Constituent Assembly of India - Facts & Details for IAS Exam | Testbook.com

The concept of a Constituent Assembly, a body elected to draft a constitution, was initially proposed by M.N. Roy in 1934. Nevertheless, the actual Constituent Assembly was formed in 1946, following the principles of the cabinet mission plan.

This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the Constituent Assembly of India. It is particularly useful for those preparing for the UPSC 2022 examination.

In addition to the Constituent Assembly of India, candidates can also explore the following topics related to Indian Polity:

Articles of Indian Constitution	Significant Amendments of the Indian Constitution
Historical Background of the Constitution of India	Preamble to the Indian Constitution
Schedules of Indian Constitution	Noteworthy Acts in India

Understanding the Background of the Constituent Assembly of India

Let's take a look at the sequence of events that led to the formation of the Constituent Assembly of India:

Timeline of the Constituent Assembly of India

The concept of a Constituent Assembly was first introduced by M N Roy in 1934.

The Congress Party officially adopted this demand in 1935.

The British recognized this demand in the August Offer of 1940.

The Cabinet Mission plan of 1946 led to elections for the formation of the Constituent Assembly.

The Constituent Assembly members were indirectly elected by the members of the provincial assemblies through a system of a single transferable vote of proportional representation.

The Constituent Assembly was formed to draft a constitution for an independent India.

Composition of the Constituent Assembly

The Constituent Assembly initially comprised 389 members. However, post-partition, some members migrated to Pakistan, reducing the number to 299. Of these, 229 were from the British provinces and 70 were nominated from the princely states.
Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha was the first temporary chairman of the Constituent Assembly. Subsequently, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the President, and Harendra Coomar Mookerjee was chosen as the Vice President. BN Rau served as the constitutional advisor.

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Key Facts Related to the Constituent Assembly of India for IAS Exam

Important Facts about the Constituent Assembly of India for UPSC Exam
When did the Constituent Assembly first meet?	The Constituent Assembly held its first meeting on 9 December 1946.
Did the Muslim League contribute to the formation of the Indian Constitution?	No, the Muslim League did not participate in the Constituent Assembly as it boycotted this meeting due to their demand for partition.
What is the ‘Objective Resolution’ in relation to the Constituent Assembly of India?	The Objective Resolution embodied the goals and values of the constitution-makers. It guaranteed social, economic, and political justice, equality, and fundamental freedoms to the people of India. The Preamble to the Constitution is based on this resolution, which was unanimously adopted on 22 January 1947.
Who proposed the Objective Resolution and when?	Jawaharlal Nehru proposed the ‘Objective Resolution’ on 13 December 1946.
When was the National Flag of the Union adopted?	The National Flag of the Union was adopted on 22 July 1947.
How long did the Constituent Assembly take to frame the constitution?	The Constituent Assembly took 2 years, 11 months, and 17 days to frame the constitution, spending a total of Rs.64 lakhs.
When was 'Jana Gana Mana' adopted as India's national anthem?	'Jana Gana Mana' was adopted as the national anthem on 24 January 1950.
How many articles does the final constitution contain?	The final document comprises 22 parts, 395 articles, and 8 schedules.
How many sessions did the Constituent Assembly conduct?	The Constituent Assembly conducted 11 sessions.
When was the draft of the Indian Constitution published?	The draft was published in January 1948, and the people of the country were asked for their feedback and inputs within 8 months.
When was the last session held?	The last session was held from 14 – 26 November 1949. The constitution was passed and adopted by the assembly on 26 November 1949.
When did the Indian Constitution come into force?	The constitution came into effect on 26 January 1950, a day celebrated as Republic Day.

Committees of the Constituent Assembly of India and their Chairpersons

The Constituent Assembly of India comprised eight committees, as listed below:

Committees of the Constituent Assembly of India
Drafting Committee	Dr. B R Ambedkar
Union Constitution Committee	Jawaharlal Nehru
Union Powers Committee	Jawaharlal Nehru
States Committee	Jawaharlal Nehru
Steering Committee	Dr. Rajendra Prasad
Rules of Procedure Committee	Dr. Rajendra Prasad
Provincial Constitution Committee	Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Minorities and Tribal and Excluded Areas:	Fundamental Rights Sub-Committee: Acharya Kripalani Minorities Sub-Committee: H C Mookerjee Excluded and Partially Excluded Areas (Other than those in Assam) Sub-Committee: A V Thakkar North-East Frontier Tribal Areas and Assam Excluded & Partially Excluded Areas Sub-Committee: Gopinath Bardoloi

Criticism of the Constituent Assembly

Some critics argue that the Constituent Assembly was not a representative body, as its members were not directly elected by adult franchise. However, it is crucial to note that the leaders enjoyed popular support from the people, and direct elections by universal adult franchise would have been impractical due to the impending partition and communal riots.
Some critics point out that the constitution-makers took a long time to frame the constitution. However, considering the complexity and the diversity of the vast Indian nation, this timeline can be justified.
Some critics contend that the Constituent Assembly was not a sovereign body since it was created by the British. However, in reality, it operated as a fully independent and sovereign body.
The language of the constitution has been criticised for being literary and complicated.
Some critics argue that the Constituent Assembly was dominated by the Congress Party. However, this was a natural outcome as the party dominated the provincial assemblies and was a heterogeneous party with members from almost all sections of Indian society.
Some critics argue that the assembly was dominated by Hindus. However, this was due to proportional representation from communities.

Quit India Movement	Wavell Plan & Shimla Conference
India Independence Act 1947	List of Viceroys of India
Governor-General of Bengal and India	Prime Minister and Council of Ministers
List of Prime Ministers of India [Updated]	President of India

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Constituent Assembly of India - Facts & Details for IAS Exam | Testbook.com