The Constituent Assembly of India

Formation

The Constituent Assembly of India was formed in 1946 under the Cabinet Mission Plan, which was sent to India to formulate a constitution for the transfer of power from British rule. The Assembly held its first session on December 9, 1946, at the Council House (now Parliament House) in New Delhi.

Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha served as the temporary President of the first session. On December 11, 1946, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the permanent President of the Assembly. B.N. Rau was appointed as the Constitutional Advisor to the Assembly.

The Assembly initially had 389 members. After the partition of India in 1947, the number was reduced to 299. The Constitution was finally adopted by the Assembly on November 26, 1949, and came into force on January 26, 1950.

Major Committees

The Assembly organized itself through various committees to streamline the complex task of constitution-making. These committees were broadly categorized into major and minor committees, addressing diverse aspects of governance and constitutional principles.

Key Major Committees

• Union Powers Committee: Chaired by Jawaharlal Nehru
• Union Constitution Committee: Chaired by Jawaharlal Nehru
• Provincial Constitution Committee: Chaired by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
• Drafting Committee: Chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
• Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Minorities, and Tribal and Excluded Areas: Chaired by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
• Rules of Procedure Committee: Chaired by Dr. Rajendra Prasad
• Steering Committee: Chaired by Dr. Rajendra Prasad
• States Committee (Committee for Negotiating with States): Chaired by Jawaharlal Nehru

Sub-Committees

• Fundamental Rights Sub-Committee: Chaired by J.B. Kripalani
• Minorities Sub-Committee: Chaired by H.C. Mookerjee

The Drafting Committee

The most crucial committee was the Drafting Committee, established on August 29, 1947, with the pivotal responsibility of preparing the draft of the new Constitution. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the Chairman of the Drafting Committee, is widely recognized as the principal architect of the Indian Constitution.

Members of the Drafting Committee

• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (Chairman)
• Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar
• N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar
• K.M. Munshi
• Syed Mohammad Saadulla
• B.L. Mitter (later resigned due to ill health; replaced by N. Madhava Rau)
• D.P. Khaitan (passed away in 1948; succeeded by T.T. Krishnamachari)

Key Facts

• Total members: 389 (initially), reduced to 299 after partition
• First session: December 9, 1946
• Constitution adopted: November 26, 1949
• Constitution enforced: January 26, 1950
• Total time taken: 2 years, 11 months, 17 days
• Total sessions held: 11 sessions over 166 days
• Total cost: ₹6.4 crore (approximately)

Sources