UASSC101 Module 1: Constitutional Development and the Framing of the Indian Constitution

Vocabulary flashcards covering the constitutional acts under British rule, the formation and proceedings of the Constituent Assembly, and the adoption of the Indian Constitution.

Regulating Act, 1773

The first parliamentary act exercising control over the East India Company, creating the office of Governor-General of Bengal (held first by Warren Hastings) and establishing a Supreme Court at Calcutta in 1774 as a step toward centralised administration.

Pitt's India Act, 1784

An Act that introduced dual control over Indian administration by assigning commercial matters to the Court of Directors and political affairs to the Board of Control under direct British government supervision.

Charter Act, 1813

An Act that ended the East India Company's trade monopoly, with exceptions for tea and the China trade, while permitting Christian missionaries and promoting education.

Charter Act, 1833

An Act that centralised legislative power and designated the Governor-General of Bengal as the Governor-General of India, with Lord William Bentinck serving as the first.

Charter Act, 1853

An Act that introduced open competition for recruitment into the Civil Services and separated legislative functions from executive functions.

Government of India Act, 1858

An Act passed following the Revolt of 1857 that terminated Company rule, placed administration directly under the British Crown, created the office of Secretary of State for India, and designated the Governor-General as Viceroy.

Indian Councils Act, 1861

An Act that initiated administrative decentralisation and provided for the nomination of Indians to legislative councils.

Indian Councils Act, 1892

An Act that enlarged the membership of legislative councils and introduced the principle of indirect elections.

Morley-Minto Reforms (1909)

The Indian Councils Act, 1909, which expanded Indian representation in legislative bodies and established separate electorates for Muslims, institutionalising religious divisions.

Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919)

The Government of India Act, 1919, which introduced provincial dyarchy, established a bicameral central legislature, created a Public Service Commission, and expanded the electoral franchise.

Government of India Act, 1935

The longest Act passed by the British Parliament, consisting of 321 sections and 10 schedules, which served as the constitutional framework until 26 January 1950 and became known as the "Blue Print" of the Indian Constitution.

Provincial Autonomy

A major governance reform under the Government of India Act, 1935 that abolished dyarchy in the provinces and made ministers responsible to elected provincial legislatures.

All-India Federation

A federal structure proposed under the Government of India Act, 1935 to unite British provinces and princely states, which was never implemented because the princely states did not join.

Three Legislative Lists

A division of powers established by the Government of India Act, 1935 dividing subjects into the Federal List, Provincial List, and Concurrent List, which formed the basis for the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

Federal Court

A judicial body created in 1937 pursuant to the Government of India Act, 1935 that later evolved into the Supreme Court of India.

Constituent Assembly

The representative body formed in 1946 under the Cabinet Mission Plan that drafted the Constitution of India across 11 sessions and 165 sitting days.

Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946

A British plan that accepted the proposal for an Indian constitution-making body and provided for a Constituent Assembly, a federal union, and provincial representation.

M. N. Roy

The political thinker who first put forward the idea of an Indian constituent body in 1934.

Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha

The temporary chairman who presided over the inaugural meeting of the Constituent Assembly on 9 December 1946.

Dr. Rajendra Prasad

The permanent chairman of the Constituent Assembly, chairman of the Steering Committee, and the first President of India.

Sir B. N. Rau

The legal expert who served as the constitutional adviser to the Constituent Assembly.

Drafting Committee

A committee established on 29 August 1947, chaired by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, responsible for preparing the formal draft of the Constitution.

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar

The Chairman of the Drafting Committee who introduced the draft Constitution to the Constituent Assembly on 4 November 1948.

Constitution Day (Samvidhan Divas)

The day celebrated on 26 November to commemorate the formal adoption of the Constitution of India by the Constituent Assembly in 1949.

Purna Swaraj Day

The date of 26 January 1930, declared by the Indian National Congress as the day of complete independence, which inspired the enforcement date of the Indian Constitution on 26 January 1950.