Topic 03 of 6 · Chapter 01 · Indian Polity
Committees of the Constituent Assembly
All major committees, their chairpersons, and their roles in framing the Indian Constitution — the most frequently asked topic in exams.
📋 In This Article
1. Why Were Committees Formed?
The Constituent Assembly was a large body of 299 members. To handle the complex task of drafting a Constitution for a diverse nation, the Assembly set up a number of committees and sub-committees.
💡 Total Committees: The Constituent Assembly set up approximately 22 committees — 8 major committees and 14 minor committees.
2. Major Committees & Their Chairpersons
| # | Committee | Chairperson |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Drafting Committee | Dr. B.R. Ambedkar |
| 2 | Union Powers Committee | Jawaharlal Nehru |
| 3 | Union Constitution Committee | Jawaharlal Nehru |
| 4 | Provincial Constitution Committee | Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel |
| 5 | Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Minorities & Tribal Areas | Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel |
| 6 | Fundamental Rights Sub-Committee | J.B. Kripalani |
| 7 | Minorities Sub-Committee | H.C. Mukherjee |
| 8 | Steering Committee | Dr. Rajendra Prasad |
| 9 | Rules of Procedure Committee | Dr. Rajendra Prasad |
| 10 | Finance & Staff Committee | Dr. Rajendra Prasad |
| 11 | States Committee | Jawaharlal Nehru |
| 12 | Ad hoc Committee on the National Flag | Dr. Rajendra Prasad |
⭐ Memory Trick: Ambedkar → Drafting | Nehru → Union Powers + Union Constitution + States | Patel → Provincial Constitution + Advisory (FR) | Rajendra Prasad → Steering + Rules + Finance + National Flag
3. The Drafting Committee — Most Important
The Drafting Committee was constituted on August 29, 1947 and was tasked with preparing the actual draft of the Constitution.
| # | Member | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dr. B.R. Ambedkar | Chairman — “Father of the Indian Constitution” |
| 2 | N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar | — |
| 3 | Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar | — |
| 4 | Dr. K.M. Munshi | — |
| 5 | Syed Muhammad Saadullah | — |
| 6 | B.L. Mitter | Resigned; replaced by N. Madhava Rao |
| 7 | D.P. Khaitan | Died 1948; replaced by T.T. Krishnamachari |
✅ Key Dates: Constituted: August 29, 1947 · Draft submitted: February 21, 1948 · Final draft adopted: November 26, 1949
💡 Did You Know? Sir B.N. Rau (Constitutional Adviser) prepared the initial draft, which was then handed to the Drafting Committee for revision.
4. Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Minorities & Tribal Areas
Chaired by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, this committee had three sub-committees:
Fundamental Rights Sub-Committee
👤 Chairman: J.B. Kripalani
Drafted the Fundamental Rights provisions (Articles 12–35).
Minorities Sub-Committee
👤 Chairman: H.C. Mukherjee
Dealt with rights and protections for religious and linguistic minorities.
North-East Frontier Tribal Areas Sub-Committee
👤 Chairman: Gopinath Bardoloi
Dealt with special provisions for tribal areas in North-East India.
5. Key Points for Exam
🔑 Must-Remember Facts
- Total committees: approximately 22 (8 major + 14 minor)
- Drafting Committee constituted: August 29, 1947
- Drafting Committee Chairman: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
- Drafting Committee had 7 members
- B.L. Mitter → replaced by N. Madhava Rao
- D.P. Khaitan → replaced by T.T. Krishnamachari
- Union Powers Committee: Nehru
- Provincial Constitution Committee: Patel
- Advisory Committee (Fundamental Rights): Patel
- Fundamental Rights Sub-Committee: J.B. Kripalani
- Minorities Sub-Committee: H.C. Mukherjee
- Steering Committee: Dr. Rajendra Prasad
- Draft submitted to President: February 21, 1948