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Topic 6: Key facts of Constituent assembly

⚡ Topic 06 of 6 · Quick Revision · Chapter 01

Key Facts, Quick Revision & Memory Tricks

All important numbers, names, dates, and mnemonics for last-minute revision. Bookmark this page before your exam!

⚡ Important Numbers — Memorise These

389
Original strength of Assembly
299
Strength after partition
296
British India seats
93
Princely States seats
11
Total sessions
166
Total sitting days
7
Drafting Committee members
22
Total committees
₹64L
Cost of framing
2y 11m
Time taken (+ 18 days)
208
INC seats won
73
Muslim League seats

👤 Key Persons — Who Did What

First to propose idea (1934)
M.N. Roy
Temporary President
Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha
Permanent President
Dr. Rajendra Prasad
Drafting Committee Chairman
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Constitutional Adviser
Sir B.N. Rau
Moved Objective Resolution
Jawaharlal Nehru
Advisory Committee (FR)
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
FR Sub-Committee
J.B. Kripalani
Minorities Sub-Committee
H.C. Mukherjee
Called it “social document”
Granville Austin
Called it “Hindu body”
Winston Churchill
Called it “borrowed Constitution”
Naziruddin Ahmad

📅 All Important Dates — Chronological

  • 1934 M.N. Roy first proposed the idea of a Constituent Assembly
  • 1935 INC officially demanded a Constituent Assembly
  • 1938 Nehru’s formal declaration for Constituent Assembly on adult franchise
  • 1940 August Offer — British implicitly accepted the principle
  • Mar 1942 Cripps Mission — rejected by Congress (“post-dated cheque”)
  • May 1946 Cabinet Mission Plan announced
  • 9 Dec 1946 First meeting; Sinha as temporary President
  • 11 Dec 1946 Dr. Rajendra Prasad elected permanent President
  • 13 Dec 1946 Objective Resolution moved by Nehru
  • 22 Jan 1947 Objective Resolution adopted unanimously
  • 22 Jul 1947 National Flag adopted
  • 15 Aug 1947 Independence; Assembly became Provisional Parliament
  • 29 Aug 1947 Drafting Committee constituted under Ambedkar
  • 21 Feb 1948 Draft Constitution published
  • 26 Nov 1949 Constitution adopted — Constitution Day
  • 24 Jan 1950 National Anthem, National Song adopted; Rajendra Prasad elected President
  • 26 Jan 1950 Constitution came into force — Republic Day
  • 2015 Nov 26 officially declared Constitution Day

🧠 Memory Tricks & Mnemonics

🔤 Drafting Committee Members — Mnemonic: “A G A M S M K”

A · G · A · M · S · M · K

Ambedkar · Gopalaswami Ayyangar · Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar · Munshi · Saadullah · Mitter (→ Madhava Rao) · Khaitan (→ T.T. Krishnamachari)

🔤 Cabinet Mission Members — Mnemonic: “PCA”

P · C · A

Pethick-Lawrence · Cripps · Alexander

🌍 Sources of the Indian Constitution

CountryFeatures Borrowed
UK (Britain)Parliamentary system, Rule of Law, Single citizenship, Cabinet system, Writs
USAFundamental Rights, Judicial Review, Independence of Judiciary, Preamble
IrelandDirective Principles of State Policy, Nomination of Rajya Sabha members
CanadaFederal system with strong Centre, Residuary powers with Centre
AustraliaConcurrent List, Freedom of trade and commerce, Joint sitting of Parliament
Germany (Weimar)Suspension of Fundamental Rights during Emergency
South AfricaAmendment procedure (Article 368)
USSR (Soviet)Fundamental Duties, Ideals of Justice in Preamble
Govt of India Act, 1935Federal structure, Governor, Judiciary, Emergency provisions
⭐ Most Important: The largest single source is the Government of India Act, 1935. About 250 provisions were taken from it.

✅ Final Revision Checklist

✅ Who first proposed the idea? → M.N. Roy, 1934
✅ When was the first meeting? → December 9, 1946
✅ Who was the temporary President? → Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha
✅ Who was the permanent President? → Dr. Rajendra Prasad
✅ Who chaired the Drafting Committee? → Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
✅ How many members in Drafting Committee? → 7
✅ When was the Objective Resolution moved? → December 13, 1946, by Nehru
✅ When was the Constitution adopted? → November 26, 1949
✅ When did it come into force? → January 26, 1950
✅ How long did it take? → 2 years, 11 months, 18 days
✅ Total sitting days? → 166 · Cost? → ₹64 lakh
✅ Who called it “social document”? → Granville Austin
✅ Who called it “Hindu body”? → Winston Churchill