StudyOSStudyOS CBSE Study Material, Class 5–12

Framing the Constitution: The Beginning of a New Era

NCERT Class 12 · History Based on NCERT Class 12 History textbook · Free CBSE study kit

Everything you need to ace this chapter, in one place.
Notes · Mind Map · Quiz · Assertion-Reason · Case Studies · Question Bank · Past Papers

Get Full Study Kit →
Studying with friends? Send them this chapter.

Chapter Notes

Overview
This chapter explores the historical context, debates, and processes behind the making of the Indian Constitution between December 1946 and November 1949. It examines the tumultuous period of Partition, the composition and dominant voices of the Constituent Assembly, and the vision outlined in Nehru's Objectives Resolution. The one big idea a student must walk away with is that the Constitution was not a mere legal document but a product of intense deliberation, compromise, and a conscious effort to heal a divided nation while balancing individual rights, minority safeguards, and a strong central state.
Key Concepts (14)
Constituent Assembly
The body of elected representatives that framed the Constitution of India between December 1946 and November 1949, holding eleven sessions over 165 days.
e.g. The Assembly met to discuss and debate each clause of the draft constitution, with its proceedings recorded in eleven bulky volumes.
Objectives Resolution
A momentous resolution introduced by Jawaharlal Nehru on 13 December 1946 that outlined the defining ideals of the Constitution, proclaiming India an 'Independent Sovereign Republic' and guaranteeing justice, equality, and freedom.
e.g. Nehru's speech linked the Indian experiment to the American, French, and Russian revolutions, but stressed that India would not just copy them.
Separate Electorates
A system where members of a particular community vote only for candidates from their own community, which was demanded by some Muslim members like B. Pocker Bahadur but opposed by most nationalists as a divisive colonial legacy.
e.g. Sardar Patel called separate electorates a 'poison that has entered the body politic of our country' and blamed it for Partition.
Drafting Committee
A committee chaired by B.R. Ambedkar, with members K.M. Munshi and Alladi Krishnaswamy Aiyar, responsible for revising and refining the draft constitution.
e.g. Ambedkar guided the Draft Constitution through the Assembly, with assistance from civil servants B.N. Rau and S.N. Mukherjee.
Universal Adult Franchise
The right of all adult citizens to vote, which was not granted under British rule (only 10-15% could vote in 1935) but was adopted by the Constitution.
e.g. The Constituent Assembly itself was not elected on the basis of universal franchise; its members were chosen by provincial legislatures.
Federalism
A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and constituent states, as reflected in the Constitution's three lists: Union, State, and Concurrent.
e.g. The Union List contained more items than in other federations, giving the Centre control over key industries, minerals, and defence.
Article 356
A constitutional provision that gives the Centre the power to take over a state administration on the recommendation of the Governor.
e.g. This article was debated as a tool for a strong Centre, with critics fearing it could be misused to undermine state autonomy.
Depressed Castes
Socially and economically disadvantaged castes, formerly called 'Untouchables', who demanded abolition of untouchability, temple entry, and reservation of seats in legislatures and government jobs.
e.g. J. Nagappa argued that Depressed Castes formed 20-25% of the population and needed moral safeguards, not just legal ones.
Minorities
Groups defined by religion, language, or ethnicity that sought special safeguards; the term was also reinterpreted by N.G. Ranga to include the poor and downtrodden as 'real minorities'.
e.g. Linguistic minorities wanted protection of their mother tongue, while religious minorities asked for special safeguards.
Concurrent List
A list of subjects on which both the Centre and states could legislate, with the Centre having overriding authority in case of conflict.
e.g. Subjects like education and social welfare were placed on the Concurrent List, leading to debates about excessive centralisation.
Fiscal Federalism
The system of financial relations between the Centre and states, including tax sharing, grants, and assigned revenues.
e.g. The Centre retained all proceeds from customs and company taxes, shared income tax with states, and assigned estate duties wholly to states.
Quit India Struggle
The widespread popular movement against British rule in 1942, which was fresh in memory during the making of the Constitution.
e.g. This struggle, along with the Royal Indian Navy ratings' uprising in 1946, showed the popular demand for freedom.
Princely States
Territories ruled by nawabs and maharajas under British suzerainty, covering about one-third of the subcontinent, whose constitutional status was ambiguous after independence.
e.g. Some princes dreamed of independent power, but Sardar Patel worked to integrate them into the Indian Union.
Reservation of Seats
A policy of reserving seats in legislatures and government jobs for Depressed Castes and tribals, as recommended by the Constituent Assembly, to ensure their representation.
e.g. Jaipal Singh argued that reservation was essential for tribals to have a voice, though he did not demand separate electorates.
How It Works
Formation of the Constituent Assembly
  1. Provincial elections were held in the winter of 1945-46.
  2. The Provincial Legislatures elected representatives to the Constituent Assembly.
  3. The Congress won most general seats; the Muslim League won most reserved Muslim seats but boycotted the Assembly.
  4. The Assembly had 300 members, with 82% being Congress members, though the Congress was not monolithic.
  5. The Assembly held eleven sessions over 165 days, with committees and sub-committees working between sessions.
💡 The Assembly was not elected by universal franchise; it was indirectly elected by provincial legislatures, and the Muslim League's boycott meant it was dominated by the Congress.
Drafting of the Constitution
  1. B.N. Rau prepared background papers based on studying political systems of other countries.
  2. The Drafting Committee, chaired by B.R. Ambedkar, revised and refined the drafts.
  3. The draft was discussed clause by clause in the Constituent Assembly over three years.
  4. Public opinions, reported in newspapers and sent in by citizens, influenced the debates.
  5. The final Constitution was signed in December 1949 and came into effect on 26 January 1950.
💡 The process was long (three years) but allowed for intense debate and consensus-building; the printed record of discussions fills eleven volumes.
Debate on Separate Electorates
  1. B. Pocker Bahadur argued for separate electorates to ensure Muslim representation.
  2. Nationalists like Sardar Patel and Govind Ballabh Pant opposed it as a divisive colonial legacy.
  3. Pant argued separate electorates would isolate minorities and prevent them from having an effective voice.
  4. By 1949, most Muslim members agreed that separate electorates were against minority interests.
  5. The Assembly rejected separate electorates and instead adopted reservation of seats for Depressed Castes and tribals.
💡 The key argument against separate electorates was that they would create divided loyalties and prevent the formation of a unified nation-state.
Distribution of Powers between Centre and States
  1. The Draft Constitution created three lists: Union, State, and Concurrent.
  2. The Union List had more items than in other federations, including control of minerals and key industries.
  3. Article 356 allowed the Centre to take over state administration on the Governor's recommendation.
  4. Fiscal federalism was complex: some taxes were retained by the Centre, some shared, some assigned to states.
  5. States could levy land tax, property tax, sales tax, and tax on bottled liquor.
💡 K. Santhanam argued that overburdening the Centre would weaken it, and that states needed more financial powers to undertake development projects.
Exam Traps — Don't Make These Mistakes
⚠ Confusing the Objectives Resolution with the Preamble
✗ The Objectives Resolution is the same as the Preamble of the Constitution.
→ The Objectives Resolution was a resolution passed in 1946 that outlined the ideals; the Preamble is the final version that appears in the Constitution. They are related but not identical.
✓ The Objectives Resolution, introduced by Nehru on 13 December 1946, provided the framework for the Constitution and proclaimed India as an Independent Sovereign Republic, guaranteeing justice, equality, and freedom.
⚠ Thinking the Constituent Assembly was elected by universal franchise
✗ The Constituent Assembly was elected by all Indian adults through universal adult franchise.
→ The Assembly was elected by provincial legislatures, not directly by the people. Universal adult franchise was adopted in the Constitution, not used to elect the Assembly.
✓ Members of the Constituent Assembly were chosen by the Provincial Legislatures elected in 1945-46, not by universal franchise.
⚠ Assuming all Muslims supported separate electorates
✗ All Muslim members of the Constituent Assembly demanded separate electorates.
→ Begum Aizaz Rasul opposed separate electorates, calling them self-destructive. By 1949, most Muslim members agreed they were against minority interests.
✓ While B. Pocker Bahadur argued for separate electorates, other Muslim members like Begum Aizaz Rasul opposed them, and by 1949 most Muslim members agreed they were harmful.
⚠ Confusing 'Depressed Castes' with 'Minorities'
✗ Depressed Castes were considered a minority in the Constituent Assembly debates.
→ Members like J. Nagappa argued that Depressed Castes formed 20-25% of the population and were not a numerical minority; their problem was social marginalisation, not numbers.
✓ Depressed Castes were not considered a numerical minority; they were a socially oppressed group that needed reservation of seats and abolition of untouchability, not separate electorates.
⚠ Thinking the Centre-State debate was one-sided
✗ Everyone in the Constituent Assembly agreed on a strong Centre.
→ There was vigorous debate: K. Santhanam argued the Centre would break if overburdened, and members from provinces feared excessive centralisation.
✓ While Nehru and others argued for a strong Centre to ensure peace and coordination, members like K. Santhanam warned that over-centralisation would cripple states and lead to revolt.
Compare & Contrast
Method of ensuring minority/community representation
Separate Electorates
Reservation of Seats
Separate electorates meant only members of a community could vote for its candidates, isolating them; reservation of seats allowed all voters to vote, but guaranteed a certain number of seats for a community, promoting integration.
Role in constitution-making
Objectives Resolution
Preamble of the Constitution
The Objectives Resolution was a foundational resolution passed in 1946 that outlined the ideals and framework; the Preamble is the final, legally binding statement of those ideals as adopted in the Constitution.
Exam Focus
Marks pattern: 2 MCQs (1 mark each), 1 SA (3 marks), 1 LA (5 marks), and occasionally a source-based question (5 marks) from the Constituent Assembly debates.
Most asked: Objectives Resolution and Nehru's vision · Debate on separate electorates (arguments for and against) · Role of B.R. Ambedkar and the Drafting Committee · Centre-State relations and federalism · Rights of Depressed Castes and minorities
Don't skip: Explain the arguments for and against separate electorates in the Constituent Assembly.; Discuss the vision of the Indian Constitution as outlined in Nehru's Objectives Resolution.; Analyse the debate on Centre-State relations in the Constituent Assembly.
One-Line Revision (read aloud before the exam)
  1. The Indian Constitution is the longest in the world, framed between December 1946 and November 1949.
  2. The Constituent Assembly had 300 members, with 82% from the Congress, but the Congress was not a monolithic party.
  3. The Objectives Resolution, moved by Nehru on 13 December 1946, proclaimed India as an Independent Sovereign Republic.
  4. Nehru stressed that India would not just copy Western democracies but adapt them to Indian conditions.
  5. Separate electorates were opposed by most nationalists as a divisive colonial legacy that led to Partition.
  6. Govind Ballabh Pant argued that separate electorates would isolate minorities and prevent them from having an effective voice.
  7. B.R. Ambedkar chaired the Drafting Committee and guided the Constitution through the Assembly.
  8. The Constitution abolished untouchability, opened temples to all castes, and reserved seats for Depressed Castes and tribals.
  9. Jaipal Singh argued for tribal rights, saying tribals had been 'disgracefully treated' for 6,000 years.
  10. N.G. Ranga redefined minorities as the poor and downtrodden, not just religious groups.
  11. The Centre-State debate saw K. Santhanam warn that over-centralisation would lead to provincial revolt.
  12. Article 356 gave the Centre power to take over state administration on the Governor's recommendation.
  13. The Constitution created three lists: Union, State, and Concurrent, with the Union List having more items than in other federations.
  14. The Constituent Assembly was not elected by universal franchise; it was chosen by provincial legislatures.
  15. The Muslim League boycotted the Constituent Assembly, pressing for Pakistan with a separate constitution.

MCQs — 10 Questions with Answers

Q1. In which year was the Constituent Assembly formally constituted to frame the Indian Constitution?

  • A. 1945
  • B. 1946 ✓
  • C. 1947
  • D. 1949

Answer: B — The Constituent Assembly was formed after provincial elections in winter of 1945-46, with Provincial Legislatures selecting representatives; the framing process began in December 1946.

Q2. Which political party boycotted the Constituent Assembly and why?

  • A. Congress, demanding a socialist constitution
  • B. Socialists, believing the Assembly was a British creation
  • C. Muslim League, pressing its demand for Pakistan with a separate constitution ✓
  • D. Hindu Mahasabha, opposing secular provisions

Answer: C — The Muslim League boycotted the Constituent Assembly because it rejected the unified Assembly and demanded Pakistan with its own separate constitution.

Q3. What percentage of Constituent Assembly members were also Congress members?

  • A. 60 per cent
  • B. 70 per cent
  • C. 82 per cent ✓
  • D. 95 per cent

Answer: C — The text explicitly states that 82 per cent of the members of the Constituent Assembly were also members of the Congress due to Congress's sweep in general seats and League/Socialist boycotts.

Q4. Which of the following statements about the impact of Partition on Constitution-making is CORRECT? (A) Partition had no influence on the debates of the Constituent Assembly. (B) Images of desolation and destruction from Partition haunted Assembly members and influenced the Constitution's goals. (C) The Constitution was framed before Partition occurred. (D) Partition violence unified the Congress and Muslim League in the Assembly.

  • A. Only (A) is correct
  • B. Only (B) is correct ✓
  • C. Both (A) and (D) are correct
  • D. Only (C) is correct

Answer: B — The text states 'Images of desolation and destruction continued to haunt members of the Constituent Assembly,' and the Constitution was designed to heal partition wounds; Partition occurred during framing, not before.

Q5. Assertion (A): The Indian Constitution is the longest in the world. Reason (R): India's size and diversity required an elaborate and carefully-worked-out document. Which is correct?

  • A. Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A) ✓
  • B. (A) is true but (R) is false
  • C. (A) is false but (R) is true
  • D. Both (A) and (R) are false

Answer: A — The text explicitly states the Constitution has the 'dubious distinction of being the longest in the world' and explains this is because of India's 'size and diversity,' making (A) true and (R) the correct reason.

Q6. What was the constitutional status of princely states under British rule that created ambiguity after Independence?

  • A. They were completely integrated into the Indian state
  • B. They were independent kingdoms with no British control
  • C. They owed allegiance to the British Crown but were largely left free to rule their own territories ✓
  • D. They were directly administered by the British Viceroy

Answer: C — The text states that approximately one-third of the subcontinent was 'under the control of nawabs and maharajas who owed allegiance to the British Crown, but were otherwise left mostly free to rule their territory.'

Q7. Which of the following regarding Congress's role in the Constituent Assembly is NOT true? (A) Congress dominated with 82% of Assembly members. (B) Congress members presented a completely unified ideological vision. (C) Congress members had learnt to debate differences through the national movement. (D) Some Congress members were socialists while others were defenders of landlordism.

  • A. Statement (A)
  • B. Statement (B) ✓
  • C. Statement (C)
  • D. Statement (D)

Answer: B — The text explicitly states 'The Congress however was not a party with one voice. Its members differed in their opinion on critical issues,' making statement (B) false.

Q8. How did public opinion influence the framing of the Constitution? Match the process correctly. (A) Public views → Newspaper reports → Press debates → Shaped consensus (B) Government directives → Press silence → Assembly voting → Final text (C) Muslim League demands → Congress acceptance → Immediate integration → Unity (D) British advice → Immediate implementation → No public debate → Final Constitution

  • A. Process (A) ✓
  • B. Process (B)
  • C. Process (C)
  • D. Process (D)

Answer: A — The text describes how 'arguments were reported in newspapers, and the proposals were publicly debated. Criticisms and counter-criticisms in the press in turn shaped the nature of the consensus.'

Q9. Why did the Constituent Assembly face the challenge of integrating princely states? (HOTS) (A) Because maharajas had declared independence during Partition. (B) Because their constitutional status was ambiguous after British left, with some entertaining 'wild dreams of independent power in an India of many partitions.' (C) Because the Muslim League had already claimed them for Pakistan. (D) Because the Constitution did not allow for federal integration of kingdoms.

  • A. Reason (A)
  • B. Reason (B) ✓
  • C. Reason (C)
  • D. Reason (D)

Answer: B — The text states princes' 'constitutional status remained ambiguous' after British departure, and one observer noted some maharajas began 'to luxuriate in wild dreams of independent power in an India of many partitions.'

Q10. Which of the following best explains why the Constitution-making process required such an elaborate and painstaking effort? (HOTS) (A) Only to increase the document's length for international recognition. (B) To heal wounds of partition, unite diverse classes/castes/communities, restore Hindu-Muslim unity visible in mass movements, and nurture democracy in a hierarchical society. (C) Because the British forced India to create a lengthy constitution. (D) To exclude minority communities from political participation.

  • A. Reason (A)
  • B. Reason (B) ✓
  • C. Reason (C)
  • D. Reason (D)

Answer: B — The text explains the Constitution 'sought to heal wounds of the past and present, to make Indians of different classes, castes and communities come together' and 'to nurture democratic institutions in what had long been a culture of hierarchy and deference.'

Flashcards

When was the Indian Constitution adopted, and when did it come into effect?

The Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into effect on 26 January 1950.

How were members of the Constituent Assembly selected?

Members were not elected by universal franchise; instead, Provincial Legislatures chosen in 1945-46 provincial elections selected representatives to the Assembly.

Why did the Muslim League boycott the Constituent Assembly?

The Muslim League boycotted because it was pressing its demand for Pakistan with a separate constitution and did not accept the unified Constituent Assembly.

What percentage of Constituent Assembly members were Congress members, and why?

82 per cent of members were Congress members because Congress swept general seats in provincial elections and the Muslim League and Socialists boycotted or initially refused to join.

What was the most immediate problem facing independent India according to the text?

The partition violence, mass exodus of 10 million refugees, and the deaths and displacement of Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs across the new borders of India and Pakistan.

What was the constitutional status of princely states before Independence?

Approximately one-third of the subcontinent's area was under control of nawabs and maharajas who owed allegiance to the British Crown but ruled their territories independently.

How did public opinion influence the framing of the Constitution?

The public was asked to send in views, newspapers reported Assembly deliberations, and criticisms in the press shaped the consensus on specific constitutional issues.

How many sessions did the Constituent Assembly hold, and over how many days?

The Assembly held 11 sessions spread over 165 days, with work on revising and refining drafts carried out between sessions by committees and sub-committees.

Why was the Congress not a unified voice in the Constituent Assembly despite dominating it?

Congress members differed on critical issues: some inspired by socialism, others defenders of landlordism; some close to communal parties, others assertively secular.

Which three features made India's Constitution-making uniquely challenging at independence?

India's large size, deep internal diversity (castes, communities, classes, languages), and the immediate trauma of partition violence and division required an elaborate, carefully-worked-out document.

Important Board Questions

What was the 'dubious distinction' of the Indian Constitution, and what single factor explained this feature? [2 marks]

Identify the specific claim about the Constitution's length in the opening sentence, then cite the exact reason provided for why this length was 'understandable' — relate it to India's defining characteristics at independence.

Explain how the composition of the Constituent Assembly (Congress dominance and Muslim League boycott) created both a strength and a weakness in the Constitution-making process. Support your answer with evidence from the text. [5 marks]

Strength: Congress internal diversity allowed debate on critical issues (socialism, secularism, landlordism). Weakness: Muslim League absence meant Muslim voice and communal reconciliation attempt was incomplete. Use quotes showing Congress debate and League boycott reason.

The text states that 'images of desolation and destruction continued to haunt members of the Constituent Assembly.' How did this historical trauma shape both the immediate context and the ultimate purpose of the Constitution being framed? Explain the chain of events from Partition to Constitution-making and analyze at least two ways the Constitution was designed to address partition-era problems. [6 marks]

Chain: Partition violence (10 million refugees, killings) → Mass exodus → Destruction of Hindu-Muslim unity that existed in mass movements → Assembly members haunted by trauma. Design purposes: (1) heal wounds + unite diverse communities to prevent future division, (2) integrate ambiguous princely states to ensure territorial integrity, (3) nurture democracy to prevent authoritarian misuse (shown by earlier communal tensions). Reference specific textual evidence.

Assertion-Reason Questions for Framing the Constitution: The Beginning of a New Era

Q1. Assertion (A):

The Constituent Assembly drafted a lengthy and complex Constitution because India was large, diverse, and deeply divided at Independence.

Reason (R):

The Constitution needed to heal wounds of partition, bring different classes and communities together, and establish democratic institutions in a hierarchical society.

Answer: A — Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A — Both statements are true, and the reason directly explains why the Constitution required such elaboration and careful drafting. The complexity addresses the multifaceted challenges of nation-building in post-partition India.

Q2. Assertion (A):

The Muslim League captured most reserved Muslim seats in provincial elections but subsequently chose to boycott the Constituent Assembly.

Reason (R):

The League withdrew because it believed the British had rigged the electoral process unfairly.

Answer: C — A is true but R is false — The assertion is accurate—the League did win reserved seats but boycotted the Assembly. However, the reason is incorrect; the League boycotted to press its demand for Pakistan with a separate constitution, not because of electoral rigging by the British.

Q3. Assertion (A):

Congress members within the Constituent Assembly represented a monolithic ideological position on constitutional issues.

Reason (R):

Congress had dominated the Assembly with 82% of members, ensuring unified voting and debate.

Answer: D — A is false but R is true — Both statements are false. The study material explicitly states that Congress members differed on critical issues—some inspired by socialism, others defending landlordism; some communal, others secular. They debated these differences actively, demonstrating internal diversity despite numerical dominance.

Unlock more Assertion-Reason questions in Premium — unlock →

Case-Based Questions (CBQ) for Framing the Constitution: The Beginning of a New Era

Case Study:

In 1947, when India gained independence, the Constituent Assembly faced an unprecedented challenge: integrating 565 princely states into a unified Indian nation. These states, ruled by nawabs and maharajas who had enjoyed considerable autonomy under British suzerainty, suddenly faced an uncertain future when Britain announced its withdrawal. Some maharajas dreamed of maintaining their independence in a 'balkanized' India, while others reluctantly accepted the new reality. The Constituent Assembly had to design constitutional provisions that would accommodate these diverse interests while maintaining national unity. This integration became one of the most critical tasks for the newly independent government, undertaken primarily by Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, who became known as the architect of Indian unity. The process of integration was far more complex than simply writing constitutional clauses; it required skilled negotiation, diplomacy, and sometimes subtle coercion to convince the princes to accede to the Indian Union.

Q1. What was the primary challenge posed by the princely states to the Constituent Assembly at Independence?

  • A. The princes demanded immediate representation in the central government
  • B. Their ambiguous constitutional status and some rulers' dreams of independent power threatened national unity ✓
  • C. They refused to accept the Constitution in any form
  • D. They demanded that India remain under British rule

Answer: B

Q2. Which leader is described as instrumental in integrating the princely states into the Indian Union?

  • A. Jawaharlal Nehru
  • B. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
  • C. Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel ✓
  • D. Dr. Rajendra Prasad

Answer: C

Q3. The passage suggests that integrating princely states required more than constitutional provisions. Which factor is explicitly mentioned as necessary?

  • A. Direct British military intervention
  • B. International mediation by the United Nations
  • C. Skilled negotiation, diplomacy, and sometimes subtle coercion ✓
  • D. The threat of economic blockade by neighboring states

Answer: C

Q4. How many princely states approximately faced integration into independent India according to the passage?

  • A. Approximately 565 states ✓
  • B. Approximately 300 states
  • C. Approximately 100 states
  • D. Approximately 1000 states

Answer: A

Unlock more case studies in Premium — unlock →

Previous Year Questions (PYQ) for Framing the Constitution: The Beginning of a New Era

Real CBSE board exam questions from past papers — free to attempt.

CBSE 2025 · Set 61/1/2 · 3 marks

Describe the views of Gandhiji on the national language of India.

CBSE 2025 · Set 61/1/1 · 1 mark

Which one of the following pair is correctly matched? List-I (Name of Important Committees of Constituent Assembly) - List-II (Name of President)

  • Flag Committee – H.C. Mookerjee
  • Union Power Committee – Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
  • Rules of Procedure Committee – S. Varadachariar
  • States Committee – J.B. Kripalani

CBSE 2025 · Set 61/1/1 · 1 mark

Identify the member of the Constituent Assembly with the help of the following information: He was the President of the Constituent Assembly. He was the first President of the Independent India.

  • Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
  • Zakir Hussain
  • V.V. Giri
  • Rajendra Prasad

CBSE 2025 · Set 61/1/1 · 3 marks

Describe the role of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in the Constituent Assembly.

CBSE 2025 · Set 61/1/2 · 1 mark

Identify the member of the Constituent Assembly with the help of the following information: l He was the President of the Constituent Assembly. l He was the first President of the Independent India.

  • Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
  • Zakir Hussain
  • V.V. Giri
  • Rajendra Prasad

CBSE 2025 · Set 61/1/2 · 1 mark

Which one of the following pair is correctly matched? List-I (Name of Important Committees of Constituent Assembly) - List-II (Name of President)

  • Flag Committee – H.C. Mookerjee
  • Union Power Committee – Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
  • Rules of Procedure Committee – S. Varadachariar
  • States Committee – J.B. Kripalani

CBSE 2025 · Set 61/1/3 · 1 mark

Which one of the following pair is correctly matched? List-I (Name of Important Committees of Constituent Assembly) - List-II (Name of President)

  • Flag Committee – H.C. Mookerjee
  • Union Power Committee – Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
  • Rules of Procedure Committee – S. Varadacharia
  • States Committee – J.B. Kripalani

CBSE 2025 · Set 61/1/3 · 1 mark

Identify the member of the Constituent Assembly with the help of the following information: • He was the President of the Constituent Assembly. • He was the first President of the Independent India.

  • Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
  • Zakir Hussain
  • V.V. Giri
  • Rajendra Prasad

CBSE 2025 · Set 61/1/3 · 3 marks

Explain the role of G.B. Pant on the united approach of India.

CBSE 2025 · Set 61/2/1 · 1 mark

How was the Constituent Assembly influenced by public opinion? Choose the correct option. I. People aired their views outside the Parliament House. II. People gave their reactions through the press. III. The members of Constituent Assembly used to discuss with the public. IV. Public expressed their views in the Constituent Assembly.

  • I, III & IV
  • II, III & IV
  • I, IV & II
  • I, II & III

CBSE 2025 · Set 61/2/1 · 1 mark

Identify the person from the given information: 1. He was the head of Advisory Committee of the Constituent Assembly. 2. He was against the separate electorate. 3. He was the first home minister of free India.

  • Gobind Ballabh Pant
  • R.V. Dhulekar
  • Vallabhbhai Patel
  • Pandit Nehru

CBSE 2025 · Set 61/2/1 · 3 marks

"During the debates in Constituent Assembly, B.R. Ambedkar told that he wanted a strong centre, much stronger than the centre we had created under the Act of 1935." Analyse the statement.

See all 77 board PYQs for this chapter — open PYQ tab →

Class 12 History Previous Year Questions, Chapter-wise

All 730 CBSE board questions from 2022–2025, sorted by chapter and question type. Free PDF download.

See all past board questions →

Found this useful? Share it with your class group.

You've seen the free preview. Open the full interactive study kit — mind map, instant-graded quiz, progress tracking — free, no sign-in required.

Open Full Study Kit — Free →

Premium unlocks the full Question Bank, Daily Practice Papers, Chapter Quiz and Full Mock Papers for every chapter.