Constituent Assembly of India – Indian Defence Exams Study Guide
📘 For Agniveer Navy (SSR, MR), Airforce Agniveer Vayu (Airman Group X & Y), Army (Agniveer Clerk, Technical, GD), Nursing Assistant, Territorial Army, RT JCO
📖 Study Material | Learning Resources | Indian Polity Notes
Written by Neeraj Anand | Published by Anand Technical Publishers
🔗 Read Full Notes on Anand Classes
📜 Introduction – Understanding the Constituent Assembly for Indian Defence Exams
The Constituent Assembly of India played a crucial role in framing the Constitution of India, which defines the legal and governance structure of the country. Understanding its formation, structure, and significance is essential for aspirants preparing for Agniveer Navy (SSR, MR), Airforce Agniveer Vayu (Group X & Y), Army (Agniveer Clerk, Technical, GD), Nursing Assistant, Territorial Army, and RT JCO exams.
Indian Polity is a key topic in General Knowledge (GK) for defence exams, and questions on the Constituent Assembly frequently appear in the written tests and interviews.
📌 Historical Background – Demand for the Constituent Assembly
1️⃣ First Proposal for a Constituent Assembly (1934)
✅ The idea of a Constituent Assembly was first mooted by M.N. Roy in 1934.
✅ M.N. Roy was a political thinker and revolutionary who proposed a constitution drafted by Indians instead of the British.
2️⃣ Demand by Indian National Congress (1935)
✅ The Indian National Congress (INC) officially demanded the formation of a Constituent Assembly in 1935.
3️⃣ August Offer (1940) – British Acceptance
✅ The British government accepted the demand in principle through the August Offer (1940).
4️⃣ Cabinet Mission Plan (1946) – Formation of the Constituent Assembly
✅ The Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946 led to the formation of the Constituent Assembly in November 1946 to frame the Indian Constitution.
🏛 Composition of the Constituent Assembly – Defence Exam Study Notes
📌 Total Members: 389
📌 After Partition (1947): Reduced to 299
| Members | Number of Seats |
|---|---|
| Elected Members (British India) | 296 |
| Nominated by Princely States | 93 |
✅ The elected members were indirectly elected by members of the Provincial Assemblies.
✅ The Muslim League boycotted the Constituent Assembly, demanding a separate nation (Pakistan).
📜 First Meeting of the Constituent Assembly – Key Developments
📌 First Meeting Held On: December 9, 1946
📌 Temporary President: Dr. Sachidanand Sinha (senior-most member of the Assembly)
📌 Permanent President: Dr. Rajendra Prasad
📌 Legal Advisor to the Assembly: Sir B.N. Rau
📌 On December 13, 1946, Jawaharlal Nehru moved the “Objective Resolution”, which later became the Preamble to the Constitution.
- This resolution laid the foundation for the drafting of the Indian Constitution.
📜 Drafting of the Indian Constitution for Indian Defence Exams
📌 First Draft Constitution Published: February 1948
📌 Prepared By: Sir B.N. Rau (Constitutional Advisor to the Constituent Assembly)
📌 Drafting Committee Formation: 29th August 1947
- The Drafting Committee was chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who is regarded as the Father of the Indian Constitution.
📌 Time Taken to Draft the Constitution:
- The Constituent Assembly worked for nearly 3 years:
- 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days
- It held 11 sessions covering a total of 165 days.
📜 Adoption & Implementation of the Indian Constitution
📌 Constitution Adopted: 26th November 1949
- The President of the Constituent Assembly signed the document, declaring the Constitution as passed.
📌 Final Session of the Constituent Assembly: 24th January 1950
- The Assembly continued to function as a Provisional Parliament from 26th January 1950 until May 1952, when the first elected Parliament of India was formed.
📌 Constitution Enforced (Republic Day): 26th January 1950
- India became a Sovereign, Democratic, and Republic Nation.
📌 Provisions Effective from 26th November 1949:
- Citizenship (Articles 5-9)
- Elections (Article 324)
- Provisional Parliament & Temporary Provisions (Articles 379-392)
🎯 FAQs – Indian Defence Exam Study Guide
Q1. Who first proposed the idea of a Constituent Assembly for India?
🔹 M.N. Roy in 1934.
Q2. When was the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly held?
🔹 December 9, 1946, with Dr. Sachidanand Sinha as the temporary President.
Q3. Who was the permanent President of the Constituent Assembly?
🔹 Dr. Rajendra Prasad, elected later.
Q4. When was the Constitution of India adopted and enforced?
🔹 Adopted on 26th November 1949, enforced on 26th January 1950.
Q5. Who was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee?
🔹 Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
📝 Practice Questions – Indian Defence Exams (Agniveer, Airforce, Army, Navy, TA)
1️⃣ Who officially demanded the formation of a Constituent Assembly in 1935?
a) Mahatma Gandhi
b) Jawaharlal Nehru
c) Indian National Congress (INC)
d) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
2️⃣ Which plan led to the formation of the Constituent Assembly in November 1946?
a) Cripps Mission
b) August Offer
c) Cabinet Mission Plan
d) Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms
3️⃣ Who was the first temporary President of the Constituent Assembly?
a) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
b) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
c) Sachidanand Sinha
d) Jawaharlal Nehru
4️⃣ Which document became the Preamble to the Indian Constitution?
a) Objectives Resolution
b) Government of India Act 1935
c) August Declaration
d) Cripps Mission Report
(Answer Key: 1-c, 2-c, 3-c, 4-a)
