The Emergency provisions included in the Constitution of India were primarily borrowed from which foreign constitutional model?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Weimar Constitution of Germany

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question tests knowledge of the sources from which different features of the Constitution of India were borrowed. Emergency provisions, which allow the Union to assume special powers during serious crises, did not originate entirely in isolation. The drafters studied several foreign constitutions and colonial statutes and chose elements that suited Indian conditions. Remembering which foreign document inspired these provisions is a common requirement in competitive examinations on Indian polity.


Given Data / Assumptions:


    The question focuses specifically on Emergency provisions in the Indian Constitution.
    Four possible foreign sources are listed as options, including constitutions of Germany, Canada, Ireland and the United States.
    The learner is assumed to know at least some mapping between foreign models and the features borrowed into the Indian system.
    There is no numerical calculation involved; this is a pure recall and understanding based topic.


Concept / Approach:
The standard approach is to recall the conventional table of borrowed features. From the British model India borrowed parliamentary government and cabinet responsibility. From the United States came the idea of a written constitution and judicial review. From Canada came a federal system with a strong centre. From Ireland came Directive Principles. For Emergency provisions, such as National Emergency, President rule and financial emergency, the primary inspiration was the Weimar Constitution of Germany, which contained strong central powers during emergencies. Keeping this mapping clear allows quick elimination of wrong options.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Read the question to identify that it is narrow and specific, asking only about Emergency provisions. Step 2: Recall the list of foreign sources often printed in Indian polity books, linking each major feature with a country. Step 3: Note that Canada is associated with federalism and distribution of powers with a strong centre, not with emergency powers. Step 4: Observe that the Constitution of Ireland is associated mainly with Directive Principles of State Policy. Step 5: Remember that the Constitution of the United States of America is linked with fundamental rights, judicial review and separation of powers, not with the structure of emergencies in India. Step 6: Identify that the Weimar Constitution of Germany experimented with sweeping emergency powers that could suspend civil liberties, and this became a reference point when drafting similar provisions for India. Step 7: Therefore, select Weimar Constitution of Germany as the correct answer.


Verification / Alternative check:
A good verification technique is to check how multiple independent sources teach the topic. Almost every standard Indian polity text lists Weimar Germany as the source of Emergency provisions, often in a table that maps other countries to their respective contributions. If one quickly reviews that table from at least two books or reliable notes, the same mapping appears repeatedly. The consistency of this information across sources confirms that linking Emergency provisions with Weimar Germany is correct and that the other listed options are meant as distractors.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Constitution of Canada: Known mainly for the federal scheme with a strong centre, not the design of Emergency provisions in India.
Constitution of Ireland: A major influence on Directive Principles of State Policy and certain electoral procedures, but not on Emergency provisions.
Constitution of the United States of America: Influenced fundamental rights and judicial review, yet its emergency framework is not the basis for the Indian model.


Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes mix up the several foreign influences because they focus only on memorising country names without associating each with its specific contribution. Another pitfall is to rely on vague statements such as many features were borrowed from Britain and the United States, which may cause confusion when answering more detailed questions. To avoid errors, aspirants should create a compact chart that links each country with the particular features it inspired in the Indian Constitution. Revisiting this chart regularly helps fix the correct association between Emergency provisions and the Weimar Constitution of Germany.


Final Answer:
The Emergency provisions in the Constitution of India were primarily borrowed from the Weimar Constitution of Germany.

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