The Constituent Assembly of India
The body that wrote India's Constitution, adopted in 1949 and in force from 1950.
What the paper can ask
- Set up under the Cabinet Mission plan of 1946; first met in December 1946.
- The Objectives Resolution of 13 December 1946 became the basis of the Preamble; the Drafting Committee was formed on 29 August 1947.
- Membership fell to 299 after Partition.
- The Constitution came into force on 26 January 1950, celebrated as Republic Day.
Why exams ask
The two dates (adopted versus in force), the chairmen, who moved what, and the committees are the standard questions.
The full story
The Constituent Assembly was set up in 1946 under the Cabinet Mission plan and first met in December 1946. The Objectives Resolution of 13 December 1946 was the seed of the Preamble. A Drafting Committee was formed on 29 August 1947 to write the text. The Assembly adopted the Constitution in 1949, and it came into force on 26 January 1950 (Republic Day).
Test yourself
1.Constitution Day (Samvidhan Divas) is observed on 26 November to mark which event?
Correct. The Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution on 26 November 1949. It came into force on 26 January 1950.
Not quite. The Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution on 26 November 1949. It came into force on 26 January 1950. It goes into your error book.
2.Hindi Diwas is observed on 14 September because on that day in 1949 the Constituent Assembly
Correct. Hindi became the official language of the Union (not the national language), with English retained for 15 years. These are Articles 343 to 351.
Not quite. Hindi became the official language of the Union (not the national language), with English retained for 15 years. These are Articles 343 to 351. It goes into your error book.
3.The first meeting of the Constituent Assembly of India was held on
Correct. The Assembly first met on 9 December 1946 with Dr Sachchidananda Sinha as temporary chairman; Rajendra Prasad was elected permanent President on 11 December.
Not quite. The Assembly first met on 9 December 1946 with Dr Sachchidananda Sinha as temporary chairman; Rajendra Prasad was elected permanent President on 11 December. It goes into your error book.