Correct Option
The correct option is (b).
Explanation
The Indian Constitution is a comprehensive document that defines the political structure, administrative machinery, and fundamental rights of the country. It is characterized by its immense volume and its unique blend of federal and unitary features.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Assertion (A): Correct
The Constitution of India is indeed the lengthiest written constitution in the world. Originally, it contained a Preamble, 395 Articles (divided into 22 Parts), and 8 Schedules. Currently, it consists of a Preamble, about 470 Articles (divided into 25 Parts), and 12 Schedules. No other constitution in the world has so many articles and schedules.
- Reason (R): Correct
The Constitution establishes a federal system of government with a unitary bias. It possesses standard federal features such as two governments, division of powers, written constitution, supremacy of the constitution, and an independent judiciary. However, it also contains a large number of unitary or non-federal features, such as a strong Centre, single constitution, single citizenship, flexibility of the constitution, integrated judiciary, appointment of state governors by the Centre, and emergency provisions.
- Reasoning for the Relationship:
While both statements are factually true, the federal system with a unitary bias is not the correct explanation for the Constitution being the lengthiest. The sheer volume of the Constitution is primarily due to four distinct factors:
- Geographical factors: The vastness of the country and its diversity.
- Historical factors: The influence of the Government of India Act of 1935, which was bulky.
- Single Constitution: It serves as the constitution for both the Centre and the States (except Jammu & Kashmir historically).
- Dominance of legal luminaries: The Constituent Assembly consisted largely of lawyers, leading to detailed legal language.
Therefore, the nature of the polity (federal with unitary bias) is a feature, but not the primary cause of the document's length.
Key Takeaway
The length of the Indian Constitution is attributed to the detailed codification of administrative provisions, the inclusion of laws for both the Union and States, and historical borrowings, rather than the specific balance of power between the Centre and States.