Jonah Patel
Constitution Day in India is celebrated annually on 26 November to commemorate the adoption of the Indian Constitution. The day is also known as Samvidhan Divas, National Law Day or National Constitution Day. The constitution, which is the world's longest-written, was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into effect on 26 January 1950. The day is dedicated to the framers of the constitution and celebrates the democratic, secular and egalitarian framework it established.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 26 November |
| Alternative names | Samvidhan Divas, National Law Day, National Constitution Day |
| Year of first celebration | 2015 |
| Type of celebration | Not a public holiday |
| Purpose | Commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India, honour the framers of the Constitution, promote constitutional values among citizens |
| Examples of celebration | Reading the preamble of the constitution in schools, quiz and essay competitions, symbolic runs, illuminating the Parliament House complex, issuing bilingual editions of the Constitution |
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Constitution Day is celebrated annually on 26 November
Constitution Day, also known as Samvidhan Divas, National Law Day or National Constitution Day, is celebrated annually on 26 November. The day commemorates the adoption of the Indian Constitution, which occurred on 26 November 1949, and came into effect on 26 January 1950. The Indian Constitution is the world's longest-written constitution, taking almost three years and containing 395 Articles and 8 Schedules with approximately 145,000 words.
The day is dedicated to the framers of the document and honours the vision and efforts of the Constituent Assembly, which was led by BR Ambedkar. The Constituent Assembly sat for 11 sessions and 167 days, over a period of 2 years and 11 months, to finalise the constitution. The document outlines the democratic, secular and egalitarian framework of the nation, with core principles of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.
Constitution Day is not a public holiday, but it is marked by various programmes, events and initiatives organised by different ministries and departments. Schools often hold activities such as reading the preamble of the constitution, as well as quiz and essay competitions on the subject of the constitution. In 2019, students of Andhra University participated in the 'Run for Ambedkar' rally to commemorate the day.
In 2023, the Government of Manipur issued the bilingual edition of the Constitution of India in Meetei and English, becoming the first time the constitution was published in the Meetei language. The central government also announced that it would observe Constitution Day throughout the year, with a focus on educating citizens about the members of the Constitution Drafting Committee, the role of Dr BR Ambedkar, and the contributions of the 15 women involved in drafting the document.
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It is also known as Samvidhan Divas
Constitution Day in India, also known as Samvidhan Divas, is celebrated on the 26th of November every year. The day commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of India by the Constituent Assembly of India on 26 November 1949. The constitution, which came into effect on 26 January 1950, is the world's lengthiest written constitution, stressing principles of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.
The Constitution Day celebrations in India aim to promote constitutional values among citizens. Various programmes are held by different ministries and departments throughout the year to spread the thoughts and ideas of Ambedkar, who is known as the father of the Indian constitution. The preamble of the constitution is read in all schools by the students, and there are quiz and essay competitions on the subject of the constitution of India.
The original manuscript of the Indian constitution was handwritten with calligraphy by Prem Behari Narain Raizada in English and Hindi, with artwork by Nandalal Bose and Shantiniketan artists. The original document features 22 historical illustrations preserved in helium-filled cases at the Parliament Library. The constitution has undergone several amendments since its inception, reflecting the evolving nature of India's democratic republic.
Constitution Day in India is a day to honour the vision and efforts of the Constituent Assembly, which laid the foundation of a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic. It is a day to remember the importance of the constitution in the lives of Indian citizens and to celebrate the values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity that it upholds.
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It is not a public holiday
Constitution Day in India is not a public holiday. However, it is still celebrated across the country in various ways. The day is also known as Samvidhan Divas, National Law Day, or National Constitution Day. It is observed on the 26th of November every year to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India, which came into effect on the 26th of January, 1950.
The Constitution of India describes the fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions. It also outlines the fundamental rights, directive principles, and duties of citizens. It is the longest written constitution in the world, and its creation took around two years, 11 months, and 17 days.
Constitution Day celebrates the exceptional efforts of those who drafted the constitution. The day is marked by various programmes, events, and activities organised by different ministries and departments and educational institutions across India. For instance, the Department of Education and Literacy directs students in schools to read the preamble of the constitution. There are also quiz and essay competitions, both online and offline, on the subject of the constitution.
In addition, the Ministry of External Affairs directs all overseas Indian schools to celebrate Constitution Day. They also instruct embassies to translate the constitution into the local language of the nation and distribute it to academies, libraries, and faculties of Indology. The Department of Sport arranges a symbolic run named "Run for Equality". There have also been special sessions of the Indian parliament to pay tribute to the constitution and its key figures, such as B.R. Ambedkar, known as the father of the Indian constitution.
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The day commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of India
Constitution Day in India, also known as Samvidhan Divas, is celebrated annually on 26 November. The day commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of India, which occurred on 26 November 1949 and came into effect on 26 January 1950. The Constitution of India is the world's longest-written constitution, shaping the democratic framework of the nation and stressing principles of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.
The Constituent Assembly finalised the constitution under the leadership of B.R. Ambedkar, and it took almost three years to complete. The Assembly sat for 11 sessions and 167 days, debating each of the 395 Articles and 8 Schedules, resulting in a document of approximately 145,000 words. The Constitution also underwent several amendments, with the 42nd Amendment in 1976 introducing Article 51-A, listing ten duties inspired by Indian traditions and global practices, and an eleventh duty added in 2002.
Constitution Day celebrations aim to promote constitutional values among citizens and honour the vision and efforts of the Constituent Assembly. In schools, students read the preamble of the constitution and participate in quiz and essay competitions on the subject. The government also organises various programmes, including symbolic runs and rallies, to spread the thoughts and ideas of Ambedkar and the other framers of the constitution.
In 2023, the Government of Manipur issued a bilingual edition of the Constitution in Meetei and English, making it more accessible to the people of the state. The central government has also announced plans to observe Constitution Day throughout the year, with initiatives in every village to promote awareness of constitutional values and the legacy of the significant figures involved in its drafting.
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The day is dedicated to the framers of the Constitution
Constitution Day in India, also known as Samvidhan Divas, is celebrated annually on 26 November to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India. The day is dedicated to the framers of the Constitution, recognising their exceptional efforts and the significance of this historic event.
The Constitution of India was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into effect on 26 January 1950, marking the birth of the Indian Republic. It serves as the foundational document that defines India's democratic, secular, and egalitarian framework. The Constituent Assembly finalised the constitution under the leadership of B.R. Ambedkar, and it took almost three years to complete. The first session was held on 9 December 1946, under Dr Sachhidanand Sinha, who served as the provisional president, and Dr Rajendra Prasand, acting as the permanent chairman.
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest-written constitution, containing 395 Articles and 8 Schedules, totalling about 145,000 words. It outlines the fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions, as well as fundamental rights, directive principles, and the duties of citizens. The Constitution has undergone several amendments over the years to reflect the changing needs of the nation.
Constitution Day celebrations aim to promote constitutional values among citizens and honour the vision and efforts of the Constituent Assembly. In schools, students read the preamble of the Constitution and participate in quiz and essay competitions related to the subject. The government also organises various programmes, including the "Run for Equality", to spread the thoughts and ideas of Ambedkar and other framers.
In 2023, the Government of Manipur issued a bilingual edition of the Constitution in the Meetei Mayek (traditional Meitei writing system) and English, making it more accessible to the people of Manipur. This initiative aligns with the spirit of Constitution Day, ensuring that the values and principles of the Constitution reach all citizens in their local languages.
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Frequently asked questions
Constitution Day in India is celebrated on the 26th of November every year.
Constitution Day, also known as Samvidhan Divas, National Law Day or National Constitution Day, commemorates the adoption of the Indian Constitution, which happened on the 26th of November 1949. The constitution came into effect on the 26th of January 1950, marking the birth of the Indian Republic.
Constitution Day celebrations include various programmes, rallies, and competitions held by different ministries and departments. The day is dedicated to the framers of the constitution, and the government focuses on educating citizens about the members of the Constitution Drafting Committee and their contributions. Schools across India read the preamble of the constitution, and there are quiz and essay competitions on the subject.
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest written constitution, with 395 Articles and 8 Schedules, totalling about 145,000 words. It describes the fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of the government institutions, as well as the fundamental rights and duties of citizens.
