UNIT I – Introduction
a) Constituent Assembly: Formation, Composition, and Working
Formation: Constituent Assembly was created under the Cabinet Mission Plan
(1946) to frame the Constitution of India. It first met on 9th December 1946.
Composition: Initially 389 members (later 299 after Partition). Members were
indirectly elected by Provincial Assemblies and nominated from princely states.
Working:
Chairman: Dr. Rajendra Prasad
Drafting Committee Head: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Took 2 years 11 months and 18 days
Adopted the Constitution on 26th November 1949; enforced on 26th January 1950
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b) Philosophy of Indian Constitution
The Preamble summarizes the philosophy: Sovereign, Socialist, Secular,
Democratic, Republic.
Aims to ensure:
Justice (social, economic, political)
Liberty (thought, expression, belief)
Equality (status and opportunity)
, Fraternity (unity and dignity)
Influences: British parliamentary system, American rights structure, Irish DPSPs,
Gandhian principles, and socialist ideas from USSR
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c) Approaches to Study Indian Polity: Liberal and Socialist
Liberal Approach:
Emphasizes individual rights, democracy, rule of law
Believes in minimum state intervention
Key thinkers: Locke, Mill
Socialist Approach:
Focuses on social and economic equality
Advocates for state-led development to reduce inequality
Influenced by Marxist ideas, seen in Indian planning and welfare programs
---
d) Approaches to Study Indian Politics: Gandhian and Institutional
Gandhian Approach:
Based on non-violence, self-rule (Swaraj), village economy, and decentralization
a) Constituent Assembly: Formation, Composition, and Working
Formation: Constituent Assembly was created under the Cabinet Mission Plan
(1946) to frame the Constitution of India. It first met on 9th December 1946.
Composition: Initially 389 members (later 299 after Partition). Members were
indirectly elected by Provincial Assemblies and nominated from princely states.
Working:
Chairman: Dr. Rajendra Prasad
Drafting Committee Head: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Took 2 years 11 months and 18 days
Adopted the Constitution on 26th November 1949; enforced on 26th January 1950
---
b) Philosophy of Indian Constitution
The Preamble summarizes the philosophy: Sovereign, Socialist, Secular,
Democratic, Republic.
Aims to ensure:
Justice (social, economic, political)
Liberty (thought, expression, belief)
Equality (status and opportunity)
, Fraternity (unity and dignity)
Influences: British parliamentary system, American rights structure, Irish DPSPs,
Gandhian principles, and socialist ideas from USSR
---
c) Approaches to Study Indian Polity: Liberal and Socialist
Liberal Approach:
Emphasizes individual rights, democracy, rule of law
Believes in minimum state intervention
Key thinkers: Locke, Mill
Socialist Approach:
Focuses on social and economic equality
Advocates for state-led development to reduce inequality
Influenced by Marxist ideas, seen in Indian planning and welfare programs
---
d) Approaches to Study Indian Politics: Gandhian and Institutional
Gandhian Approach:
Based on non-violence, self-rule (Swaraj), village economy, and decentralization
