The British Government had sent Cabinet Mission, consisting of three senior ministers to India. on 25th March, 1946. According to the provisions of the Cabinet Mission Plan the Constituent Assembly was established to frame the constitution of independent India.
→ The Constituent Assembly (prior to 15th August. 1947) consisted of 389 members.
→ Representation was provided to various religions. castes, men and women, provinces and princely states, eminent persons in the different fields and the political parties.
→Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Homi Mody, H. V. Kamath, Frank Anthony, N. Gopal Swamy Ayyangar, Sardar Baldev Singh were its leading members.
→ Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar and Shri K. M. Munshi were the eminent lawyers. Sarojini Naidu and Smt. Vijayalaxmi Pandit were the eminent women members.
→ Dr Rajendra Prasad was elected as the President of the Constituent Assembly.
→ Drafting Committee, under the chairmanship of Dr Ambedkar prepared the 'Draft Constitution'.
→ Some of the distinct provisions were adopted from the constitutions of England. Ireland, France and the USA.
→ The Constituent Assembly started its work on 9th December, 1946. The gigantic task of preparing the constitution was completed in 166 meetings. The task was completed within 2 years. 11 months and 18 days.
→ The original constitution consisted of 395 articles and 8 schedules.
→ Detailed discussion took place on every provision and thereafter the Constituent Assembly enacted the constitution unanimously on 26th November, 1949.
→ The constitution came into force on 26th January, 1950. This day is celebrated every year as the 'Republic Day'.