Omar Bennett
The Indian Constitution, the world's longest written national constitution, came into effect on 26 January 1950. The constitution, which has 395 articles in 22 parts and 8 schedules, is the supreme legal document of India and lays down the framework for the country's political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions, and fundamental rights. The Constituent Assembly, elected by members of the provincial assemblies, took almost three years to draft the constitution, holding eleven sessions over a 165-day period.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of adoption | 26 November 1949 |
| Date of coming into force | 26 January 1950 |
| Date of signing | 24 January 1950 |
| Date of first draft | February 1948 |
| Date of first Constituent Assembly meeting | 9 December 1946 |
| Date of Indian independence | 15 August 1947 |
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What You'll Learn
The Indian Constitution came into effect on 26 January 1950
The Constituent Assembly, elected by the provincial assemblies, was responsible for drafting the Indian Constitution. The assembly first convened in December 1946 and, over the course of almost three years, held eleven sessions across 165 days to finalise the constitution. The process was not without its challenges, as tensions between the Muslim League and the Congress Party led to the partition of India and the creation of Pakistan.
The drafting committee, chaired by Dr B.R. Ambedkar, played a crucial role in shaping the constitution. The committee's initial draft, prepared by constitutional advisor Sir B.N. Rau, underwent extensive discussions, debates, and amendments before being submitted to the assembly in November 1947. The final document drew upon the constitutions of various countries, including Britain and the United States, incorporating ideas such as a parliamentary form of government, single citizenship, and fundamental rights.
On 26 November 1949, the Constituent Assembly approved the final draft of the constitution, and its members signed two copies, one in Hindi and the other in English, on 24 January 1950. With 395 articles in 22 parts and 8 schedules, the Indian Constitution is the world's longest written national constitution for a sovereign nation. It outlines the fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions and establishes the rights, principles, and duties of citizens.
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The Constituent Assembly was elected in 1946
The Indian Constitution came into force on 26 January 1950, but its origins can be traced back to the 1930s. The demand for a Constituent Assembly was first made in 1934 by Communist party leader M.N. Roy, and the idea was taken up by the Congress party. In 1939, C. Rajagopalachari voiced the demand for a Constituent Assembly based on adult franchise, and this was accepted by the British in August 1940.
The Constituent Assembly was responsible for drafting the Indian Constitution, which was a lengthy process. The Assembly held eleven sessions over a 165-day period, and the final document was signed on 24 January 1950. The constitution came into force two days later, on 26 January 1950, and became the supreme legal document of India. It laid down the framework for the fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions, and set out fundamental rights, directive principles, and the duties of citizens.
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The Constituent Assembly met for the first time on 9 December 1946
The Constituent Assembly, which was responsible for drafting the Indian Constitution, met for the first time on 9 December 1946. This meeting marked the beginning of a process that would culminate in the creation of the Indian Constitution, which came into force on 26 January 1950.
The demand for a Constituent Assembly was first made in 1934 by M.N. Roy, a Communist party leader. This demand was taken up by the Congress party, and in 1940, the British government accepted it. The August Offer, as it was known, allowed Indians to draft their Constitution. In 1946, elections to the Constituent Assembly were held, and the Congress party won 208 out of 296 seats, with the Muslim League securing 73.
The first meeting of the Constituent Assembly took place in New Delhi and was attended by prominent figures such as Jawaharlal Nehru, B.R. Ambedkar, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The assembly had 389 members (reduced to 299 after the partition of India) and took almost three years to draft the constitution, holding eleven sessions over a period of 165 days. The constitution was drafted with the aim of freeing India, addressing the needs of the starving and naked masses, and providing equal opportunities for all Indians.
The Constituent Assembly played a crucial role in shaping the fundamental law of India, which was previously embodied in statutes enacted by the British Parliament. The assembly's work laid the foundation for India's transformation into a sovereign, democratic republic with a parliamentary system of government. The constitution-making process was a collaborative effort, drawing on the ideas and experiences of various political parties and communities within India.
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The first draft of the constitution was prepared by Sir B. N. Rau in February 1948
The Indian Constitution is the supreme legal document of India and the longest written national constitution in the world. It lays down the framework for the fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions. It also sets out the fundamental rights, directive principles, and duties of citizens.
The Indian Constitution came into effect on January 26, 1950, marking India's transition from a dominion of the British Crown to a sovereign, democratic republic. The constitution was drafted by the Constituent Assembly, which was elected by the members of the provincial assemblies. The assembly's first meeting was held on December 9, 1946, and it took almost three years to draft the constitution, with eleven sessions held over a 165-day period.
The seven-member Drafting Committee, appointed on August 29, 1947, with B. R. Ambedkar as its chairman, considered, debated, and amended Rau's draft. The committee produced a revised draft constitution, which was submitted to the assembly on November 4, 1947. The Constituent Assembly held eleven sessions over 165 days before adopting the constitution.
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The final document was signed on 24 January 1950
The Indian Constitution is the supreme legal document of India and the world's longest written national constitution. It lays down the framework for the fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions. It also sets out the fundamental rights, directive principles, and duties of citizens.
The Constituent Assembly, elected by the members of the provincial assemblies, was responsible for drafting the constitution. The assembly first met in December 1946 and, over the course of almost three years, held eleven sessions over a 165-day period. The drafting committee, appointed in August 1947 with B. R. Ambedkar as its chair, prepared a revised draft constitution that was submitted to the assembly in November 1947.
The final document, consisting of 395 articles in 22 parts and 8 schedules, was signed on 24 January 1950, and it came into force on 26 January 1950. Each member of the Constituent Assembly signed two copies of the constitution, one in Hindi and the other in English. The original constitution is hand-written, with each page decorated by artists from Shantiniketan and calligraphed by Prem Behari Narain Raizada.
The constitution has been in force since 26 January 1950, and India celebrates this day every year as Republic Day. It is the day India became a republic and ceased to be a dominion of the British Crown.
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Frequently asked questions
The Indian Constitution came into force on 26 January 1950.
The Indian Constitution was drafted in 1948 and adopted in 1950.
On 26 January 1950, the Constitution of India came into effect, and the Union of India officially became the Republic of India.
The Constituent Assembly took almost three years to draft the constitution, holding eleven sessions over a 165-day period.
