Consider the following statements in respect of the Constitution Day: Statement-I: The Constitution Day is celebrated on 26th November every year to promote constitutional values among citizens Statement-II: On 26th November, 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India set up a Drafting Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar to prepare a Draft Constitution of India. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Contents15
- ABoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
- BBoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
- CStatement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
- DStatement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Show answer
Answer: (C) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
Statement-I is correct:
Constitution Day is celebrated on November 26 to mark the adoption of the Constitution in 1949.
Statement-II is wrong:
The Constituent Assembly was NOT established by the Indian Independence Act, 1947 — it was formed earlier based on the Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946.
However, November 26, 1949 is indeed when the Constitution was adopted.
So Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is not.
Answer is (c).
Constitution Day was officially declared by the Government of India in 2015 to commemorate November 26, 1949, when the Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution.
The Drafting Committee under Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was formed much earlier in August 1947, not on November 26, 1949 when the Constitution was adopted.
UPSC tests the difference between when constitutional bodies were formed versus when key constitutional events occurred.
Constitution Day Celebration
Indian Polity Constitution Day 26th November constitutional values
Constitution Day: Date, Purpose & Constitutional Significance
Constitution Day is celebrated on 26th November every year
Purpose is to promote constitutional values among citizens
Date marks the adoption of the Constitution in 1949
Officially designated as Constitution Day by Government of India
What & Why
Constitution Day commemorates the adoption of the Indian Constitution on November 26, 1949. The day aims to spread awareness about constitutional values and principles among Indian citizens.
Key Facts
Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
Date | 26th November (every year) |
Historical significance | Constitution adopted by Constituent Assembly in 1949 |
Official purpose | Promote constitutional values among citizens |
Government initiative | Designated by Ministry of Social Justice |
Activities | Constitutional literacy programs, awareness campaigns |
Trap: Constitution was adopted on Nov 26, 1949 but came into force on Jan 26, 1950
Trap: Don't confuse Constitution Day (Nov 26) with Republic Day (Jan 26)
Trap: Statement-II in the question gives wrong reason for the date - drafting committee was formed much earlier
Drafting Committee Timeline
Indian Polity Drafting Committee Dr. B. R. Ambedkar 26th November
Drafting Committee: Formation Date & Ambedkar's Leadership
Drafting Committee formed on 29th August 1947, not November 26
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the Chairman
November 26, 1949 was Constitution adoption date, not committee formation
Committee had 7 members total
The Chronological Error
The Drafting Committee was formed on August 29, 1947 under Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's chairmanship. November 26, 1949 was when the final Constitution was adopted, not when the committee was set up.
Timeline Correction
Date | Event | Significance |
|---|---|---|
29th August 1947 | Drafting Committee formed | Ambedkar becomes Chairman |
26th November 1949 | Constitution adopted | Final document approved by Assembly |
26th January 1950 | Constitution enforced | Republic Day - Constitution comes into force |
Drafting Committee Details
7 members: Ambedkar (Chairman), Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer, N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar, K.M. Munshi, Mohammad Saadulla, B.L. Mitter, D.P. Khaitan
Took 2 years and 11 months to complete the draft
Submitted final draft in February 1948
Assembly took 11 months to debate and finalize
Major Trap: November 26, 1949 is Constitution adoption, NOT Drafting Committee formation (Aug 1947)
Don't mix up the 3 key dates: Committee formation (Aug 1947), Adoption (Nov 1949), Enforcement (Jan 1950)
Ambedkar was Chairman of Drafting Committee, not the entire Constituent Assembly
Constituent Assembly Origins
Indian Polity Constituent Assembly Cabinet Mission Plan
Constituent Assembly: Cabinet Mission Plan vs Independence Act
Constituent Assembly based on Cabinet Mission Plan 1946
NOT established by Indian Independence Act 1947
Independence Act only reconstituted the existing Assembly
First meeting held on 9th December 1946
Formation vs Reconstitution
The Constituent Assembly was originally formed under the Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946. The Indian Independence Act of 1947 did not create it - it only reconstituted the existing Assembly for the new dominions.
Two Key Acts Compared
Aspect | Cabinet Mission Plan 1946 | Indian Independence Act 1947 |
|---|---|---|
Role | Created Constituent Assembly | Reconstituted existing Assembly |
Composition | 389 members (292 British India + 93 Princely States + 4 Chief Commissioners) | Separate assemblies for India & Pakistan |
Authority | British Government proposal | British Parliament legislation |
Timeline | Announced May 1946 | Passed July 1947 |
Assembly meetings | First meeting Dec 9, 1946 | Continued post-independence |
Assembly Formation Process
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**Cabinet Mission Plan (May 1946)**
Proposed Constituent Assembly framework`"]
s2["`**Assembly Formation (1946)**
Elections held, 389 members selected`"]
s3["`**First Meeting (Dec 9, 1946)**
Assembly begins work under British rule`"]
s4["`**Independence Act (July 1947)**
Reconstitutes Assembly for two dominions`"]
s5["`**Indian Assembly (Post-Aug 1947)**
Continues as sovereign constitution-making body`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4
s4 --> s5Major Trap: Cabinet Mission Plan created the Assembly, Independence Act only reconstituted it
Don't confuse: Assembly formation (1946) vs India's independence (1947)
The Assembly was working before independence - it didn't start in 1947
Adoption vs Enforcement Dates
Indian Polity 26th November 1949 adoption enforcement
Constitution Adoption (Nov 1949) vs Enforcement (Jan 1950)
Constitution adopted on November 26, 1949
Constitution came into force on January 26, 1950
Jan 26 chosen to honor Purna Swaraj declaration (1930)
2-month gap between adoption and enforcement
Two Different Milestones
Adoption means the Constituent Assembly approved the final text. Enforcement means the Constitution became the supreme law. There was a deliberate 2-month gap between these events.
Key Constitutional Dates
Date | Event | Significance | Current Observance |
|---|---|---|---|
November 26, 1949 | Constitution Adopted | Assembly approved final draft | Constitution Day |
January 26, 1950 | Constitution Enforced | Became supreme law of India | Republic Day |
January 26, 1930 | Purna Swaraj Day | Complete independence declared | Historical reference for Republic Day date |
Why the Gap?
Time for preparation: Government needed to prepare administrative machinery
Symbolic date: January 26 honored the 1930 Purna Swaraj declaration
Legal transition: Allowed smooth changeover from Government of India Act 1935
Printing & distribution: Physical copies needed to reach all parts of India
Critical Trap: November 26 = adoption, January 26 = enforcement - don't mix these up
Constitution Day (Nov 26) ≠ Republic Day (Jan 26) - different purposes
1930 connection is with Jan 26 (Republic Day), not Nov 26 (Constitution Day)