Constitution of India · GK
Constitution Facts
The dates, people, sources and numbers most often asked in UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways and State PSC exams.
By the numbers
- Originally (1950): 395 articles in 22 Parts and 8 Schedules.
- Today (as on 1 May 2024): 468 articles in force — still numbered up to 395, with later ones added as 21A, 243ZH, 371J and so on — in 25 Parts and 12 Schedules.
- Amended 106 times; the first amendment came in 1951.
- The longest written constitution of any sovereign country.
- The Constituent Assembly held 11 sessions over 165 days of sittings.
Timeline
9 December 1946
First meeting of the Constituent Assembly; Dr Sachchidananda Sinha was the temporary President.
11 December 1946
Dr Rajendra Prasad elected President of the Constituent Assembly.
13 December 1946
Jawaharlal Nehru moved the Objectives Resolution (adopted on 22 January 1947), the basis of the Preamble.
29 August 1947
Drafting Committee set up, with Dr B. R. Ambedkar as Chairman.
26 November 1949
Constitution adopted by the Constituent Assembly — celebrated as Constitution Day (Samvidhan Divas) since 2015.
24 January 1950
Members of the Constituent Assembly signed the Constitution; Dr Rajendra Prasad was elected the first President of India.
26 January 1950
Constitution came into force — Republic Day. The date marks the 1930 Purna Swaraj declaration.
Drafting Committee (7 members)
- Dr B. R. Ambedkar (Chairman)
- N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar
- Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar
- Dr K. M. Munshi
- Syed Mohammad Saadullah
- N. Madhava Rau (in place of B. L. Mitter)
- T. T. Krishnamachari (in place of D. P. Khaitan, who died in 1948)
Sources: features borrowed from other constitutions
| Government of India Act, 1935 | Federal scheme, office of Governor, judiciary, Public Service Commissions, emergency provisions and administrative details |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Parliamentary government, rule of law, legislative procedure, single citizenship, cabinet system, writs, bicameralism |
| United States | Fundamental Rights, independence of judiciary, judicial review, impeachment of the President, removal of judges, Vice-President |
| Ireland | Directive Principles of State Policy, nomination of members to the Rajya Sabha, method of election of the President |
| Canada | Federation with a strong Centre, residuary powers with the Centre, appointment of Governors by the Centre, advisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court |
| Australia | Concurrent List, freedom of trade and commerce, joint sitting of the two Houses |
| Germany (Weimar) | Suspension of Fundamental Rights during an emergency |
| Soviet Union (USSR) | Fundamental Duties, ideal of justice (social, economic and political) in the Preamble |
| France | Republic, and the ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity in the Preamble |
| South Africa | Procedure for amending the Constitution, election of members of the Rajya Sabha |
| Japan | Procedure established by law |
Frequently asked questions
- Who is known as the father of the Indian Constitution?
- Dr B. R. Ambedkar, Chairman of the Drafting Committee.
- How long did it take to make the Constitution of India?
- About 2 years, 11 months and 18 days (9 December 1946 to 26 November 1949).
- Who wrote the original Constitution by hand?
- Prem Behari Narain Raizada wrote it in calligraphy; the pages were decorated by artists of Santiniketan led by Nandalal Bose.
- Who was the Constitutional Adviser to the Constituent Assembly?
- Sir B. N. Rau.
Read next: the Preamble · Fundamental Rights · Article 368 (amendment)