Constituent Assembly of India Elections

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What was the original strength of the Constituent Assembly fixed in 1946 under the Cabinet Mission Plan?

389 (correct)

299

296

What was the total expenditure incurred on making the Constitution of India?

₹64 lakh (correct)

₹40 lakh

₹100 lakh

₹80 lakh

How many sessions did the Constituent Assembly have over two years, 11 months, and 18 days?

11 (correct)

Who was elected as the first President of India by the Constituent Assembly?

Dr. Rajendra Prasad Signup and view all the answers

When did the Constituent Assembly adopt the national flag of India?

July 22, 1947 Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the committees appointed by the Constituent Assembly?

To deal with different tasks of constitution-making Signup and view all the answers

When did the Constituent Assembly hold its final session?

January 24, 1950 Signup and view all the answers

Who was the chairman of the Union Powers Committee of the Constituent Assembly?

Jawaharlal Nehru Signup and view all the answers

How were the members of the Constituent Assembly elected?

Indirectly by the members of the provincial assemblies Signup and view all the answers

Which party won the majority of seats in the Constituent Assembly?

Indian National Congress Signup and view all the answers

Why did the Muslim League boycott the Constituent Assembly?

Because they wanted a separate state of Pakistan Signup and view all the answers

Who was elected as the temporary President of the Constituent Assembly?

Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Objectives Resolution?

It laid down the fundamentals and philosophy of the constitutional structure Signup and view all the answers

Who moved the historic 'Objectives Resolution' in the Constituent Assembly?

Jawaharlal Nehru Signup and view all the answers

How many Vice-Presidents did the Constituent Assembly have?

Two Signup and view all the answers

When did the Constituent Assembly hold its first meeting?

December 9, 1946 Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the criticisms of the Constituent Assembly?

It was not a representative body Signup and view all the answers

Why was the Constituent Assembly not considered a sovereign body?

It was created by the proposals of the British Government Signup and view all the answers

How long did it take the framers of the American Constitution to complete their work?

Four months Signup and view all the answers

What was the nickname given to the Drafting Committee by Naziruddin Ahmed?

The Drifting Committee Signup and view all the answers

Who remarked that the Constituent Assembly was a one-party body in an essentially one-party country?

Granville Austin Signup and view all the answers

What was another criticism of the Constituent Assembly?

It was dominated by lawyers and politicians Signup and view all the answers

Who called the Constituent Assembly 'a body of Hindus'?

Lord Viscount Simon Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Constituent Assembly's work?

A bulky and complicated Constitution Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Constituent Assembly of India

The Constituent Assembly was indirectly elected by the members of the provincial assemblies, with a limited franchise, in July-August 1946.
The Indian National Congress won 208 seats, the Muslim League won 73 seats, and small groups and independents won 15 seats.
The Assembly comprised representatives of all sections of Indian society, including Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Parsis, Anglo-Indians, Indian Christians, SCs, STs, and women from these sections.
The Assembly included prominent personalities of India, except Mahatma Gandhi.

Working of the Constituent Assembly

The first meeting of the Constituent Assembly was held on December 9, 1946, but the Muslim League boycotted it, demanding a separate state of Pakistan.
Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha was elected as the temporary President, and later Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the President.
The Assembly had two Vice-Presidents, H.C. Mukherjee and V.T. Krishnamachari.
Jawaharlal Nehru moved the historic Objectives Resolution on December 13, 1946, which laid down the fundamentals and philosophy of the constitutional structure.

Criticisms of the Constituent Assembly

The Assembly was not directly elected by the people of India on the basis of universal adult franchise.
The Assembly was not a sovereign body, as it was created by the proposals of the British Government.
The Assembly took an unduly long time to make the Constitution.
The Assembly was dominated by the Congress party.
The Assembly was dominated by lawyers and politicians, with insufficient representation from other sections of society.
The Assembly was Hindu-dominated, according to some critics.

Important Facts

The Muslim League members withdrew from the Constituent Assembly, reducing the total strength from 389 to 299.
The Assembly performed functions beyond making the Constitution, including ratifying India's membership of the Commonwealth, adopting the national flag, national anthem, and national song, and electing Dr. Rajendra Prasad as the first President of India.
The Constituent Assembly held 11 sessions over two years, 11 months, and 18 days, and incurred an expenditure of ₹64 lakh.
The Assembly continued as the provisional parliament of India from January 26, 1950, until the formation of the new Parliament in 1951-52.

Committees of the Constituent Assembly

The Constituent Assembly appointed eight major committees and several minor committees to deal with different tasks of constitution-making.
The major committees included the Union Powers Committee, chaired by Jawaharlal Nehru.