Understanding the Constituent Assembly and its Legal Advisor

The Constituent Assembly of India was formed to draft the Constitution of India. This body comprised various individuals who played crucial roles in shaping the future of the nation. The process involved intense discussions, debates, and expert guidance to create a comprehensive document.

One of the vital roles in the Constituent Assembly was that of the legal advisor. This individual was responsible for providing expert legal and constitutional advice to the Assembly members during the complex process of drafting the Constitution.

Identifying the Legal Advisor of the Constituent Assembly

The question specifically asks about the personality who served as the legal advisor to the Constituent Assembly. Let's examine the individuals mentioned in the options and their roles:

• BN Rau: Sir Benegal Narsing Rau, commonly known as B.N. Rau, was a distinguished Indian civil servant, jurist, diplomat, and statesman. He served as the constitutional advisor (legal advisor) to the Constituent Assembly. He prepared the initial draft of the Constitution, which was later considered and refined by the drafting committee. His role was pivotal in providing a foundational structure based on his vast knowledge of constitutional law from various countries.
• B.R. Ambedkar: Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly. While he is widely regarded as the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and played a monumental role in its final shape, his specific designation was not the legal advisor but the head of the committee responsible for drafting the text based on the Assembly's decisions and B.N. Rau's initial draft.
• S.N. Mukherjee: Shri Surendra Nath Mukherjee was the Chief Draftsman of the Constitution in the Constituent Assembly. His role was primarily technical, related to the language and arrangement of the drafted text.
• HVR Iyengar: H.V.R. Iyengar served as the Secretary of the Constituent Assembly. He was responsible for the administrative functions and managing the proceedings of the Assembly.

Based on these roles, it is clear that BN Rau was the person appointed as the legal advisor (constitutional advisor) to the Constituent Assembly.

Roles within the Constituent Assembly: A Comparison

To further clarify the different but equally important roles, here is a brief comparison:

The question asks for the legal advisor, and the individual who held this critical post was BN Rau.

Conclusion

The Constituent Assembly relied on various experts to draft the Constitution. The role of the legal advisor was essential for guiding the assembly on complex legal and constitutional matters. Sir B.N. Rau was appointed to this position and significantly contributed by preparing the initial draft of the Constitution. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, while crucial, chaired the Drafting Committee, a different but complementary role.

Revision Table: Key Roles in Indian Constitution Drafting

Additional Information on Drafting the Indian Constitution

The process of drafting the Indian Constitution was elaborate and took nearly three years. The Constituent Assembly held eleven sessions over 165 days. The Drafting Committee, chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, was set up on August 29, 1947, to examine the draft constitution prepared by the constitutional advisor, B.N. Rau, and prepare a revised draft for the Assembly's consideration. B.N. Rau's initial draft was based on the reports of various committees of the Assembly and his own research into the constitutions of other countries. The Assembly finally adopted the Constitution on November 26, 1949, and it came into effect on January 26, 1950.