The Constituent Assembly of India played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s democratic framework. For MPSC aspirants, understanding its history, structure, and key contributions is essential, as questions related to it frequently appear in Group A, B, and C exams. In this blog, we will break down the most important facts, committees, and members of the Constituent Assembly while also discussing how it helps in MPSC preparation.
Historical Background and Demand for the Constituent Assembly
- The first formal demand for a Constituent Assembly was made by the Swaraj Party in May 1934 at a conference in Ranchi.
- M.N. Roy, a revolutionary and political thinker, proposed the idea of a Constituent Assembly in 1934.
- The Indian National Congress (INC) officially demanded the formation of a Constituent Assembly in the same year.
- In 1938, Jawaharlal Nehru, on behalf of INC, declared that the Constitution of free India must be framed by a Constituent Assembly elected on the basis of adult franchise.
- The demand was finally accepted in principle in the August Offer of 1940.
- The Cabinet Mission Plan (1946) formulated the framework for its formation.
Composition and Formation of the Constituent Assembly
- The assembly consisted of 389 representatives:
- 296 from British India (292 from governor’s provinces, 4 from chief commissioner’s provinces)
- 93 from princely states, nominated by their rulers
- The number of representatives was based on the population (1 per 10 lakh people).
- The first elections for the Constituent Assembly were held in July-August 1946:
- Congress won 208 seats
- Muslim League won 73 seats
- 15 seats were won by independents and small groups
- Initially, princely states did not participate, but they gradually joined by April 28, 1947.
- The first session was held on December 9, 1946, with 207 members in attendance.
Key Sessions and Important Figures
- Dr. Sachchidanand Sinha presided over the first session as the temporary President.
- On December 11, 1946, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the permanent President.
- The assembly functioned for 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days, holding 11 sessions over 165 days.
- The final Constitution was adopted on November 26, 1949, and came into force on January 26, 1950.
- Benegal Narsing Rau (B.N. Rau) was appointed as the constitutional advisor.
Women in the Constituent Assembly
Though the assembly was male-dominated, 15 women members played a crucial role in shaping India’s Constitution. Some key figures were:
- Vijayalakshmi Pandit
- Rajkumari Amrit Kaur
- Sarojini Naidu
- Sucheta Kripalani
- Dakshyani Velayudhan (the only Dalit woman member)
- Begum Aizaz Rasul (the only Muslim woman member)
Interim Government and Its Role
- Formed on September 2, 1946, initially without Muslim League members.
- On October 26, 1946, 5 Muslim League members joined the Cabinet.
- Key members and their portfolios:
- Jawaharlal Nehru – Vice President of the Council, External Affairs & Commonwealth Relations
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel – Home, Information & Broadcasting
- Dr. Rajendra Prasad – Food & Agriculture
- Liaquat Ali Khan – Finance
- C. Rajagopalachari – Education & Arts
- Jogendra Nath Mandal – Law
Important Committees and Their Chairpersons
To efficiently draft the Constitution, the assembly formed multiple committees:
- Union Constitution Committee – Jawaharlal Nehru
- Drafting Committee – Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
- Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights & Minorities – Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
- Fundamental Rights Sub-Committee – J.B. Kripalani
- Minorities Sub-Committee – H.C. Mukherjee
- Provincial Constitution Committee – Sardar Patel
The Drafting Committee, chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, played the most crucial role in framing the Constitution. Other members included K.M. Munshi, Alladi Krishnaswamy Ayyar, N. Gopalaswamy, B.L. Mitter, Mohammad Saadullah, and D.P. Khaitan.
Sources of the Indian Constitution
The Indian Constitution is a blend of multiple global influences:
- Government of India Act, 1935 – Federal structure, Emergency provisions
- British Constitution – Parliamentary system, Rule of law
- U.S. Constitution – Fundamental Rights, Judicial review, President’s impeachment
- Irish Constitution – Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)
- Canadian Constitution – Strong federal government, Appointment of governors
- Australian Constitution – Concurrent list, Trade and commerce provisions
- German Constitution – Emergency provisions
- Japanese Constitution – Procedure established by law
- French Constitution – Republic, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity
- USSR Constitution – Fundamental Duties, Social justice
Why Is This Important for MPSC Preparation?
- Static GK and History Section: MPSC exams frequently include questions about the Constituent Assembly, its members, and its committees.
- Polity and Governance: Understanding the making of the Constitution helps in answering questions related to Indian Polity.
- Essay and Descriptive Questions: You can use this knowledge in essay-type questions for MPSC Mains.
- Interview Preparation: A strong understanding of India’s constitutional history can make a good impression in personality tests.
Conclusion
The Constituent Assembly of India laid the foundation for the largest democracy in the world. Its members, through rigorous debates and discussions, crafted a Constitution that continues to guide India. For MPSC aspirants, mastering this topic is non-negotiable. Whether it's prelims, mains, or interviews, a strong command over the Constituent Assembly will set you apart from the competition.
By memorizing key dates, committees, and their contributions, you can ensure that no MPSC question on this topic catches you off guard!
Keep revising, keep practicing, and best of luck for your MPSC journey!