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The Indian Constitution was not created in a vacuum. It evolved over centuries of British rule. Understanding the acts passed by the British is crucial as they laid the foundation for the administrative and legislative framework of modern India.
Year Act / Regulating Document Key Features / Significance
1773 Regulating Act
  • First step by the British Crown to control the East India Company
  • Governor of Bengal designated as Governor-General of Bengal (Warren Hastings)
  • Established Supreme Court at Calcutta
1784 Pitt's India Act
  • Separated commercial and political functions of the Company
  • Introduced Dual Government
  • Board of Control and Court of Directors created
1858 Government of India Act
  • Passed after Revolt of 1857
  • Abolished East India Company
  • Power transferred to British Crown
  • Governor-General became Viceroy
1861 Indian Councils Act
  • Introduced Portfolio System
  • Associated Indians with legislative process
1892 Indian Councils Act
  • Increased members in legislative councils
  • Introduced indirect election
1909 Indian Councils Act (Morley-Minto Reforms)
  • Introduced Separate Electorates for Muslims
  • Increased size of legislative councils
1919 Government of India Act (Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms)
  • Introduced Dyarchy in Provinces
  • Separated Central and Provincial subjects
  • Introduced Federal Structure concept
1935 Government of India Act
  • Foundation Stone of Indian Constitution
  • Proposed All India Federation
  • Introduced Provincial Autonomy
  • Established Federal Court (1937)
  • Provided Bicameralism at Centre
Key Point: Most administrative features of the present Constitution such as Federal System, Judiciary, and Governor’s role are borrowed from the Government of India Act, 1935 (with modifications).
  • 1934: The idea of a Constituent Assembly for India was first put forward by M.N. Roy, a pioneer of the communist movement in India.
  • 1935: The Indian National Congress (INC) officially demanded a Constituent Assembly to frame the Constitution of India.
  • 1940: The August Offer acknowledged that the framing of the Constitution should be done by Indians.
  • 1946: The Cabinet Mission Plan accepted the demand and laid down the mechanism for the election of the Constituent Assembly.
Exam Point: M.N. Roy first proposed the idea of a Constituent Assembly in 1934.

A. Composition

  • Election: Members were elected indirectly by the members of the Provincial Legislative Assemblies.
  • System (Cabinet Mission Plan):
    • Total Strength: 389 members
    • British Indian Provinces: 292 members
    • Princely States: 93 members
  • Separate Electorates: Seats were allocated to Muslims, Sikhs, and General categories based on population.

B. Nature of the Assembly

  • Not a Sovereign Body: Initially functioned under British limitations. Became sovereign after the Indian Independence Act, 1947.
  • Not Fully Representative: Elected by limited franchise. Muslim League initially boycotted the Assembly.
  • Congress-Dominated Body: Dominated by leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallabhbhai Patel, and Rajendra Prasad, along with eminent members like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, K.M. Munshi, and Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar.

C. Major Committees and Their Chairmen

Committee Chairman
Union Powers Committee Jawaharlal Nehru
Union Constitution Committee Jawaharlal Nehru
Provincial Constitution Committee Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights and Minorities Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Rules of Procedure Committee Dr. Rajendra Prasad
States Committee (Princely States) Jawaharlal Nehru
Steering Committee Dr. Rajendra Prasad
Drafting Committee Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
  • Appointed on: August 29, 1947.
  • Objective: To scrutinize the draft of the Constitution prepared by the Constitutional Advisor, Sir B.N. Rau.

Composition of the Drafting Committee (7 Members)

  • Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (Chairman)
  • N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar
  • Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar
  • K.M. Munshi
  • Sir Syed Mohammad Saadulla
  • N. Madhava Rau (replaced B.L. Mitter)
  • T.T. Krishnamachari (replaced D.P. Khaitan after his death)

Significance and Role

  • Total Sessions / Time Taken: The Constituent Assembly took 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days to frame the Constitution.
  • Total Expenditure: Approximately ₹6.4 crore.
  • Dr. Ambedkar's Role: He acted as the pilot of the Constitution and defended it clause by clause in the Assembly. Due to his legal expertise and deep understanding of global constitutions, he is known as the "Chief Architect of the Indian Constitution" or "Father of the Indian Constitution".
  • Granville Austin's Observation: He described the Constitution as a "cooperative effort" reflecting remarkable consensus, and called it a "seamless web" where provisions are interconnected.
Key Fact: The original Constitution of India was handwritten by Prem Behari Narain Raizada in italic calligraphy. It was photolithographed by the Survey of India, Dehradun. Each page was artistically decorated by Shantiniketan artists including Nandalal Bose and Beohar Rammanohar Sinha.
  • Evolution: 1773 (Regulating Act) → 1935 (Government of India Act) — Foundation of the Indian Constitution.
  • Demand: First proposed by M.N. Roy (1934); officially demanded by INC (1935).
  • Formation: Constituent Assembly formed under the Cabinet Mission Plan (1946).
  • First Meeting: December 9, 1946 — Dr. Sachidanand Sinha served as Temporary President.
  • Permanent President: Dr. Rajendra Prasad (elected December 11, 1946).
  • Drafting Committee Chairman: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (appointed August 29, 1947).
  • Adoption of Constitution: November 26, 1949 — Celebrated as Constitution Day (Law Day).
  • Enforcement of Constitution: January 26, 1950 — Celebrated as Republic Day.