The Indian Constitution was framed by the Constituent Assembly between 1946 and 1949. Key events included the convening of the assembly in 1946 with Sachchidanand Sinha as interim president, the election of Dr. Rajendra Prasad as permanent president, and the passing of the Objectives Resolution in 1946 which established India as an independent sovereign republic. The assembly drew upon several foreign constitutions and domestic practices in developing India's governing framework, which came into force on January 26, 1950.

1. INDIAN CONSTITUTION

6. * The system of election introduced by the Act provided for
separate representation for Muslim Community.
* Only Muslims should vote for candidates for Muslim
seats (separate electorates)

7. ▪ The Secretary of State for India was empowered to increase the number of
the Executive Councils of Madras and Bombay from two to four.
▪ Two Indians were nominated to the Council of the Secretary of State for
Indian Affairs.

8. ➢The number of the members of the Legislative Council at the
center was increased from 16 to 60
The members of the Legislative Councils were permitted to discuss
the budgets, suggest the amendments and even to vote on them;
excluding those items that were included as non-vote items. They
were also entitled to ask supplementary questions during the
legislative proceedings.

11. It separates the subjects of administration into two categories: Central
and Provincial. The subjects which were brought under the category
‘Central’ were subjects of all India importance. The matters relating to
the administration of ‘provinces’ were classified as ‘provincial’.
This was actually a relation of control over provinces, even in legislative
and financial matters.

12. • The idea of a Constituent Assembly to frame the Constitution
of India was first mooted by the Communist leader MN Roy.

13. ❑ The Indian National Congress (INC) demanded a
Constituent Assembly for the first time in 1935.

14. The British Government accepted the demand in its
“August Offer” in 1940.

15. • In 1940, the coalition government in Britain recognized this demand.
• In 1942, they sent Sir Stafford Cripps to
India with a draft declaration of proposals (Cripps proposals).
• But parties including Muslim league didn’t accept it

17. THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY OF INDIA:
• The first meeting of the Constituent Assembly was convened on December 9, 1946
with Sachchidanand Sinha as the Interim President. He was the oldest
member of the assembly.

18. On December 11 , 1946, Dr Rajendra
Prasad was elected as Permanent
President of the Constitution Assembly.
The Muslim League boycotted the meeting
and insisted on a separate state of
Pakistan.

19. ❖ Members of the constituent assembly were chosen by indirect
election by the members of the Provincial LegislativeAssemblies.
❖ The total membership of the Assembly was 389.
The arrangement was
(i) 292 members were
elected through the Provincial Legislative Assemblies;
(ii) 93
members represented the Indian Princely States;
(iii) 4
members represented the Chief Commissioners Provinces.
After the partition the membership of the Assembly was reduced to
299

20. OnDecember 13, 1946, Jawaharlal Nehru moved the
historic ‘Objectives Resolution’ in the Assembly. It
pledged to make India an independent sovereign union
of states.
The Resolution was unanimously adopted by the
Constituent Assembly on 22 January 1947.

21. The Constituent Assembly took 2 years, 11 months and 18 days to
frame the Constitution.
Originally, the Constitution had 22 parts, 395 articles and 8
schedules. Presently, it consists of 450 articles
(divided into 24 parts) and 12 schedules.
❑ The Constitution of India was adopted on 26 November, 1949
The Constitution of India came into force on 26 January,
1950.
On that day, the Assembly ceased to exist, transforming
itself into the Provisional Parliament of India until a new
Parliament was constituted in 1952.

22. • Government of India Act of 1935 – Federal Scheme,
Office of Governor, Judiciary, Public Service
Commission, Emergency provisions and
administrative details.
• British Constitution – Parliamentary System, Rule of law,
Lagislative Procedure, Single Citizenship, Cabinet System,
Prerogative Writs, Parliamentary Privileges and
Bicameralism.

23. Irish Constitution– Directive Principles of State Policy, nomination of
members of Rajya Sabha and method of election of president
Canadian Constitution– Federation with a strong Centre, vesting of
residuary power in the centre, appointment of state Governor by the centre
and advisory jurisdiction of Supreme Court.
Australian Constitution– Concurrent list, joint sitting of two houses of
Parliament.
Constitution of Germany– Suspension of fundamental rights during
emergency.
French Constitution– Republic and ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity
in the Preamble.
South African Constitution- Procedure for amendment of the constitution
and election of members of Rajya Sabha.