Simone Lawson
The Indian Constitution, the supreme legal document of India and the world's longest written national constitution, came into effect on 26 January 1950. The process of drafting the constitution began in 1946, and it was signed by members of the Constituent Assembly on 24 January 1950, two days before it became the law of the land. The Constituent Assembly, which first met on 9 December 1946, held eleven sessions in 165 days and played a pivotal role in shaping India's constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of completion | 26 January 1950 |
| Date the constitution came into force | 26 January 1950 |
| Date the constitution was adopted | 26 November 1949 |
| Date the constitution was signed | 24 January 1950 |
| Date the Drafting Committee finished their work | 26 November 1949 |
| Date the Draft Constitution was presented to the Constituent Assembly | 4 November 1947 |
| Date the assembly first met | 9 December 1946 |
| Date of India's independence | 15 August 1947 |
| Number of sessions held by the assembly | 11 |
| Number of days the assembly met | 165 or 166 or 167 |
| Number of copies of the constitution signed | 2 |
| Number of languages the constitution was signed in | 2 |
| Number of articles in the constitution | 395 |
| Number of parts in the constitution | 22 |
| Number of schedules in the constitution | 8 |
| Number of words in the constitution | 145,000 |
| Number of amendments to the constitution | Over 100 |
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What You'll Learn
The Constituent Assembly
The Assembly's hope was expressed by Jawaharlal Nehru: "The first task of this Assembly is to free India through a new constitution, to feed the starving people, and to clothe the naked masses, and to give every Indian the fullest opportunity to develop himself according to his capacity." The Constituent Assembly provided India with the basic legal and ethical framework for progress and development.
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The role of B.R. Ambedkar
The Indian Constitution, which came into effect on 26 January 1950, is the supreme legal document of India and the world's longest written national constitution. The document lays down the framework that demarcates fundamental political codes, structures, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions and sets out fundamental rights, directive principles, and the duties of citizens.
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, also known as Babasaheb Ambedkar, played a crucial role in the framing of the Indian Constitution. Born on 14 April 1891 to a Dalit family, he faced discrimination, segregation, and untouchability due to his family's low-caste status. Despite these challenges, Ambedkar excelled academically, obtaining degrees in economics and political science and two doctoral degrees from universities in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Ambedkar's role in India's independence struggle was complex. While the dominant political discourse focused on persuading the British to leave India, Ambedkar centred his interventions and advocacy on the protection and advancement of Dalit rights. He often clashed with the Indian National Congress but became the preeminent leader of the Dalit community by the early 1930s. He advocated for separate electorates for the 'backward classes' to transform them into a solid political interest group. Ambedkar also worked towards putting in place political safeguards for untouchables, such as his presentation to the Southborough Committee that was preparing the Government of India Act 1919.
Ambedkar was a key figure in the constitution-making process due to the offices he held and his interventions and speeches in the Constituent Assembly. He served as the Chairman of the Assembly's Drafting Committee, which was responsible for preparing the Draft Constitution. In this role, he intervened in nearly every debate and had to defend the Draft Constitution. On behalf of the Scheduled Caste Federation party, he wrote and submitted "States and Minorities" to the Constituent Assembly's Sub-Committee on Fundamental Rights. This document provided a strong constitutional framework for protecting the rights of the Scheduled Caste community.
Ambedkar clarified the fundamental principle of federalism in the Indian Constitution, stating that it prioritised the division of legislative and executive powers between the Union and the States. He reassured that the States were not dependent on the Union government for their legislative or executive powers, and both were co-equals. Additionally, Ambedkar was one of the ministers who successfully argued for extensive economic and social rights for women. He also introduced a system of reservations of jobs in the civil services, schools, and colleges for members of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and Other Backward Classes, similar to affirmative action.
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The constitution's length
The Indian Constitution is the longest written national constitution in the world, with about 145,000 words. It is also the world's most frequently amended national governing document, having been amended more than 100 times since its enactment.
The Constituent Assembly, with B.R. Ambedkar as Chairman, was responsible for the constitution's general structure and prepared its initial draft in February 1948. The draft consisted of 243 articles and 13 schedules, which came to 395 articles and 8 schedules after discussions, debates, and amendments. The constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950, making India a sovereign, democratic republic.
The constitution's articles are grouped into a preamble and 25 parts. It currently has 448 articles, 12 schedules, and five appendices. The amended constitution has had 106 amendments, with the latest amendment given assent on 28 September 2023.
The constitution lays down the framework for the fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions. It also sets out fundamental rights, directive principles, and the duties of citizens. The constitution is so specific in spelling out government powers that many amendments address issues typically dealt with by statute in other democracies.
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The constitution's contents
The Indian Constitution is the supreme legal document of India and the world's longest written national constitution for a sovereign nation. It lays down the framework for the fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions, and sets out the fundamental rights, directive principles, and duties of citizens. The constitution is not a rigid set of rules or frameworks, but a way of life, with provisions stated generally so they can be adapted to changing times.
The constitution was drawn from a number of sources, including previous legislation such as the Government of India Acts of 1858, 1919, and 1935, and the Indian Independence Act of 1947. It borrowed features such as the idea of a parliamentary form of government and single citizenship from Britain, and the concept of fundamental rights and a federal government structure from the US.
The constitution contains many articles, each addressing a specific aspect of governance. For example, Article 5 deals with citizenship at the commencement of the Constitution, while Article 6 addresses the rights of citizenship for certain persons who migrated to India from Pakistan. Article 15 prohibits discrimination on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. Article 331 ensures the representation of the Anglo-Indian Community in the House of the People, and Article 332 reserves seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the Legislative Assemblies of the States.
The constitution also contains provisions for official languages, with Article 343 determining the official language of the Union, and Articles 345 and 346 addressing the official languages of states and communication between states and the Union, respectively. Additionally, Articles 352 and 353 cover the Proclamation of Emergency and its effects.
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The constitution's influence
The Indian Constitution, which came into effect on January 26, 1950, is the supreme legal document of India and the world's longest written national constitution. It lays down the framework for the country's fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions, and sets out fundamental rights, directive principles, and the duties of citizens.
The Indian Constitution has had a significant influence on the country's political and legal landscape, shaping the way the government functions and the rights and freedoms enjoyed by its citizens.
Ensuring Government Accountability and Restraining its Powers: The Constitution establishes the framework for the government's structure, procedures, and powers, ensuring that the government functions within defined boundaries. It also guarantees fundamental rights, such as the Right to Life, which includes not only protection from arbitrary deprivation of life or personal liberty but also the Right to speedy trial, Right to water, Right to livelihood, Right to health, and Right to education. These rights act as checks on the government's power and ensure that citizens can hold the government accountable.
Establishing a Sovereign, Democratic Republic: The Constitution played a pivotal role in India's transition from being a dominion of the British Crown to becoming a sovereign, democratic republic. It provided the legal framework for India's independence and established the country as a republic, with the people as the ultimate source of political power. This shift in governance structure empowered citizens and ensured that the government derived its authority from the people it served.
Protecting Citizens' Rights and Freedoms: The Indian Constitution is explicit in outlining the fundamental rights and directive principles that safeguard citizens' rights and freedoms. These rights encompass a range of civil liberties and socio-economic entitlements, ensuring that the government respects and promotes the welfare of its people. The Constitution also establishes the duties of citizens, creating a framework for a responsible and engaged citizenry.
Providing a Framework for Legal Reforms: The Constitution serves as the foundation for legal reforms and the rule of law in India. The establishment of term-based law commissions enables the government to initiate legal reforms that align with the Constitution's principles. This ensures that any changes to the law are consistent with the country's fundamental values and protects against arbitrary or regressive amendments.
Influencing Other Constitutions: The Indian Constitution has also had an impact beyond India's borders. As one of the earliest constitutions in Asia, it has influenced the constitutional development of other nations in the region. Additionally, its unique features, such as its length and level of detail, have been a subject of interest and study for constitutional scholars and lawmakers around the world.
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Frequently asked questions
The Indian Constitution Framework was completed on 26 November 1949, and it came into force on 26 January 1950.
On 26 January 1950, the Constitution of India became the law of the land, and India became a sovereign, democratic republic.
The Constituent Assembly first met on 9 December 1946 and completed its task in 2 years and 11 months.
The Constituent Assembly held 11 sessions in 165 or 167 days.
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 country's political principles and establishes the roles, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions.
