Constituent Assembly was composed of 385 members, 292 of whom were chosen by members of the province Legislative Assemblies and 93 of whom were nominated by the Princely States. The four chief commissioners’ provinces of Delhi, Ajmer-Marwar, Coorg, and British Baluchistan each had one delegate. The Assembly convened for the first time on December 9, 1946, and produced a Constitution for India in 2 years and 11 months. This article explains the Composition of the Constituent Assembly which is important for UPSC Indian Polity Preparation.

Composition Of The Constituent Assembly – Objectives

The Constituent Assembly's principal goal is to draft or adopt a constitution, as well as make constitutional revisions.

• To develop India as an independent sovereign republic.
• To create a democratic Union with self-government for all constituent parts.
• To guarantee and secure to all Indians. Justice: Social, economic, and political.
  • Equality of status and opportunities for all
  • Freedom of thought, expression, belief, faith, worship, vocation association, and action.
• To provide adequate safeguards for backward and tribal areas, minorities as well as the poor and other disadvantaged groups.
• To uphold the Republic's territorial integrity and sovereign rights
• To ensure India's rightful and honoured place in the world.
• To contribute to the advancement of world peace and the well-being of humanity.

Composition Of The Constituent Assembly

Composition Of The Constituent Assembly - Criticism

The critics have criticized the Constituent Assembly on various grounds. These are as follows:

• The Constituent Assembly was not a representative body, according to opponents, because its members were not directly elected by the people of India using the universal adult franchise.
• Not a Sovereign Entity: Critics said that the Constituent Assembly was not a sovereign body because it was established by British government suggestions. They further claimed that the Assembly met with the authorization of the British government.
• Time-consuming: Critics claim that the Constituent Assembly took an excessive amount of time to draft the Constitution. They claimed that the framers of the American Constitution finished their work in just four months.
• Congress-dominated Constituent Assembly: Critics said that the Congress party dominated the Constituent Assembly. 'The Constituent Assembly was a one-party assembly in an essentially one-party society,' said Granville Austin, a British constitutional expert. The Congress was the Assembly, and India was the Congress.'
• Lawyer-Politician Domination: The Constituent Assembly was likewise dominated by attorneys and politicians, according to detractors. They argued that other aspects of society were not adequately reflected. This, they believe, is the primary cause for the Constitution's volume and complication of language.
• Hindu-dominated: Some critics claim that the Constituent Assembly was Hindu-dominated. Lord Viscount Simon referred to it as "a Hindu body." Winston Churchill, likewise, stated that the Constituent Assembly represented "just one large community in India."

Conclusion

With the exception of Mahatma Gandhi and M.A. Jinnah, the Assembly contained all of India's significant figures at the time.Constituent assembly stands as a powerful testament to the democratic aspirations and collective will of a nation. As we have explored throughout this article, constituent assemblies play a pivotal role in shaping the fundamental framework of a country, providing a platform for diverse voices to contribute to the construction of a just and inclusive society.

FAQs

Question: What was the Constituent Assembly of India?

Question: How were members of the Constituent Assembly elected?

Question: What was the total membership of the Constituent Assembly?

Question: Who was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee?

Question: When was the Constituent Assembly formed?

MCQs

1. Which of the following bodies elected the members of the Constituent Assembly?

a) Direct election by the public

b) Provincial Legislative Assemblies

c) Indian National Congress

d) British Parliament

2. What was the initial strength of the Constituent Assembly before partition?

a) 299

b) 389

c) 200

d) 500

3. Who served as the President of the Constituent Assembly?

a) Jawaharlal Nehru

b) Dr. Rajendra Prasad

c) Sardar Patel

d) B.R. Ambedkar

4. How many members did the Constituent Assembly have after partition?

a) 299

b) 250

c) 350

d) 275

5. Which princely state was the last to join the Constituent Assembly?

a) Kashmir

b) Hyderabad

c) Junagadh

d) Travancore

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Analyze the significance of the Constituent Assembly in shaping the Constitution of India.

Answer: The Constituent Assembly played a pivotal role in shaping the Indian Constitution. It was composed of representatives from diverse backgrounds, including lawyers, intellectuals, and social reformers. Through detailed debates and discussions, it framed the legal and institutional framework of independent India, addressing issues like federalism, fundamental rights, and parliamentary democracy. The Assembly’s significance lies in its inclusive approach, ensuring representation from all regions and communities, which contributed to a balanced and democratic Constitution. The Assembly's efforts laid the foundation for the world's largest democracy.

Q2: Discuss the indirect election process of the Constituent Assembly and its impact on the framing of the Constitution.

Answer: The members of the Constituent Assembly were indirectly elected by the Provincial Legislative Assemblies, a process that ensured representation from diverse political entities and regions. This system allowed for a broader consensus on constitutional matters and involved provincial leaders in the national governance framework. Although the process was not fully democratic by today’s standards, it was practical for the time and helped create an inclusive body. The indirect election process also ensured that educated and experienced members participated in framing the Constitution, leading to well-informed debates on complex issues.

Q3: Evaluate the challenges faced by the Constituent Assembly during the drafting of the Indian Constitution.

Answer: The Constituent Assembly faced several challenges, including the partition of India, which led to the reorganization of its membership. There were debates on contentious issues such as the division of powers between the Centre and states, minority rights, and the role of religion in governance. The Assembly had to balance competing interests, including those of princely states and newly independent provinces. Moreover, the drafting process occurred during a period of significant political and social upheaval, yet the Assembly successfully produced a Constitution that has endured for decades and provided a stable democratic framework for India.

Previous Year Questions on Composition of the Constituent Assembly 

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2018:

Question: How were the members of the Constituent Assembly of India chosen?

A. Through direct elections

B. Through elections by the provincial assemblies

C. Through nominations by the Governor-General

D. Through nominations by the British Parliament

Answer: B

Explanation: Members of the Constituent Assembly were indirectly elected by the Provincial Legislative Assemblies and princely state representatives.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2016 (GS Paper 2):

Question: Discuss the composition and role of the Constituent Assembly in framing the Constitution of India.

Answer: The Constituent Assembly was composed of 389 members representing provinces, princely states, and nominated Anglo-Indians. Its role was to draft the Constitution of India. After partition, the number was reduced to 299. The Assembly was tasked with framing the laws, rights, and responsibilities of the citizens and defining the political structure of the country. Its key committees, such as the Drafting Committee led by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, were responsible for preparing the draft of the Constitution, which was adopted on November 26, 1949, and came into force on January 26, 1950.

3. UPSC CSE Prelims 2017:

Question: Who was the President of the Constituent Assembly of India?

A. Mahatma Gandhi

B. Dr. Rajendra Prasad

C. B.R. Ambedkar

D. Jawaharlal Nehru

Answer: B

Explanation: Dr. Rajendra Prasad served as the President of the Constituent Assembly, playing a key role in the proceedings leading to the drafting of the Indian Constitution.