Polity & Governance
Constitutional Framework
GS Paper II
Constitutional Framework — Quick Revision
One-page UPSC revision of the Constitutional Framework: British-era Acts, Constituent Assembly dates and committees, the Preamble, salient features and sources.
SyllabusGS II · Indian Constitution — historical underpinnings, evolution, features, significant provisions and basic structure
A last-week revision sheet for the making of the Constitution, the Preamble and its salient features.
British-era Acts at a Glance
| Act | Remember it for |
|---|---|
| Regulating Act, 1773 | Governor-General of Bengal; Supreme Court at Calcutta (1774) |
| Pitt’s India Act, 1784 | Board of Control; “double government” |
| Charter Act, 1833 | Governor-General of India (Bentinck); end of Company’s trade |
| Charter Act, 1853 | Legislative and executive functions separated; open competition for civil services |
| Government of India Act, 1858 | Crown rule; Viceroy; Secretary of State for India |
| Indian Councils Act, 1861 | Indians nominated to councils; decentralisation begins; portfolio system |
| Indian Councils Act, 1892 | Budget discussion; questions |
| Indian Councils Act, 1909 | Separate electorate for Muslims |
| Government of India Act, 1919 | Provincial dyarchy; bicameral central legislature; direct elections |
| Government of India Act, 1935 | All-India Federation (never formed); provincial autonomy; three lists; Federal Court |
| Indian Independence Act, 1947 | End of British rule; sovereign Constituent Assembly |
Constituent Assembly — Key Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1946 | Cabinet Mission Plan — 389 seats (296 British India + 93 princely States) |
| 9 Dec 1946 | First meeting; Sachchidananda Sinha temporary President |
| 11 Dec 1946 | Rajendra Prasad elected President |
| 13 Dec 1946 / 22 Jan 1947 | Objectives Resolution moved / adopted |
| 22 Jul 1947 | National Flag adopted |
| 29 Aug 1947 | Drafting Committee formed (Ambedkar, seven members) |
| 26 Nov 1949 | Constitution adopted (Constitution Day since 2015) |
| 24 Jan 1950 | National Anthem and Song adopted; Prasad elected first President |
| 26 Jan 1950 | Constitution commenced |
Committees
| Committee | Chairman |
|---|---|
| Union Powers; Union Constitution; States | Jawaharlal Nehru |
| Provincial Constitution; Advisory Committee on FRs, Minorities, Tribal and Excluded Areas | Vallabhbhai Patel |
| Rules of Procedure; Steering | Rajendra Prasad |
| Drafting | B.R. Ambedkar |
| FR Sub-Committee / Minorities Sub-Committee | J.B. Kripalani / H.C. Mukherjee |
The Preamble
| Point | Fact |
|---|---|
| Basis | Objectives Resolution |
| Amendment | Once — 42nd (1976): socialist, secular, integrity |
| Status | Berubari (1960) not part → Kesavananda (1973) part → LIC (1995) integral part |
| Justiciable? | No; neither source of nor limit on power |
| Order of words | Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic |
Sources of the Constitution
| Source | Key features |
|---|---|
| GoI Act, 1935 | Federal scheme, Governor, judiciary, PSCs, emergency provisions |
| Britain | Parliamentary system, rule of law, single citizenship, writs, bicameralism |
| USA | Fundamental Rights, judicial review, impeachment, Vice-President |
| Ireland | DPSP, nomination to Rajya Sabha, presidential election method |
| Canada | Strong Centre, residuary powers with Centre, advisory jurisdiction |
| Australia | Concurrent List, joint sitting, freedom of trade |
| Weimar Germany | Suspension of FRs in emergency |
| USSR | Fundamental Duties, social-economic-political justice |
| France | Republic; liberty, equality, fraternity |
| South Africa | Amendment procedure; election of Rajya Sabha members |
| Japan | Procedure established by law |
High-yield facts
- Constituent Assembly members were indirectly elected; strength fell from 389 to 299 after Partition.
- Original Constitution: 395 Articles, 22 Parts, 8 Schedules; now 25 Parts, 12 Schedules.
- Provisions on citizenship and elections came into force on 26 November 1949 (Article 394).
- Assembly chaired as a legislature by G.V. Mavalankar; constitutional adviser B.N. Rau.
Traps
Common confusions
- Ambedkar chaired the Drafting Committee, not the Assembly.
- 1919 = provincial dyarchy; 1935 = proposed central dyarchy, never implemented.
- Ireland gave DPSP; the USSR gave Fundamental Duties.
- The Preamble can be amended — subject to the basic structure.
Related Topics
- Making of the Constitution
- Preamble and Salient Features
- Constitutional Framework — practice questions
- Fundamental Rights
- All quick revision sheets
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