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Making of the Indian Constitution

📊 High-Yield Data & Statistical Fact Sheet
  • Constituent Assembly (CA) Framework: Constituted in November 1946 under the recommendations of the Cabinet Mission Plan.
  • Duration: Took 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days to draft the Constitution.
  • Seat Composition Dynamics:
    • Pre-Partition: 389 seats (296 British India + 93 Princely States allocated at 1 seat per 1 million population).
    • Post-Partition: Vetted down to 299 seats following the Muslim League's departure.
    • Final Signatures: 284 members physically signed the final document on 26 November 1949.
  • Dual Role Division:
    • Constituent Body: Formulated the Constitution, chaired by Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
    • Legislative Body: Functioned as India’s first provisional parliament, chaired by G.V. Mavalankar.
  • Women Leaders: 15 women served in the CA, leaving key marks on civil liberties, untouchability laws, and secular codes.
  • Seat Allocation Rule: Roughly 1 seat per 1 million population; British India 296 seats (292 Governors' provinces + 4 Chief Commissioners' provinces), princely states 93.
  • 1946 Election Result (296 seats): Congress 208, Muslim League 73, others 15. Election method: proportional representation by single transferable vote in provincial assemblies; princely state members were nominated.
  • Sittings: 11 sessions over 165 days; 114 days spent on the Draft Constitution. All decisions taken by voice vote — no division of votes was ever required.
  • At Adoption (26 Nov 1949): Preamble + 395 Articles + 8 Schedules; observed as Constitution Day / National Law Day (declared 2015).
  • Commencement Logic: 26 January 1950 chosen to honour Purna Swaraj Day, 26 January 1930 (Lahore Session, Dec 1929).

1. DUAL ROLES, EVOLUTION & TIMELINE


DUAL ROLES, EVOLUTION & TIMELINE

DUAL ROLES, EVOLUTION & TIMELINE
Cue WordsNotes
Analyze key facts and concepts related to DUAL ROLES, EVOLUTION & TIMELINE.
  • Genesis & Formation:
  • 1934: M.N. Roy first proposes the idea of an independent Constituent Assembly.
  • 1935: The Indian National Congress officially demands a CA.
  • 1940: British government accepts the demand in principle via the August Offer.
  • 1946 (Cabinet Mission): Formulated the election framework: indirectly elected by provincial assemblies through proportional representation, and nominated by princely state rulers.
  • Dual-Function System:
  • Constitution-Making Sessions: Acted as a sovereign constituent body. When meeting in this capacity, it was presided over by Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
  • Legislative Sessions: Acted as the provisional parliament of independent India. When meeting in this capacity, it was presided over by G.V. Mavalankar.