Know your country. Shape its future.

One of the world’s earliest urban civilisations, with planned cities such as Harappa, Mohenjo-daro and Dholavira, at its height around 2600–1900 BCE.

Founded by Chandragupta Maurya around 321 BCE. Emperor Ashoka spread messages of non-violence and welfare through rock and pillar edicts.

A period (about 4th–6th centuries CE) known for advances in mathematics, astronomy, literature and art. Aryabhata wrote in 499 CE.

Indian mathematicians developed the decimal place-value system with zero, which spread to the world through trade and scholarship.

Ancient universities such as Nalanda and Takshashila drew students from across Asia.

A South Indian dynasty strong in trade, temple architecture and a navy. Their inscriptions record village assemblies with elected members.

The Delhi Sultanate (from 1206), the Vijayanagara Empire (from 1336) and the Mughal Empire (from 1526), among many others.

Medieval India built forts, temples, mosques, tombs and cities like Hampi, and traded spices and textiles worldwide.

The East India Company began trading in 1600 and gained power after the Battle of Plassey (1757). The British Crown took direct control in 1858.

A large uprising against Company rule, with leaders such as Rani Lakshmibai, Tantia Tope and Bahadur Shah Zafar.

Founded in 1885, it became a central platform of the national movement.

Mahatma Gandhi led non-violent mass movements: Champaran (1917), Non-Cooperation (1920), the Salt March (1930) and Quit India (1942).

Leaders such as Bhagat Singh, Subhas Chandra Bose and many women and tribal leaders fought for freedom in different ways.

India became independent on August 15, 1947. Partition caused huge displacement and violence.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and V. P. Menon helped bring more than 550 princely states into India.

It first met on December 9, 1946. Dr B. R. Ambedkar chaired the Drafting Committee. The Constitution was adopted on November 26, 1949.

It declares India a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic, promising justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.

The Constitution came into force on January 26, 1950, now Republic Day. India’s head of state is the elected President.

Parliament can amend the Constitution under Article 368; some changes also need approval by half the states. There have been more than 100 amendments.

In Kesavananda Bharati (1973) the Supreme Court held that Parliament cannot change the Constitution’s basic structure.

The Seventh Schedule divides subjects into the Union List, State List and Concurrent List.

Parliament is the President, the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and the Lok Sabha (House of the People, 543 elected seats).

Head of state, elected for 5 years by elected members of Parliament and state assemblies. Must be at least 35.

The Prime Minister leads the Council of Ministers, which is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.

The Supreme Court is the highest court; each state has a High Court. Courts can strike down laws that violate the Constitution.

India has 28 states and 8 union territories. States have Governors, Chief Ministers and Legislative Assemblies.

Part III (Articles 12–35): equality, freedom, against exploitation, freedom of religion, cultural and educational rights, and constitutional remedies.

Article 32 lets people go directly to the Supreme Court to protect Fundamental Rights. Dr Ambedkar called it the heart and soul of the Constitution.

Article 21A (2002) makes free and compulsory education a right for children aged 6 to 14; the RTE Act (2009) puts it into practice.

Article 51A lists 11 duties, such as respecting the Constitution, the flag and the anthem, protecting the environment and developing a scientific temper.

Part IV guides governments toward welfare, such as fair wages, health, nutrition and equal justice. Courts cannot enforce them directly.

From the first election, every adult citizen could vote, regardless of gender, caste, religion, education or wealth. The voting age became 18 in 1989.

An independent body under Article 324 that conducts elections. It was set up on January 25, 1950, now National Voters’ Day.

Voters use electronic voting machines with a VVPAT paper slip, an inked finger, and a NOTA (None of the Above) option since 2013.

Some seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes; a 2023 law reserves one-third of Lok Sabha and assembly seats for women, to start after delimitation.

The 73rd Amendment (1992, in force April 24, 1993) created three-tier rural local government. April 24 is National Panchayati Raj Day.

All adult voters of a village form the gram sabha, which reviews plans and spending of the gram panchayat.

The 74th Amendment (1992) gave constitutional status to municipalities and municipal corporations.

At least one-third of panchayat seats are reserved for women, and many states reserve half.

Five-Year Plans began in 1951. The Green Revolution (1960s) boosted food production; economic reforms began in 1991.

ISRO was formed in 1969. Chandrayaan-3 landed near the Moon’s south pole on August 23, 2023, now National Space Day.

The flag (adopted July 22, 1947), the State Emblem from the Lion Capital of Sarnath, the anthem by Rabindranath Tagore, the tiger, the peacock and the lotus.

Hindi and English are used for official Union purposes, and the Eighth Schedule lists 22 languages. States were reorganised along language lines in 1956.

The Citizenship Act, 1955 sets how people become citizens: by birth, descent, registration or naturalisation. India does not allow dual citizenship.

The RTI Act (2005) lets citizens ask public authorities for information, usually answered within 30 days.

The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 protects buyers from unfair practices; complaints can be filed online through e-Daakhil.

A primary source comes from the time (an inscription, coin, letter or photo). A secondary source explains it later (a textbook).

Stop, investigate the source, find better coverage and trace claims to the original (SIFT). PIB Fact Check verifies claims about the government.