Who was the Provisional President of the Constituent Assembly before Dr. Rajendra Prasad took over?
Contents11
- AC. Rajagopalachari
- BDr. B.R. Ambedkar
- CT.T. Krishnamachari
- DDr. Sachchidananda Sinha
Show answer
Answer: (D) Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha
Correct Answer: (d) Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha.
The Constituent Assembly's first meeting was on 9 December 1946.
Following the French practice, the oldest member — Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha — was elected as the temporary (provisional) President.
Later, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the permanent President of the Assembly.
Easy way to remember:
- 'Sinha came first, then Prasad' — the oldest member presides temporarily until a permanent president is elected.
The Constituent Assembly followed French parliamentary practice where the oldest member serves as temporary president until a permanent president is elected.
This tests knowledge of the Assembly's procedural start on 9 December 1946, when Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha presided before Dr. Rajendra Prasad's formal election.
Constituent Assembly Formation
Modern Indian History Constituent Assembly 9 December 1946
Constituent Assembly Formation & First Meeting
First meeting on 9 December 1946 with Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha as provisional president
Dr. Rajendra Prasad elected as permanent president later
Formed under Cabinet Mission Plan 1946
French practice - oldest member presides temporarily
Genesis
The Constituent Assembly was formed under the Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946 to draft India's Constitution. Its first meeting on 9 December 1946 marked the beginning of India's constitutional journey.
Presidential Succession
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**9 December 1946**
First meeting of Constituent Assembly`"]
s2["`**Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha**
Elected as **provisional president** (oldest member)`"]
s3["`**French Practice**
Temporary presidency until permanent election`"]
s4["`**Dr. Rajendra Prasad**
Elected as **permanent president**`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4Key Personalities
Person | Role | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha | Provisional President | Oldest member at first meeting |
Dr. Rajendra Prasad | Permanent President | Elected after Sinha's temporary tenure |
C. Rajagopalachari | Governor-General | Last British Governor-General's successor |
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar | Drafting Committee Chairman | Chief architect of Constitution |
Memory trap: Students confuse Dr. Rajendra Prasad (permanent president) with Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha (provisional president)
Role confusion: C. Rajagopalachari was Governor-General, not Assembly President
French practice: The oldest member presides temporarily - this detail helps identify Sinha
Date anchor: 9 December 1946 - first meeting date often tested
Cabinet Mission Plan 1946
Modern Indian History
Cabinet Mission Plan 1946 & Constituent Assembly Creation
Cabinet Mission arrived March 1946 to transfer power
Proposed Constituent Assembly with 389 members
Accepted by Congress, rejected by Muslim League
Three-tier federation with grouping of provinces
Context
The Cabinet Mission of March 1946 was Britain's final attempt to transfer power to a united India. It created the framework for the Constituent Assembly that would draft India's Constitution.
Assembly Composition
Category | Members | Selection Method |
|---|---|---|
Provincial Representatives | 292 | Elected by provincial assemblies |
Princely States | 93 | Nominated by rulers |
Chief Commissioner Provinces | 4 | Nominated |
Total | 389 | Mixed election/nomination |
Mission Proposals
# Cabinet Mission Plan
## Constituent Assembly
- 389 members
- Draft Constitution
- Started Dec 1946
## Three-Tier Federation
- Union Center
- Groups of Provinces
- Individual Provinces
## Grouping Scheme
- Group A (Hindu majority)
- Group B (Muslim majority-West)
- Group C (Muslim majority-East)
## Interim Government
- Congress participation
- Muslim League boycott initiallyTimeline trap: Cabinet Mission came in March 1946, Assembly met December 1946
Number confusion: 389 total members, not the final 299 (after partition)
Acceptance pattern: Congress accepted, Muslim League rejected - opposite positions often tested
Other Assembly Personalities
Modern Indian History C. Rajagopalachari Dr. B.R. Ambedkar T.T. Krishnamachari
Key Figures in Constitution Making Process
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar - Chairman of Drafting Committee
C. Rajagopalachari - Last Governor-General of India
T.T. Krishnamachari - Member of Drafting Committee
Constitutional Roles
Personality | Primary Role | Key Contribution | Other Positions |
|---|---|---|---|
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar | Drafting Committee Chairman | Chief architect of Constitution | Law Minister |
C. Rajagopalachari | Governor-General (1948-50) | Last British successor | Madras Chief Minister |
T.T. Krishnamachari | Drafting Committee Member | Financial provisions expert | Finance Minister later |
Dr. Rajendra Prasad | Assembly President | Guided Constitution making | First President of India |
Ambedkar's Contribution
Chief architect - drafted most constitutional provisions
Social justice champion - ensured fundamental rights and directive principles
Legal expertise - brought comparative constitutional knowledge
Untouchability focus - constitutional safeguards for oppressed classes
Role confusion: Ambedkar was Drafting Committee Chairman, not Assembly President
Rajaji trap: C. Rajagopalachari became Governor-General after Constitution was made
TTK detail: T.T. Krishnamachari was in Drafting Committee but not a major constitutional figure