ASKiIMAN™ ARCHIVE / INDIAN POLITY
--:-- · -- --- ----

Constituent Assembly

The Architects of the Indian Republic (1946–1950)

PART I — FORMATION & COMPOSITION

SUB-REALM 03.1

Demand & Formation

  • M.N. Roy's demand (1934)
  • August Offer (1940)
  • Cabinet Mission Plan (1946)
  • Partly elected, partly nominated
SUB-REALM 03.2

Composition & Partition

  • Original strength: 389
  • Partition withdrawal
  • Revised strength: 299
  • Broad social representation

PART II — WORKING OF THE ASSEMBLY

SUB-REALM 03.3

Objectives Resolution

  • Jawaharlal Nehru (Dec 1946)
  • Constitutional philosophy
  • Independent Sovereign Republic
  • Basis of Preamble
SUB-REALM 03.4

Major Committees

  • 8 Major Committees
  • Union Powers (Nehru)
  • Provincial Constitution (Patel)
  • Rights & Minorities (Patel)
SUB-REALM 03.5

Drafting Committee

  • 7 members (Aug 1947)
  • Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (Chairman)
  • Draft preparation
  • Public feedback phase

PART III — ENACTMENT & ENFORCEMENT

SUB-REALM 03.6

Enactment

  • Three detailed readings
  • 7,635 amendments proposed
  • Adopted: Nov 26, 1949
  • 395 Articles, 8 Schedules
SUB-REALM 03.7

Enforcement

  • Enforced: Jan 26, 1950
  • Purna Swaraj legacy (1930)
  • Provisional Parliament
  • Immediate provisions (Citizenship)
SUB-REALM 03.8

Criticism

  • Not directly elected
  • Not initially sovereign
  • Congress domination
  • Lawyer-Politician dominance
Return to Index: Indian Polity