The Constituent Assembly of India: Timeline, Journey & Legacy

The Constituent Assembly of India is the heroic stage where our leaders gave birth to the Indian Constitution—one of the world’s lengthiest and most detailed. But this wasn’t just an act of drafting legal jargon. It was a moral, political, and intellectual mission, full of debates, disagreements, and dreams.

Let’s explore the timeline of its creation, its functioning, and how it gave us the Constitution we proudly uphold today.

1. Timeline of the Constituent Assembly

Understanding the chronology is essential to appreciating how long and detailed the process was.

? 1934 – The Seed Is Planted

M.N. Roy, a radical humanist, becomes the first to propose a Constituent Assembly for India.
This was a revolutionary idea—Indians drafting their own Constitution, not the British.

? 1935 – Congress Picks It Up

The Indian National Congress demands a Constituent Assembly as part of its political resolution.

? August 1940 – The "August Offer"

The British Government acknowledges the idea of Indian participation in constitution-making.

? May 1946 – Cabinet Mission Plan

British Cabinet Mission arrives in India and proposes:
- A Constituent Assembly to draft India’s Constitution.
- Provincial Assembly members would elect the Constituent Assembly members.

? July 1946 – Elections to the Constituent Assembly

389 seats allocated (later 299 after Partition).
- 292 from provinces
- 93 from princely states
- 4 from chief commissioner provinces

? December 9, 1946 – First Meeting

First session held in Constitution Hall (now Central Hall of Parliament).
Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha appointed interim president.
Notably, Muslim League boycotted this session.

? December 11, 1946 – Permanent President Elected

Dr. Rajendra Prasad elected as the permanent President of the Assembly.

? August 15, 1947 – India Gains Independence

The Constituent Assembly also becomes the legislative body of the new Dominion of India.

? August 29, 1947 – Drafting Committee Formed

Chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, it included 7 members:
- Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer
- K.M. Munshi
- Gopalaswami Ayyangar
- B.L. Mitter (replaced by N. Madhava Rao)
- D.P. Khaitan (replaced by T.T. Krishnamachari)
- Mohammed Saadullah

? November 26, 1949 – Constitution Adopted

After 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days of work, the Assembly adopted the Constitution.
Dr. Ambedkar was hailed as the "Father of the Indian Constitution".

? January 24, 1950 – Final Signature

Members signed two handwritten copies (Hindi and English).

? January 26, 1950 – Constitution Comes into Effect

India becomes a Republic.
Chosen to honor the 1930 Purna Swaraj Declaration.

2. Composition of the Constituent Assembly

Originally planned for 389 members, but after Partition, it came down to 299.

How were members chosen?

Indirect election by Provincial Legislative Assemblies.
Representation from provinces, princely states, SCs, STs, Sikhs, Muslims.

Key Personalities:

Dr. Rajendra Prasad – President
B.R. Ambedkar – Chairman, Drafting Committee
Jawaharlal Nehru – Presented Objectives Resolution
Sardar Patel – Key negotiator with princely states
Maulana Azad, Hansa Mehta, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, and others

3. Working and Committees of the Assembly

The Assembly worked in a structured and democratic manner.

Key Committees:

Drafting Committee – Drafted the Constitution
Union Powers Committee – Chaired by Nehru
Fundamental Rights Sub-Committee – Led by J.B. Kripalani
Minority Rights Committee – Chaired by Sardar Patel
Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights and Minorities

Total committees formed: 22

Workload and Time Taken:

Sat for 165 days spread over 11 sessions
Reviewed 7635 amendments out of 7635 proposals
Final Constitution had 395 Articles, 22 Parts, and 8 Schedules (now expanded)

4. Key Debates in the Assembly

The Constituent Assembly wasn’t just administrative—it was deeply philosophical.

Hot Topics:

Federal vs. Unitary system
Language of the Constitution
Fundamental Rights vs. Directive Principles
Reservation and Minority Rights
President vs. Prime Minister’s powers

5. Significance and Legacy

The Constituent Assembly is a model of democracy, diversity, and dialogue.

Why is it so revered?

Drafted a Constitution through consensus, not coercion
Represented every section of Indian society
Proved that Indians could govern themselves with vision and maturity
Protected rights, built institutions, and laid the foundation of modern India

Nehru said, "The first task of this Assembly is to free India through a new Constitution."

MCQs on the Constituent Assembly

1. Who was the first temporary President of the Constituent Assembly?
a) B.R. Ambedkar
b) Jawaharlal Nehru
c) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
d) Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha
Answer: ✅ d) Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha

2. When was the Constitution of India adopted?
a) August 15, 1947
b) November 26, 1949
c) January 24, 1950
d) January 26, 1950
Answer: ✅ b) November 26, 1949

3. Who was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee?
a) Sardar Patel
b) K.M. Munshi
c) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
d) Nehru
Answer: ✅ c) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

4. What was the total number of members in the Constituent Assembly after Partition?
a) 389
b) 312
c) 299
d) 250
Answer: ✅ c) 299

5. Which committee was responsible for minority rights?
a) Drafting Committee
b) Union Powers Committee
c) Minority Rights Committee
d) State Committee
Answer: ✅ c) Minority Rights Committee

UPSC-Level Analytical Questions

Q1. "The Constituent Assembly was not just a drafting body but a sovereign institution." Elaborate. (250 words)

Hint:

Not under any foreign government post-independence
Had legislative powers
Passed laws, approved the Constitution
Functioned without external pressure

Q2. Discuss the role of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in the making of the Indian Constitution. (250 words)

Hint:

Chairman of Drafting Committee
Advocated equality, individual liberty, fundamental rights
Balanced social justice with legal principles
Called Constitution a “lawyer’s paradise” with “social soul”

Q3. How did the Constituent Assembly ensure inclusivity while framing the Indian Constitution? (150 words)

Hint:

Representation from all communities
Special focus on SCs, STs, minorities
Women participated (e.g., Hansa Mehta, Durgabai Deshmukh)
Debated language, religion, and federal structure openly