Constitution Making — REET Notes (Social Studies)
India's Constitution was framed by the Constituent Assembly after nearly three years of intensive debate, with the main responsibility for drafting it resting on the Drafting Committee chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. REET asks precise, figure-based questions about the Constituent Assembly's membership, key dates, and committees on this topic.
- 2 questions in REET 2024
- Class 8 level
- 11 min read
How REET asks this topic
Both REET 2024 questions were tied to the Constituent Assembly's membership numbers — the original agreed strength (389), the number after it fell following Partition (299), and the actual number of members who signed on 26 November 1949 when the Constitution was adopted (284) — all three figures were deliberately placed together as options to test for confusion between them. In other words, remembering the events alone isn't enough here — you also need to recall the exact sequence in which the membership count changed at each stage.
Formation of the Constituent Assembly
- Basis
- The Constituent Assembly was formed under the Cabinet Mission Plan of May 1946, with members indirectly elected by the provincial legislative assemblies.
- Original membership
- 389 (296 from British India's provinces + 93 from the princely states).
- First meeting
- 9 December 1946; Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha became the temporary Chairman.
- Permanent Chairman
- Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected permanent Chairman of the Constituent Assembly on 11 December 1946.
- Membership after Partition
- Following India's Partition in August 1947, members from the Pakistan territory separated, and the actual membership fell to 299.
- Constitutional Advisor
- B.N. Rau was the Constituent Assembly's Constitutional Advisor, who prepared the initial draft of the Constitution before the Drafting Committee took over.
The Objectives Resolution
On 13 December 1946, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru moved the 'Objectives Resolution' in the Constituent Assembly, which resolved to declare India an independent, sovereign republic and to guarantee its citizens justice, liberty and equality. After extensive discussion, this resolution was passed by the Constituent Assembly on 22 January 1947.
The Objectives Resolution went on to become the basis for the Preamble of the Constitution — which is why it is also called the soul and philosophical foundation of the Constitution. This same resolution was the first to clearly declare that India's sovereignty would rest with its people, and that adequate safeguards would be provided for minorities, Scheduled Castes and Tribes, and backward classes — these ideas were later elaborated in detail across various parts of the Constitution, as Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy.
Key Dates in Constitution Making
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 9 December 1946 | First meeting of the Constituent Assembly |
| 13 December 1946 | Nehru moves the 'Objectives Resolution' |
| 22 January 1947 | Objectives Resolution passed |
| 29 August 1947 | Drafting Committee formed, chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar |
| 26 November 1949 | Constitution adopted by the Constituent Assembly (Samvidhan Divas / Constitution Day) |
| 24 January 1950 | Constitution signed by 284 members |
| 26 January 1950 | Constitution fully enforced (Republic Day) |
The Constituent Assembly held sittings over 165 days across 11 sessions, and it took 2 years, 11 months and 18 days to draft the Constitution.
The Drafting Committee
- Formed on
- 29 August 1947
- Chairman
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
- Total members
- 7 members — Ambedkar along with Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar, N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar, K.M. Munshi, Syed Mohammad Saadulla, and others.
- Link to 26 January 1930
- The date 26 January was chosen because the Indian National Congress had declared 26 January 1930 as 'Purna Swaraj' (Complete Independence) Day.
Structure of the Original Constitution
When the Constitution came into force, it had 395 Articles, 22 Parts, and 8 Schedules — these have grown over time through amendments. The Constituent Assembly considered a total of 7,635 amendment proposals to the draft, of which about 2,473 were actually discussed — showing just how meticulously this document was prepared.
Important Committees of the Constituent Assembly
- Union Powers Committee
- Chaired by Jawaharlal Nehru — made recommendations on the powers and structure of the central government.
- Provincial Constitution Committee
- Chaired by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel — worked on the constitutions and powers of the provinces.
- Fundamental Rights Sub-Committee
- Chaired by J.B. Kripalani — prepared the initial draft of citizens' fundamental rights.
- Flag Committee
- Chaired by Dr. Rajendra Prasad — the present tricolour was adopted as the national flag by the Constituent Assembly on 22 July 1947.
How to teach this to children
Classroom activity (Class 8)
Divide children into small groups and have each group debate and vote on 'the rules of our classroom' — this gives a hands-on sense of the debate and consensus-building that happened in the Constituent Assembly.
Teaching aid
Build a wall timeline of constitution making (from 9 December 1946 to 26 January 1950), marking every important date and event.
Common misconception
Children often think the Constitution was written by one person alone (like just Dr. Ambedkar) — when in fact it was the result of collective, lengthy debate among hundreds of Constituent Assembly members, with Ambedkar as Chairman of the Drafting Committee.
Assessment idea
Run a quick quiz matching important dates (9 December, 13 December, 29 August, 26 November, 26 January) with their events.
Trick to remember / exam tip
Remember the three numbers 389 → 299 → 284 in order: '389 fixed at the start, 299 remaining after Partition, and only 284 members actually signed at the end' — the word-cue 'start-split-signature' keeps this sequence from getting confused.
REET 2024 Questions (with solutions)
Question 135
How many members of the Constituent Assembly signed the Constitution of India, adopted on 26 November 1949 ?
- A389
- B299
- C284
- D278
Explanation
26 नवम्बर 1949 को संविधान अंगीकृत हुआ और 24 जनवरी 1950 को संविधान सभा के 284 सदस्यों ने उस पर हस्ताक्षर किए। 389 संविधान सभा की मूल प्रस्तावित सदस्य संख्या थी और विभाजन के बाद सदस्य संख्या 299 रह गई थी, इसलिए ये विकल्प भ्रम पैदा करते हैं।
Question 119
After the partition of India what was the number of actual members left in the Constituent Assembly of India ?
- A389
- B299
- C294
- D278
Explanation
कैबिनेट मिशन योजना के अनुसार संविधान सभा की कुल सदस्य संख्या 389 निर्धारित थी। 1947 में भारत विभाजन के बाद पाकिस्तान क्षेत्र के सदस्य अलग हो गए और संविधान सभा की वास्तविक सदस्य संख्या घटकर 299 रह गई। 26 नवम्बर 1949 को संविधान पर इन्हीं में से 284 सदस्यों ने हस्ताक्षर किए।
Practice Questions
Question 1
According to the Cabinet Mission Plan, what was the original approved membership strength of the Constituent Assembly?
- A299
- B389
- C284
- D395
Explanation
Under the Cabinet Mission Plan of May 1946, the Constituent Assembly's total membership was fixed at 389 (296 from British India's provinces + 93 from the princely states).
Question 2
Who was the first (provisional) President of the Constituent Assembly?
- Aडॉ. राजेन्द्र प्रसाद
- Bडॉ. सच्चिदानंद सिन्हा
- Cडॉ. भीमराव अंबेडकर
- Dजवाहरलाल नेहरू
Explanation
At the Constituent Assembly's first meeting on 9 December 1946, Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha became the temporary Chairman. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected permanent Chairman on 11 December 1946.
Question 3
Who moved the 'Objectives Resolution' in the Constituent Assembly?
- Aडॉ. भीमराव अंबेडकर
- Bसरदार वल्लभभाई पटेल
- Cजवाहरलाल नेहरू
- Dडॉ. राजेन्द्र प्रसाद
Explanation
Jawaharlal Nehru moved the 'Objectives Resolution' in the Constituent Assembly on 13 December 1946; it was passed on 22 January 1947. This resolution went on to become the basis for the Preamble.
Question 4
When was the Drafting Committee constituted?
- A9 दिसंबर 1946
- B22 जनवरी 1947
- C29 अगस्त 1947
- D26 नवंबर 1949
Explanation
The Drafting Committee was formed on 29 August 1947, chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. This committee prepared the final draft of the Constitution.
Question 5
Who was the Constitutional Advisor to the Constituent Assembly?
- Aबी.एन. राव
- Bके.एम. मुंशी
- Cअल्लादी कृष्णस्वामी अय्यर
- Dजी.वी. मावलंकर
Explanation
B.N. Rau was the Constituent Assembly's Constitutional Advisor, who prepared the initial draft of the Constitution before the Drafting Committee was formed.
Question 6
What was the main reason for choosing 26 January as the date to bring the Constitution into force?
- Aयह डॉ. अंबेडकर का जन्मदिन था
- B26 जनवरी 1930 को कांग्रेस ने 'पूर्ण स्वराज' घोषित किया था
- Cयह गांधीजी की पुण्यतिथि थी
- Dइस दिन नेहरू का जन्मदिन था
Explanation
The Indian National Congress had observed 26 January 1930 as 'Purna Swaraj' Day, and the Constitution was brought into force from 26 January 1950 in honour of this historic significance.
Question 7
How many articles did the original Constitution (at the time it came into force) have?
- A395
- B448
- C395 भाग व 22 अनुच्छेद
- D300
Explanation
When the Constitution was originally enforced, it had 395 Articles, 22 Parts, and 8 Schedules. The number of articles and schedules has grown over time through amendments.
Question 8
How much total time did the Constituent Assembly take to complete its work?
- Aलगभग 1 वर्ष
- Bलगभग 2 वर्ष 11 माह 18 दिन
- Cलगभग 5 वर्ष
- Dलगभग 6 माह
Explanation
The Constituent Assembly held sittings over 165 days across 11 sessions from 9 December 1946 to 26 November 1949, taking about 2 years, 11 months and 18 days to complete the Constitution.
Question 9
How many members were included in the Constituent Assembly from the princely states?
- A296
- B93
- C299
- D284
Explanation
Of the Constituent Assembly's 389 seats under the Cabinet Mission Plan, 296 seats went to British India's provinces and 93 seats to the princely states.
Question 10
Which activity is most suitable for explaining the process of Constitution-making in class?
- Aकेवल तिथियाँ रटवाना
- Bबच्चों के समूह बनाकर 'कक्षा के नियम' पर बहस व मतदान करवाना
- Cकेवल पाठ्यपुस्तक पढ़वाना
- Dपरीक्षा में सीधे प्रश्न पूछना
Explanation
Dividing children into groups to debate and vote on 'the rules of our classroom' helps them practically understand the process of debate, consensus, and collective decision-making that took place in the Constituent Assembly, which rote-learning dates alone cannot achieve.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many REET questions come from Constitution Making?+
REET 2024 had 2 questions from this topic, both tied to the Constituent Assembly's membership figures. It's a topic asked regularly every year in the civics section.
When did the Constituent Assembly hold its first meeting?+
The Constituent Assembly's first meeting was held on 9 December 1946, with Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha as temporary Chairman. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected permanent Chairman on 11 December 1946.
Who chaired the Drafting Committee?+
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar chaired the Drafting Committee, formed on 29 August 1947; he is also known as the chief architect of the Constitution.
When was the Constitution adopted, and when did it come into force?+
The Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949 (now observed as 'Constitution Day') and came fully into force on 26 January 1950, celebrated as Republic Day.
Why was 26 January chosen specifically?+
The Indian National Congress had declared 26 January 1930 as 'Purna Swaraj' Day; the Constitution was brought into force from 26 January 1950 to honour this historic significance.
On what basis were Constituent Assembly members chosen?+
Constituent Assembly members were indirectly elected by the provincial legislative assemblies, not directly by the public. Princely-state representatives were nominated by their respective rulers, which is why the Constituent Assembly is sometimes called 'not a fully elected body' — even so, it was the most broadly representative institution of its time.
Did the Constituent Assembly include women members?+
Yes, the Constituent Assembly included 15 women members, among them Sarojini Naidu, Hansa Mehta, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, and Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, who made active contributions to provisions on Fundamental Rights and social justice.
Read next
Official Sources
Change Log
- 17 September 2026 — English page published — mirrors the fact-checked Hindi page, independently bilingual-accuracy checked