Samvidhaan | Making of the Indian Constitution | GS History by Aadesh

Summary

The Indian Constitution, the longest written constitution in the world, was adopted on January 26, 1950, after extensive efforts spanning over 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days. Its creation was influenced by earlier attempts, including the Nehru Report and M.N. Roy’s proposal for a Constituent Assembly. The assembly, formed in 1946, included diverse representatives and was tasked with drafting the Constitution. Key figures like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who chaired the Drafting Committee, played vital roles in shaping India’s constitutional framework, which guarantees rights and freedoms for all citizens. The final document, adopted in 1949, was implemented on Republic Day, 1950.

Takeaways

• 😀 India is the largest democracy in the world and also has the largest written constitution, implemented on January 26, 1950, celebrated as Republic Day.
• 😀 The Indian Constitution took 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days to draft, a result of extensive hard work and deliberation.
• 😀 The journey toward the Indian Constitution began long before 1946, with acts like the Government of India Acts and efforts like the Nehru Report of 1928.
• 😀 The idea of a Constituent Assembly was first proposed in 1934 by M.N. Roy and later formally demanded by the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1935.
• 😀 The British government accepted the formation of the Constituent Assembly in 1940, but the actual formation only occurred after World War II in 1946.
• 😀 The Cabinet Mission of 1946 created the framework for the Constituent Assembly, with 296 seats allocated for British India and 93 for princely states.
• 😀 The Constituent Assembly, formed in 1946, included diverse representatives, including Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Parsis, Anglo-Indians, and 15 women.
• 😀 The first meeting of the Constituent Assembly took place on December 9, 1946, marking the beginning of the formal process of constitution-making.
• 😀 On December 13, 1946, Jawaharlal Nehru presented the Objectives Resolution, which laid out the vision and principles for the Indian Constitution, including sovereignty and equality.
• 😀 Dr. B.R. Ambedkar led the Drafting Committee, which prepared the first draft of the Constitution in 1948. After public discussions, the final draft was presented in November 1949.
• 😀 The Indian Constitution was adopted on November 26, 1949, by the Constituent Assembly and came into effect on January 26, 1950, a date chosen for its historical significance tied to Purna Swaraj Day in 1930.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Indian Constitution?

The Indian Constitution is the largest written constitution in the world and serves as the identity of every Indian citizen. It outlines the structure of the government, citizens' rights, and laws. It was adopted on 26th November 1949 and came into effect on 26th January 1950, celebrated as Republic Day.

When was the Indian Constitution implemented and why is 26th January significant?

The Indian Constitution was implemented on 26th January 1950, which is celebrated as Republic Day. This date was chosen because it coincided with the declaration of 'Purna Swaraj' or complete independence by the Indian National Congress in 1930.

What were the early attempts to create a constitution for India?

Early attempts include the **Nehru Report** of 1928 under Motilal Nehru, which was the first draft constitution by Indians. In 1934, **M. N. Roy** suggested the formation of a Constituent Assembly. Later, the Indian National Congress formally demanded such an assembly in 1935.

What was the role of the **Cabinet Mission Plan** in the creation of the Indian Constitution?

The **Cabinet Mission Plan** of 1946 was pivotal in forming the **Constituent Assembly** by proposing a framework for the assembly's structure, allocation of seats, and the process for drafting the Constitution. It laid the groundwork for the eventual formation of the assembly.

Who were some of the key figures in the **Constituent Assembly**?

Key figures in the **Constituent Assembly** included **Dr. Rajendra Prasad**, who was elected President, **Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru**, who presented the **Objectives Resolution**, and **Dr. B.R. Ambedkar**, who chaired the **Drafting Committee**.

What was the **Objectives Resolution** and why is it important?

The **Objectives Resolution**, presented by **Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru** in 1946, laid the foundation for the Indian Constitution. It outlined the goals for an independent, sovereign, and democratic India, ensuring equality, freedom, and justice for all citizens.

What was the **Drafting Committee**, and what was its role in creating the Constitution?

The **Drafting Committee**, formed on 29th August 1947, was tasked with preparing the first draft of the Constitution. Under the leadership of **Dr. B.R. Ambedkar**, the committee completed the draft within six months, after which public suggestions and revisions were incorporated into the final version.

How many articles, schedules, and parts did the original Indian Constitution have?

The original Indian Constitution, adopted on 26th November 1949, had 395 articles, 12 schedules, and 22 parts. This number has since increased to 448 articles, 12 schedules, and 25 parts.

What was the role of **Dr. B.R. Ambedkar** in the drafting of the Indian Constitution?

**Dr. B.R. Ambedkar** was the Chairman of the **Drafting Committee** and played a central role in shaping the Constitution. He guided the committee in drafting the document and was instrumental in ensuring it guaranteed justice, equality, and rights for all citizens.

Why did the **Muslim League** and **Mahatma Gandhi** not participate in the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly?

The **Muslim League** boycotted the first meeting of the **Constituent Assembly** because they were advocating for separate states for Muslims. **Mahatma Gandhi** did not attend as he was not in favor of the political direction taken by the Congress at that time, particularly in the context of partition.