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CDS-2 Viraat 2023

Constituent Assembly & Other Committees DPP 2.1

1. What was the timeframe in which the Constituent 7. What did the Constituent Assembly become after
Assembly completed the drafting of the Constitution January 26, 1950?
for Independent India? (a) The new Parliament
(a) Two year, six months, and twenty-three days (b) The interim government
(b) Two years, ten months, and seventeen days (c) The permanent parliament
(c) Two years, eleven months, and eighteen days (d) The provisional parliament
(d) Two years, eleven months, and fifteen days
8. Seats in the constituent assembly was allotted on the
2. In the Constituent Assembly, what was the number basis of
of representatives from the Indian Princely States? (a) Area
(a) 93 (b) 98 (b) Revenue
(c) 96 (d) 89 (c) Population
(d) None of the above
3. The members of constituent assembly were elected
on the basis of 9. Who among the following was the chairman of the
(a) Direct Election Drafting Committee?
(b) Indirect Election (a) H.C. Mukherjee
(c) Nominated by the crown (b) B.R. Ambedakar
(d) Partially Nominated by the Princely State and (c) T.T. Krishnamachari
Partially Indirectly elected by the provincial (d) K.M. Munsi
legislative assembly
10. Which of the following statement is NOT true about
4. Constituent Assembly was created on the basis of the Constituent Assembly:
which of the following plan? 1. Out of the 389 members of the Constituent
(a) Cripps Mission (b) Cabinet Mission Plan Assembly, only 15 were women.
(c) Mount Batten Plan (d) Wavell Plan 2. Total of 7 major committees were established
by the Constituent Assembly.
5. Among the notable figures involved in the 3. The final Constitution of India was signed by
Constituent Assembly, who assumed the role of a 289 members of the Constituent Assembly.
constitutional advisor (Legal advisor), providing 4. The first draft was presented in February 1948
expert guidance on legal matters? (a) 1 and 4 only (b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(a) H.V.R. Iyengar (b) M.N. Roy (c) 4 only (d) 2 and 3 only
(c) B.N. Rau (d) S.N. Mukerjee
11. Which of the following statement is correct about
6. Arrange the following events of the constituent the steps taken the constituent assembly?
assembly in chronological order, start from the 1. They ratified the membership of common
earliest: wealth.
(1) Dr Rajendra Prasad was elected as the president 2. They acted as the provisional parliament.
of the constituent assembly 3. They adopted the National Flag for India.
(2) Formation of Drafting committee by the Choose the correct option from the following
constituent assembly. option:
(3) Adopting the Objective Resolution. (a) 1 and 2 only
(4) Accepting the National flag of India. (b) 2 and 3 only
(a) 2-4-3-1 (b) 1-3-4-2 (c) 1 and 3 only
(c) 3-1-2-4 (d) 3-2-1-4 (d) All of the above
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12. Who among the following headed the North-East

Frontier Tribal Areas and Assam Excluded & 17. Who among the following was the secretary of the
Partially Excluded Areas Sub-Committee? constituent assembly?
(a) Acharya Kripalani (a) H.V.R. Iyengar
(b) Sardar Patel (b) M.N. Roy
(c) A V Thakkar (c) Jawahar Lal Nehru
(d) Gopinath Bordoloi (d) S.N. Mukerjee

13. Constitution of India was adopted on: 18. Which of the following committees was chaired by
(a) 26 January 1949 Sardar Patel?
(b) 16 November 1949 (a) Union Constitution Committee
(c) 26 November 1949 (b) House Committee
(d) 26 January 1950 (c) Provincial Constitution Committee
(d) Committee on the function of the constituent
14. Consider the following statement about the Interim assembly
government:
(1) Congress Interim Government was formed, 19. Which of the following pairs are NOT correctly
under Vallabh Bhai Patel matched
(2) Initially The Muslim League boycotted the
Constituent Assembly. (Constituent Assembly (Chairman)
Choose the correct answer from the following Committee)
options: Union Constitution Committee Dr. Rajendra
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only Prasad
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) None of the above Minorities Sub-Committee J.B. Kripalani
Provincial Constitution Sardar Patel
15. Which of the committees of the Constituent Committee
Assembly was/were chaired by the Jawaharlal Rules of Procedure Committee Jawaharlal Nehru
Nehru? (a) 1, 2 and 4 only (b) 2 only
1. Union Constitution Committee (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
2. Provincial Constitution Committee
3. Union Power Committee 20. When did Constituent assembly ratified the
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only membership of commonwealth?
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) All of the above (a) August 1949
(b) December 1949
16. States Committee or Committee for Negotiating (c) September 1949
with States was headed by which of the following (d) May 1949
personality?
(a) H.V.R. Iyengar (b) M.N. Roy
(c) Jawahar Lal Nehru (d) S.N. Mukerjee
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Answer Key
1. (c) 11. (d)
2. (a) 12. (d)
3. (d) 13. (c)
4. (b) 14. (b)
5. (c) 15. (c)
6. (b) 16. (c)
7. (d) 17. (a)
8. (c) 18. (c)
9. (b) 19. (a)
10. (d) 20. (d)

Hints and Solutions
1. (c)
Key Concept: Constituent Assembly
Explanation:
• The process of drafting the Constitution for
Independent India by the Constituent Assembly
spanned over a period of two years, eleven
months, and eighteen days.
• The Constituent Assembly of India conducted
its first meeting on December 9, 1946.
• The assembly's primary objective was to draft a
constitution that would govern independent
India.
• The Constituent Assembly appointed several
committees to undertake the task of drafting the
Constitution.
• The most significant committee was the
Drafting Committee, headed by Dr. B.R.
Ambedkar, which was responsible for
preparing the initial draft of the Constitution.
• After several rounds of revisions and
amendments, the Constituent Assembly finally
adopted the Constitution of India on November
26, 1949.
• The Constitution of India came into effect on
January 26, 1950.
2. (a)
Key Concept: Constituent Assembly
Explanation:
• 93 representatives from the Indian Princely
States were present in the Constituent
Assembly.
• The Constituent Assembly was established in
November 1946 under the Cabinet Mission
Plan.
• It had a total of 389 seats, with 296 for British
India and 93 for princely states.
• Out of the 296 seats allocated to British India,
292 members were from the eleven governors'
provinces, and four were from the four Chief
Commissioners' provinces.
• Seats were allocated based on population and
community representation.
• British provinces divided their seats among
Muslims, Sikhs, and General communities.
• Community representatives were elected
through proportional representation using the
single transferable vote method.
• Representatives of princely states were
nominated by the heads of those states.
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• The Constituent Assembly consisted of both
elected and nominated members, indirectly
elected by provincial assembly members.
• Elections for the 296 seats allotted to the
British Indian Provinces took place in July-
August 1946, with the Indian National
Congress winning 208 seats, the Muslim
League winning 73 seats, and the remaining 15
seats going to small groups and independents.
• The 93 seats allotted to the princely states
remained unfilled as the princely states chose
not to participate in the Constituent Assembly.
3. (d)
Explanation:
• The members of the Constituent Assembly
were chosen by the provincial assemblies using
a proportional voting system that relied on a
single vote that was transferable to many
candidates.
• The members of princely state were nominated.
4. (b)
Explanation:
• A Constituent Assembly was created on the
basis of Cabinet Mission Plan.
• The Cabinet Mission Plan was a statement that
was made on May 16, 1946, by the Cabinet
Mission and the Viceroy, Lord Wavell.
• It comprised ideas regarding the constitutional
future of India in the wake of the failure of
Indian political parties and representatives to
reach an accord.
5. (c)
A Key Concept: Constituent Assembly
Explanation:
• Sir B.N. Rau, also known as Benegal Narsing
Rau, was a distinguished jurist and civil
servant.
• He was appointed as the constitutional advisor
to the Constituent Assembly of India.
• As a constitutional advisor, Sir B.N. Rau
provided expert guidance and advice to the
members of the Constituent Assembly on
various legal aspects.
Note:
• H.V.R. Iyengar held the position of Secretary to
the Constituent Assembly, responsible for
managing the administrative affairs of the
assembly.

• S.N. Mukerjee served as the chief draftsman of
the constitution in the Constituent Assembly,
overseeing the drafting process.
• M.N. Roy, a pioneer of the communist
movement in India, he propose the idea of a
Constituent Assembly for India in 1934.
6. (b)
Key Concept: Constituent Assembly
Explanation:
1. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the President
of Constituent Assembly on 11 December 1946
2. Adopting the Objective Resolution -
• The Objective Resolution was moved by
Jawaharlal Nehru on December 13, 1946.
• The Objective Resolution, which laid down the
guiding principles for the Constitution of India.
• It was adopted on 22nd January 1947.
3. Accepting the National flag of India -
• The Constituent Assembly accepted the design
of the National Flag of India on 22nd July
1947.
• The design of the National Flag of India is
credited to Pingali Venkayya
4. Formation of Drafting committee by the
constituent assembly. -
• The drafting committee was formed on 29th
August 1947
• The Drafting Committee was responsible for
the crucial task of preparing the initial draft of
the constitution
• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was appointed as the
chairman of the committee along with six other
members.
7. (d)
Key Concept: Constituent Assembly
Explanation:
• After January 26, 1950, the Constituent
Assembly of India continued its existence, but
with a different role and name.
• It transformed into the provisional parliament
of India.
• This transition was a result of the adoption of
the Constitution of India on January 26, 1950,
which marked the official establishment of the
Republic of India.
• As the provisional parliament, the Constituent
Assembly took on the responsibility of
governing the country until the first general
elections were held in 1951-52.
• During this interim period, the provisional
parliament functioned as the legislative body of
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the country, enacting laws and carrying out the
duties of a regular parliament.
• The new parliament, established after the
elections, marked the transition to a fully
democratic system of governance, where
members of parliament were elected by the
people of India.
8. (c)
Explanation:
The total number of members in the assembly was
389, with British India receiving 296 seats and
princely kingdoms receiving 93 seats each. There
were going to be 292 seats reserved for British
India, with eleven governor's provinces and four
chief commissioner's provinces contributing to the
total. The population of each area was taken into
account while deciding how to distribute the seats.
9. (b)
Explanation:
• The Drafting Committee of the Constituent
Assembly of India was a crucial body
responsible for drafting the Indian Constitution.
• It was formed on 29th August 1947.
• Its primary task was to draft the Constitution
based on the discussions and decisions made by
the Constituent Assembly.
• The Drafting Committee consisted of seven
members.
• The Chairman of the Drafting Committee was
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Other 6 members of the Drafting Committee were
1. Alladi Krishnaswamy Ayyar
2. N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar
3. K.M. Munshi
4. Mohammed Saadulah
5. B.L. Mitter (Replaced by N. Madhava Rau)
6. D.P. Khaitan (Replaced by T.T.
Krishnamachari)
10. (d)
Key Concept: Constituent Assembly
Explanation:
1. Statement 1 -
• The Constituent Assembly of India had a total
of 389 members.
• However, the representation of women in the
Assembly was limited. Out of these 389
members, only 15 were women.
2. Statement 2 -
• The Constituent Assembly established a total of
8 major committees.

• These committees were responsible for specific
tasks and areas of constitution-making.
• The major committees were:
(i) Union Constitution Committee
(ii) Provincial Constitution Committee
(iii) Union Power Committee
(iv) Drafting Committee
(v) Steering Committee
(vi) Finance and Staff Committee
(vii) Rules of procedure Committee
(vii) Advisory Committee on Fundamental
Rights, Minorities and Tribal and
Excluded Areas.
3. Statement 3 -
• The final Constitution of India was signed by
284 members out of 299 members.
• The Constitution was finally adopted on
November 26, 1949.
• The signing of the Constitution symbolized the
collective agreement and support for the
document among the members of the
Constituent Assembly.
4. Statement 4 -
• The Drafting Committee, chaired by Dr. B.R.
Ambedkar
• The first draft was presented in February 1948.
• The final draft was presented on November 4,
1948
11. (d)
Explanation:
The Constituent Assembly served as the interim
legislature until a new one was formed. At this level,
it performed the following functions:
• Ratification of India's Commonwealth
membership
• It established the national flag and the national
anthem.
• Adoption of a National Anthem
• Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as India's first
President.
• The assembly also acted as provisional
parliament.
12. (d)
Explanation:
Gopinath Bordoloi headed the North-East Frontier
Tribal Areas and Assam Excluded & Partially
Excluded Areas Sub-Committee.
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13. (c)
Explanation:
• There were 299 members of the Constituent
Assembly, which drafted the Indian
constitution.
• The constitution of India was adopted on 26
November 1949
• The constitution was approved by the
Assembly on 26 November 1949, but it goes
into force on 26 January 1950.
• It was finished in 2 years, 11 months, and 18
days.
14. (b)
Explanation:
• The congress Interim government was formed
in 1946 under Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru
• The Constituent Assembly started meeting
from 9th December, but the Muslim League
withdrew because the Congress refused to
accede to its demand of sectional meetings to
draft group constitutions.
15. (c)
Explanation:
The Constituent Assembly appointed a number of
committees to deal with different tasks of
constitution-making.
Out of these, eight were major committees and the
others were minor committees. The names of these
committees and their chairmen are given below:
Major Committees
• Union Powers Committee – Jawaharlal Nehru
• Union Constitution Committee – Jawaharlal
Nehru
• Provincial Constitution Committee – Sardar
Patel.
• Drafting Committee – Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
• Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights,
Minorities and Tribal and Excluded Areas –
Sardar Patel
• Rules of Procedure Committee – Dr. Rajendra
Prasad
• States Committee (Committee for Negotiating
with States) – Jawaharlal Nehru.
• Steering Committee – Dr. Rajendra Prasad
16. (c)
Explanation:
States committee or committee for Negotiating with
states was headed by Jawahar Lal Nehru.

17. (a)
Explanation:
• H.V.R. Iyengar held the position of Secretary to
the Constituent Assembly, responsible for
managing the administrative affairs of the
assembly.
• Jawahar Lal Nehru was the head of the interim
government.
• S.N. Mukerjee served as the chief draftsman of
the constitution in the Constituent Assembly,
overseeing the drafting process.
• M.N. Roy, a pioneer of the communist
movement in India, he propose the idea of a
Constituent Assembly for India in 1934.
18. (c)
Key Concept: Constituent Assembly
Explanation:
• One of these committees was the Provincial
Constitution Committee.
• Sardar Patel was appointed as the chairman of
the Provincial Constitution Committee.
• The Provincial Constitution Committee was
responsible for examining and making
recommendations on the provisions related to
the governance and structure of the provinces
within India.
• Sardar Patel also chaired the Advisory
Committee on Fundamental Rights, Minorities
and Tribal and Excluded Areas.
Note:
• The Union Constitution Committee chaired by
Jawaharlal Nehru, was established to examine
the provisions related to the union government.
• The Committee on the Functions of the
Constituent Assembly chaired by G.V.
Mavalankar, examined and determined the
functions, powers, and procedures of the
Constituent Assembly itself.
• The House Committee was chaired by
B.Pattabhi Sitaramayya
Additional Information:
• Dr. Rajendra Prasad Chaired the Steering
Committee, Finance and Staff Committee,
Rules of procedure Committee and Ad-hoc
Committee on the National Flag.
• The Union Power Committee chaired by
Jawaharlal Nehru.
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• The Drafting Committee was chaired by Dr.
B.R. Ambedkar.
19. (a)
Key Concept: Constituent Assembly
Explanation:
• The Constituent Assembly established a total of
8 major committees.
• These committees were responsible for specific
tasks and areas of constitution-making.
• Sardar Patel was appointed as the chairman of
the Provincial Constitution Committee and the
Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights,
Minorities and Tribal and Excluded Areas.
• The Union Constitution Committee, States
Committee and Union Power Committee was
chaired by Jawaharlal Nehru.
• The Drafting Committee was chaired by Dr.
B.R. Ambedkar.
• Dr. Rajendra Prasad Chaired the Steering
Committee, Finance and Staff Committee,
Rules of procedure.
• Minorities Sub-Committee was chaired by H.C.
Mukherjee
20. (d)
Key Concept: Constituent Assembly
Explanation:
• In May 1949, the Constituent Assembly
performed the function of ratifying India's
membership of the Commonwealth.
• The Commonwealth is an intergovernmental
organization consisting of countries that were
formerly part of the British Empire.
• It promotes cooperation among member states
in various areas such as political, economic,
and cultural spheres.
• By ratifying India's membership of the
Commonwealth, the Constituent Assembly
officially acknowledged India's participation in
this international organization.
• The membership in the Commonwealth
provided India with a platform to engage with
other member countries, exchange ideas, and
collaborate on common goals.
• It also facilitated diplomatic relations and
enhanced India's visibility on the international
stage.