Page 02 – Making of the Constitution

Based on M. Laxmikanth – Indian Polity (6th Edition)

📖 Part I: Constitutional Framework 📄 Page 2 of 60
💡

Key Idea Summary

Core concepts and exam relevance

Core Concept Summary

The Constitution was drafted by the Constituent Assembly (1946–1950). It involved extensive debates, multiple committees, and detailed discussions on every aspect of governance.

The Assembly took 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days to complete the Constitution – the world's longest written constitution.

📌 Why This Topic is Important for UPSC / State Exams
  • UPSC frequently asks about composition, working, committees, and important dates
  • Helps understand how democratic principles were embedded in the Constitution
  • Questions on Drafting Committee members and their roles are common
  • Foundation for understanding constitutional philosophy
⏳

Timeline of Constitution Making

From idea to implementation (1934–1950)

1934
Idea First Proposed
M.N. Roy (pioneer of Communist movement) first proposed the idea of a Constituent Assembly for India.
1935
Congress Adopts Demand
Indian National Congress officially demanded a Constituent Assembly to frame India's Constitution.
Aug 1940
August Offer
British Government accepted the demand for a Constituent Assembly for the first time (to gain Indian support during World War II).
1946
Cabinet Mission Plan
Cabinet Mission arrived in India and proposed the scheme for the Constituent Assembly:
  • Total members: 389
  • 292 from British Provinces
  • 93 from Princely States
  • 4 from Chief Commissioners' Provinces
9 Dec 1946
First Meeting
First meeting of the Constituent Assembly held. Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha was elected as temporary President.
11 Dec 1946
Permanent President Elected
Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the permanent President of the Constituent Assembly.
13 Dec 1946
Objectives Resolution
Jawaharlal Nehru moved the historic "Objectives Resolution" – the philosophical foundation of the Constitution (later became Preamble).
Aug 1947
Partition & Reconstitution
After partition, Muslim League members withdrew. Assembly strength reduced to 299 members.
29 Aug 1947
Drafting Committee Formed
Drafting Committee set up with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as Chairman and 6 other members.
26 Nov 1949
Constitution Adopted
Constitution was adopted by the Assembly. Preamble, Citizenship, Elections provisions came into force immediately.
26 Jan 1950
Constitution Came Into Force
Full Constitution came into effect. India became a Republic. Dr. Rajendra Prasad became the first President.
📊

Key Facts & Committees

Important information about Constituent Assembly

📊

Assembly Composition

  • Original Total: 389 members
  • After Partition: 299 members
  • British Provinces: 292 seats
  • Princely States: 93 seats
  • Elected by Provincial Assemblies
⚙️

Working Statistics

  • 11 Sessions held
  • 165 days of actual work
  • Total duration: 2 years, 11 months, 18 days
  • ₹64 Lakh estimated expenditure
  • Clause-by-clause democratic debates
✍️

Drafting Committee

Chairman: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

  • N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar
  • Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar
  • K.M. Munshi
  • Syed Mohammad Saadulla
  • B.L. Mitter (replaced by N. Madhava Rau)
  • D.P. Khaitan (died, replaced by T.T. Krishnamachari)
🏛️

Key Office Holders

  • Temporary President: Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha
  • Permanent President: Dr. Rajendra Prasad
  • Vice President: H.C. Mukherjee
  • Constitutional Advisor: B.N. Rau
  • Chief Architect: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

📋 Major Committees & Their Chairmen

Committee Chairman Key Function
Drafting Committee Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Prepare draft Constitution
Union Powers Committee Jawaharlal Nehru Define Centre's powers
Union Constitution Committee Jawaharlal Nehru Structure of Union Government
Provincial Constitution Committee Sardar Patel Structure of State Governments
Advisory Committee on FR Sardar Patel Fundamental Rights & Minorities
Steering Committee Dr. Rajendra Prasad Overall coordination
Rules of Procedure Committee Dr. Rajendra Prasad Assembly procedures
⚡

Simulation Lab

Interactive exploration of Constitution making

🧪 Committee Explorer – Roles & Outputs

Select a Committee to understand its composition, role, and contribution to the Constitution.

Committee Details
🏛️

Select a Committee from above to see its composition, role, and output.

📝

Exam Booster – Practice Questions

Test your understanding of Constituent Assembly

1 Who first proposed the idea of a Constituent Assembly for India?

A Jawaharlal Nehru
B Mahatma Gandhi
C M.N. Roy
D Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
✓ Correct Answer: C – M.N. Roy

M.N. Roy, a pioneer of the Communist movement in India, first proposed the idea of a Constituent Assembly in 1934. The Indian National Congress officially adopted this demand in 1935.

2 What was the total strength of the Constituent Assembly after partition?

A 389
B 299
C 308
D 292
✓ Correct Answer: B – 299

The original strength was 389 (as per Cabinet Mission Plan). After partition in August 1947, the Muslim League members from areas that went to Pakistan withdrew, reducing the strength to 299 members.

3 Who was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee?

A Dr. Rajendra Prasad
B Jawaharlal Nehru
C Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
D Sardar Patel
✓ Correct Answer: C – Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee. He is known as the "Chief Architect of the Indian Constitution". The committee had 7 members in total.

4 Assertion-Reason:
Assertion (A): The Constituent Assembly took almost 3 years to complete the Constitution.
Reason (R): Every provision was debated thoroughly in a democratic manner.

A Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
B Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
C A is true, but R is false
D A is false, but R is true
✓ Correct Answer: A

Both statements are correct, and R correctly explains A. The Assembly sat for 11 sessions over 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days. It took this long because every clause was debated democratically – a total of 165 days of actual deliberation.

🧠

Memory Hooks & Quick Revision

Key takeaways for exam day

💎

Revision Summary

One-Line Takeaway
"The Constituent Assembly sat for 165 days over 3 years to create the world's longest written Constitution."
3 Exam Points to Remember
  • 1 M.N. Roy (1934) proposed the idea; Congress adopted it in 1935; British accepted in August Offer (1940)
  • 2 389 → 299 members after partition. Assembly met first on 9 Dec 1946
  • 3 Ambedkar = Chief Architect. Constitution adopted on 26 Nov 1949; came into force on 26 Jan 1950
🔤 Memory Trick – Key Chairmen:

"RAND" → Rajendra Prasad (President) + Ambedkar (Drafting) + Nehru (Union Powers) + D (no D, but remember Sardar Patel for States!)

🎯 Important Dates:
  • 9 Dec 1946: First meeting
  • 13 Dec 1946: Objectives Resolution by Nehru
  • 29 Aug 1947: Drafting Committee formed
  • 26 Nov 1949: Constitution adopted
  • 26 Jan 1950: Constitution came into force