Constitution of India - Key Terms (Vocabulary)

Overview of the Constitution

• The Constitution of India came into effect on $26\ \text{January}\ 1950$, making India a Sovereign Democratic Republic.

• It is a comprehensive document describing:

  • the rights and duties of its citizens;

  • the manner according to which the governance of a country is to be carried out.

• It regulates the position and powers of the three organs of government—the Legislative, the Executive and the Judiciary; and states how they are inter-related.

• It moderates relations between the government and the governed.

• It protects the interests of the citizens by restraining the government from taking arbitrary decisions.

• The aim of a Constitution is to ensure smooth governance for the welfare of its citizens.

• It distinguishes constitutional or democratic government from an absolute monarchy or a dictatorship.

Implementation of the Constitution

• After the signing, only the clauses relating to citizenship and some other provisions came into force immediately; this was to address persons displaced as a result of the Partition to register themselves as Indian citizens.

• The Constitution was adopted and passed by the Constituent Assembly on $2\ \text{November}\ 1949$.

• The Constitution as a whole came into force with effect from $26\ \text{January}\ 1950$.

Key Figures and Institutional Arrangements at Commencement

• With the coming into force, C. Rajagopalachari became the Governor General, replacing Lord Mountbatten.

• The Constituent Assembly became the provisional Parliament until the first General Elections were held in $1951-52$.

• Dr. Rajendra Prasad, who was the President of the Constituent Assembly, took over as the President of the Indian Union.

Significance of January 26

• The date January 26, 1950 was specially selected because of its historical importance.

• At the Lahore Session of the Congress held in $December\ 1929$, a resolution was passed which declared Poorna Swaraj or Complete Independence to be the objective of the Congress.

• January 26, 1930 was fixed as the first Independence Day, which was to be celebrated every year; it was celebrated as Independence Day up to $1947$.

• On achieving Independence, $15\ \text{August}\ 1947$ became the Independence Day.

• January 26 was designated as the Republic Day.

Constitution Day and Promotion of Constitutional Values

• On $19\ \text{November}\ 2015$, the Government notified the decision to celebrate the 26th day of November every year as the "Constitution Day" (Samvidhan Divas) to promote the values enshrined in the Constitution of India among the citizens of India.

Implications and Practical Significance

• The Constitution serves to ensure smooth governance for the welfare of citizens by establishing rights, duties, and a framework of governance.

• It delineates the powers and inter-relationships of the Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary.

• It restrains Arbitrary Government Action, safeguarding citizens against capricious decisions.

• It marks a historical transition from colonial rule to a sovereign democratic republic, with a formal start on $26\ \text{January}\ 1950$.

Summary of Key Dates (for quick reference)

• Adoption and passage by Constituent Assembly: $2\ \text{November}\ 1949$

• Commencement of Constitution: $26\ \text{January}\ 1950$

• First Independence Day proclaimed: $26\ \text{January}\ 1930$

• Lahore Resolution (Poorna Swaraj): $Dec\ 1929$

• First Independence Day celebrated: $1947$

• Republic Day designation replaces Independence Day: $26\ \text{January}\ 1950$

• Constitution Day notification: $19\ \text{November}\ 2015$