General Awareness Indian polity |Questions & Answers | Notes

General Awareness Indian polity |Questions & Answers | Notes

Constituent Assembly

• According to the recommendations  of the Cabinet Mission in 1946, the Constituent Assembly was elected indirectly by the Provincial Assemblies in July 1946.
• Constituent Assembly had 389 members  including 93 representatives of the Princely states.
• Congress has 211 members and  the Muslim League had 73 members.
• On  11th December 1946, the Assembly elected Dr. Rajendra Prasad as its President.
• After partition, the Constituent Assembly was left with only 299  members.
• On 29th  August, 1947 it appointed a Drafting Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
• Other members of the Drafting Committee were N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar, Alladikrishan Swami Ayyar, K.M. Munshi, Sayyid Md. Saadulla, N. Madhava Rao  and D.P. Khaitan.
• Constitution was published in Feb. 1948  and received President’s signature on 26 Nov. 1949 and was declared as passed
• Constitution  was officially implemented on 26th January 1950 (dated of commencement).

The Preamble

The  Preamble as amended in 1976 reads
We the  people of India having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic, and. to secure to all its citizens. Justice social, economic  and political. “Liberty of thought expression, belief, faith and Worship; Equality of status and of opportunity; and  to promote among them all. Fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual  and the Unity & integrity of the Nation. “In our Constituent Assembly this twenty sixth  day of November 1949 do hereby adopt, enact and give to ourselves this Constitution”.
Meaning and Words in the Preamble
• We the People  of India
It signifies that the constitution of India is ordinated
by the people  of India through their representatives assembled in a sovereign Constitution Assembly. Thus it declares that the ultimate sovereignty lies with the people of India.
• Sovereign
It means that the country is free or independent in its external and internal matters, there is no external subordination.
• Socialist
Inserted in the Preamble by the 42nd Amendment Act 1976 it intended to give a positive direction to the government in formulating its  policies. It  meant reducing in equality in society.
• Secular
It was inserted by the 42nd Amendment Act 12>76. It means
(i) there is no official religion of India
(ii) the State will not  favour  or promote  any particular region.
• Democratic
It envisages not only a  democratic form of government but also a democratic society. As  a form of government it envisages representative form of government.
• Republic
It implies that head of the Indian state shall neither be hereditary nor dictator. He shall be elected by the people directly or indirectly.
• Liberty
It means freedom of though, expression, belief, faith and worship.
• Equality
It means making all discrimination illegal by state.
• Fraternity
It means securing the dignity of the individual and unity and integrity of the nation

Presidents of India

Vice Presidents of India

Prime Ministers of India