Schedules of Indian Constitution

The schedules of the Indian Constitution, inspired by the Government of India Act 1935, serve as appendices containing specific lists and classifications to supplement constitutional provisions and provide clarity on governance, administration, and representation. First Schedule delineates the names and boundaries of states and union territories. The Second Schedule outlines emoluments, privileges, and oaths of constitutional office holders, while the Third Schedule provides standardized forms of oaths and affirmations. The Fourth Schedule specifies the allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha, while the Fifth and Sixth Schedules address the administration of scheduled areas and tribal areas, respectively. The Seventh Schedule delineates subjects under the Union, State, and Concurrent Lists. The Eighth Schedule recognizes official languages, with amendments over the years reflecting linguistic diversity. The Ninth and Tenth Schedules address judicial review and defection, respectively, while the Eleventh and Twelfth Schedules detail the powers of local self-government bodies. These schedules ensure clarity and ease of understanding while maintaining the integrity of the Constitution's framework.

The Constitution of India, adopted on January 26, 1950, is the supreme law of the country, providing the framework for its governance and functioning. One of the distinctive features of the Indian Constitution is its division into various parts, chapters, and schedules, each serving a specific purpose. Among these are the schedules, which play a crucial role in delineating important provisions, classifications, and details integral to the functioning of the Indian state.

The schedules of the Indian Constitution were inspired by the Government of India Act 1935, which also contained schedules. These schedules serve as appendices or attachments to the main body of the Constitution and contain specific lists, classifications, and other necessary details that supplement the constitutional provisions. The primary purpose of these schedules is to provide clarity, classification, and procedural details regarding various aspects of governance, administration, and representation within the Indian state.

First Schedule: Relates to Article 1 and Article 4

• Name of State and Union Territories and their Boundary details

Second Schedule:

• It deals with the provisions related to the emoluments, allowances, privileges, and oath of office for the President, Governors of States,Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly in the states , Chairman and Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha of Legislative Council in the states, Judges of the Supreme Court, and High Courts, Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

Third Schedule:

• This schedule outlines the forms of oaths and affirmations for various constitutional office holders, including the Union Ministers, members of Parliament, Judges of the Supreme Court, and High Courts, Comptroller and Auditor General of India, members of state legislature, candidates for election to the Parliament and state legislature

Fourth Schedule:

• This schedule specifies the allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha to each state and union territory.

Fifth Schedule: Relates to Article 244

• The Fifth Schedule deals with the administration and governance of scheduled areas and scheduled tribes in various states of India.
• It empowers the President to declare certain areas as scheduled areas, where special provisions for administration and development are applicable.

Sixth Schedule: Relates to Article 244 and 275

• This schedule pertains to the administration of tribal areas in the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
• It provides for the establishment of autonomous district councils and regional councils to administer these areas.

Seventh Schedule: Relates to Article 246

• The Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution contains three lists:
  • Union List: Subjects on which the Parliament has exclusive powers to legislate.
  • State List: Subjects on which the State Legislatures have exclusive powers to legislate.
  • Concurrent List: Subjects on which both the Parliament and State Legislatures can legislate.

Eighth Schedule: Relates to Article 344 and 351

• The Eighth Schedule deals with the recognition of official languages in India.
• It currently recognizes 22 languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Punjabi, and others.
• Originally, the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution recognized 14 languages.
• The 21st Amendment added Sindhi in 1967.
• The 71st Amendment added Konkani, Manipuri, and Nepali in 1992.
• The 92nd Amendment added Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santhali in 2003.

Ninth Schedule: Relates to Article 31-B

• The Ninth Schedule was added to the Constitution by the First Amendment in 1951.
• It originally contained laws that were deemed immune from judicial review to protect land reform and other social welfare laws from legal challenges.
• However, in 2007, the Supreme Court of India ruled that laws added to the Ninth Schedule after April 24, 1973, are now open to judicial review.

Tenth Schedule: Relates to Article 102 and 191

• The Tenth Schedule, also known as the Anti-Defection Law, was added by the 52nd Amendment Act, 1985.
• It contains provisions related to disqualification of members of Parliament and state legislatures on grounds of defection.

Eleventh Schedule: Relates to Article 243-G

• The Eleventh Schedule was added by the 73rd Amendment Act, 1992.
• It contains provisions related to powers, authority, and responsibilities of Panchayats (local self-government bodies) in rural areas. It has 29 matters.

Twelfth Schedule: Article 243-W

• The Twelfth Schedule was added by the 74th Amendment Act, 1992.
• It contains provisions related to powers, authority, and responsibilities of Municipalities (urban local bodies) in urban areas. It has 18 matters.

The inclusion of schedules in the Indian Constitution stemmed from the need to accommodate additional information without complicating the main body of the document. Given the extensive nature of the Constitution, it was necessary to provide supplementary details related to the articles and parts. Therefore, schedules were introduced to serve as appendices where such extra information could be incorporated, ensuring clarity and ease of understanding without cluttering the main text of the Constitution.

The schedules of the Indian Constitution serve as integral components of the constitutional framework, providing essential details, classifications, and procedural guidelines necessary for the effective functioning of the Indian state. Through their evolution and adaptation, these schedules reflect the dynamic nature of Indian democracy and its commitment to diversity, federalism, and the rule of law. Understanding the significance and contents of these schedules is crucial for a comprehensive grasp of the constitutional structure and governance mechanisms in India.