The Preamble's description of India as a 'Democratic Republic' combines which two constitutional features?
- Direct democracy and hereditary monarchy
- Representative democracy and elected head of State
- Presidential system and federalism
- Parliamentary sovereignty and judicial supremacy
Answer: Representative democracy and elected head of State
Democratic Republic components: (a) Democratic: Government based on people's will expressed through free/fair elections, universal adult suffrage, political accountability (Articles 324-329), (b) Republic: Head of State (President) elected, not hereditary; all public offices open to all citizens regardless of birth (Articles 52-62, 14-16). Contrast with UK (democratic but monarchy) or USA (republic but presidential). Indian model: Parliamentary democracy within republican framework.