Isabella Carter
The Indian Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 by the Constituent Assembly, which was dominated by the Congress party. The Assembly first met on 9 December 1946, and a Draft Constitution was submitted on 4 November 1947. This was debated for over two years, with more than 2000 amendments moved, before the Constitution was finally adopted in 1949. The day is celebrated as National Law Day or Constitution Day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of adoption | 26 November 1949 |
| Date of enforcement | 26 January 1950 |
| First Republic Day | 26 January 1950 |
| Number of Articles | 395 |
| Number of Timetables | 8 |
| Number of Sections | 22 |
| Number of Signatures | 284 |
| Current number of Articles | 448 |
| Current number of Sections | 25 |
| Current number of Timetables | 12 |
| Members of the Constituent Assembly | B.R. Ambedkar, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sanjay Phakey, C. Rajagopalachari, Vallabhbhai Patel, Kanaiyalal Munshi, Rajendra Prasad |
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What You'll Learn
The Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution of India
The Constituent Assembly, dominated by the Congress party, played a crucial role in drafting and adopting the Constitution. The Assembly was diverse, with representation from various castes, religious minorities, jurists, and women. Notable members included B.R. Ambedkar, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sanjay Phakey, C. Rajagopalachari, Vallabhbhai Patel, Kanaiyalal Munshi, and Rajendra Prasad.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the executive of the Drafting Committee, is often regarded as the architect of the Constitution of India. The Assembly's hard work resulted in a constitution that transformed the Union of India into the modern Republic of India, making it a sovereign, democratic republic.
The adoption of the Constitution on 26 November 1949 was a critical milestone, but it did not immediately come into effect. It was enforced on 26 January 1950, which marked India's first Republic Day. This date holds significance as it is when India officially became a republic and replaced the Government of India Act, 1935, as the governing document of the country.
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The Constitution was signed by 284 members
The Indian Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 and was signed by 284 members. The Constituent Assembly, which was dominated by the Congress party, drafted the Constitution. The Assembly first met on 9 December 1946, and Nehru outlined the vision of the Constitution in a famous speech on 13 December 1946. A Draft Constitution was submitted to the Assembly on 4 November 1947, and this was debated for over two years, with more than 2,000 amendments being moved.
The 284 members who signed the Constitution of India on 26 November 1949 included prominent figures such as B.R. Ambedkar, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sanjay Phakey, C. Rajagopalachari, Vallabhbhai Patel, Kanaiyalal Munshi, and Rajendra Prasad. Over 30 members belonged to the scheduled castes, and Anglo-Indians and Parsis were also represented. Religious minorities, prominent jurists, and women were represented as well.
The Constitution of India, which made India a sovereign, democratic republic, came into effect on 26 January 1950, which is celebrated as Republic Day. From that day onwards, India was no longer a dominion of the British crown. The Constituent Assembly became the Provisional Parliament of India until 1952.
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The Constitution came into effect on 26 January 1950
The Constitution of India was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into effect on 26 January 1950. This was the day that India became a republic and the date is celebrated as Republic Day throughout the country.
The Constitution gave India the constitutional status of 'sovereign, democratic, republic'. It replaced the Government of India Act (1935) as the governing document of the country. The Constitution was the result of a long process that began in 1946 when the British decided to consider granting India its independence. A British cabinet mission was sent to India to negotiate with the representatives of British India and the Indian States. The mission was to agree on a system for writing a constitution and establishing a constituent body and a council of ministers.
The Constituent Assembly was formed in 1946 and on 29 August 1947, the Drafting Committee was chosen. The committee was chaired by Dr B R Ambedkar, who is regarded as the 'father of the Constitution'. The final session of the Constituent Assembly was held on 24 January 1950, and Dr Rajendra Prasad was declared to be duly elected to the office of President of India.
The Constitution was promulgated on 26 January 1950, a date that was chosen because it was the day in 1930 when the Indian National Congress had demanded complete independence from the British. The day is marked by a grand Republic Day Parade in New Delhi, showcasing India's military might, defence forces, and cultural heritage.
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The Constitution was drafted by the Congress party
The Constitution of India was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into effect on 26 January 1950, marking India's first Republic Day. The Constituent Assembly of India was responsible for drafting the Constitution, which was an elected and nominated body. The Assembly was partly elected by the Provincial Assemblies of British India and partly nominated by princely states.
The Congress Party, also known as the Congress Assembly Party, played a pivotal role in the adoption of the Constitution. They held a large majority in the Assembly, with 69% of the seats. The Congress Party's role in the Constituent Assembly was led by Rajendra Prasad, who was appointed President of the Assembly in December 1946. The Assembly also included Harendra Coomar Mookerjee as vice-chairman and constitutional legal adviser B. N. Rau. Rau 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 were then discussed, debated, and amended by the Assembly. The final constitution included 395 articles and 8 schedules.
The Congress Party's work on the Constitution was not without conflict. In March 1948, tensions emerged between the Congress Party and the Socialist Party of India. The Socialist Party wanted to nationalise existing industries, while the Congress Party was reluctant. The Socialist Party also accused the Congress Party of acting in the interests of the capitalist class. Despite these tensions, the Constituent Assembly, with the Congress Party as the majority, pushed forward with their draft.
The Constituent Assembly of India was a significant body in the creation of the Indian Constitution, and the Congress Party played a pivotal role in the Assembly. The Congress Party's influence, along with the work of other Assembly members, helped shape the Constitution of India, which became the foundation of the world's largest democracy.
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The Constitution was designed by Dr B.R. Ambedkar
The Constitution of India was adopted on 26 November 1949 by the Constituent Assembly. It came into effect on 26 January 1950, marking India's first Republic Day. The Constitution is the longest handwritten document in the world and is often referred to as "Ambedkar's Constitution", in reference to Dr B.R. Ambedkar, the Chairman of the Drafting Committee and the "father of the Indian Constitution".
Ambedkar was a key figure in India's constitution-making process due to the offices he held and his interventions and speeches in the Assembly. He was appointed Law Minister in 1947, and two weeks later, he was made Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution for the future Republic of India. As Chairman, he had to defend the Draft Constitution and intervene in nearly every debate. Ambedkar's interventions were insightful, well-reasoned, and scrupulously researched, winning him the support and respect of other members of the Assembly.
Ambedkar introduced the Draft Constitution to the Assembly on 4 November 1948, defending the inclusion of administrative provisions by invoking 'constitutional morality'. On 25 November 1949, a day before the Constitution was adopted, Ambedkar argued that India must strive to be a social democracy, recognising "liberty, equality and fraternity as the principles of life". He also defended the inclusion of Directive principles of State Policy in the Draft Constitution, believing that they were like instructions regulating the power of the Legislature and Executive for peace, order, and good governance.
Ambedkar's work on the Constitution is particularly notable given his long-standing commitment to social reform in India. By 1927, he had decided to launch active movements against untouchability, leading public movements and marches to open up public drinking water resources and allow access to Hindu temples. He also wrote a separate set of recommendations for the future Constitution of India when working with the Simon Commission in 1925.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution of India on 26 November 1949. It was signed by 284 members and came into effect on 26 January 1950, marking India's first Republic Day.
The date 26 November 1949 is when India adopted its constitution, making India a sovereign, democratic republic.
The Indian Constitution is the longest handwritten constitution in the world. It is the foundation of the world's largest majority rule government.
The Indian Constitution Day, also known as National Law Day or Constitution Day, is celebrated on 26 November to spread the importance of the constitution and the thoughts and ideas of Ambedkar.
