Making of the Indian Constitution | Republic Day | Polity | UPSC GS

Summary

This video delves into the fascinating journey behind the creation of the Indian Constitution. It highlights how India's Constitution, the largest written constitution in the world, was crafted through the collective efforts of many leaders over 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days. The discussion includes the historical context, key figures like Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and the drafting committee's role in shaping the Constitution. It also explains why India celebrates Republic Day on January 26 and provides insights into the legacy of this monumental document.

Takeaways

• 📜 The Indian Constitution is the world's largest written constitution, symbolizing the identity of every Indian citizen.
• 🎉 Every year on January 26th, India celebrates Republic Day to honor the adoption of its Constitution in 1950.
• 👨‍💻 It took 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days to draft the Indian Constitution, reflecting the hard work of its creators.
• 🏛️ The process of creating democratic institutions in India started long before the Constituent Assembly was formed in 1946.
• 🗳️ The Nehru Report of 1928 was one of the first significant attempts by Indians to draft a constitution.
• ✍️ The Constituent Assembly's first meeting was held on December 9, 1946, but key figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Muhammad Ali Jinnah were absent.
• ⚖️ The Objectives Resolution presented by Jawaharlal Nehru laid the foundation for the Constitution, envisioning a sovereign republic with equality and freedom for all.
• 📝 The Drafting Committee, chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, played a crucial role in shaping the final draft of the Constitution.
• 📅 The Constitution was officially adopted on November 26, 1949, but came into effect on January 26, 1950.
• 🎨 The original handwritten copies of the Indian Constitution were beautifully decorated by artists such as Nandalal Bose.

Q & A

What is the significance of 26th January for India?

26th January is celebrated as Republic Day in India because on this day in 1950, the Indian Constitution came into effect, marking the country's transition to a republic. The date was chosen for its historical significance, as it was the day in 1930 when the Indian National Congress declared 'Purna Swaraj' (complete independence) from British rule.

How long did it take to draft the Indian Constitution?

It took 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days to draft the Indian Constitution. The process of its creation began after the formation of the Constituent Assembly in 1946.

What was the objective of the Constituent Assembly?

The Constituent Assembly's primary objective was to draft a constitution for independent India. It aimed to establish democratic institutions, secure fundamental rights, and create a framework for a sovereign republic.

Who proposed the idea of the Constituent Assembly?

The idea of forming a Constituent Assembly was first proposed by M.N. Roy in 1934. He was a founder of the Communist movement in India and a supporter of radical democracy.

What were the key features of the Objectives Resolution proposed by Jawaharlal Nehru?

The Objectives Resolution, proposed by Jawaharlal Nehru, outlined the principles that would guide the framing of the Constitution. It envisioned India as a sovereign republic, ensuring equality of opportunity, freedom of expression, belief, and worship for its citizens. It also emphasized providing special protections for minorities and backward groups.

How many members were part of the Constituent Assembly when it first convened?

The first meeting of the Constituent Assembly, held on 9th December 1946, was attended by 211 members. Initially, the Assembly had 389 seats, but after the partition of India, this number reduced to 299.

Why did the Muslim League boycott the first Constituent Assembly meeting?

The Muslim League boycotted the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly because they were demanding a separate nation for Muslims, which eventually led to the creation of Pakistan.

What role did Dr. B.R. Ambedkar play in the drafting of the Constitution?

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the chairman of the Drafting Committee, which was responsible for preparing the draft of the Indian Constitution. Under his leadership, the first draft was prepared in less than six months and later revised based on public feedback.

How many amendments were proposed during the drafting of the Constitution?

A total of 7,635 amendments were proposed to the draft Constitution, out of which 2,443 were extensively discussed in the Constituent Assembly.

Why was 26th November 1949 significant in the process of constitution-making?

On 26th November 1949, the final version of the Indian Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly. This date is now commemorated as Constitution Day in India.