Introduction
The Constitution of India is the supreme law of the country. It was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into effect on 26 January 1950. It is the longest written constitution in the world and provides the framework for governance in India.
Historical Background
- Regulating Act, 1773 – First step by the British to control administration in India.
- Pitt’s India Act, 1784 – Strengthened British control over the East India Company.
- Charter Acts (1813, 1833, 1853) – Introduced changes in British administration in India.
- Government of India Act, 1858 – End of Company Rule, British Crown took control.
- Indian Councils Acts (1861, 1892, 1909) – Allowed Indians in governance.
- Government of India Act, 1919 – Dyarchy system was introduced.
- Government of India Act, 1935 – Provided the basis for India’s Constitution.
- Indian Independence Act, 1947 – Created India and Pakistan as separate nations.
Formation of the Constituent Assembly
- Demand for a Constitution – First demanded in 1934 by M.N. Roy (Indian communist leader).
- Formation of the Constituent Assembly – Under the Cabinet Mission Plan (1946).
- First Meeting – 9 December 1946, Sachidananda Sinha was the temporary chairman.
- Permanent Chairman (President) – Dr. Rajendra Prasad elected on 11 December 1946.
- Drafting Committee – Formed on 29 August 1947, chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
- Adoption of Constitution – 26 November 1949 (celebrated as Constitution Day).
- Came into Effect – 26 January 1950 (celebrated as Republic Day).
Members of the Constituent Assembly
- Total Members – 389 (Reduced to 299 after partition).
- Elected by – Provincial Assemblies (indirect election).
- Women Members – 15 (e.g., Sarojini Naidu, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit).
- Representation – Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Parsis, Anglo-Indians, Tribals, etc.
Drafting Committee & Key Personalities
| Name | Role in Constitution-Making |
|---|---|
| Dr. B.R. Ambedkar | Chairman of Drafting Committee |
| Dr. Rajendra Prasad | President of the Constituent Assembly |
| Jawaharlal Nehru | Proposed Objectives Resolution (Preamble) |
| Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel | Worked on integration of princely states |
| Dr. S. Radhakrishnan | Vice-President of the Assembly |
| Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer | Member of Drafting Committee |
| K.M. Munshi | Played a role in fundamental rights |
Salient Features of the Indian Constitution
- Longest Written Constitution – Inspired by many sources.
- Federal but Unitary Bias – Strong Centre with state powers.
- Parliamentary System – Based on British Model.
- Fundamental Rights – 6 rights protecting citizens’ freedoms.
- Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) – Inspired by Irish Constitution.
- Fundamental Duties – Added in 42nd Amendment (1976).
- Secularism – No official religion.
- Independent Judiciary – Supreme Court is the highest authority.
- Single Citizenship – Unlike the USA, India provides only one citizenship.
- Universal Adult Franchise – Every citizen above 18 years can vote.
Sources of the Indian Constitution
| Country | Feature Borrowed |
|---|---|
| Britain | Parliamentary system, Rule of Law |
| USA | Fundamental Rights, Judicial Review |
| Ireland | Directive Principles of State Policy |
| Canada | Federation with a strong Centre |
| Germany | Emergency Powers |
| Russia (USSR) | Fundamental Duties |
| France | Liberty, Equality, Fraternity |
| South Africa | Amendment procedure |
| Japan | Procedure established by law |
Enactment & Enforcement
- The Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949.
- It came into effect on 26 January 1950 (Republic Day).
- Dr. Rajendra Prasad became the first President of India.
- Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister.
MCQs on Making of the Indian Constitution
1. When was the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly held?
a) 15 August 1947
b) 9 December 1946
c) 26 January 1950
d) 22 March 1947
Answer: b) 9 December 1946
2. Who was the first temporary chairman of the Constituent Assembly?
a) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
b) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
c) Sachidananda Sinha
d) Jawaharlal Nehru
Answer: c) Sachidananda Sinha
3. Who was the permanent chairman (President) of the Constituent Assembly?
a) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
b) Sardar Patel
c) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
d) Jawaharlal Nehru
Answer: c) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
4. Who was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee?
a) Jawaharlal Nehru
b) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
c) Mahatma Gandhi
d) Sardar Patel
Answer: b) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
5. When was the Constitution of India adopted?
a) 26 January 1950
b) 26 November 1949
c) 15 August 1947
d) 22 January 1947
Answer: b) 26 November 1949
6. The idea of the Preamble was borrowed from which country?
a) USA
b) UK
c) Russia
d) Germany
Answer: a) USA
7. Which country’s Constitution inspired the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)?
a) UK
b) Ireland
c) Canada
d) Germany
Answer: b) Ireland
8. Who proposed the Objectives Resolution in the Constituent Assembly?
a) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
b) Sardar Patel
c) Jawaharlal Nehru
d) Rajendra Prasad
Answer: c) Jawaharlal Nehru
9. The Fundamental Duties were added in which amendment?
a) 42nd Amendment
b) 44th Amendment
c) 73rd Amendment
d) 24th Amendment
Answer: a) 42nd Amendment
10. When did the Constitution of India come into effect?
a) 26 November 1949
b) 15 August 1947
c) 26 January 1950
d) 22 March 1952
Answer: c) 26 January 1950
This covers everything about the making of the Indian Constitution, along with important MCQs for competitive exams. Let me know if you need more details! 🚀