Indian Polity — History of Constituent Assembly

Figure 1: The Constituent Assembly of India was formed to draft the Constitution and is a crucial topic for UPSC preparation.

1. History of Constituent Assembly

Date / Year	Event
1934	M.N. Roy first proposed the idea of a Constituent Assembly.
1935	Indian National Congress first demanded a Constituent Assembly to frame the Constitution of India.
1938	Jawaharlal Nehru declared that the Constitution of free India must be framed without outside interference. It has to be done by a Constituent Assembly elected based on Adult Franchise.
1940	First time in principle, the demand for a Constituent Assembly was accepted by the British in the August Offer of 1940.
1942	Sir Stafford Cripps came to India with a draft proposal to frame an independent Constitution. This was rejected by the Muslim League.
1946	The Cabinet Mission was sent to India, which rejected the idea of two Constituent Assemblies. Hence, Elections were held as per the Cabinet Mission Plan to establish the Constituent Assembly. Jawaharlal Nehru moved the 'Objective Resolution'.
22 July 1947	The National Flag of the Union was adopted.
May 1949	Ratified India's membership of the Commonwealth.
26 November 1949	The Constitution was adopted by the assembly.
24 January 1950	'Jana Gana Mana' was adopted as the National Anthem. Adopted the National Song. Elected Dr. Rajendra Prasad as the first President of India.
26 January 1950	The Constitution came into force.

KNOWLEDGE NUGGET

M.N. Roy first proposed the idea of a Constituent Assembly in 1934.
INC first demanded a Constituent Assembly in 1935.
August Offer (1940): British accepted the demand in principle.
Cripps Mission (1942): Rejected by Muslim League.
Cabinet Mission (1946): Rejected two Constituent Assemblies; elections held.
Objective Resolution moved by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1946.
National Flag adopted on 22 July 1947.
Constitution adopted: 26 November 1949
Constitution came into force: 26 January 1950

Committee	Chairperson
Rules of Procedure Committee, Steering Committee, Finance and Staff Committee, Ad hoc Flag Committee	Rajendra Prasad
Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Minorities, Tribal Areas, and Excluded Areas	Sardar Patel
Provincial Constitution Committee	Sardar Patel
Union Powers Committee, Union Constitution Committee, States Committee (For negotiating with States)	Jawaharlal Nehru
Fundamental Rights Sub-Committee	JB Kripalani
Minorities Sub-Committee	HC Mukherjee
North-East Frontier Tribal Areas and Assam Excluded and Partially Excluded Areas Sub-Committee	Gopinath Bardoloi
House Committee	B. Pattabhi Sitaramayya
Drafting Committee	Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
Committee on Chief Commissioner's Provinces	B. Pattabhi Sitaramayya
Credentials Committee	Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar
Order of Business Committee	K. M. Munshi
Committee on Functions of Constituent Assembly	G. V. Mavlankar

KEY COMMITTEES

📝 UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR FOCUS

Aspect	Details
First Proposal	M.N. Roy (1934)
First Demand by INC	1935
British Acceptance	August Offer, 1940
Elections Held Under	Cabinet Mission Plan (1946)
Objective Resolution	Jawaharlal Nehru (1946)
National Flag Adopted	22 July 1947
Constitution Adopted	26 November 1949
National Anthem Adopted	24 January 1950
First President Elected	Dr. Rajendra Prasad (24 Jan 1950)
Constitution Came into Force	26 January 1950
Drafting Committee Chairman	Dr. B. R. Ambedkar

Key Takeaways for UPSC

M.N. Roy (1934): First proposed the idea of Constituent Assembly.
INC Demand (1935): First demanded a Constituent Assembly.
August Offer (1940): British accepted the demand in principle.
Cripps Mission (1942): Rejected by Muslim League.
Cabinet Mission (1946): Rejected two Constituent Assemblies; elections held.
Objective Resolution: Moved by Nehru in 1946.
National Flag: Adopted on 22 July 1947.
Constitution Adopted: 26 November 1949.
National Anthem: 'Jana Gana Mana' — adopted 24 Jan 1950.
First President: Dr. Rajendra Prasad — elected 24 Jan 1950.
Constitution Came into Force: 26 January 1950.
Drafting Committee Chairman: Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.

High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (History of Constituent Assembly)

Q1. Who first proposed the idea of a Constituent Assembly in 1934?

Correct Answer: C. M.N. Roy first proposed the idea of a Constituent Assembly in 1934.

Q2. In which year did the Indian National Congress first demand a Constituent Assembly?

Correct Answer: B. The Indian National Congress first demanded a Constituent Assembly in 1935 to frame the Constitution of India.

Q3. The August Offer of 1940 accepted the demand for a Constituent Assembly:

Correct Answer: B. The British accepted the demand for a Constituent Assembly in principle through the August Offer of 1940.

Q4. Who moved the 'Objective Resolution' in the Constituent Assembly?

Correct Answer: B. Jawaharlal Nehru moved the 'Objective Resolution' in the Constituent Assembly in 1946.

Q5. The National Flag of the Union was adopted on:

Correct Answer: C. The National Flag of the Union was adopted on 22 July 1947.

Q6. The Constitution of India was adopted on:

Correct Answer: B. The Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949.

Q7. 'Jana Gana Mana' was adopted as the National Anthem on:

Correct Answer: B. 'Jana Gana Mana' was adopted as the National Anthem on 24 January 1950.

Q8. Who was elected as the first President of India?

Correct Answer: B. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the first President of India on 24 January 1950.

Q9. Who was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee?

Correct Answer: C. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee.

Q10. The Cripps Mission proposal was rejected by:

Correct Answer: B. The Cripps Mission proposal (1942) was rejected by the Muslim League.