Indian Polity : Historical Background & Making Of The Constitution

Q 2 / 24

UPSC CSE Prelims 2023

Consider the following statements in respect of the Constitution Day :

  1. Statement-I : The Constitution Day is celebrated on 26th November every year to promote constitutional values among citizens.
  2. Statement-II : On 26th November, 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India set up a Drafting Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar to prepare a Draft Constitution of India.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

EXPLANATION

Correct Option

Statement-I: Constitution Day, also known as Samvidhan Divas, is celebrated annually on 26th November. This observance, officially instituted by the Government of India in 2015, aims to promote constitutional values among citizens and commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India by the Constituent Assembly on 26th November 1949. Therefore, Statement-I is correct.

Statement-II: The Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly, under the chairmanship of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, was set up on 29th August 1947, not on 26th November 1949. On 26th November 1949, the Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution of India. Hence, Statement-II is incorrect.

Given that Statement-I is correct and Statement-II is incorrect, option (3) is the correct answer.

Incorrect Options

Options (1), (2), and (4) are incorrect because Statement-II contains a factual inaccuracy. The Drafting Committee was constituted on 29th August 1947, while 26th November 1949 signifies the adoption of the Constitution by the Constituent Assembly. Therefore, any option asserting Statement-II as correct is invalid.

SOURCEIndian Polity by M. Laxmikanth, Chapter 2: Making of the Constitution