Introduction
The Constituent Assembly of India was formed to draft and adopt the Constitution of India. It played a crucial role in shaping the foundation of independent India’s governance system. The Assembly was set up in 1946 and functioned until 1950, when the Constitution of India came into effect.
Formation of the Constituent Assembly
- Proposed by – M.N. Roy (1934), first suggested the idea of a Constituent Assembly.
- Established under – Cabinet Mission Plan (1946).
- First meeting – 9 December 1946 (Sachidananda Sinha was the temporary chairman).
- Total Members – 389 (Reduced to 299 after partition).
- Elected through – Indirect elections by Provincial Assemblies.
- Representation – Members from British provinces & Princely states.
Key Events in the Constituent Assembly
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 9 December 1946 | First meeting, Sachidananda Sinha as temporary President |
| 11 December 1946 | Dr. Rajendra Prasad elected as Permanent President |
| 13 December 1946 | Objectives Resolution proposed by Jawaharlal Nehru |
| 22 January 1947 | Objectives Resolution adopted |
| 15 August 1947 | India gained independence, Constituent Assembly became a sovereign body |
| 29 August 1947 | Drafting Committee formed, chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar |
| 26 November 1949 | Constitution adopted |
| 26 January 1950 | Constitution came into effect, India became a Republic |
Composition of the Constituent Assembly
- Total members before partition – 389
- 296 members from British Indian Provinces
- 93 members from Princely States
- After partition (1947)
- Members reduced to 299
- Pakistan withdrew its members
- Election Process
- Indirectly elected by Provincial Legislative Assemblies
- Proportional representation method used
- Seats were allocated based on population
Major Committees of the Constituent Assembly
1. Drafting Committee
- Formed on 29 August 1947
- Chairman – Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
- Task – Drafted the Indian Constitution
2. Union Powers Committee
- Chairman – Jawaharlal Nehru
- Task – Defined Centre-State relations
3. Union Constitution Committee
- Chairman – Jawaharlal Nehru
- Task – Prepared structure of the Indian Constitution
4. Provincial Constitution Committee
- Chairman – Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
- Task – Worked on the State Government’s structure
5. Fundamental Rights Committee
- Chairman – Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
- Task – Defined Fundamental Rights for Indian citizens
6. Rules of Procedure Committee
- Chairman – Dr. Rajendra Prasad
- Task – Defined the rules of the Constituent Assembly meetings
7. Finance and Staff Committee
- Chairman – Dr. Rajendra Prasad
- Task – Managed budget and administration of the Assembly
8. States Committee
- Chairman – Jawaharlal Nehru
- Task – Worked on princely states integration
9. Steering Committee
- Chairman – Dr. Rajendra Prasad
- Task – Coordinated the work of different committees
Key Personalities in the Constituent Assembly
| Name | Role in Constitution Making |
|---|---|
| Dr. B.R. Ambedkar | Chairman of the Drafting Committee |
| Dr. Rajendra Prasad | President of the Constituent Assembly |
| Jawaharlal Nehru | Proposed the Objectives Resolution |
| Sardar Patel | Worked on Integration of Princely States |
| Maulana Abul Kalam Azad | Key contributor to education policies |
| Dr. S. Radhakrishnan | Vice President of the Assembly |
| H.C. Mukherjee | Vice-President of the Assembly |
| K.M. Munshi | Played a role in Fundamental Rights drafting |
| B.N. Rau | Constitutional advisor |
Important Features of the Constituent Assembly
- Sovereign Body – Became independent after 15 August 1947.
- Inclusive Representation – Members from all communities & religions.
- Longest Duration – Worked for 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days.
- Inspired by Multiple Sources – Borrowed ideas from British, American, Irish, Canadian and other constitutions.
- Final Drafting – Took 114 days of discussions.
- Total Articles & Amendments –
- Original Constitution: 395 Articles in 22 Parts.
- Amendments Proposed: Over 2000.
MCQs on the Constituent Assembly
1. Who was the temporary chairman of the first Constituent Assembly meeting?
a) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
b) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
c) Jawaharlal Nehru
d) Sachidananda Sinha
Answer: d) Sachidananda Sinha
2. Who was the permanent President of the Constituent Assembly?
a) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
b) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
c) Sardar Patel
d) Jawaharlal Nehru
Answer: a) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
3. Who was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee?
a) Jawaharlal Nehru
b) Sardar Patel
c) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
d) Rajendra Prasad
Answer: c) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
4. When was the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly held?
a) 15 August 1947
b) 26 January 1950
c) 9 December 1946
d) 22 March 1948
Answer: c) 9 December 1946
5. How many members were originally in the Constituent Assembly?
a) 299
b) 250
c) 389
d) 500
Answer: c) 389
6. The idea of the Constituent Assembly was first suggested by whom?
a) M.K. Gandhi
b) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
c) M.N. Roy
d) Sardar Patel
Answer: c) M.N. Roy
7. When was the Constitution of India adopted?
a) 26 January 1950
b) 15 August 1947
c) 26 November 1949
d) 22 January 1947
Answer: c) 26 November 1949
8. The Constitution of India came into effect on?
a) 26 November 1949
b) 15 August 1947
c) 26 January 1950
d) 22 March 1952
Answer: c) 26 January 1950
9. Which committee was responsible for fundamental rights?
a) Union Constitution Committee
b) Fundamental Rights Committee
c) Drafting Committee
d) Finance Committee
Answer: b) Fundamental Rights Committee
10. The Objectives Resolution was proposed by?
a) Sardar Patel
b) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
c) Jawaharlal Nehru
d) B.R. Ambedkar
Answer: c) Jawaharlal Nehru
This covers everything about the Constituent Assembly, along with important MCQs for competitive exams. Let me know if you need more details! 🚀