Question

Would it be correct to classify constitutions into written and unwritten constitutions in absolute terms? Argue your case with relevant examples from India.

Answer 1

No, it would not be correct to classify constitutions into written and unwritten in absolute terms, even in the case of India, which has a written constitution.

1. Written Constitution: India has the longest written constitution in the world, adopted in 1950.
2. Unwritten Conventions are Followed: Many key practices are not written but are followed as conventions, such as:
   1. • The President appoints the Prime Minister as the leader of the majority in Lok Sabha.
      • Speaker's neutrality in Parliament.
3. Judicial Interpretations Add New Principles: The Supreme Court’s rulings (e.g., Basic Structure Doctrine) have added principles not explicitly stated in the Constitution.