Making of the Constitution

Question 1

Why is constitution a living document?

Answer 1

1. Amendments to the constitution (Art.368)
2. Judicial interpretation and judgements
3. Conventions
4. Statutes.

Question 2

Why is a Constitution significant?

Answer 2

1. Political framework
2. Distribution of powers
3. Gives one moral identity
4. Limited Govt

Question 3

What is constitutionalism?

Answer 3

A political philosophy in which the powers of the govt is derived from the people and should be limited by a constitution.

Question 4

What are the components of constitutionalism?

Answer 4

1. Rule of Law
2. Separation of powers
3. Free press and media
4. Independent Judiciary
5. Elected Govt.

Question 5

Demand for Constituent Assembly timeline?

Answer 5

1924 - Swaraj Party
1934 - MN Roy
1935 - INC
1938 - JN
1940 - August Offer
1942 - Cripps Proposal
1946 - Cabinet Mission Plan

Question 6

When was the Constituent Assembly constituted?

Answer 6

Nov 1946

Question 7

English members of the Cabinet Mission Plan?

Answer 7

Lord Patrick Lawrence
Sir Stafford Cripps
Av Alexander

Question 8

How many sessions and years did it take to make the constitution?

Answer 8

11 sessions, 2 years, 11 Months and 18 Days

Question 9

The first constitution contained?

Answer 9

395 Articles, 8 Schedules. Preamble was enacted later.

Question 10

Which amendment and article made provisions for Hindi version of the constitution?

Answer 10

58th Amendment Act, 1987 ; Art 394 A

Question 11

Criticism of the Constituent Assembly and the Constitution?

Answer 11

Non-representative composition
Dominated by Congress
UnIndian
Time Consuming Exercise
Elephantine sized
Lawyers paradise
Carbon Copy of 1935

Question 12

Symbol of Constituent Assembly?

Answer 12

Elephant

Question 13

Major Committees and chairam of the Constituent Assembly?

Answer 13

1. Union Powers Committee = JN
2. Union Constitution Committee = JN
3. Provincial Constitution Committee = SVP
4. Drafting Committee = BRA
5. Advisory Committee on FR, Minorities and Tribal and Excluded Areas - SVP
6. Rules of Procedure Committee - Dr. Rajendra Prasad
   7 - States Committee - JN
7. Steering Committee - Dr. Rajendra Prasad.

Question 14

Important Persons of Constituent Assembly

Answer 14

1. Sir BN Rau - Constitutional Adviser
2. HVR Iyengar - Secretary
3. SN Mukherjee - Chief Draftsman
4. Prem Behari Raizada - Calligrapher
5. Nand Lal Bose & BR Sinha decorated and beautified the Constitution
6. Vasant Krishan Vaidya - Hindi Version