India
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- federal parliamentary republic
- CONSTITUTION
- January 26, 1950; amended several times
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- based on English common law; partial review of legislative acts by the judiciary
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- bicameral, Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and People's Assembly (Lok Sabha)
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- Supreme Court, judges appointed by the President and serve until 65 years of age
RELIGIONS
80% Hindu; 11% Muslims; 2% Christians; 2% Sikhs; Buddhist minorities and others
From the country
- FEBRUARY 1, 1999IndiaDEATH PENALTY
In February, the Supreme Court commuted the death sentence...
In February, the Supreme Court commuted the death sentence of Om Prakash (23), convicted for killing 7 persons with his service self-loading rifle in Haryana in 1990, to a life sentence
- JANUARY 27, 1999IndiaDEATH PENALTY
On January 27, the Maharashtra cabinet passed a resolution...
On January 27, the Maharashtra cabinet passed a resolution supporting the Central Government's proposal to award the death penalty to those convicted of rape
- JANUARY 1, 1999IndiaDEATH PENALTY
The Indian legislative system also provides for different...
The Indian legislative system also provides for different levels of appeal, and death sentences are frequently commuted to life imprisonment upon appeal
- JANUARY 1, 1999IndiaDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court, in Bachan...
The Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court, in Bachan Singh v State of Punjab, held that the death sentence as a punishment should be awarded only in the "rarest of rare" cases
- JANUARY 1, 1999IndiaDEATH PENALTY
The Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or...
The Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions recognizes the hostile environment pervading various regions in the country
- JANUARY 1, 1999IndiaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is provided for by the Penal Code...
The death penalty is provided for by the Penal Code and by Art
- JANUARY 1, 1999IndiaDEATH PENALTY
The arguments of Justice Chandrachud in Mithu v State...
The arguments of Justice Chandrachud in Mithu v State of Punjab (1983 SCC (Cr) 404) on the constitutional validity of Section 303 are extremely relevant
- JANUARY 1, 1999IndiaDEATH PENALTY
India was a cosponsor of the amendments presented by...
India was a cosponsor of the amendments presented by Egypt (A/C