Working of the Constituent Assembly
Understand the historic sessions, election of office bearers, Nehru's Objectives Resolution, key committees, administrative staff, and the final adoption of the Indian Constitution.
1. First Meetings, Office Bearers & Objectives Resolution
The Constituent Assembly held its inaugural session on December 9, 1946, in the Constitution Hall (now Central Hall of Parliament). This first meeting was boycotted by the Muslim League, which insisted on a separate sovereign state of Pakistan; consequently, only 211 members attended. Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha, the oldest member of the Assembly, was elected as the temporary President, adhering to the established French precedent.
On December 11, 1946, the Assembly elected its permanent leadership and advisory panel:
- President: Dr. Rajendra Prasad
- Vice-Presidents: H.C. Mookerjee & V.T. Krishnamachari (dual vice-presidents to represent provincial and princely state interests)
- Constitutional Advisor: Sir B.N. Rau (prepared the initial draft based on extensive global research)
- Secretary to Assembly: H.V.R. Iengar
- Chief Draftsman: S.N. Mukerjee (renowned for putting complex legislative proposals into precise legal language)
Jawaharlal Nehru moved the historic Objectives Resolution in the Assembly. It declared India as an independent sovereign republic and laid down the principles of justice, equality, freedom, and protection for minorities. It was unanimously adopted on January 22, 1947, and its modified version forms the **Preamble** of the Indian Constitution.
Structure of the Constituent Assembly's Leadership
2. Major Committees, Other Functions & Final Adoption
The Constituent Assembly appointed several committees to deal with different tasks of constitution-making. Among these, eight were Major Committees and the rest were Minor Committees. The Assembly also performed crucial state functions beyond constitution drafting.
- Drafting Committee: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (7 members, scrutinized the draft)
- Union Powers Committee: Jawaharlal Nehru
- Union Constitution Committee: Jawaharlal Nehru
- Provincial Constitution Committee: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
- Advisory Committee on FRs, Minorities & Tribal Areas: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
- Rules of Procedure Committee: Dr. Rajendra Prasad
- States Committee (Negotiating with States): Jawaharlal Nehru
- Steering Committee: Dr. Rajendra Prasad
In addition to drafting the Constitution, the Assembly:
- Ratified India's Commonwealth membership in May 1949.
- Adopted the National Flag on July 22, 1947.
- Adopted the National Anthem and National Song on January 24, 1950.
- Elected Dr. Rajendra Prasad as the first President of India on January 24, 1950.
- Took 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days, held 11 sessions, and cost Rs. 64 lakh.
The original Constitution was a masterpiece of calligraphy and design. **Prem Behari Narain Raizada** calligraphed the original English version in flowing italic handwriting. **Vasant Krishan Vaidya** calligraphed the Hindi translation. The pages were decorated and illuminated by artists from Shantiniketan, led by **Nandlal Bose** and **Beohar Rammanohar Sinha** (who decorated the Preamble page). The assembly adopted the **Elephant** as its seal.
Chronology of the Constituent Assembly (1946 - 1950)
- First Meeting — Dec 9, 1946: Constituent Assembly met for the first time. Boycotted by the Muslim League (demanding a separate state of Pakistan). Only 211 members attended. Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha was elected temporary President.
- Election of Permanent Officers — Dec 11, 1946: Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the permanent President of the Assembly. H.C. Mookerjee and V.T. Krishnamachari were elected as the two Vice-Presidents.
- Objectives Resolution Introduced — Dec 13, 1946: Jawaharlal Nehru moved the historic **'Objectives Resolution'**, laying down the guiding philosophy and structural principles for the Constitution.
- Adoption of Objectives Resolution — Jan 22, 1947: The Assembly unanimously adopted the Objectives Resolution. It subsequently shaped the Preamble and the entire philosophy of the Constitution.
- National Flag Adopted — July 22, 1947: The Assembly adopted the National Flag of India (designed by Pingali Venkayya) with the Ashoka Chakra.
- Commonwealth Membership — May 1949: The Assembly ratified India's membership in the Commonwealth of Nations, preserving sovereign status.
- Passing of the Constitution — Nov 26, 1949: The Constitution was declared passed after three readings. Members signed it, and provisions regarding citizenship, elections, and provisional parliament came into force immediately.
- Final Session — Jan 24, 1950: The Assembly held its final session. It adopted the National Anthem, the National Song, and elected Dr. Rajendra Prasad as the first President of India.
Key Questions & Answers
- Who was the temporary President of the Constituent Assembly, and what practice was followed for this choice?
- Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha was elected temporary President, following the French practice of electing the oldest member.
- Who were elected as the two Vice-Presidents of the Constituent Assembly?
- H.C. Mookerjee and V.T. Krishnamachari .
- When was the Objectives Resolution adopted by the Constituent Assembly?
- It was adopted unanimously on January 22, 1947 (after being introduced on December 13, 1946).
- Who was the Constitutional Advisor to the Constituent Assembly?
- Sir B.N. Rau was appointed as the Legal Advisor.
- Who was the calligrapher of the original English version of the Indian Constitution?
- Prem Behari Narain Raizada calligraphed the original text in a flowing italic style.
Memory Aids
- Mnemonic 1: Office Bearers: Remember the top three leaders of the Assembly: **P**rasad (President) and the two Vice-Presidents, **M**ookherjee and **K**rishnamachari.
- Mnemonic 2: Staff Roles: Remember the key administrative and drafting figures: Sir B.N. **R**au (Constitutional Advisor), H.V.R. **I**engar (Secretary), and S.N. **M**ukerjee (Chief Draftsman).
- Mnemonic 3: Flag and Anthem Years: The National Flag was adopted in **1947** (before Independence on July 22), whereas the National Anthem and Song were adopted in **1950** (just before Republic Day on Jan 24).
Common Exam Traps
- Trap 1: Do not confuse the dates: the Objectives Resolution was *introduced* on Dec 13, 1946, but *adopted* on Jan 22, 1947. Questions often swap these dates.
- Trap 2: The Constituent Assembly did not have just one Vice-President. It had **two** Vice-Presidents: H.C. Mookerjee and V.T. Krishnamachari.
- Trap 3: The National Flag was adopted *before* independence (July 22, 1947), but the National Anthem and National Song were adopted *after* independence, just before Republic Day (January 24, 1950).
- Trap 4: Sir B.N. Rau was the Legal/Constitutional Advisor, not a member of the Drafting Committee. Do not confuse his role with B.R. Ambedkar (who was Chairman of the Drafting Committee).