Omar Bennett
On 26 January 1950, the Constitution of India came into force, marking the country's transition to a modern republic and establishing its governing principles and structures. This date, known as Republic Day, holds significant importance as it commemorates the Indian National Congress's declaration of Purna Swaraj, or complete independence, from British rule in 1930. The constitution, which was drafted by a committee chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949, provided for a parliamentary system with a federal structure and designated the President as the constitutional head of the Executive of the Union. The enforcement of the constitution on 26 January 1950 symbolised India's journey towards self-governance and democracy, solidifying its status as a sovereign nation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 26 January 1950 |
| Reason | To commemorate the declaration of Purna Swaraj (complete independence) |
| History | The Indian National Congress proclaimed Purna Swaraj on this day in 1930 |
| Adoption | Adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949 |
| Enforcement | Enforced on 26 January 1950, with Rajendra Prasad becoming the first President of India |
| Assembly | The Constituent Assembly became the Parliament of India under the new constitution |
| Republic Day | Celebrated throughout the country with a grand parade showcasing military might, defence forces, and cultural heritage |
| President's Role | The President is the constitutional head of the Executive of the Union and the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces |
| Council of Parliament | Consists of the President, the Council of States (Rajya Sabha), and the House of the People (Lok Sabha) |
| Council of Ministers | Headed by the Prime Minister to advise the President |
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What You'll Learn
- The date commemorates the Indian National Congress's declaration of Purna Swaraj in 1930
- The Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949
- Rajendra Prasad became India's first President
- The Constituent Assembly became the Parliament of India
- India became a modern republic, independent of the British Raj
The date commemorates the Indian National Congress's declaration of Purna Swaraj in 1930
The date 26 January 1950 was chosen for the Constitution of India to come into effect to commemorate the Indian National Congress's declaration of Purna Swaraj in 1930. Purna Swaraj translates to "complete independence" or "complete self-rule".
The Indian National Congress passed the Purna Swaraj resolution at its Lahore Session on 19 December 1929, and a public declaration was made on 26 January 1930. The Congress Party urged Indians to celebrate this date as Independence Day. The resolution was passed due to dissatisfaction with the British offer of dominion status for India, and the breakdown of negotiations between freedom movement leaders and the British. The declaration marked a shift in the Indian independence movement's strategy, demanding freedom in the language of justice rather than charity. It also marked the beginning of a large-scale political movement against colonial rule, with civil disobedience and non-payment of taxes as key strategies.
The Purna Swaraj resolution was seen as a critical symbolic event by leaders of the freedom movement and Indians in general. It was a short 750-word document that read like a manifesto. It indicted British rule and articulated the resulting economic, political, and cultural injustice inflicted on Indians. The resolution stated that the British government in India had deprived Indian people of their freedom and had based itself on the exploitation of the masses, ruining India economically, politically, culturally, and spiritually. As a result, the resolution claimed that India must sever ties with Britain and attain Purna Swaraj or complete independence.
The date of 26 January 1950 was chosen during the constitution-making process from 1946-1950, to honour the declaration of Purna Swaraj and the fight for independence from British rule. India officially achieved independence from the British Raj on 15 August 1947, and the Indian Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949. The Constitution coming into effect on 26 January 1950 marked the beginning of the Republic of India, with Rajendra Prasad becoming the first President.
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The Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949
The Constitution of India was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950. The Constituent Assembly was an elected and nominated body that framed the Constitution of India. It was established by Dr Rajendra Prasad in 1946, who was its first president and chairman. The Constituent Assembly of India was conceived by V. K. Krishna Menon, who outlined its necessity as early as 1933. The official demand for a Constituent Assembly was raised in 1936, and the Government of India Act, 1935, was rejected as it was viewed as an imposition on the people of India.
After India's independence from the British Raj on 15 August 1947, the Constituent Assembly's members served as the members of the Dominion Legislature of India. On 29 August 1947, a seven-member drafting committee was appointed to draft a permanent constitution, with Dr B R Ambedkar as chairman. A draft constitution was submitted to the Constituent Assembly on 4 November 1948. The Constituent Assembly appointed 22 committees to deal with different tasks of constitution-making. On 25 November 1949, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, chairman of the Drafting Committee, presented the final draft of the Indian Constitution to Dr Rajendra Prasad, President of the Constituent Assembly. The Constituent Assembly approved the draft constitution the following day, on 26 November 1949.
The date of 26 January 1950 was chosen as the Indian National Congress proclaimed Purna Swaraj (complete independence) on this day in 1930. On 26 January 1950, Rajendra Prasad became the first President of India, and the Constituent Assembly became the Provisional Parliament of India under the transitional provisions of the new constitution. The Constituent Assembly's members became the members of the Provisional Parliament from 1950 to 1952. The Constitution of India is not a rigid constitution and can be amended by the Parliament following certain rules and regulations.
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Rajendra Prasad became India's first President
The Indian Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949, and enforced on January 26, 1950, to commemorate the declaration of Purna Swaraj, or complete independence. The date was chosen as it was when the Indian National Congress proclaimed Purna Swaraj in 1930.
Rajendra Prasad, an Indian politician, lawyer, and journalist, became India's first president on January 26, 1950. Prasad was born on December 3, 1884, in Ziradei, Bengal Presidency, British India (now in Siwan district, Bihar, India). He was a brilliant student, securing the first position in the entrance examination to the University of Calcutta. He received his education from the University of Calcutta and went on to pursue law at the Calcutta Law College. He practiced at the Calcutta High Court and later transferred to the Patna High Court, where he founded the Bihar Law Weekly.
Prasad was a key figure in India's freedom struggle and a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi. He was president of the Indian National Congress in 1934, 1939, and 1947 and played a prominent role in the noncooperation movement for independence. Prasad was also instrumental in forming the Bihari Students Conference in 1906, a significant milestone in the history of the Indian National Movement. From 1946 to 1949, he presided over the Indian Constituent Assembly and helped shape the constitution.
On January 26, 1950, the date the constitution was enforced, Prasad was elected as India's first president. He served two terms as president and is remembered for his humility, impartiality, and dedication to the principles of democracy and the nation. He retired from public life in 1962 due to his deteriorating health and passed away on February 28, 1963, at the age of 78.
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The Constituent Assembly became the Parliament of India
The Constituent Assembly of India was formed in 1946 to draft the Indian Constitution. It was an elected body that served as the nation's first Parliament as an independent nation. The Assembly was led by prominent figures like Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr B.R. Ambedkar, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
The Constituent Assembly played a crucial role in shaping the core principles of the Constitution through comprehensive debates on federalism, fundamental rights, and governance. The Constitution was drafted by a committee headed by Dr B.R. Ambedkar and was submitted to the Constituent Assembly on 4 November 1948. The Assembly approved the draft constitution on 26 November 1949, and it was adopted on the same day, which is now celebrated as Constitution Day.
On 26 January 1950, the Constitution took effect, and India became a sovereign republic. This date was chosen as it was when the Indian National Congress proclaimed Purna Swaraj (complete independence) in 1930. The Constituent Assembly became the Provisional Parliament of India under the transitional provisions of the new Constitution. The Assembly served as the Provisional Parliament from 26 January 1950 until the first general elections under the new Constitution in 1951-52, which established the new Parliament.
The Constituent Assembly's transformation into the Provisional Parliament ensured continuity in governance during the critical period of India's transition from a dominion under the British Empire to a sovereign republic. The Assembly's members became the members of the Provisional Parliament, with Rajendra Prasad as President and Harendra Coomar Mookerjee as Vice-President.
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India became a modern republic, independent of the British Raj
India gained independence from the British Raj on 15 August 1947, bringing an end to almost 200 years of British rule. However, it still had ties with the British Crown as the Government of India Act of 1935 was governing the country. On 29 August 1947, a drafting committee chaired by Dr BR Ambedkar was appointed to draft a permanent constitution. The Constituent Assembly adopted this constitution on 26 November 1949, and it came into effect on 26 January 1950, marking the birth of the Republic of India. The date was chosen to commemorate the declaration of Purna Swaraj, or complete independence, by the Indian National Congress in 1930.
The constitution replaced the colonial-era Government of India Act of 1935, and India became the most populous democracy in the world. The Constituent Assembly became the Parliament of India under the transitional provisions of the new constitution. Rajendra Prasad assumed the presidency, a largely ceremonial role, but with greater powers in times of emergency. The constitution also provided for universal adult franchise and elections to be held at least every five years. The government was modelled after the British parliamentary system.
The struggle for Indian independence was led by Mahatma Gandhi, who advocated for passive resistance. Self-rule had been promised during World War II, but negotiations between Gandhi, the British, and the Muslim League stalled over the partition of India along religious lines. Eventually, the viceroy of India, Lord Mountbatten, forced through a compromise plan, and India was partitioned into two independent nations, India and Pakistan, on 15 August 1947.
Religious violence marred the excitement of independence, but by 1949, it began to subside. India's transition to a sovereign, democratic republic on 26 January 1950, was a landmark moment in its rich history. The Congress party's declaration of Purna Swaraj in 1929 and the first general elections in 1920 also played a role in India's journey towards becoming a modern republic.
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Frequently asked questions
26 January was chosen as, on that day in 1930, the Indian National Congress proclaimed Purna Swaraj, or complete independence.
The Constitution of India outlines the country's status as a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic with a parliamentary system of government. It also provides for a federal structure with a constitutional head, the President, at the helm of the Executive of the Union.
On 26 January every year, a grand parade showcasing India's military might, defence forces, and cultural heritage is held in New Delhi. The President of India, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, takes the salute. The Beating Retreat ceremony, conducted by the three wings of the Indian Armed Forces, marks the end of the Republic Day festivities on 29 January.
After India gained independence from the British Raj on 15 August 1947, a seven-member drafting committee was appointed on 29 August 1947 to draft a permanent constitution. This committee was chaired by Dr B R Ambedkar. The draft constitution was submitted to the Constituent Assembly on 4 November 1948 and adopted by them on 26 November 1949, which is now celebrated as Constitution Day.
