Question

Assess the contribution made by the Constituent Assembly to form the Indian Constitution.

Answer 1

Hint: The process of evolution of the Indian Constitution started several decades ago during the struggle for independence but it was drafted and adopted post-independence. People had realised that to ensure responsible self-governance in place of colonial rule, there was a need to adopt and enact a written constitution that would serve as the highest law of the land and uphold the democratic spirit of the nation. Under the Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946, the elections to the Constituent Assembly were held in August 1946. A total of 292 members were to be elected through the Provincial Legislative Assemblies, 93 members were to represent the Indian Princely States and 4 members were to represent the Chief Commissioners' Provinces.

Complete step by step solution:
When the Constituent Assembly first met in December 1946, Dr Rajendra Prasad was elected as its president and H.C Mukherjee was elected as the Vice President. The Assembly was significant because of the extraordinary sense of unity of purpose among the members. There were lengthy and frank discussions on provisions of the future constitution followed by sincere attempts to compromise and reach consensus. The Drafting Committee was formally constituted after independence, which was then tasked with drafting the Constitution of free India. Dr B.R Ambedkar was elected the Chairman of the Drafting Committee. The Draft Constitution was submitted to the President of the Assembly by February of 1948 for amendments. The Constitution was then put before the public for eight months for recommendations. The clause by clause consideration of the Draft Constitution was completed by October of 1949 and after the amendments, it was put before the Assembly to be adopted and was adopted by the Assembly on Nov 26, 1949.

Note: After Independence was achieved on Aug 15, 1947, the Constituent Assembly became a sovereign body and doubled as the legislature of the new state until the Parliament was constituted in 1951 via Lok Sabha Elections.