The Indian Constitution, adopted in 1950, has several salient features that make it unique and significant in shaping the polity of India: 1. Lengthy and comprehensive: The Constitution consists of a preamble and 448 articles, making it one of the most detailed constitutions in the world. 2. Federal in structure: India is a federal country with a strong central government and individual state governments, providing for a division of powers between the center and states. 3. Parliamentary democracy: India follows the British model of parliamentary democracy, with an elected President as the head of state and a Prime Minister as the head of government. 4. Fundamental Rights: The Constitution guarantees fundamental rights to its citizens, including equality, freedom of speech, and religious freedom. 5. Directive Principles of State Policy: The Constitution also includes Directive Principles, which are guidelines for the government to ensure social justice, welfare, and economic growth. 6. Independent Judiciary: The Constitution establishes an independent judiciary to safeguard constitutional rights and provide justice. The Indian Constitution has undergone several reforms to adapt to changing times and meet the needs of a growing democratic nation. Some significant reforms include the 42nd Amendment Act in 1976, which enhanced the powers of the central government, and the 73rd and 74th Amendments in 1992, which decentralized power to rural and urban local bodies. The Constitution was framed by a Constituent Assembly, headed by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, which debated and deliberated on various provisions for nearly three years before finalizing the document. Its significance lies in providing a framework for governance, protecting citizen rights, and enabling social, economic, and political development in India.