Making of the Indian Constitution: Formation, Committees & Working Procedure - Exam Notes for UPSC/SSC/Railway.

Making of the Indian Constitution-

Imagine creating the rulebook for the world's largest democracy—a task so monumental it took 299 visionaries nearly 3 years, 7,635 amendments, and fierce debates over language and rights.
Welcome to the making of the Indian Constitution!

Structured around 8 exam-critical pillars—from Demand for the Constituent Assembly to The Hindi Text

—we simplify complex topics with mind maps, committee tables, and UPSC-tested FAQs. Master the 'Making of Constitution' in one read and turn this high-weightage topic into your scoring weapon! 🚀"

 

1. Demand for the Constituent Assembly-

Why Needed?

·       British laws (like Govt of India Act 1935) didn’t reflect Indian aspirations.

·       Leaders wanted a people-made constitution after independence.

Key Events:

·       1934: M.N. Roy (socialist leader) first proposed the idea.

·       1940: British accepted demand in the "August Offer" during WWII.

·       1942: Cripps Mission promised Constituent Assembly post-WWII (rejected by Congress).

 

2. Formation of the Constituent Assembly-

How Was It Created?

·       Cabinet Mission Plan (1946) designed its structure:

o   389 members: 292 from British India + 93 from Princely States.

o   Indirect elections: Provincial assemblies elected members.

·       Reduced to 299 after Partition (Muslim League withdrew).

Key Fact: Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha was the first temporary chairman.

 

3. Working Procedure-

How Did They Work?

·       11 sessions over 2 years, 11 months, 18 days (165 days total).

·       Consensus-driven: Debated every clause (e.g., 114 days on Draft Constitution).

·       Key Documents:

o   Objective Resolution (Dec 1946): Preamble’s foundation.

o   Draft Constitution (Feb 1948): Public feedback invited.

Exam Tip: UPSC often asks about "November 26, 1949" (Constitution adopted).

 

4. Committees of the Constituent Assembly-

 

Major Committees & Heads:

Committee	Chairman	Key Work
Drafting Committee	Dr. B.R. Ambedkar	Prepared final text
Union Powers	Jawaharlal Nehru	Centre-State relations
States Committee	Sardar Patel	Merged 562 princely states
Fundamental Rights	J.B. Kripalani	Designed Articles 14-32
Flag Committee	Rajendra Prasad	Finalized Tricolor design
House Committee	B.Pattabhi Sitaramayya	Managed logistics and administration
Order of Business Committee	K.M.Munshi	Structured debates and discussions.
Credentials Committee	A.K.Ayyar	Verified member eligibility
Steering Committee	Dr. Rajendra Prasad	Overall supervision of Assembly functioning

 

Did You Know? The Drafting Committee reviewed 7,635 amendments!

 

 

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5. Enactment of the Constitution-

Adoption Process:

·       Nov 26, 1949: Constitution adopted (signed by 284 members).

·       Key Documents Merged:

o   Government of India Act 1935 (Federal structure)

o   Objective Resolution (Preamble ideals)

o   Fundamental Rights (Inspired by USA)

Why Important?

·       Replaced colonial laws with Indian sovereignty.

 

6. Enforcement of the Constitution-

From Adoption to Reality:

·       Jan 26, 1950: Constitution enforced (Republic Day).

·       Why this date? Honors Purna Swaraj Day (Jan 26, 1930).

·       Transition:

o   Dominion status ended (No British Crown role).

o   Dr. Rajendra Prasad became first President.

 

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7. Criticism of the Constituent Assembly-

Key Debates:

1.     Not Directly Elected: Members chosen by provincial assemblies (not people).

2.     Congress Dominance: 82% seats held by Congress members.

3.     Time-Consuming: Took almost 3 years (criticized by radicals).

4.     Hindi Imposition: Non-Hindi states opposed Hindi as sole national language.

Counter-Argument:

·       Assembly included diverse voices (e.g., Dr. Ambedkar, women members).

 

8. The Hindi Text-

Translation Process:

·       1950: Hindi version finalized by a committee including Maithili Sharan Gupt.

·       Key Features:

o   Used simple, legal Hindi (not Sanskritized).

o   Art 394A: Hindi text deemed authoritative.

·       Adoption: Jan 24, 1950 (2 days before Republic Day).

Exam Fact: The original English copy has calligraphy by Prem Behari Narain Raizada.

 

Mind map of the Making of Indian Constitution, designed for easy memorization for competitive exams:

 

List of Battles in Indian History:

 

Key Exam Takeaways:

1.     Constituent Assembly: Formed per Cabinet Mission (1946).

2.     Drafting Chairman: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (Architect of Constitution).

3.     Critical Dates:

o   Dec 9, 1946: First session

o   Nov 26, 1949: Adoption

o   Jan 26, 1950: Enforcement

4.     Hindi Text: Authentic version under Art 394A.

 

Polity One Liners:

FAQs for Exams:

Q1. Who was the Constitutional Advisor?
→ Sir B.N. Rau (Prepared initial draft).

 

Q2. Original copies preserved where?
→ Helium-filled cases in Parliament Library.

 

Q3. Total time taken?
→ 2 years, 11 months, 18 days (₹6.4 crore cost).

 

Q4. How many women members?
→ 15 (e.g., Sarojini Naidu, Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit).