Introduction
- The Constituent Assembly of India (1946–1950) was responsible for framing the world’s lengthiest written Constitution, reflecting India’s social, cultural, and political diversity.
- It laid the foundation of a sovereign, democratic republic, embodying justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.
- Formed under the Cabinet Mission Plan (1946), it functioned initially as a Constitution-making body and later as the provisional Parliament till 1952.
Historical Evolution
| Year |
Key Event |
| 1934 |
M.N. Roy first proposed the idea of a Constituent Assembly. |
| 1935 |
Indian National Congress (INC) formally demanded a Constituent Assembly. |
| 1938 |
J.L. Nehru called for a Constituent Assembly elected via adult franchise. |
| 1940 |
British accepted the idea in principle through the August Offer. |
| 1942 |
Cripps Mission failed to satisfy demands of Indian leaders. |
| 1946 |
Cabinet Mission Plan laid down the framework for the Assembly. |
Composition of the Constituent Assembly
-
- Total strength: 389 members
- 296 from British India
- 93 from Princely States
- Post-Partition reduction:
-
- British India: from 296 → 229
- Princely States: from 93 → 70
Method of Selection:
- Indirect elections via Provincial Legislative Assemblies using Proportional Representation (PR) with Single Transferable Vote (STV).
- Princely State members were nominated.
Key Personalities
| Position |
Name |
| President |
Dr. Rajendra Prasad |
| Vice Presidents |
Harendra Coomar Mookerjee, V.T. Krishnamachari |
| Legal Advisor |
B.N. Rau |
| Drafting Committee Chair |
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar |
Objective Resolution (13 December 1946)
Introduced by Jawaharlal Nehru, it laid the philosophical foundation of the Constitution:
- India as Sovereign Democratic Republic
- Guarantees of justice, liberty, equality, fraternity
- Federal structure with division of powers
- Protection for minorities and backward classes
Adopted unanimously on 22 January 1947
Major Committees
Organizational Committees
| Committee |
Chairperson |
| Rules of Procedure |
Dr. Rajendra Prasad |
| Steering Committee |
Dr. Rajendra Prasad |
| Order of Business |
K.M. Munshi |
| States Committee |
J.L. Nehru |
| Flag Committee |
Dr. Rajendra Prasad |
Principal Committees
| Committee |
Chairperson |
| Drafting Committee |
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar |
| Union Powers |
J.L. Nehru |
| Provincial Constitution |
Sardar Patel |
| Fundamental Rights & Minorities |
Sardar Patel |
Sectoral Committees
| Committee |
Chairperson |
| Citizenship |
S. Varadachariar |
| Chief Commissioners’ Provinces |
N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar |
| Financial Provisions |
N.R. Sarkar |
Key Events & Timeline
| Date |
Event |
| 9 Dec 1946 |
First session of the Assembly |
| 11 Dec 1946 |
Dr. Rajendra Prasad elected President |
| 13 Dec 1946 |
Nehru presented Objective Resolution |
| July 1947 |
Assembly got full sovereignty via Indian Independence Act, 1947 |
| 22 July 1947 |
Adopted National Flag |
| Draft Constitution prepared by Feb 1948 with 315 Articles & 8 Schedules |
|
| 4 Nov 1948 – 26 Nov 1949 |
1st to 3rd readings of Constitution |
| 26 Nov 1949 |
Constitution adopted |
| 24 Jan 1950 |
Rajendra Prasad elected President, National Anthem adopted |
| 26 Jan 1950 |
Constitution came into force → Republic Day |
Special Features
- Some Articles (e.g., citizenship, elections, transitional provisions) came into force on 26 Nov 1949.
- Entire Constitution enforced on 26 Jan 1950, aligning with the 1930 Purna Swaraj declaration.
Criticisms of Constituent Assembly
| Criticism |
Explanation |
| Not Representative |
Members indirectly elected; no universal adult suffrage. |
| Not Sovereign |
Created by British Cabinet Mission Plan. |
| Congress Dominated |
As per Granville Austin: “Congress was the Assembly.” |
| Hindu-dominated |
Criticized by Winston Churchill. |
| Lawyer-Politician Dominance |
Few from peasantry or working classes. |
| Time-Consuming |
Took 2 years, 11 months, 17 days vs. USA’s 4 months. |
