Previous Year Question
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?
Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement I.
Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is not the correct explanation for Statement I.
Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect.
Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct.
Correct Answer: C
Detailed Solution
Statement I is correct. India observes Constitution Day or Samvidhan Divas on 26 November every year. Its purpose is to promote awareness and respect for constitutional values among citizens and commemorate the contribution of the makers of the Constitution.
The date 26 November was selected because the Constituent Assembly adopted, enacted and gave to the people of India the Constitution on 26 November 1949. The Preamble also records this as the date of adoption.
All constitutional provisions did not commence on 26 November 1949. Certain provisions concerning citizenship, elections, the provisional Parliament and transitional arrangements came into force on that date, while the remaining Constitution commenced on 26 January 1950. This is why 26 January is celebrated as Republic Day.
In 2015, as part of the programmes connected with the 125th birth anniversary of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the Government of India decided to observe 26 November every year as Constitution Day.
Statement II is incorrect. The Drafting Committee was not constituted on 26 November 1949. The Constituent Assembly constituted it on 29 August 1947, with Dr. B. R. Ambedkar as its Chairman.
The seven original members were Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar, Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar, K. M. Munshi, Syed Mohammad Saadulla, B. L. Mitter and D. P. Khaitan. Some members were subsequently replaced because of incapacity or death.
The Drafting Committee’s function was to prepare the legal draft of the Constitution based on the decisions of the Constituent Assembly and the preliminary material prepared by Constitutional Adviser B. N. Rau. The Draft Constitution was introduced in the Constituent Assembly on 4 November 1948. Following extensive deliberations and amendments, the Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949.
Thus, Statement I is correct, but Statement II contains an incorrect date for the constitution of the Drafting Committee.