Omar Bennett
Constitution Day, also known as Samvidhan Divas or National Law Day, is celebrated in India on the 26th of November every year. The day commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of India by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949. The Constitution came into effect on 26 January 1950 and has since guided the path and process of the country. The celebration of Constitution Day aims to spread awareness of the importance of the Indian Constitution and acknowledge the contributions of its architect, Dr B R Ambedkar.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 26 November |
| Frequency | Annually |
| Year of First Celebration | 2015 |
| Purpose | To commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India, and to spread awareness of its importance |
| Other Names | Samvidhan Divas, National Law Day |
| Events | Quiz and essay competitions, mock parliamentary debates, lectures, rallies |
| Related Figures | Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar, Narendra Modi, Nongthombam Biren Singh |
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What You'll Learn
Commemorating the adoption of the Constitution of India
Constitution Day in India, also known as Samvidhan Divas or National Law Day, is celebrated annually on 26 November to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India. The day marks the occasion when, in 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the Constitution of India, which came into effect on 26 January 1950. The Constitution has since guided the path and process of India and is an important symbol of Indian democracy.
The celebration of Constitution Day aims to spread awareness of the importance of the Indian Constitution and to acknowledge the contributions of its key architect, Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar, known as the father of the Indian Constitution. The day also celebrates Ambedkar's legacy in championing the cause of the downtrodden. In 2023, for instance, a statue of Ambedkar was installed on the Supreme Court premises, and President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated it.
Constitution Day is not a public holiday, but it is celebrated across India with various activities and initiatives. For example, the Department of Education and Literacy has students read the preamble of the Constitution in all schools, and there are quiz and essay competitions on the subject of the Constitution of India. There are also lectures on the salient features of the Constitution in schools, and mock parliamentary debates in colleges. The Ministry of External Affairs has directed all overseas Indian schools to celebrate 26 November as Constitution Day and translate the Constitution into the local language for distribution to academies, libraries, and faculties.
In addition to these educational initiatives, there are other activities to encourage citizens to play their part in strengthening Indian democracy. For instance, in 2019, students of Andhra University participated in the 'Run for Ambedkar' rally in Visakhapatnam to mark the 70th Constitution Day. In 2023, the Government of Manipur issued a bilingual edition of the Constitution of India in Meetei Mayek and English, including the contents up to the 105th Amendment of the Constitution.
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Celebrating the birth anniversary of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar
Constitution Day in India, also known as Samvidhan Divas or National Law Day, is celebrated on the 26th of November every year. The day commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of India by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949, and it came into effect on 26 January 1950. The celebration of Constitution Day aims to spread awareness of the importance of the Indian Constitution and acknowledge the contributions of its architect, Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar, whose birth anniversary is celebrated on this day.
Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar, known as the father of the Indian Constitution, was the chairman of the drafting committee of the Constituent Assembly and played a pivotal role in shaping the Constitution. The finalisation of the draft, a comprehensive and inclusive document, took 2 years, 11 months, and 17 days. Ambedkar, a champion of the downtrodden, dedicated his life to fighting for the rights of the marginalised and ensuring social justice for all.
The celebration of Constitution Day and Dr Ambedkar's birth anniversary extends beyond ceremonial events. It is a call to action for all Indians to embrace the principles enshrined in the Constitution and actively contribute to strengthening Indian democracy. The year-long activities and initiatives organised across India serve as a reminder of the fundamental duties and rights that bind the nation together.
The impact of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar's work extends far beyond Constitution Day. His efforts in drafting the Constitution have left an indelible mark on India's history, shaping the nation's present and future. As India continues to evolve, the principles and values enshrined in the Constitution, for which Ambedkar fought, remain the cornerstone of the country's democracy and the foundation for a more equitable and just society.
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Spreading awareness of the constitution's importance
Constitution Day in India, also known as Samvidhan Divas or National Law Day, is celebrated annually on the 26th of November to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India. The day aims to spread awareness of the importance of the Indian Constitution and to acknowledge the contributions of its key architect, Dr B. R. Ambedkar, who is known as the father of the Indian Constitution.
To achieve the goal of spreading awareness, various activities are organised across India. For instance, the Department of Education and Literacy directs students in all schools to read the preamble of the Constitution. Quiz and essay competitions, both online and offline, are also organised on the subject of the Constitution of India, with the Department of Higher Education requesting universities to arrange mock parliamentary debates in colleges. The University Grants Commission (UGC) also plays a part by arranging an all-India quiz competition, where quiz winners from all states participate.
In addition to activities organised by the departments of the Government of India, the Ministry of External Affairs directs all overseas Indian schools to celebrate the day and embassies to translate the Constitution into the local language for distribution to academies, libraries, and faculties. For example, in 2019, students of Andhra University participated in the 'Run for Ambedkar' rally to mark the occasion.
These activities are designed to reiterate the principle values expressed in the Indian Constitution and encourage citizens to actively play their part in strengthening Indian democracy. They also serve to create awareness about the Fundamental Duties enshrined in the Indian Constitution.
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Recognising the contributions of Dr B R Ambedkar
Dr B R Ambedkar, born on 14 April 1891, belonged to the Mahar caste, which was considered socially disadvantaged and faced discrimination. Despite facing numerous hurdles, he excelled in his education, obtaining multiple degrees in law, economics and political science from Columbia University in New York and the London School of Economics.
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 the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly and played an important role in the drafting of the Constitution. He was also a nominated member of the Bombay Legislative Council from 1926 to 1934 and founded the Independent Labour Party of India in 1936. In 1947, he was appointed as the first Law Minister of independent India.
Ambedkar's interventions and speeches on various aspects of the Constitution were insightful, well-reasoned, and scrupulously researched. He championed the cause of the downtrodden and fought for the rights of Dalits and other marginalised people, as well as for social justice, equality, and human rights. He was a significant figure in social movements fighting for Dalit rights and established the 'Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha' in 1924 for the social upliftment of the 'marginalised sections' with the motto "Educate, Agitate, Organise." He also founded the All-India Scheduled Castes Federation in 1942 as a political front for the Dalits.
Ambedkar's most important intervention as Law Minister was in the attempt to pass the Hindu Code Bill, to reform Hindu personal laws that dictated matters like marriage, divorce, succession and adoption. He also argued for extensive economic and social rights for women and won the Assembly's support for introducing a system of reservations. When he introduced the Draft Constitution to the Assembly in 1948, he defended the inclusion of administrative provisions by invoking 'constitutional morality'. He believed that India must strive to be a social democracy, noting that 'social democracy recognises liberty, equality and fraternity as the principles of life'.
Ambedkar's contributions to the development of the Indian Constitution are unparalleled, and his work continues to inspire generations. He is widely recognised as the architect of the Indian Constitution and is known as the "Father of the Indian Constitution". In 1990, he was posthumously conferred the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, for his invaluable role in drafting the Constitution.
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Encouraging citizens to strengthen Indian democracy
Constitution Day in India, also known as Samvidhan Divas or National Law Day, is celebrated annually on November 26 to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949. The constitution came into effect on January 26, 1950, and has since guided the country's path and processes.
The celebration of Constitution Day aims to spread awareness of the importance of the Indian Constitution and acknowledge the contributions of its key architect, Dr B. R. Ambedkar, who is known as the "father of the Indian Constitution". The day also marks the birth anniversary of Dr Ambedkar, who chaired the drafting committee of the Constituent Assembly and championed the cause of the downtrodden.
Constitution Day celebrations and year-long activities following the day aim to encourage citizens to strengthen Indian democracy by reiterating the principle values expressed in the Indian Constitution. These values include the Fundamental Duties enshrined in the Constitution.
To encourage citizens to play their part in strengthening Indian democracy, various government departments organise activities to promote awareness and understanding of the Constitution. For example, the Department of Education and Literacy directs students in all schools to read the preamble of the Constitution and participate in quiz and essay competitions related to the Constitution. The Department of Higher Education arranges mock parliamentary debates in colleges, while the University Grants Commission (UGC) holds an all-India quiz competition.
The Ministry of External Affairs directs Indian schools overseas to celebrate Constitution Day and translates the Constitution into local languages for distribution to academies, libraries, and faculties. In addition, special sessions of parliament are held to pay tribute to the Constitution and Dr Ambedkar, and the Parliament House complex is illuminated. These activities help to foster a sense of civic pride and engagement among citizens, encouraging them to reflect on the values and principles that underpin Indian democracy.
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Frequently asked questions
Constitution Day, also known as Samvidhan Divas or National Law Day, is celebrated in India to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India on 26 November 1949. The day celebrates the importance of the Indian Constitution and acknowledges the contributions of its architect, Dr B R Ambedkar.
Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar, known as the father of the Indian Constitution, was the chairman of the drafting committee of the Constituent Assembly. He played a crucial role in championing the cause of the downtrodden and finalising the draft of the Indian Constitution, which took 2 years, 11 months and 17 days to complete.
The Government of India declared 26 November as Constitution Day on 19 November 2015, modifying the previously celebrated Law Day. The first Constitution Day was celebrated across India on 26 November 2015, which marked the 125th birth anniversary of Dr B R Ambedkar.
