation)
(a) USA
(b) South Africa
(c) Canada
(d) Germany
Answer: (b) South Africa
Explanation: India borrowed the Procedure of Constitutional Amendment and the Election of Rajya Sabha Members from South Africa.
Q7. Which feature of the Indian Constitution was inspired by Japan? (CDS and AFCAT Polity Previous Year Type Question)
(a) Judicial Review
(b) Procedure Established by Law
(c) Bicameralism
(d) Suspension of Fundamental Rights
Answer: (b) Procedure Established by Law
Explanation: The principle of Procedure Established by Law is borrowed from Japan.
Q8. From Canada, India borrowed which important Constitutional feature? (CDS and AFCAT Exam Important MCQ)
(a) Bicameral Parliament
(b) Federal System with a Strong Centre
(c) Judicial Review
(d) Fundamental Duties
Answer: (b) Federal System with a Strong Centre
Explanation: Canada influenced India’s Federal System with Residuary Powers resting with the Centre.
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