Adoption and Enactment of the Constitution (26 November 1949)
Indian Polity › Historical Background · Topic 1.14
The Constituent Assembly passed the Constitution of India in three readings. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar introduced the final draft on 4 November 1948, and the Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 with a Preamble, 395 Articles in 22 Parts and 8 Schedules.
6 min read · UPSC Prelims · Polity · Making of the Constitution
At a Glance
- What it is The final stages in which the Constituent Assembly passed the Constitution of India
- Final draft introduced 4 November 1948, by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
- Adopted 26 November 1949
- Original size A Preamble, 395 Articles (in 22 Parts) and 8 Schedules
- Members who signed 284 of the 299 members
- Constitution Day 26 November, celebrated every year since a decision of 19 November 2015
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Polity: Making of the Constitution
Where Does It Fit?
The Drafting Committee had prepared the draft Constitution, and the Constituent Assembly now had to debate it and pass it. This topic covers the three readings and the date of adoption. The date on which the Constitution came into force is covered in the next topic.
How Was the Constitution Enacted?
First reading
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar introduced the final draft of the Constitution in the Assembly on 4 November 1948. The Assembly had a general discussion on it for five days, until 9 November 1948.
Second reading
The second reading, the clause-by-clause consideration, started on 15 November 1948 and ended on 17 October 1949. During this stage, as many as 7,653 amendments were proposed and 2,473 were actually discussed in the Assembly.
Third reading
The third reading began on 14 November 1949. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar moved the motion that “the Constitution as settled by the Assembly be passed”. The motion on the Draft Constitution was declared passed on 26 November 1949, and the Constitution received the signatures of the members and the president. Of the total of 299 members of the Assembly, only 284 were present that day and signed.
Timeline
- 29 August 1947 The Drafting Committee is set up
- February 1948 The first draft is published
- October 1948 The second draft is published
- 4 November 1948 The final draft is introduced; the first reading begins
- 15 November 1948 to 17 October 1949 The second reading, clause by clause
- 14 to 26 November 1949 The third reading; the Constitution is passed on 26 November
- 24 January 1950 The Assembly meets again, and the members sign the Constitution
What Did the Constitution Contain When It Was Adopted?
The Constitution as adopted on 26 November 1949 contained a Preamble, 395 Articles (divided into 22 Parts) and 8 Schedules. The Preamble was enacted after the entire Constitution had already been enacted. The date, 26 November 1949, is the date mentioned in the Preamble as the date on which the people of India, in the Constituent Assembly, adopted, enacted and gave to themselves this Constitution.
Who Piloted the Constitution?
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the Law Minister at the time, piloted the Draft Constitution in the Assembly. He took a very prominent part in its deliberations, and he was known for his logical, forceful and persuasive arguments on the floor. He is recognised as the Father of the Constitution of India, and he is also known as the chief architect of the Constitution of India. A brilliant writer and constitutional expert, he was the undisputed leader of the Scheduled Castes.
What Is Constitution Day?
On 19 November 2015, the Government of India decided to celebrate 26 November of every year as Constitution Day (Samvidhan Divas), to promote constitutional values among citizens.
Who Made the Original Copy?
- The original Constitution was handwritten by Prem Behari Narain Raizada, the calligrapher, in a flowing italic style.
- It was beautified and decorated by artists from Shantiniketan, including Nand Lal Bose and Beohar Rammanohar Sinha.
- Beohar Rammanohar Sinha illuminated, beautified and ornamented the original Preamble that Raizada had written out.
- The Hindi version of the original Constitution was calligraphed by Vasant Krishan Vaidya, and elegantly decorated and illuminated by Nand Lal Bose.
- The elephant was adopted as the symbol (seal) of the Constituent Assembly.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- The process: The Constitution was passed after three readings, a long clause-by-clause stage and a large number of amendments.
- The date of adoption: 26 November 1949 is the date mentioned in the Preamble, and it is celebrated as Constitution Day.
- The original form: It had a Preamble, 395 Articles in 22 Parts and 8 Schedules, with the Preamble enacted last.
How Do the Three Readings Compare?
| Reading | Period | What happened |
|---|---|---|
| First | 4 to 9 November 1948 | Ambedkar introduced the final draft; five days of general discussion |
| Second | 15 November 1948 to 17 October 1949 | Clause-by-clause consideration; 7,653 amendments proposed, 2,473 discussed |
| Third | 14 to 26 November 1949 | Ambedkar moved that the Constitution be passed; declared passed on 26 November 1949 |
What Came Next?
Some provisions came into force on 26 November 1949 itself, and the major part came into force on 26 January 1950. The Assembly held its final session on 24 January 1950, and it continued as the provisional parliament. This is covered in the next topic.
Key People and Terms
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Piloted the Draft Constitution; the Father of the Constitution of India
- First, second and third reading The three stages through which the draft was passed
- Samvidhan Divas Constitution Day, 26 November
- Prem Behari Narain Raizada The calligrapher of the original Constitution
- Nand Lal Bose and Beohar Rammanohar Sinha Shantiniketan artists who decorated the original
- Vasant Krishan Vaidya The calligrapher of the Hindi version
- Elephant The symbol (seal) of the Constituent Assembly
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Final draft introduced on 4 November 1948; general discussion for five days, till 9 November.
- Second reading: 15 November 1948 to 17 October 1949; 7,653 amendments proposed, 2,473 discussed.
- Third reading began on 14 November 1949; the motion was passed on 26 November 1949.
- Present and signing on that day: 284 of 299 members.
- As adopted: a Preamble, 395 Articles in 22 Parts and 8 Schedules; the Preamble was enacted last.
- Ambedkar is the Father of the Constitution; Constitution Day is 26 November (decided on 19 November 2015).
- The calligrapher was Prem Behari Narain Raizada.
Do Not Confuse With
- Adoption and commencement: the Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into force, in the main, on 26 January 1950.
- Constitution Day and Republic Day: 26 November is Constitution Day. 26 January is Republic Day.
- The 4 November and 26 November dates: 4 November 1948 was when the final draft was introduced. 26 November 1949 was when it was passed.
Memory Hook
The three readings: 4 November 1948, then 15 November 1948 to 17 October 1949, then 14 to 26 November 1949.
Mains Angle
The enactment shows how much debate lay behind the Constitution. Use these points to add depth.
- A slow, line-by-line process: The clause-by-clause second reading ran for about eleven months, with 7,653 amendments proposed and 2,473 discussed.
- The role of Ambedkar: As Law Minister he piloted the draft and moved the motion for passing it. He is known as the Father and chief architect of the Constitution.
- The date in the Preamble: The Preamble records 26 November 1949 as the day the people of India, in the Constituent Assembly, adopted, enacted and gave themselves the Constitution. The Preamble was enacted after the rest.
- Not all members signed on the day: Of the 299 members, 284 were present on 26 November 1949 and signed, and the Assembly met again on 24 January 1950, when the members signed.
- The Constitution as an artwork: The original was handwritten in italic by Prem Behari Narain Raizada, and decorated by artists from Shantiniketan.
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Describe the stages through which the Constitution of India was enacted by the Constituent Assembly.”
How to Answer
- Introduction: The Drafting Committee prepared the draft, and the Assembly passed it in three readings.
- First reading: Ambedkar introduced the final draft on 4 November 1948, followed by five days of general discussion.
- Second reading: Clause-by-clause consideration from 15 November 1948 to 17 October 1949, with 7,653 amendments proposed and 2,473 discussed.
- Third reading and passing: From 14 November 1949, ending with the passing on 26 November 1949, signed by 284 of the 299 members. The Constitution had a Preamble, 395 Articles and 8 Schedules.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Constitution of India adopted?
The Constitution of India was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949. This is the date mentioned in the Preamble as the date on which the people of India adopted, enacted and gave to themselves the Constitution.
How many readings did the Draft Constitution have?
The Draft Constitution had three readings. The first began on 4 November 1948, the second ran from 15 November 1948 to 17 October 1949, and the third began on 14 November 1949 and ended with the passing of the Constitution on 26 November 1949.
How many amendments were proposed to the Draft Constitution?
During the second reading, as many as 7,653 amendments to the Draft Constitution were proposed, and 2,473 of them were actually discussed in the Constituent Assembly. The second reading was the clause-by-clause consideration of the draft.
How many members signed the Constitution on 26 November 1949?
Of the total of 299 members of the Constituent Assembly, only 284 were present on 26 November 1949, and they signed the Constitution. The Assembly met once again on 24 January 1950, when the members appended their signatures.
What did the Constitution contain when it was adopted?
The Constitution as adopted on 26 November 1949 contained a Preamble, 395 Articles divided into 22 Parts, and 8 Schedules. The Preamble was enacted after the entire Constitution had already been enacted by the Assembly.
Who is called the Father of the Constitution of India?
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar is recognised as the Father of the Constitution of India, and is also known as its chief architect. As Law Minister he piloted the Draft Constitution in the Assembly and moved the motion that it be passed.
What is Constitution Day?
Constitution Day, or Samvidhan Divas, is celebrated on 26 November every year. The Government of India decided on 19 November 2015 to celebrate it, to promote constitutional values among citizens, because the Constitution was adopted on that date in 1949.
Who wrote the original Constitution and who decorated it?
The original Constitution was handwritten in a flowing italic style by the calligrapher Prem Behari Narain Raizada. Artists from Shantiniketan, including Nand Lal Bose and Beohar Rammanohar Sinha, decorated it, and the Hindi version was calligraphed by Vasant Krishan Vaidya.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 The Constitution of India was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949.
This is the date mentioned in the Preamble as the date of adoption, enactment and self-giving of the Constitution.
2 Dr. B.R. Ambedkar introduced the final draft of the Constitution in the Assembly on 4 November 1948.
This was the first reading, followed by five days of general discussion.
3 The Constitution as adopted on 26 November 1949 contained 395 Articles and 12 Schedules.
It contained a Preamble, 395 Articles (in 22 Parts) and 8 Schedules.
4 The Preamble was enacted before the rest of the Constitution.
The Preamble was enacted after the entire Constitution was already enacted.
5 The original Constitution was handwritten in italic style by Prem Behari Narain Raizada.
The original was decorated by artists from Shantiniketan, including Nand Lal Bose.
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