📑 Topics on this page (Jump to Topic):
📌 1. Constituent Assembly
- The idea of a Constituent Assembly was first put forward by M.N. Roy (1934); Congress formally demanded it in 1935.
- Under the Cabinet Mission: 389 members (296 British India + 93 princely states); 299 after partition.
- Members were indirectly elected by provincial assemblies (single transferable vote).
- First meeting: 9 Dec 1946 — temporary chairman Dr Sachchidananda Sinha; permanent president Dr Rajendra Prasad (11 Dec 1946); vice-presidents H.C. Mukherjee and V.T. Krishnamachari; constitutional adviser B.N. Rau.
- Objectives Resolution: Nehru, 13 Dec 1946; adopted 22 Jan 1947 — later became the Preamble.
| Committee | Chairman |
|---|---|
| Drafting Committee (29 Aug 1947, 7 members) | Dr B.R. Ambedkar |
| Union Powers / Union Constitution Committee | Jawaharlal Nehru |
| Provincial Constitution Committee; Advisory Committee on FRs, Minorities etc. | Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel |
| Rules of Procedure Committee; Steering Committee | Dr Rajendra Prasad |
| Fundamental Rights Sub-committee | J.B. Kripalani |
| Minorities Sub-committee | H.C. Mukherjee |
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 26 Nov 1949 | Constitution adopted — "Constitution Day"; some provisions (citizenship, elections, provisional Parliament) came into force at once |
| 24 Jan 1950 | Last session; Rajendra Prasad elected first President; national anthem and national song adopted |
| 26 Jan 1950 | Constitution fully in force — Republic Day (commemorating the 1930 Purna Swaraj declaration) |
- Time taken: 2 years 11 months 18 days, 11 sessions; original Constitution: Preamble, 395 Articles, 22 Parts, 8 Schedules.
- National flag adopted: 22 July 1947. Calligraphy: Prem Behari Narain Raizada; illustrations: Nandalal Bose and Santiniketan artists.
- Symbol: elephant; today about 470 Articles, 25 Parts, 12 Schedules (numbering still ends at 395 — new Articles are inserted like 21A, 243A).
⚠️ Exam Traps:
- The Drafting Committee was formed on 29 Aug 1947 — 9 Dec 1946 is the date of the first meeting.
- President of the Assembly = Rajendra Prasad; Chairman of the Drafting Committee = Ambedkar.
📌 2. Sources of the Constitution
| Source | Features borrowed |
|---|---|
| Government of India Act 1935 | Federal scheme, office of Governor, judiciary, PSCs, emergency provisions, administrative details |
| Britain | Parliamentary system, rule of law, legislative procedure, single citizenship, cabinet system, writs, bicameralism |
| USA | Fundamental Rights, judicial review, independence of judiciary, impeachment of President, removal of judges, office of Vice-President |
| Ireland | DPSP, nomination to Rajya Sabha, method of electing the President |
| Canada | Federation with a strong Centre, residuary powers with Centre, Centre appoints Governors, advisory jurisdiction of SC |
| Australia | Concurrent List, freedom of trade and commerce, joint sitting of Parliament |
| Germany (Weimar) | Suspension of FRs during emergency |
| Former USSR | Fundamental Duties, ideal of justice (social, economic, political) in the Preamble |
| France | Republic, liberty, equality and fraternity in the Preamble |
| South Africa | Procedure for amendment, election of Rajya Sabha members |
| Japan | Procedure established by law |
💡 Memory Tip: "Ireland's DIP" — DPSP, Nomination to RS, President's election.
📌 3. Salient Features
- The lengthiest written constitution in the world.
- Blend of rigidity and flexibility (Art. 368 — three ways of amendment).
- Federal system with unitary bias — the word "federation" is absent; Art. 1: "Union of States"; K.C. Wheare: "quasi-federal".
- Parliamentary government, synthesis of parliamentary sovereignty and judicial supremacy, integrated and independent judiciary, universal adult franchise (61st Amendment 1988: 21→18 years), single citizenship, secular state, three-tier government.
⚠️ Exam Traps:
- The word "Federation" does not appear anywhere in the Constitution.
📌 4. Practice MCQs
📝 Practice MCQs (prepared by SF Prep — not PYQs)
Q1. When was the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly held? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
The first meeting was on 9 Dec 1946; Rajendra Prasad was elected permanent president on 11 Dec.
The first meeting was on 9 Dec 1946; Rajendra Prasad was elected permanent president on 11 Dec.
Q2. Who was the temporary chairman of the Constituent Assembly? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
As the senior-most member, Sachchidananda Sinha was temporary chairman.
As the senior-most member, Sachchidananda Sinha was temporary chairman.
Q3. When was the Drafting Committee set up? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
The Drafting Committee was formed on 29 Aug 1947 under Dr Ambedkar (7 members).
The Drafting Committee was formed on 29 Aug 1947 under Dr Ambedkar (7 members).
Q4. Who was the constitutional adviser to the Constituent Assembly? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Sir B.N. Rau prepared the initial draft of the Constitution.
Sir B.N. Rau prepared the initial draft of the Constitution.
Q5. Who moved the "Objectives Resolution"? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Nehru moved it on 13 Dec 1946; it was adopted on 22 Jan 1947.
Nehru moved it on 13 Dec 1946; it was adopted on 22 Jan 1947.
Q6. Who chaired the Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Minorities etc.? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
Patel chaired the Advisory Committee; Kripalani chaired the FR sub-committee.
Patel chaired the Advisory Committee; Kripalani chaired the FR sub-committee.
Q7. Who first put forward the idea of a Constituent Assembly for India? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
M.N. Roy put forward the idea in 1934.
M.N. Roy put forward the idea in 1934.
Q8. How many Articles, Parts and Schedules did the original Constitution have? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Original Constitution: 395 Articles, 22 Parts, 8 Schedules.
Original Constitution: 395 Articles, 22 Parts, 8 Schedules.
Q9. How long did it take to frame the Constitution? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
From 9 Dec 1946 to 26 Nov 1949 — 2 years 11 months 18 days.
From 9 Dec 1946 to 26 Nov 1949 — 2 years 11 months 18 days.
Q10. 26 November is observed as: Practice
Correct answer: (A)
The Constitution was adopted on 26 Nov 1949; observed as "Constitution Day" since 2015.
The Constitution was adopted on 26 Nov 1949; observed as "Constitution Day" since 2015.
Q11. DPSP were borrowed from the constitution of: Practice
Correct answer: (D)
DPSP were taken from Ireland (which took them from Spain).
DPSP were taken from Ireland (which took them from Spain).
Q12. The idea of the Concurrent List was taken from: Practice
Correct answer: (A)
Concurrent List, freedom of trade and joint sitting come from Australia.
Concurrent List, freedom of trade and joint sitting come from Australia.
Q13. "Residuary powers with the Centre" is borrowed from: Practice
Correct answer: (B)
From Canada — strong Centre and residuary powers with the Centre. (In the USA residuary powers lie with the states.)
From Canada — strong Centre and residuary powers with the Centre. (In the USA residuary powers lie with the states.)
Q14. Suspension of Fundamental Rights during emergency is borrowed from: Practice
Correct answer: (C)
It comes from the Weimar Constitution of Germany.
It comes from the Weimar Constitution of Germany.
Q15. The procedure for amending the Constitution was borrowed from: Practice
Correct answer: (C)
The amendment procedure and election of RS members come from South Africa.
The amendment procedure and election of RS members come from South Africa.
Q16. "Procedure established by law" was taken from: Practice
Correct answer: (D)
"Procedure established by law" in Art. 21 is from Japan; "due process of law" is American.
"Procedure established by law" in Art. 21 is from Japan; "due process of law" is American.
Q17. Who described the Indian Constitution as "quasi-federal"? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
K.C. Wheare called it quasi-federal; Granville Austin called it "cooperative federalism".
K.C. Wheare called it quasi-federal; Granville Austin called it "cooperative federalism".
Q18. What does Article 1 call India? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
Art. 1: "India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States"; the word "Federation" is not used.
Art. 1: "India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States"; the word "Federation" is not used.
Q19. Which amendment reduced the voting age from 21 to 18 years? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
The 61st Amendment Act 1988 (in force 1989) lowered the voting age to 18.
The 61st Amendment Act 1988 (in force 1989) lowered the voting age to 18.
Q20. What happened at the last session of the Constituent Assembly (24 Jan 1950)? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
On 24 Jan 1950 Rajendra Prasad was elected President and the anthem and song were adopted. The flag was adopted on 22 July 1947.
On 24 Jan 1950 Rajendra Prasad was elected President and the anthem and song were adopted. The flag was adopted on 22 July 1947.