Enactment and Enforcement of Constitution

Enactment of the Constitution:

• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar introduced the final draft of the Constitution to the Assembly on November 4, 1948 (first reading).

• The Draft Constitution was debated and discussed at length in the Assembly, leading to its approval on November 26, 1949.

• On this day, the Constitution was passed, and it received the signatures of the members and the president. Out of a total of 299 members, 284 were present and signed the Constitution.

• The Constitution as adopted on November 26, 1949, contained a Preamble, 395 Articles, and 8 Schedules.

• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the then Law Minister, is recognized as the ‘Father of the Constitution of India’ and the chief architect of the Constitution.

• The Preamble was enacted after the entire Constitution was already enacted.

Enforcement of the Constitution:

• Some provisions of the Constitution pertaining to citizenship, elections, provisional parliament, temporary and transitional provisions, and short title (Articles 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 60, 324, 366, 367, 379, 380, 388, 391, 392, and 393) came into force on November 26, 1949.

• The remaining provisions (major parts) of the Constitution came into force on January 26, 1950, which is celebrated as Republic Day in India.

• January 26 was specifically chosen as the date of enforcement because it marked the anniversary of Purna Swaraj Day, which was celebrated on January 26, 1930, following the resolution of the Lahore Session (December 1929) of the Indian National Congress.