# How Many Pages Are There in the Constitution of India? The **Constitution of India** is the **longest written constitution in the world**, laying the foundation for the country’s democratic governance. It defines the structure, powers, and responsibilities of the government and the rights of its citizens. But one common question people often ask is — *“How many pages are there in the Constitution of India?”* The answer is: The **original handwritten Constitution of India** contains **251 pages** written on **parchment sheets**, while the **printed version (English and Hindi combined)** runs into **around 1,170 pages** in total, depending on the edition and publisher. Let’s explore this in detail. --- ## The Original Constitution of India When India became a republic on **26 January 1950**, the Constitution came into effect. It was not typed or printed — it was **handwritten** by calligrapher **Prem Behari Narain Raizada** in **beautiful italic style** on parchment (special handmade paper). ### Key Details of the Original Constitution * **Number of Pages:** 251 (handwritten) * **Number of Articles (original):** 395 * **Number of Schedules (original):** 8 * **Adopted on:** 26 November 1949 * **Came into Force on:** 26 January 1950 * **Language:** English (original) and later translated into Hindi * **Weight:** Approximately 3.75 kg * **Ink Used:** Made from gold and iron gall ink that lasts centuries * **Preserved At:** Library of the Parliament of India, New Delhi Every page of the handwritten Constitution is **artistically decorated** with borders, symbols, and illustrations inspired by Indian cultural heritage — designed by artists from **Santiniketan**, under the guidance of **Nandalal Bose**. --- ## How Many Pages in the Printed Constitution? The number of pages in the **printed Constitution** varies because different editions include amendments, annotations, and explanations. Here’s a general breakdown: | **Version** | **Approximate Page Count** | **Details** | | --- | --- | --- | | **Original Handwritten Constitution** | 251 pages | Written in 1949 by Prem Behari Narain Raizada | | **Official English Printed Edition (1950)** | Around 395 pages | Contained the original articles and schedules | | **Current Updated Edition (after amendments)** | Around 1,100–1,200 pages | Includes all amendments, notes, and schedules | | **Hindi Edition (Bharatiya Samvidhan)** | Around 1,200 pages | Includes same content translated into Hindi | So, while the **original document** has 251 pages, the **updated version** with amendments now runs into **over 1,100 pages**. --- ## Why the Constitution of India Is So Long The Indian Constitution is the **longest in the world** because it covers almost every aspect of governance in detail. ### Reasons for Its Length: 1. **Federal System:** Clear division of powers between the Centre and the States. 2. **Detailed Rights and Duties:** Comprehensive lists of **Fundamental Rights** and **Directive Principles of State Policy**. 3. **Diverse Population:** Special provisions for states, minorities, and tribal areas. 4. **Borrowed Features:** It combines elements from the constitutions of **the UK, USA, Ireland, Canada, and Australia**. 5. **Administrative Complexity:** Addresses governance at the union, state, and local levels. 6. **Amendments Over Time:** More than **100 constitutional amendments** have been added since 1950. These features make the Indian Constitution both detailed and adaptable. --- ## Structure of the Constitution The Constitution is divided into several parts, articles, and schedules that outline India’s political and legal framework. | **Component** | **Details (Original 1950)** | **Current (2025)** | | --- | --- | --- | | **Parts** | 22 | 25 | | **Articles** | 395 | 470+ | | **Schedules** | 8 | 12 | | **Amendments** | — | 106 (as of 2025) | Every amendment adds new pages to the printed version, expanding its total size. --- ## Artistic Features of the Original Constitution The original document is not just a legal text — it’s a masterpiece of **Indian art and calligraphy**. * Each part begins with an **illustrated leaf** depicting a scene from Indian civilization (e.g., Vedic period, Mauryan era, Mughal rule, freedom struggle). * The **front page** features an intricate design of the **national emblem** — the Ashoka Lion Capital. * The use of **golden borders and motifs** reflects India’s cultural richness. This makes the Constitution a **blend of law, art, and heritage**. --- ## Preservation of the Constitution The original handwritten Constitution is kept in a **helium-filled airtight case** inside the **Parliament Library (New Delhi)**. * The case is designed to protect the parchment and ink from humidity, light, and temperature changes. * Only authorized officials and researchers can view it under strict security. * It is occasionally displayed on special national occasions like **Constitution Day (26 November)** and **Republic Day (26 January)**. --- ## Interesting Facts About the Indian Constitution 1. **Longest Constitution:** The Indian Constitution is the longest written constitution in the world. 2. **Time Taken to Draft:** It took **2 years, 11 months, and 18 days** to complete. 3. **Cost of Drafting:** ₹6.4 million (₹64 lakh at that time). 4. **Drafting Committee Chairman:** Dr. **B. R. Ambedkar**. 5. **Signatures:** The Constitution was signed by **284 members** of the Constituent Assembly. 6. **Adopted Before Republic Day:** Adopted on 26 November 1949 but implemented on 26 January 1950. 7. **Calligraphy:** Entirely handwritten — no printing or typing was used. 8. **Weight:** The original handwritten document weighs around **3.75 kg**. --- ## Conclusion To sum up: * The **original handwritten Constitution of India** has **251 pages**, written on **parchment sheets** in English. * The **current printed version**, including all amendments and schedules, runs into **over 1,100 pages**. * It remains the **longest and most detailed Constitution in the world**, reflecting India’s vast diversity and democratic vision. The Constitution of India is not just a legal document — it’s a **symbol of freedom, equality, and unity**, guiding the nation since 1950. --- ## FAQs ### How many pages are there in the Constitution of India? The **original handwritten Constitution** has **251 pages**, while the **current updated version** has around **1,100–1,200 pages**, depending on the edition. ### Who wrote the Constitution of India by hand? It was handwritten by **Prem Behari Narain Raizada**, a skilled calligrapher, in beautiful English script. ### Where is the original Constitution of India kept? The original Constitution is preserved in a **helium-filled glass case** inside the **Parliament Library, New Delhi**. ### How many articles are there in the Constitution of India today? As of 2025, the Constitution has **470+ articles** divided into **25 parts**. ### Why is the Constitution of India the longest in the world? Because it covers a vast range of subjects — federal structure, fundamental rights, governance at all levels, and special provisions for states and communities — making it both detailed and inclusive.