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Framing the Constitution – Class 12 History notes, important questions and MCQs

NCERT Class 12 History, chapter 12. Notes, key terms, important questions with answers and MCQs.

Chapter overview

The Constitution of India was framed by the Constituent Assembly between December 1946 and November 1949 and came into effect on 26 January 1950. The Assembly, elected by provincial legislatures, debated intensely on rights, the nature of the state, language, minority safeguards and the balance between the centre and states. Leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru, B. R. Ambedkar, Vallabhbhai Patel and Rajendra Prasad played important roles.

The Constituent Assembly

The Assembly first met on 9 December 1946; Rajendra Prasad was its President, and B. R. Ambedkar chaired the Drafting Committee.
Members were elected indirectly by provincial legislatures under the Cabinet Mission plan; after Partition, members from Pakistan left.
Nehru moved the Objectives Resolution on 13 December 1946, outlining the ideals of an independent sovereign republic, justice, equality and freedom.

Major debates

On separate electorates, most members rejected them as divisive; safeguards for minorities were provided through other means, and reservations were provided for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
On the powers of the centre, many members favoured a strong centre after Partition violence, while others such as K. Santhanam argued for adequate powers for states; the Constitution created three lists of subjects.
On the national language, there were debates over Hindi and Hindustani; a compromise made Hindi in Devanagari the official language with English continuing for fifteen years.

Significance

The Constitution established a sovereign democratic republic with universal adult franchise and fundamental rights.
It reflected compromises and consensus achieved through discussion, as recorded in the Constituent Assembly Debates.
It aimed to address social inequality, protect minorities and create a framework for national unity.

Key terms

Constituent Assembly: the body that framed the Constitution of India
Objectives Resolution: the resolution moved by Nehru setting out the ideals of the Constitution
Drafting Committee: the committee chaired by B. R. Ambedkar that prepared the draft Constitution
Separate electorate: a system in which members of a community vote only for candidates of that community
Official language: the language used for government purposes

Important questions with answers

What was the Objectives Resolution?2 marks

The Objectives Resolution, moved by Jawaharlal Nehru in the Constituent Assembly on 13 December 1946, declared India an independent sovereign republic, guaranteed justice, equality and freedom to all citizens, and promised adequate safeguards for minorities and backward groups. It became the basis of the Preamble.

Why did many members favour a strong centre?3 marks

The violence and disorder of Partition convinced many members that only a strong central government could maintain peace, security and unity, coordinate economic planning and deal with the problems of a new nation. Others warned that states also needed sufficient powers and finances.

Discuss the major debates in the Constituent Assembly.5 marks

The Constituent Assembly, which met from December 1946 to November 1949, held extensive debates that shaped the Constitution. The first major debate was about the rights of minorities and separate electorates. Some members argued for separate electorates for Muslims to secure representation, but most, including Govind Ballabh Pant and others, argued that separate electorates had divided the nation and led to Partition, and that minorities would be better protected within a united nation; separate electorates were rejected, while reservations in legislatures and jobs were provided for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, a step strongly supported by B. R. Ambedkar to address historical injustice. The second debate concerned the powers of the centre and states. Many, including Nehru and Ambedkar, favoured a strong centre because of Partition violence and the need for planned development, while others, such as K. Santhanam, argued that states should have adequate powers and finances. The Constitution created union, state and concurrent lists, with residuary powers to the centre. The third debate was about the national language. Some wanted Hindi to be the national language, while members from the south feared domination; Gandhi had favoured Hindustani. A compromise made Hindi in Devanagari the official language, with English continuing for fifteen years, and other languages recognised. These debates show that the Constitution emerged through discussion, disagreement and compromise.

Quick revision

Constituent Assembly 1946–49; Prasad, Ambedkar.
Objectives Resolution by Nehru.
Debates: separate electorates, centre–state powers, language.
Constitution in force 26 January 1950.

Exam tips

Remember: 9 December 1946 first meeting; 26 November 1949 adoption; 26 January 1950 commencement.
List three major debates with one argument on each side.

Practice MCQs

The Constitution of India came into effect on
1. 15 August 1947
2. 26 January 1950
3. 26 November 1949
4. 9 December 1946
Show answer
Answer: (b) 26 January 1950. It is celebrated as Republic Day.
The President of the Constituent Assembly was
1. Jawaharlal Nehru
2. Rajendra Prasad
3. B. R. Ambedkar
4. Vallabhbhai Patel
Show answer
Answer: (b) Rajendra Prasad. He later became the first President of India.
The Drafting Committee was chaired by
1. Rajendra Prasad
2. K. M. Munshi
3. B. R. Ambedkar
4. Nehru
Show answer
Answer: (c) B. R. Ambedkar. He is called the chief architect of the Constitution.
The Objectives Resolution was moved by
1. Rajendra Prasad
2. Ambedkar
3. Jawaharlal Nehru
4. Sardar Patel
Show answer
Answer: (c) Jawaharlal Nehru. It was moved on 13 December 1946.
The Constituent Assembly first met on
1. 15 August 1947
2. 2 October 1946
3. 26 January 1950
4. 9 December 1946
Show answer
Answer: (d) 9 December 1946. It worked for nearly three years.
Members of the Constituent Assembly were elected by
1. direct popular vote
2. the Viceroy
3. the British Parliament
4. provincial legislatures
Show answer
Answer: (d) provincial legislatures. They were elected indirectly.
Why did most members reject separate electorates
1. they wanted more divisions
2. the British opposed them
3. minorities demanded them unanimously
4. they believed separate electorates had divided the nation and harmed unity
Show answer
Answer: (d) they believed separate electorates had divided the nation and harmed unity. Other safeguards were provided.
What compromise was reached on language
1. English was abolished at once
2. every state had to use Hindi alone
3. Hindi in Devanagari became the official language with English continuing for fifteen years
4. no official language was chosen
Show answer
Answer: (c) Hindi in Devanagari became the official language with English continuing for fifteen years. It balanced different views.

All chapters of Class 12 History

Written by Kundali IQ from standard, well-established facts to help with revision. This is not an official NCERT publication; always read your textbook too.