Eleanor Finch
The Indian Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950, marking India's transition from a dominion of the British Crown to a sovereign, democratic republic. 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. The constitution was based on the draft prepared by the assembly's constitutional advisor, Sir B. N. Rau, in February 1948, which was then considered, debated, and amended by the seven-member drafting committee chaired by B. R. Ambedkar.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of approval | 26 November 1949 |
| Date of coming into force | 26 January 1950 |
| Type of government | Parliamentary |
| System of government | Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic |
| Constitutional advisor | Sir B. N. Rau |
| Number of members in the Constituent Assembly | 389 (reduced to 299 after the partition of India) |
| Number of sessions held by the Constituent Assembly | 11 |
| Number of days the Constituent Assembly met | 165 or 166 |
| Number of articles in the initial draft | 243 |
| Number of schedules in the initial draft | 13 |
| Number of articles in the final draft | 395 |
| Number of schedules in the final draft | 8 |
| Number of copies of the final document | 2 (one in English and one in Hindi) |
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What You'll Learn
The Constituent Assembly of India approved the constitution
The Indian Constitution is the supreme law of the country, defining the framework of basic political principles and establishing the procedures, powers, and duties of the government's institutions. It is the longest written constitution of any country in the world.
The Constituent Assembly was formed after the demand for one was made in 1934 by M.N. Roy, a Communist party leader. The Congress party took up the cause, and the British government accepted the demand in 1940. This allowed Indians to draft their own Constitution.
The constitution was drafted by the 389-member Constituent Assembly (reduced to 299 after the partition of India), which was elected by the members of the provincial assemblies. The Assembly took almost three years to draft the constitution, and the process was complete when the members signed two copies of the document in English and Hindi on 24 January 1950. The Hindi translation was undertaken by distinguished linguist, scholar, politician, and member of the Constituent Assembly, Raghu Vira.
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The Assembly was elected by members of the provincial assemblies
The Indian Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949 and became effective on 26 January 1950. The Assembly, with 296 seats, was elected by the members of the provincial assemblies. The Congress party won 208 seats, and the Muslim League won 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 party deteriorated, and the former demanded a separate assembly for Muslims.
The Assembly's first meeting was in New Delhi, and its last on 24 January 1950. During this time, it held eleven sessions over 165 days. The Assembly was responsible for drafting the Constitution, which was a lengthy process. The Constituent Assembly was chaired by Dr B.R. Ambedkar, who also presented the Draft Constitution of India to the Assembly. The Assembly's work was pivotal in shaping India's future as a sovereign, democratic republic.
The Assembly's task was to free India through a new constitution, feed the starving, clothe the masses, and give every Indian the opportunity to develop themselves according to their capacity. The Assembly's work was not just about drafting a document but also about addressing the basic needs and rights of the people. The Assembly's work was guided by the vision of leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru, who wanted to ensure that the Constitution served as an instrument to empower the people and ensure their well-being.
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The Assembly's constitutional advisor was Sir B. N. Rau
The Indian Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949 and became effective on 26 January 1950. The Assembly's constitutional advisor was Sir Benegal Narsing Rau CIE, a distinguished Indian civil servant, jurist, diplomat, and statesman.
Rau was born on 26 February 1887 in a well-educated and prosperous Hindu Saraswat Brahmin family in Karkal, South Kanara, in southern India. After graduating from the Canara High School, Mangalore, with impressive grades, he went on to study at the Universities of Madras and Cambridge. In 1909, he passed the Indian Civil Service Examination with a remarkable 16th rank and began his career in his home province of Madras, where he took up a posting as a judge in several districts in East Bengal. Rau's career progressed quickly, and he moved to the judiciary in 1909, serving as a judge in various districts across East Bengal. In 1925, he took on a dual role with the Assam government as Secretary to the Provincial Council and Legal Remembrancer. During this time, he also worked with Sir John Kerr to draft a note on improving the functionality of provincial legislatures in India. Rau's expertise in constitutional law was recognised, and he was involved in significant projects, such as drafting memoranda for the Simon Commission's tour of India and presenting their case before the Joint Select Committee of Parliament in London.
In 1935, Rau returned to India and worked with the Reforms Office of the Government of India, playing a crucial role in drafting the Government of India Act, 1935. This act was particularly important as it provided a framework for the constitutions of two newly born countries, India and Pakistan, following the partition. Rau's contributions to Indian constitutional law were significant, and he was knighted in 1938 for his distinguished service. He continued to serve in various capacities, including as a judge on the Calcutta High Court and as the president of the United Nations Security Council.
Rau's appointment as the Assembly's constitutional advisor in 1946 was a natural choice given his extensive experience and expertise in constitutional law. He was responsible for the constitution's initial structure and prepared its first draft in February 1948, which consisted of 243 articles and 13 schedules. This draft was then discussed, debated, and amended by the seven-member drafting committee, chaired by B. R. Ambedkar. The final draft of the Indian Constitution was introduced by Ambedkar on 4 November 1948, and after three drafts and three readings, it was passed on 26 November 1949.
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The Assembly's first meeting was in New Delhi on December 9, 1946
The Constituent Assembly of India held its first meeting in New Delhi on December 9, 1946. This was a pivotal moment in the Assembly's work, as it marked the beginning of the process of drafting India's constitution. The Assembly was made up of 296 elected members, with the Congress party winning 208 seats and the Muslim League securing 73 seats.
The Assembly's first meeting was a significant step towards India's independence and the creation of a sovereign, democratic republic. The members of the Assembly were tasked with the important responsibility of drafting a constitution that would meet the needs and conditions of the country. This included ensuring the freedom and rights of all Indian citizens, as well as establishing the framework for the government's functioning and the roles of different institutions.
During the first meeting, the Assembly laid out the initial plans and discussions for drafting the constitution. The Assembly held a total of eleven sessions over a period of 165 days, with the last session taking place on January 24, 1950. The drafting process was a collaborative effort, with committees and experts working together to shape the constitution. Notable figures in this process included B.R. Ambedkar, who chaired the seven-member drafting committee, and Sir B.N. Rau, the assembly's constitutional advisor who prepared the initial draft.
The Constituent Assembly's work culminated in the adoption of the Indian Constitution on November 26, 1949. The constitution came into force on January 26, 1950, marking the official transition of the Union of India into the Republic of India. This day is celebrated annually as Republic Day in India, commemorating the establishment of the country's sovereign and democratic governance.
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The constitution came into effect on January 26, 1950
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. This day is celebrated annually as Republic Day in India.
The Constituent Assembly, which drafted the constitution, played a pivotal role in this process. The Assembly was formed following the demand for an elected body to represent the people of India in 1934 by Communist party leader M.N. Roy. The idea was later taken up by the Congress party, and in 1940, the British government accepted this demand, allowing Indians to draft their constitution.
The Constituent Assembly was elected in 1946, with the Congress party winning 208 out of 296 seats, and the Muslim League securing 73. The Assembly's first meeting was held in New Delhi on December 9, 1946, and it played a crucial role in shaping India's constitution through its deliberations and discussions.
The constitution-making process was a collaborative effort, drawing on the expertise of notable figures such as B.R. Ambedkar, who chaired the seven-member drafting committee, and Sir B.N. Rau, the assembly's constitutional advisor. The final document was signed by the members of the Assembly on January 24, 1950, and it came into force two days later, on January 26.
The Indian Constitution is the country's supreme law and serves as the fundamental governing document, outlining the basic political principles, and establishing the roles, procedures, and duties of different government institutions. It is the world's longest written constitution and has been amended over time to meet the evolving needs of the nation.
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Frequently asked questions
The Indian Constitution was approved by the Constituent Assembly of India on 26 November 1949 and became effective on 26 January 1950.
The Indian Constitution was drafted by the Constituent Assembly, which was elected by elected members of the provincial assemblies. The assembly's constitutional advisor, Sir B. N. Rau, was responsible for the constitution's general structure and prepared its initial draft in February 1948.
The 389-member assembly (reduced to 299 after the partition of India) took almost three years to draft the constitution, holding eleven sessions over a 165-day period.
The Indian Constitution replaced the Government of India Act 1935 as the country's fundamental governing document, and India became a sovereign, democratic republic. It defines the framework of basic political principles and establishes the roles, powers, and duties of different government institutions. It also contains fundamental rights, directive principles, and the duties of citizens.
