Constitution: Formation, Committee

M. N Roy introduced the concept of a constituent assembly for India in 1934. In 1935, the Indian National Congress (INC) made its first demand for a constituent assembly, which the British government agreed to in 1940. However, the Cabinet Mission rejected the idea of two assemblies and proposed a more satisfactory scheme.

Constituent Assembly Composition and Functions

• Constituted in 1946 under the Cabinet Mission Plan, with a total strength of 389.
• Divided into three communities: Muslims, Sikhs, and general.
• Each community’s members elected representatives to the provincial legislature.
• The parliament was partially elected and partly nominated, with members chosen indirectly by provincial assemblies.
• The assembly comprised representatives from all sections of Indian society.

Working of the Constituent Assembly

• First meeting held on December 9, 1946.
• Rajendra Prasad was elected as President and Vice-Presidents on December 11, 1946.
• Jawaharlal Nehru moved the historic ‘Objectives Resolution’ in the Assembly on December 13, 1946.
• The resolution was adopted by the assembly on January 22, 1947, and forms the Preamble of the present constitution.

Indian Independence Act (1947)

• The Assembly became a fully sovereign body and a legislative body, becoming the first Parliament of free India.
• The Assembly was chaired by Dr. Rajendra Prasad and G.V. Mavlankar.

Other Functions performed by the Assembly

• Ratified India’s membership of the Commonwealth in May 1949.
• Adopted the national flag, anthem, song, and elected Dr. Rajendra Prasad as the first President of India on January 24, 1950.
• The Assembly had 11 sessions over two years, 11 months, and 18 days.

Major Committees

• Union Powers Committee – Jawaharlal Nehru.
• Union Constitution Committee – Jawaharlal Nehru.
• Provincial Constitution Committee – Sardar Patel.
• Drafting Committee – Dr. B.R Ambedkar.
• Advisory Committee on FR’S, Minorities and Tribal and Excluded areas.
• Rules of Procedure Committee – Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
• States Committee – J.L Nehru.
• Steering Committee – Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
• Drafting Committee set up on August 29, 1947.

Important Facts on Constituent Assembly

• Elephant symbol of constituent assembly.
• BN Rau as legal adviser.
• HVR Iyengar as secretary to constituent assembly.
• SN Mukherjee as chief draftsman.
• Prem Beharu as calligrapher.
• Vasant Krishan Vaidya as Hindi version calligrapher.