CUET UG Political Science: Indian Constitution - Making of the Constitution, Constituent Assembly, Sources

Must-Know

• The Constituent Assembly was established in December 1946 based on the Cabinet Mission Plan of 16 May 1946.
• The total strength of the Constituent Assembly was 389 members: 296 from British India and 93 from princely states (verify from NCERT).
• Members were elected by the provincial assemblies through proportional representation.
• The first meeting of the Constituent Assembly was held on 9 December 1946 in New Delhi.
• Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha was the temporary president of the first session of the Constituent Assembly.
• Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the permanent President of the Constituent Assembly on 11 December 1946.
• The Objective Resolution was moved by Jawaharlal Nehru on 13 December 1946 and adopted on 22 January 1947.
• The Drafting Committee was formed on 29 August 1947, with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as its Chairman.
• The Constitution was drafted over 166 days of plenary sessions spread across 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days.
• The Indian Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950.
• 26 January was chosen as the commencement day to honor the 1929 Poorna Swaraj declaration by the Indian National Congress.
• The Constitution of India was signed by 284 members of the Constituent Assembly on 24 January 1950.
• The Preamble to the Indian Constitution is based on the "Objectives Resolution" moved by Nehru.
• The Constituent Assembly functioned through several committees, including the Union Powers Committee (Chairman: Nehru), Union Constitution Committee (Chairman: Nehru), and States Committee (Chairman: Nehru).
• The Indian Constitution borrowed the idea of the Concurrent List from the Government of India Act, 1935.
• The concept of "Procedure established by Law" in Article 21 was taken from the Japanese Constitution.
• The idea of Directive Principles of State Policy was borrowed from the Irish Constitution (Constitution of Ireland, 1937).
• The concept of Fundamental Rights was influenced by the United States Constitution.
• The idea of a quasi-federal structure with a strong centre was derived from the Canadian Constitution.
• The concept of emergency provisions (Article 352) was borrowed from the Weimar Constitution of Germany.

Difficulty Level

Intermediate — Requires memorization of dates, names, and sources, but concepts are straightforward and fact-based.

Common CUET Traps

• Trap: Believing the Constituent Assembly was directly elected by the people. Avoid: Members were elected indirectly by provincial assemblies.
• Trap: Confusing adoption date (26 November 1949) with enforcement date (26 January 1950). Avoid: Adoption and enforcement are two separate events.
• Trap: Assuming the Constitution was fully original; many provisions were borrowed. Avoid: Know specific borrowings (e.g., DPSP from Ireland, FR from USA).

Practice MCQs

1. Question: On which date was the Indian Constitution adopted by the Constituent Assembly?
   A) 15 August 1947
   B) 26 January 1950
   C) 26 November 1949
   D) 24 January 1950
   Answer: C
   Explanation: The Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949.
   Why others fail: Option B is when it came into force, a common mix-up.

2. Question: Who was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly?
   A) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
   B) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
   C) Jawaharlal Nehru
   D) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
   Answer: B
   Explanation: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee.
   Why others fail: Rajendra Prasad was President of the Assembly, often confused with Ambedkar.

3. Question: The idea of Directive Principles of State Policy in the Indian Constitution was borrowed from which country?
   A) United States
   B) Ireland
   C) Canada
   D) Germany
   Answer: B
   Explanation: The DPSP was inspired by the Irish Constitution.
   Why others fail: Many associate DPSP with socialist countries, but origin is Ireland.

4. Question: Which of the following correctly states the total number of members in the Constituent Assembly at its inception?
   A) 296
   B) 389
   C) 378
   D) 292
   Answer: B
   Explanation: The total strength was 389, including members from princely states and British India.
   Why others fail: 296 refers only to members from British India provinces.

5. Question: The Objective Resolution, which laid down the fundamentals of the Constitution, was moved by:
   A) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
   B) Sardar Patel
   C) Jawaharlal Nehru
   D) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
   Answer: C
   Explanation: Nehru moved the Objective Resolution on 13 December 1946.
   Why others fail: Prasad was President, but Nehru introduced the foundational resolution.

Last-Minute Revision

• Constituent Assembly formed: December 1946 (not 1947).
• First meeting: 9 December 1946.
• Temporary President: Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha.
• Permanent President: Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
• Drafting Committee formed: 29 August 1947.
• Drafting Committee Chairman: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
• Constitution adopted: 26 November 1949.
• Constitution enforced: 26 January 1950.
• Signed by: 284 members on 24 January 1950.
• Objective Resolution moved by: Nehru (13 Dec 1946).
• Borrowed DPSP from: Ireland.
• Borrowed Fundamental Rights from: USA.
• Concurrent List source: Government of India Act, 1935.
• Emergency provisions inspired by: Weimar Constitution (Germany).
• Quasi-federal structure from: Canada.
• "Procedure established by Law" from: Japan.
• Total members: 389 (verify from NCERT).
• Members elected by: Provincial assemblies (not direct election).
• Poorna Swaraj declared: 26 January 1930-chosen for enforcement.
• Preamble derived from: Objective Resolution.