Rights, duties and directive principles

Remember the structure: the legislature makes laws; the executive, led by the prime minister, carries them out; the judiciary checks that laws agree with the Constitution, and decides when a law has been broken and what the punishment is. India has three tiers of government: central, state and local (Panchayati Raj).

The Constitution clearly sets out each organ's roles, jobs and accountability, and an electoral system so every eligible citizen can vote.

Three more core parts: Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties, and the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP).

Some Fundamental Rights:

• right to equality: Article 14, equality before the law
• right to freedom: Article 21, protection of life and personal liberty
• right against exploitation
• Article 21-A: right to education

Rights come with duties: you can't only take, you must also give! Some Fundamental Duties:

• obey the Constitution and respect its ideals, the national flag and the National Anthem
• defend the country and serve when called
• value our rich shared heritage
• protect the environment (forests, lakes, rivers, wildlife) and be kind to living creatures
• strive for excellence
• parents and guardians must give children aged 6 to 14 the chance to study

The DPSP show the framers' social and economic dream for India:

Now the most important difference. A Fundamental Right is a promise that must be kept: if someone treats you unfairly because of who you are, you can go to court, and a judge can help. A Directive Principle is a goal: say, a good standard of living for all. If the government doesn't work towards it, you can't take it to court. DPSP are guidelines, not strict rules.

That was on purpose. The makers wanted some rights you can demand right now, and some bigger goals that a growing country might take time to reach.