Enactment of the Constitution
- Final Draft Introduced:
- Introduced by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (Chairman
of Drafting Committee).
- Date: November 4, 1948.
- Three Readings in the Constituent
Assembly: The Constitution went through three
stages of reading and discussion:
- First Reading (General Discussion):
- Date: November 4 - 9, 1948 (5
days).
- What happened: Assembly had a general
discussion on the overall Draft Constitution.
- Second Reading (Clause-by-Clause
Consideration):
- Date: November 15, 1948 - October
17, 1949 (Longest stage!).
- What happened: Detailed discussion
of each part (clause) of the Constitution.
- Many amendments (changes)
proposed: 7653 proposed.
- Many amendments actually discussed: 2473
discussed.
- Third Reading (Final Stage):
- Started: November 14, 1949.
- Motion Moved:
Dr. Ambedkar moved a motion to pass the Constitution as
finalized.
- Motion Passed:
November 26, 1949.
- Signing:
Members and President signed the Constitution on this day.
- Attendance:
284 members present and signed (out of 299 total).
- Preamble Date:
November 26, 1949 is the date in the Preamble when "people
of India... adopted, enacted and gave to ourselves this
Constitution."
- Constitution as Adopted (Nov 26, 1949):
- Contained: Preamble, 395 Articles, 8
Schedules.
- Preamble enacted after the rest
of the Constitution.
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar - "Father of the
Constitution":
- Law Minister
at the time.
- Piloted the Draft Constitution:
Guided and managed it through the Assembly.
- Key Role:
Very important in Assembly discussions.
- Known for: Logical, forceful,
persuasive arguments.
- Recognized as "Father of the
Constitution of India".
- Also called: "Modern Manu",
"brilliant writer, constitutional expert, undisputed leader of
Scheduled Castes", "chief architect of the Constitution".
In Simple Words:
Making the Constitution was a step-by-step process with three readings in the
Assembly. The most detailed stage was the second reading where every part was
discussed and changed. Finally, on November 26, 1949, the Constitution was
passed and signed. Dr. Ambedkar played a huge role and is honoured as the
"Father of the Indian Constitution." The original Constitution had a
Preamble, 395 Articles, and 8 Schedules.