Working of the Constituent Assembly

  1. The Constituent Assembly was organized, open, and consensual in its work.
  2. To begin, several fundamental ideas were determined upon and agreed upon. Then, under the chairmanship of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a Drafting Committee drafted a draught constitution for debate.
  3. The Draft Constitution was thoroughly debated in several rounds, Clause by Clause. There were around 2,000 modifications considered.
  4. Over the course of three years, the members deliberated for 114 days. Every document submitted in the constituent Assembly, as well as every word was spoken, has been documented and preserved. The debates are known as ‘Constituent Assembly Debates.’
  5. These arguments are printed in 12 thick volumes! Every provision of the constitution is justified through these debates. These are used to interpret the Constitution’s meaning.

TIMELINE : WORKING OF CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY

  • 11 December 1946: President Rajendra Prasad, Vice-Chairman Harendra Coomar Mookerjee, and Constitutional Legal Adviser B.N Rau are appointed to the Constituent Assembly.
  • On December 13, 1946, Jawaharlal Nehru submitted an “Objective Resolution” laying forth the core principles of the constitution, which ultimately became the Preamble.
  • The objective resolution was unanimously adopted on January 22, 1947.
  • Adoption of the National Flag on July 22, 1947.
  • Independence was declared on August 15, 1947.
  • Dr. B. R. Ambedkar is named Chairman of the Drafting Committee on August 29, 1947.
  • V. T. Krishnamachari was elected as the second vice-president of the Constituent Assembly on July 16, 1948, alongside Harendra Coomar Mookerjee.
  • The assembly passes and adopts the ‘Constitution of India’ on November 26, 1949.
  • The Constituent Assembly has its final meeting on January 24, 1950. Everyone signed and accepted the ‘Constitution of India’ (which has 395 articles, 8 schedules, and 22 parts).
  • 26 January 1950: The ‘Constitution of India’ was signed into law after 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days of work and a total cost of $6.4 million.

Working of the Constituent Assembly – Total Number of Days

2 Years 11 months 18 days

Conclusion

  • The First Meeting of the Constituent Assembly was held on 9 December 1946.
  • On 11 December 1946, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was appointed as the President of the Constituent Assembly.
  • On 26 January ‘The Constitution of India’ came into force.