Malcolm Rivera
The Constitution of India is the supreme law of the country and the lengthiest written constitution in the world. It came into effect on 26 January 1950, replacing the Government of India Act 1935 as the country's fundamental governing document. The Constituent Assembly, formed in 1946, played a pivotal role in drafting the constitution, with Dr B. R. Ambedkar as the chairman of the drafting committee. The constitution-making process involved 11 sessions over a span of two years and 11 months, resulting in a comprehensive document that outlines India's governance framework, rights, and duties. It borrows from various sources, including the constitutions of other countries, and blends rigidity and flexibility in its provisions. The Indian Constitution stands as a testament to upholding its values, fostering unity in diversity, and safeguarding the rights and liberties of its citizens.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of adoption | 26 November 1949 |
| Date of enactment | 26 January 1950 |
| Length | Longest written constitution in the world with 448 articles |
| Structure | 25 parts, each dealing with a specific aspect of the country's legal, administrative, or governmental framework |
| Type | Blend of rigidity and flexibility |
| System of government | Federal system with a unitary bias |
| Form of government | Parliamentary |
| Basis | Drawn from the Government of India Act 1935 and the constitutions of other countries |
| Interpretation | Based on the intention and understanding of its framers, as well as the existing social and political context |
| Supremacy | Constitutional |
| Amendments | No provision to limit the powers of Parliament to amend the constitution |
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What You'll Learn
The Constituent Assembly
In 1946, elections to the Constituent Assembly were held, and the Congress party won 208 out of 296 seats, with the Muslim League taking 73. The Constituent Assembly for undivided India met for the first time on 9 December 1946. However, relations between the Muslim League and the Congress deteriorated, and the former demanded a separate assembly for Muslims.
A Drafting Committee was constituted on 29 August 1947, with Dr B.R. Ambedkar as Chairman, to prepare a Draft Constitution. The committee finished its work on 26 November 1949, a date now known as Constitution or National Law Day. The Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution of India on 26 January 1949, but it came into effect on 26 November 1950, making India a sovereign republic. The Constituent Assembly had 11 sessions and sat for a total of 165-167 days.
The final document drew upon the constitutions of many other countries. From Britain came the idea of a parliamentary form of government and single citizenship; from the US, the concept of fundamental rights and the government's federal structure.
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The role of B.R. Ambedkar
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, also known as Babasaheb Ambedkar, was an Indian jurist, economist, social reformer, and political leader who played a crucial role in the creation of India's constitution. He served as the chairman of the drafting committee and was a key member of the Constituent Assembly, which was responsible for framing the constitution.
Ambedkar's involvement in the constitution-making process began in 1946 when he was appointed to the Drafting Committee, tasked with preparing a draft constitution for the future Republic of India. The committee, consisting of seven members, worked on amending and refining the initial draft prepared by constitutional advisor Sir B.N. Rau. This draft, presented to the Constituent Assembly on November 4, 1947, underwent extensive debates and discussions before being finalised.
As the chairman of the drafting committee, Ambedkar played a pivotal role in guiding the constitution's development. He was known for his insightful, well-reasoned, and scrupulously researched interventions and speeches during the assembly proceedings. Ambedkar advocated for the protection and advancement of Dalit rights, often clashing with the Indian National Congress. He successfully argued for extensive economic and social rights for women and introduced the concept of reservations for depressed classes within the general electorate.
Ambedkar also contributed significantly to the content of the constitution. He appended his draft to his 1945 book, 'What the Congress and Gandhi Have Done to the Untouchables', highlighting his commitment to addressing caste discrimination. Ambedkar's draft constitution drew upon the ideas from various countries, including the parliamentary form of government and single citizenship from Britain, and the concept of fundamental rights and a federal government structure from the United States.
On November 25, 1949, a day before the constitution was adopted, Ambedkar delivered a concluding speech in the constituent assembly, emphasising the importance of social democracy in India. He acknowledged the contributions of Sir B.N. Rau and the other members of the drafting committee in shaping the constitution. The final document, signed on January 24, 1950, in English and Hindi, marked the culmination of Ambedkar's efforts to ensure a robust framework for the country's governance.
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The Draft Constitution
The Constituent Assembly for undivided India first met on 9 December 1946. The Assembly sat for a total of 165 or 167 days across 11 sessions over two years and 11 months, completing its task of framing India's Constitution. The Assembly had 296 seats, with the Congress party winning 208 and the Muslim League 73.
On 29 August 1947, the Constituent Assembly set up a seven-member Drafting Committee, chaired by Dr B.R. Ambedkar, to prepare a Draft Constitution. The initial draft was prepared by the assembly's constitutional advisor, Sir B.N. Rau, and consisted of 243 articles and 13 schedules. After discussions, debates, and amendments, the number of articles increased to 395, and the number of schedules decreased to eight.
The Drafting Committee presented the revised draft constitution to the Assembly on 4 November 1947. The document drew upon the constitutions of many other countries. For example, the idea of a parliamentary form of government and single citizenship was borrowed from Britain, and the concept of fundamental rights and the government's federal structure came from the US.
On 26 November 1949, the Drafting Committee finished its work, and the Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution of India. The members appended their signatures to the document on 24 January 1950. The Constitution came into effect on 26 January 1950, making India a sovereign republic. This date is celebrated annually in India as Republic Day.
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The Date of Adoption
The Constituent Assembly for undivided India first met on 9 December 1946. In the span of two years and 11 months, it completed its task of framing India's Constitution. During this period, the Constituent Assembly had 11 sessions and sat for a total of 167 days. The Drafting Committee, chaired by Dr B.R. Ambedkar, finished its work on 26 November 1949, a date now known as Constitution or National Law Day. The Constituent Assembly of India adopted the Constitution on this date, and it came into effect on 26 January 1950, making India a sovereign republic. This date is known as the "Date of Enactment" of the Constitution of India.
The Constitution was signed by the members of the Constituent Assembly on 24 January 1950, two days before it came into effect. The final document was the result of 141 days of work by the Drafting Committee and drew upon the constitutions of many other countries. For example, the idea of a parliamentary form of government and single citizenship was borrowed from Britain, and the concept of fundamental rights and a federal government structure came from the United States.
The Constitution of India is the lengthiest of all the written constitutions of the world. It is a very comprehensive and detailed document that needed to accommodate the vast diversity of the country, as well as serve as a single constitution for both the Centre and the States.
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The Constitution as the supreme law
The Constitution of India is the supreme law of the country, outlining its governance framework, rights, and duties. It is a permanent instrument that ensures the functioning of the government system. The Constitution is not a rigid set of rules but a blend of rigidity and flexibility, borrowing from the Government of India Act 1935 and the constitutions of other countries. It establishes a federal system of government with a parliamentary form of government based on cooperation and coordination between the legislative and executive organs.
The Constitution of India is the lengthiest written constitution of any country in the world, comprising 448 articles and 25 parts. It is a comprehensive and detailed document that accommodates the vast diversity of the country and serves as a framework for both the central government and the states. The Constitution was created by a special Constituent Assembly, which first sat on December 9, 1946, and completed its task in 2 years and 11 months, with 11 sessions and a total of 167 days of sitting. The Constituent Assembly was elected in 1946, with the Congress party winning 208 out of 296 seats and the Muslim League winning 73.
The Constitution of India espouses constitutional supremacy, with the power to govern all laws. It establishes the fundamental rights of citizens, including the right to life, equality, freedom, religion, and constitutional remedies. The Constitution also outlines the duties of citizens and provides directive principles. The provisions of the Constitution are stated generally to allow for adaptation to changing times and situations. For example, the Right to Life under Article 21 has been expanded to include a number of human rights, such as the right to a speedy trial, right to water, right to livelihood, right to health, and right to education.
The Constitution of India was adopted on November 26, 1949, and came into effect on January 26, 1950, marking India's transition from the Dominion of India to the Republic of India. The date of enactment, January 26, is celebrated as Republic Day in India. The Constitution was signed on January 24, 1950, with two copies in English and Hindi. The drafting process was chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who played a crucial role in consolidating the ideas and contributions of the Constituent Assembly into a cohesive document.
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Frequently asked questions
The Indian Constitution came into existence on 26th January 1950, making India a sovereign republic. This date is known as the "Date of Enactment" of the Constitution of India.
The process of creating the Indian Constitution began with the demand for a Constituent Assembly in 1934 by M.N. Roy, a Communist party leader. The demand was accepted by the British government in 1940, and the Constituent Assembly for undivided India met for the first time on 9th December 1946. A Drafting Committee was formed on 29th August 1947, with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as Chairman, and they completed their work on 26th November 1949. The Constituent Assembly had 11 sessions and sat for a total of 167 days, completing its task in 2 years and 11 months.
The key people involved in the creation of the Indian Constitution include Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who chaired the Drafting Committee, and Sir B.N. Rau, the Constitutional Advisor to the Constituent Assembly.
