Making of the Constitution: The Constituent Assembly
How India's Constitution was framed — the Constituent Assembly, the Drafting Committee under Dr. Ambedkar, key dates, and the sources of borrowed provisions.
Key Takeaways
- The Constituent Assembly was constituted under the Cabinet Mission Plan (1946) and first met on 9 December 1946.
- The Drafting Committee had 7 members and was chaired by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the 'Father of the Indian Constitution'.
- The Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 (Constitution Day) and came into force on 26 January 1950.
Core concept
The Constituent Assembly was the body that framed the Constitution of India. It was constituted under the Cabinet Mission Plan (1946), with members indirectly elected by the provincial assemblies. It embodied the idea of popular sovereignty — a Constitution given by Indians to themselves.
Static foundation
- First meeting: 9 December 1946. Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha was the temporary chairman; Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected permanent President on 11 December 1946.
- Objectives Resolution: moved by Jawaharlal Nehru on 13 December 1946 — it later became the basis of the Preamble.
- Drafting Committee (29 August 1947): the most important of the many committees, chaired by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, with 7 members. B. N. Rau served as the Constitutional Advisor.
- Adoption: the Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950 (chosen to honour the Purna Swaraj declaration of 1930).
Key Milestones
- 1946
Cabinet Mission Plan
Provided the scheme for the Constituent Assembly.
- 9 Dec 1946
First sitting
Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha as temporary chairman.
- 13 Dec 1946
Objectives Resolution
Moved by Nehru; blueprint of the Preamble.
- 29 Aug 1947
Drafting Committee formed
Chaired by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (7 members).
- 26 Nov 1949
Constitution adopted
Now celebrated as Samvidhan Divas / Constitution Day.
- 26 Jan 1950
Constitution enforced
India becomes a Republic.
Sources of Borrowed Provisions
| Country | Borrowed features |
|---|---|
| Government of India Act, 1935 | Federal scheme, office of Governor, judiciary, Public Service Commissions, emergency provisions |
| United Kingdom | Parliamentary government, rule of law, single citizenship, writs, bicameralism, cabinet system |
| United States | Fundamental Rights, independence of judiciary, judicial review, impeachment, VP, preamble |
| Ireland | Directive Principles of State Policy, nomination to Rajya Sabha, method of Presidential election |
| Canada | Federation with a strong Centre, residuary powers with the Union, appointment of Governors |
| Others | Fundamental Duties & Five-Year Plans (USSR); liberty-equality-fraternity (France); amendment procedure (South Africa); emergency & Art 21 'procedure' (Germany, Japan) |
Value addition
Dr. Ambedkar: "However good a Constitution may be, if those who are implementing it are not good, it will prove to be bad." The Constitution was described by the Assembly as framed by 'the sweat of the brow' — and Granville Austin called it 'first and foremost a social document.'
Current affairs linkage
26 November is observed as Samvidhan Divas (Constitution Day) since 2015. Recurrent debates: whether the Constitution's 'basic structure' constrains Parliament's sovereignty, and periodic calls to revisit centre-state balance. (Add the latest anniversary theme / any recent constitutional bench observations here.)
Mains answer skeleton
Intro: Constitution as a living document born of the freedom struggle.
Body: (a) Representative, deliberative process of the Assembly; (b) balance of borrowed + indigenous features; (c) accommodation of diversity (federalism, minority rights); (d) criticism — indirectly elected, lawyer-dominated, time taken.
Way forward / Conclusion: Its endurance lies in adaptability + constitutional morality.
Prelims trap zones
- The Assembly first met on 9 Dec 1946, not 26 Jan 1950 (that is when the Constitution came into force).
- Objectives Resolution was moved by Nehru, not Ambedkar.
- The Drafting Committee (Ambedkar) is one committee — the Assembly had many committees; do not equate the two.
Knowledge Check
2 questions · check your understanding
1. Who chaired the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly?
2. The Directive Principles of State Policy were borrowed from the Constitution of which country?
Prelims Pointers
- Constituent Assembly took 2 years, 11 months and 18 days to frame the Constitution.
- Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha was the temporary/first chairman; Dr. Rajendra Prasad the permanent President.
- B. N. Rau was the Constitutional Advisor to the Assembly.
- The original Constitution had a Preamble, 395 Articles, 22 Parts and 8 Schedules.
Mains Angle
- 'The Indian Constitution is a borrowed bag, yet distinctly Indian.' Critically examine.
- Discuss the role of the Constituent Assembly in reconciling diversity with unity.
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