Polity Set 59
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📌 Polity • Historical Background
Q.1) Who was the pioneer of the communist movement in India who first put forward the idea of a Constituent Assembly in 1934?
Ans > M.N. Roy
- Early Life and Global Influence: Manabendra Nath Roy (born Narendra Nath Bhattacharya) was a prominent Indian revolutionary, philosopher, and political theorist. He held the unique distinction of founding the Mexican Communist Party and was a prominent leader in the Communist International, showcasing his vast global political experience.
- The 1934 Revolutionary Proposal: In 1934, M.N. Roy became the first individual to explicitly propose the formation of a Constituent Assembly for India. This was a monumental shift in Indian political discourse, moving the narrative from asking for British administrative concessions to demanding absolute constitutional self-determination.
- Vision for Democratic Sovereignty: Roy’s demand was rooted in a deeply radical and democratic vision. He firmly believed that the citizens of India alone should possess the sovereign right to determine their political and legal destiny, laying the philosophical groundwork that the Indian National Congress would officially adopt shortly after.
📌 Polity • Historical Background
Q.2) In which year did the Indian National Congress (INC) for the first time officially demand a Constituent Assembly to frame the Constitution of India?
Ans > 1935
- Official Paradigm Shift: While M.N. Roy planted the seed in 1934, the Indian National Congress officially adopted the demand in 1935. This marked a major paradigm shift for the INC, transforming a radical, individual idea into the formal political stance of India’s largest independence organization.
- Rejection of the 1935 Act: The timing of this demand directly correlated with the British drafting of the Government of India Act 1935. The INC largely viewed the British Act as inadequate and fundamentally flawed, insisting instead on a constitution drafted purely by Indians, for Indians.
- Solidification in Later Sessions: The demand initiated in 1935 was heavily reiterated and expanded upon in subsequent INC sessions, particularly the Faizpur session of 1936. It became the central political rallying cry for the Congress leading up to the outbreak of the Second World War.
📌 Polity • Constituent Assembly
Q.3) Who declared in 1938 on behalf of the INC that the Constitution of free India must be framed without outside interference?
Ans > Jawaharlal Nehru
- The Haripura Session Backdrop: Jawaharlal Nehru made this historic and defining declaration during the buildup to the INC’s political maneuvering in 1938. His statement was intended to draw an absolute red line regarding British involvement in India’s post-independence legal framework.
- Demand for Adult Franchise: A critical element of Nehru’s 1938 declaration was his insistence that the Constituent Assembly must be elected on the basis of “adult franchise.” He did not want an elite or restricted assembly, but one that represented the masses of the Indian population.
- Pressure on the British Crown: By categorically stating that the constitution must be framed “without outside interference,” Nehru effectively stripped the British Parliament of its assumed right to legislate for India. This aggressive diplomatic stance ultimately forced the British to reconsider their constitutional offers during World War II.
📌 Polity • Historical Background
Q.4) The demand for a Constituent Assembly was finally accepted in principle by the British Government in what is known as the:
Ans > August Offer of 1940
- World War II Geopolitics: The August Offer was made by the Viceroy of India, Lord Linlithgow, against the backdrop of World War II. After the fall of France in 1940, Britain desperately needed Indian cooperation and manpower for the war effort, prompting this political concession.
- First Official Recognition: This offer is historically significant because it marked the very first time the British Government officially accepted the Indian demand for a Constituent Assembly in principle. It acknowledged that the framing of the new constitution should primarily be the responsibility of Indians.
- Rejection by Indian Leaders: Despite the concession, the Indian National Congress completely rejected the August Offer. The offer promised “Dominion Status” as the objective for India, which fell entirely short of the INC’s strict demand for “Purna Swaraj” (Complete Independence) declared a decade earlier.
📌 Polity • Historical Background
Q.5) Sir Stafford Cripps came to India with a draft proposal of the British Government on the framing of an independent Constitution in which year?
Ans > 1942
- The Japanese Threat: In early 1942, Winston Churchill sent Sir Stafford Cripps to India primarily due to immense pressure from the United States and the looming threat of the Imperial Japanese Army, which was rapidly advancing toward the borders of British India.
- Proposals for Post-War India: The Cripps Mission proposed that an elected body would be established to frame a new constitution for India, but only after the conclusion of the Second World War. It also controversially included a provision allowing any province to opt out of the new Indian Union.
- The Post-Dated Cheque: The mission was a spectacular failure. Mahatma Gandhi famously criticized the proposal as a “post-dated cheque drawn on a crashing bank.” The failure of the Cripps Mission directly ignited the massive Quit India Movement in August 1942.
📌 Polity • Constituent Assembly
Q.6) The Cabinet Mission published its plan for the Constituent Assembly on:
Ans > May 16, 1946
- The Elite Delegation: The Cabinet Mission arrived in India in March 1946, comprising three high-ranking British cabinet ministers: Lord Pethick-Lawrence, Sir Stafford Cripps, and A.V. Alexander. Their goal was to find a peaceful mechanism for the transfer of power.
- Rejection of Two Nations: When published on May 16, 1946, the plan explicitly rejected the Muslim League’s stringent demand for a completely separate and sovereign state of Pakistan. Instead, it proposed a loose federal structure with a weak center and strong autonomous provinces.
- The Assembly Blueprint: The May 16 publication is the foundational text of the Indian Constituent Assembly. It laid down the exact mathematical formulas, electoral mechanisms, and structural blueprints that were ultimately used to elect the members and convene the assembly.
📌 Polity • Constituent Assembly
Q.7) Under the Cabinet Mission Plan, roughly one seat was to be allotted for every:
Ans > 1 million population
- Demographic Representation Rule: To ensure fair and proportionate representation across the vast and highly populated Indian subcontinent, the Cabinet Mission Plan established a strict mathematical ratio: one seat in the Constituent Assembly for every one million people.
- Seat Distribution Breakdown: Using this demographic ratio based on recent census data, the plan allocated a total of 389 seats. Out of these, 296 seats were allotted to British India (the provinces), and 93 seats were reserved for the various Indian Princely States.
- Pragmatic Approach to Voting: This ratio was a highly pragmatic solution. Conducting a direct election with universal adult franchise across India was deemed administratively impossible in 1946 due to poverty, lack of infrastructure, and widespread illiteracy, making this proportional proxy system necessary.
📌 Polity • Elections
Q.8) The representatives of each community in the provincial legislative assembly were elected by the method of:
Ans > Proportional representation by means of single transferable vote
- Complex Electoral Mechanism: The single transferable vote (STV) system under proportional representation was chosen to ensure that minority voices were accurately reflected without being drowned out by majoritarian voting, which happens frequently in a simple first-past-the-post system.
- Community-Based Voting Restrictions: The electorate in the provincial assemblies was strictly divided into three main communities recognized by the plan: Muslims, Sikhs, and General (which included Hindus and all others). Members of a specific community could only vote for candidates belonging to their own community.
- Indirect Nature of the Assembly: Because the members of the Constituent Assembly were elected by the members of the provincial assemblies—who themselves were elected on a limited franchise—the Constituent Assembly was technically an indirectly elected body, rather than one chosen directly by the Indian masses.
📌 Polity • Constituent Assembly
Q.9) In the elections to the Constituent Assembly held in July-August 1946, the Indian National Congress won how many seats?
Ans > 208
- A Landslide Victory: Out of the 296 seats allotted to the British Indian provinces, the Indian National Congress secured a massive mandate by winning 208 seats. This landslide victory essentially gave the Congress absolute control over the constitution-making process.
- Muslim League’s Realization: The Muslim League performed well in the seats reserved for Muslims, winning 73 seats. However, looking at the overall 208 seats won by the Congress, the League realized they would be a permanent minority in the Assembly.
- The Resulting Boycott: Fearing they would be entirely outvoted on critical constitutional matters by the Congress majority, the Muslim League decided to completely boycott the Constituent Assembly, refusing to attend its inaugural session and intensifying their demand for Pakistan.
📌 Polity • Personalities
Q.10) Which prominent personality was NOT a member of the Constituent Assembly?
Ans > Mahatma Gandhi
- Philosophical Disagreements: Mahatma Gandhi deliberately stayed out of the Constituent Assembly. He believed heavily in “Gram Swaraj” (village self-rule) and a highly decentralized India, which conflicted with the heavily centralized, modern state structure the Assembly was poised to build.
- Focus on Communal Harmony: During the time the Assembly was meeting, India was being torn apart by devastating communal riots due to partition. Gandhi felt his time was better spent walking through riot-torn areas like Noakhali to restore peace, rather than debating laws in Delhi.
- Absence of the Titans: It is a fascinating historical paradox that the two most influential political figures of the subcontinent in 1946—Mahatma Gandhi and Muhammad Ali Jinnah—were entirely absent from the Constituent Assembly that forged the modern Indian state.
📌 Polity • Objectives Resolution
Q.11) The historic ‘Objectives Resolution’ moved by Jawaharlal Nehru declared the resolve to proclaim India as an:
Ans > Independent Sovereign Republic
- The Core Philosophical Blueprint: The Objectives Resolution was a momentous document that laid down the fundamental philosophy, ideals, and architectural blueprint of the constitutional structure. It resolved to make India an “Independent Sovereign Republic,” breaking away from monarchical ties.
- Rejection of British Dominion Status: By explicitly using the word “Republic,” Nehru firmly shut the door on any possibility of India remaining a Dominion under the British Crown. A republic meant the head of state would be elected, not a British monarch.
- Evolution into the Preamble: The profound ideals and exact phraseology declared in this resolution were so central to the nation’s identity that a modified version of it was eventually adopted as the Preamble to the Constitution of India.
📌 Polity • Objectives Resolution
Q.12) According to the ‘Objectives Resolution’, all power and authority of the sovereign independent India are derived from:
Ans > The People
- Establishment of Popular Sovereignty: The resolution firmly rooted the new nation in the democratic doctrine of popular sovereignty. It legally and philosophically declared that all political power ultimately resides with the citizens of India, not with a king or a colonial overlord.
- A Radical Shift in Authority: For centuries, political authority in India flowed from monarchs, emperors, or the British Crown down to the subjects. This resolution reversed that flow, making the government a servant of the people, from whom it derives its mandate.
- Reflection in Constitutional Text: This foundational principle is immortalized in the very opening words of the Indian Constitution’s Preamble: “We, the People of India,” permanently reminding the state of the true source of its power.
📌 Polity • Objectives Resolution
Q.13) The ‘Objectives Resolution’ was unanimously adopted by the Constituent Assembly on:
Ans > January 22, 1947
- The Waiting Period: Jawaharlal Nehru actually introduced the resolution on December 13, 1946. However, the Assembly deliberately postponed its adoption to January 1947, holding out hope that the boycotting Muslim League might eventually join the sessions.
- Unanimous Agreement: When it became evident that the Muslim League would not participate, the Assembly moved forward and adopted the resolution unanimously. This consensus provided a unified direction for the massive task of drafting the country’s laws.
- Guiding the Committees: Once adopted on January 22, the Objectives Resolution functioned as the ultimate guiding light. Every subsequent committee, sub-committee, and drafting body measured their legal propositions against the ideals set out in this specific document.
📌 Polity • Indian Independence Act
Q.14) Following the acceptance of the Mountbatten Plan, the Indian Independence Act of 1947 made the Constituent Assembly a fully:
Ans > Sovereign body
- Stripping British Authority: The passage of the Indian Independence Act in the British Parliament legally severed the colonial chain. It explicitly stated that the British Parliament would no longer have any authority over India, making the Assembly completely sovereign.
- Power to Abrogate Laws: As a sovereign body, the Assembly was granted the absolute legal power to abrogate, alter, or completely repeal any law previously made by the British Parliament in relation to India, including the Independence Act itself.
- Freedom to Draft Unhindered: Prior to this Act, the Assembly was technically a creation of the British Cabinet Mission Plan with certain limitations. After the Act, the Assembly was free to frame whatever constitution it pleased without requiring any British approval or royal assent.
📌 Polity • Constituent Assembly
Q.15) Whenever the Constituent Assembly met as the legislative body (Dominion Legislature), it was chaired by:
Ans > G.V. Mavlankar
- The Dual Role of the Assembly: After independence, the Constituent Assembly had to perform two distinct functions: making the Constitution, and acting as the interim Parliament to pass ordinary laws for the daily governance of the country.
- Separation of Powers in Practice: To keep these functions separate, the Assembly had different presiding officers. When they met to draft the Constitution, Dr. Rajendra Prasad chaired the session. When they met to pass ordinary bills, Ganesh Vasudev Mavlankar took the chair.
- The First Speaker of India: Because G.V. Mavlankar chaired the legislative sessions of the Dominion Legislature, he is historically recognized as the first Speaker of the Lok Sabha, setting critical parliamentary precedents that are still followed in India today.
📌 Polity • Partition Impact
Q.16) After the withdrawal of the Muslim League members, the strength of the Indian provinces (formerly British Provinces) was reduced from 296 to:
Ans > 229
- The Impact of Partition Boundaries: The creation of Pakistan meant that massive geographical territories—including Sind, the North-West Frontier Province, Baluchistan, West Punjab, and East Bengal—were no longer part of India.
- Exodus of Representatives: Consequently, the members who were elected from these specific provincial assemblies lost their seats in the Indian Constituent Assembly and migrated to form the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan, drastically reducing the Indian body’s headcount.
- Consolidation of the Assembly: The total strength of the Assembly fell from 389 to 299. Specifically, the representatives for the British Indian provinces were reduced from 296 down to 229, leaving the remaining members with a more consolidated, unified geographical focus.
📌 Polity • Partition Impact
Q.17) After the withdrawal of the Muslim League members, the strength of the princely states was reduced from 93 to:
Ans > 70
- Princely States and the Border Issue: Just like the British provinces, many Princely States found themselves geographically located within the newly drawn borders of Pakistan (such as Bahawalpur and Khairpur). Their allotted seats were consequently removed from the Indian tally.
- Sardar Patel’s Integration Efforts: The remaining 70 seats represented the Princely States that fell within Indian territory. Initially hesitant to join, these states were systematically integrated into the Union through the tireless diplomatic efforts of Sardar Patel and V.P. Menon.
- Gradual Participation: Unlike the provincial members who joined immediately, the representatives of these 70 Princely State seats joined the Constituent Assembly gradually. As each Maharaja signed the Instrument of Accession, they sent their nominees to sit in the Assembly.
📌 Polity • Committees
Q.18) Who was the Chairman of the Union Powers Committee?
Ans > Jawaharlal Nehru
- Focus on Central Authority: Jawaharlal Nehru led this vital committee, which was tasked with deciding exactly which powers should reside with the Central (Union) Government and which should be delegated to the provincial states.
- Reaction to Partition: The trauma of partition heavily influenced this committee. While the initial Cabinet Mission Plan envisioned a weak center, Nehru’s committee pivoted post-partition to recommend a remarkably strong central government to prevent further division of the country.
- Shaping Indian Federalism: The recommendations of the Union Powers Committee laid the foundational blueprint for India’s “quasi-federal” system. It resulted in the Union List containing more crucial subjects (like defense, foreign affairs, and communications) than the State List.
📌 Polity • Committees
Q.19) Who was the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Minorities and Tribal and Excluded Areas?
Ans > Sardar Patel
- The Most Comprehensive Committee: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel chaired this Advisory Committee, which was arguably the largest and most significant committee in the Assembly. It dealt with the most sensitive and volatile social issues facing the newly independent nation.
- Building Minority Confidence: Patel’s pragmatic leadership was absolutely vital here. He had the monumental task of convincing various religious minorities and marginalized groups that their rights, culture, and lives would be secure in a Hindu-majority India without needing separate nations.
- Creation of Sub-Committees: Because the mandate of this committee was so incredibly vast—covering human rights, religious minorities, and tribal welfare—Patel had to divide the workload into several specialized sub-committees to ensure detailed and focused policy drafting.
📌 Polity • Committees
Q.20) Who was the Chairman of the Fundamental Rights Sub-Committee?
Ans > J.B. Kripalani
- Championing Civil Liberties: J.B. Kripalani headed this crucial sub-committee, which was responsible for defining the unalienable civil liberties of Indian citizens. Their work directly translated into Part III of the Indian Constitution, guaranteeing rights like freedom of speech and religion.
- Balancing Freedom and State Security: Kripalani’s committee faced the incredibly difficult task of balancing individual freedoms against the needs of state security and public order. They ensured that fundamental rights were justiciable, yet subject to “reasonable restrictions.”
- Abolition of Social Evils: Under Kripalani’s guidance, the sub-committee took radical steps for social reform. They drafted provisions that legally abolished the practice of untouchability and prohibited discrimination based on caste, religion, or gender, transforming the social fabric of India.
📌 Polity • Committees
Q.21) Who was the Chairman of the Minorities Sub-Committee?
Ans > H.C. Mukherjee
- Representation of Minority Voices: Harendra Coomar Mukherjee was a highly respected Bengali Christian leader and the Vice-President of the Constituent Assembly. His appointment as chairman ensured that minority communities felt their concerns were being addressed by one of their own.
- Rejection of Separate Electorates: A massive achievement of this sub-committee was the historic decision to abolish “separate electorates”—a British colonial tool that divided voters strictly by religion and had ultimately led to the partition of India.
- Securing Political Reservations: Instead of separate electorates, Mukherjee’s committee advocated for joint electorates with reserved seats for historically marginalized communities. This recommendation was fundamental in establishing the secular and inclusive political framework of modern India.
📌 Polity • Committees
Q.22) Who was the Chairman of the Excluded and Partially Excluded Areas (other than those in Assam) Sub-Committee?
Ans > A.V. Thakkar
- Dedication to Tribal Welfare: Amritlal Vithaldas Thakkar, affectionately known as Thakkar Bapa, was a renowned social worker and a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi. He had dedicated his entire life to the upliftment of marginalized tribal communities across India.
- Protection Against Exploitation: The primary focus of Thakkar’s sub-committee was to protect vulnerable indigenous populations from exploitation by outside settlers, moneylenders, and aggressive industrialization. They recognized that standard laws were inadequate for tribal regions.
- Birth of Constitutional Schedules: The detailed reports and recommendations made by this sub-committee formed the direct basis for the 5th and 6th Schedules of the Constitution, which grant special administrative autonomy and land protection to tribal areas in India today.
📌 Polity • Drafting Committee
Q.23) The Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly was set up on:
Ans > August 29, 1947
- Urgency Post-Independence: The Drafting Committee was established merely 14 days after India achieved formal independence. This rapid formation highlighted the extreme urgency with which the founders wanted to replace British colonial laws with an indigenous constitutional framework.
- The Core Team of Seven: The committee comprised seven of the brightest legal and political minds in the country, including Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar, Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar, K.M. Munshi, Syed Mohammad Saadullah, N. Madhava Rau, and T.T. Krishnamachari.
- The Task of Synthesis: Unlike the other committees that focused on specific policies, the Drafting Committee’s monumental task was synthesis. They had to take the reports, debates, and decisions of all other committees and translate them into a cohesive, legally airtight document.
📌 Polity • Drafting Committee
Q.24) The Drafting Committee prepared the first draft of the Constitution, which was published in:
Ans > February 1948
- Foundation by Sir B.N. Rau: Before the Drafting Committee finalized this first publication, Constitutional Advisor Sir B.N. Rau had prepared an initial working draft. Rau had traveled globally, studying the constitutions of the USA, Canada, and Ireland to gather best practices.
- A Monumental Legal Architecture: The February 1948 draft was a massive achievement. It laid out the entire complex architecture of the new state, detailing the federal structure, the role of the President, the powers of the Supreme Court, and the civil rights of citizens.
- Commitment to Democratic Transparency: Publishing the first draft was a deliberate and vital democratic exercise. The Assembly did not want to draft the constitution in secrecy; they wanted the entire nation to see, read, and understand the proposed laws that would govern their lives.
📌 Polity • Drafting Committee
Q.25) After the publication of the first draft of the Constitution, the people of India were given how much time to discuss the draft and propose amendments?
Ans > Eight months
- Unprecedented Public Engagement: The Constituent Assembly gave the Indian public, provincial legislatures, the press, and various political organizations eight full months to review the document. This ensured the Constitution was not forced upon the people without their input.
- A Flood of Feedback: During this eight-month window, the Drafting Committee received an overwhelming volume of feedback. Thousands of letters, telegrams, and written memorandums poured in from lawyers, citizens, minority groups, and trade unions proposing changes.
- Meticulous Review Process: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and his committee did not ignore this public response. They spent this eight-month period meticulously categorizing, reviewing, and debating the merits of every substantive criticism and suggestion submitted by the public.
📌 Polity • Drafting Committee
Q.26) In the light of public comments and criticisms, the Drafting Committee prepared a second draft, which was published in:
Ans > October 1948
- Incorporation of National Feedback: The October 1948 draft was not just a reprint; it was a heavily revised document. It incorporated the most valid, logical, and necessary changes suggested by the public and provincial assemblies during the eight-month review period.
- Refinement of Contentious Clauses: Several highly contentious issues—such as the exact balance of power between the center and states, language policies, and emergency provisions—were refined and reworded in this second draft to reflect a broader national consensus.
- Setting the Stage for Final Debate: This second draft served as the definitive text that was subsequently introduced in the Constituent Assembly. It was this specific October draft that the Assembly members would use for their intense, clause-by-clause readings and voting.
📌 Polity • Assembly Debates
Q.27) During the second reading of the Draft Constitution (clause by clause consideration), how many amendments were proposed in the Assembly?
Ans > 7653
- Evidence of Rigorous Scrutiny: The sheer volume of proposed amendments—7,653 in total—proves beyond a doubt that the Constituent Assembly was not a mere rubber stamp for the Congress party. Every single line of the draft was subjected to intense scrutiny.
- Ideological Diversity in Action: These thousands of amendments came from members representing wildly different ideological spectrums. Socialists wanted more economic equality, conservatives wanted traditional protections, and Gandhians pushed for greater village autonomy, all submitting amendments to reflect their views.
- An Immense Workload: This staggering number of proposals placed an immense intellectual and physical burden on the Drafting Committee. Dr. Ambedkar had to study these amendments and prepare detailed legal defenses or compromises for almost every provision in the draft.
📌 Polity • Assembly Debates
Q.28) Out of the proposed amendments during the second reading, how many were actually discussed in the Constituent Assembly?
Ans > 2473
- The Process of Elimination: While over 7,000 amendments were formally proposed, many were repetitive, legally unsound, or eventually withdrawn by the proposers after private negotiations. As a result, exactly 2,473 amendments were moved and debated on the Assembly floor.
- The Grand Constitutional Debate: The discussion of these 2,473 amendments constitutes the bulk of the famous “Constituent Assembly Debates.” These debates form a massive historical record, providing profound insight into the minds, fears, and hopes of India’s founding fathers.
- A Masterclass in Compromise: The debates over these amendments showcase a high level of parliamentary etiquette. Dr. Ambedkar painstakingly addressed each moved amendment, explaining why it was accepted or rejected, showcasing incredible intellectual rigor and a spirit of democratic compromise.
📌 Polity • Personalities
Q.29) Who is widely recognized as the ‘chief architect of the Constitution of India’?
Ans > Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
- The Father of the Constitution: Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar is universally celebrated as the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. His unparalleled grasp of jurisprudence, economics, and sociology made him the most uniquely qualified individual to draft the nation’s supreme law.
- Piloting the Draft: As the Chairman of the Drafting Committee, Ambedkar carried the monumental burden of piloting the draft Constitution through the Assembly. He stood on the floor day after day, defending the draft against criticisms and eloquently explaining the legal rationale behind complex clauses.
- Champion of Social Justice: Beyond legal mechanics, Ambedkar ensured the Constitution was a revolutionary tool for social justice. Coming from a marginalized Dalit background, his influence was paramount in explicitly outlawing untouchability and embedding powerful fundamental rights to protect minorities and the oppressed.
📌 Polity • Enactment
Q.30) The major part of the Constitution came into force on January 26, 1950. Which Act was repealed with its commencement?
Ans > Indian Independence Act of 1947
- Severing the Colonial Cord: The enactment of the Constitution brought into effect Article 395, which explicitly repealed both the Indian Independence Act of 1947 and the Government of India Act of 1935. This was the final, definitive legal step that severed all ties to British parliamentary authority.
- From Dominion to Republic: The Indian Independence Act of 1947 had created India as a “Dominion” under the British Crown. By repealing this specific Act, India officially shed its dominion status, completing its transition into a fully Sovereign Democratic Republic.
- Choosing Republic Day: January 26, 1950, was not chosen randomly. It was deliberately selected to honor “Purna Swaraj” (Complete Independence) Day, which was first celebrated on January 26, 1930. On this day, the new Constitution replaced the colonial acts, marking the true birth of modern India.
📌 Quick Summary — Polity Set 59
- Constituent Assembly Idea: M.N. Roy first put forward the idea in 1934.
- Official INC Demand: The Indian National Congress officially demanded it in 1935.
- Without Outside Interference: Declared by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1938 on behalf of INC.
- Accepted in Principle: Acknowledged by the British via the August Offer of 1940.
- Draft Proposal: Sir Stafford Cripps brought the proposal to India in 1942.
- Assembly Plan Published: The Cabinet Mission Plan was published on May 16, 1946.
- Seat Allocation: Roughly one seat per 1 million population under the Cabinet Mission.
- Election Method: Proportional representation by single transferable vote.
- INC Victory: Congress won 208 seats in the July-August 1946 elections.
- Notable Absence: Mahatma Gandhi was NOT a member of the Constituent Assembly.
- Objectives Resolution: Resolved to proclaim India an Independent Sovereign Republic.
- Source of Power: All power and authority are derived from The People.
- Resolution Adopted: Unanimously adopted on January 22, 1947.
- Sovereignty Granted: The Indian Independence Act of 1947 made it a sovereign body.
- Legislative Chairman: G.V. Mavlankar chaired the Dominion Legislature sessions.
- Provincial Strength Post-Partition: Reduced from 296 down to 229.
- Princely States Post-Partition: Reduced from 93 down to 70.
- Union Powers Committee: Chaired by Jawaharlal Nehru.
- Advisory Committee on Rights/Minorities: Chaired by Sardar Patel.
- Fundamental Rights Sub-Committee: Chaired by J.B. Kripalani.
- Minorities Sub-Committee: Chaired by H.C. Mukherjee.
- Excluded Areas Sub-Committee: Chaired by A.V. Thakkar.
- Drafting Committee Setup: Established on August 29, 1947.
- First Draft Published: Published in February 1948.
- Public Discussion: Eight months given to discuss the first draft.
- Second Draft Published: Published in October 1948.
- Amendments Proposed: 7,653 amendments were proposed during the second reading.
- Amendments Discussed: 2,473 were actually discussed in the Assembly.
- Chief Architect: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar is recognized as the chief architect.
- Act Repealed: The Indian Independence Act of 1947 was repealed on Jan 26, 1950.
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