National Constitution Day also known as ‘Samvidhan Divas’, is annually observed across India on 26th November to commemorate the adoption of the Indian Constitution in 1949 by the constituent Assembly of India.
- 26 November 2024 marks the 75th Anniversary of adopting the Constitution of India.
- The theme of this year’s National Constitution Day is “Humara Samvidhan, Humara Swabhimaan.”
Background:
i.On 19th November 2015, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJ&E) announced that the Government of India (GoI) would celebrate the 26th November of every year as ‘Constitution Day’ to promote constitutional values among citizens.
ii.2015 marked the 125th birth anniversary of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, chairman of the drafting committee of the Indian Constitution. Previously this day was celebrated as Law Day.
- He is known as the Father of the Indian Constitution for his pivotal role in its drafting.
iii.The first-ever Constitution Day was observed on 26 November 2015.
Note: 2024 marks the 133rd birth anniversary of Dr B.R. Ambedkar.
2024 Events:
On 26th November 2024, the President of India Droupadi Murmu, along with Vic-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi graced the event commemorating 75 years since the adoption of the Constitution in the Central Hall of Parliament House ‘Samvidhan Sadan’ in New Delhi (Delhi).
i.To mark the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of India,
- A commemorative coin and stamp were released to mark the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of India .
- Two books titled “Making of the Constitution of India: A Glimpse“ and “Making of the Constitution of India & its Glorious Journey“ were launched.
- A booklet dedicated to the Art of the Constitution of India was also unveiled, along with the Constitution of India in both language of Sanskrit and Maithili.
ii.As India marked 75 years of independence, citizens across India joined in the celebration of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’.
iii. In addition to having a strong economy, India is effectively fulfilling this role as the ‘Vishwa-Bandhu’ (Friend of the World).
iv.All citizens were urged to adopt the Constitutional ideals in their behavior, follow the Fundamental Duties, and work with dedication towards the national goal of building a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.
Other events:
i.Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar Khatik, MoSJ&E led the 75th Constitution Day celebration organized by MoSJ&E at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre (DAIC) in New Delhi (Delhi).
ii.Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MoYA&S) and Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoL&E) led a Padyatra (foot march) in New Delhi (Delhi), themed ‘Mera Samvidhan Mera Swabhiman’, accompanied by Mera Yuva (MY) Bharat Youth Volunteers to celebrate the Constitution Day.
iii.Minister of State Arjun Ram Meghwal, (Independent Charge (IC)), Ministry of Law and Justice (MoL&J), announced the launch of an “Online Hindi Course on the Constitution of India”.
Notable Initiatives on Indian Republic Day:
On 24th January 2024, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar launched a campaign “Hamara Samvidhan, Hamara Samman” at the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi (Delhi).
The campaign promotes the following initiatives:
- Sabko Nyay, Har Ghar Nyay: It aims to make justice accessible to every individual and household.
- Nav Bharat, Nav Sankalp: Encourages citizens to actively contribute to the democratic process.
- Vidhi Jagriti Abhiyaan: Raises awareness of legal rights, especially in rural and underserved areas.
- DISHA (Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice) Scheme: The Tele Law Programme under DISHA, offers free legal advice via video or phone consultations at Common Service Centres for disadvantaged people..
- Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Services): IConnects marginalized individuals with volunteer lawyers through mobile technology.
History of the Indian Constitution:
The Constitution of India was drafted by a Constituent Assembly established under the Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946.The Assembly held its first meeting on December 9, 1946, and elected Dr. Sachhidanand Sinha, the oldest member of the Assembly as the Provisional President.
- On 11 December 1946, the Assembly elected the first president of India, Dr Rajendra Prasad as its permanent Chairman.
- The Constituent Assembly set up 13 committees for framing the constitution including a Drafting Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on 29 August 1947.
- The constitution was adopted on 26th November 1949 came into force on 26th January 1950, which is commemorated as the Republic Day of India.
Key Facts about the Indian Constitution:
i.Indian Constitution is one of the longest constitutions in the world and is the only constitution that was handwritten in 2 languages, English and Hindi.
- It provides a comprehensive framework to guide and govern India.
ii.Constitution of India is the world’s longest written and active constitution for a sovereign nation .Over time, with amendments, it has grown to 146,385 words, making it the longest written and active constitution for a sovereign nation.
- Constitution of India is the largest written constitution in the world.By 2024, the Indian Constitution comprised 448 articles in 25 parts and 12 schedules, with 106 amendments made since its enactment in 1950. At its inception, it had 395 Articles and 8 Schedules with 1,17,000 words (in the English version).
- Constitution of Monaco is the shortest written constitution with 3,814 words.
iii.The Indian Constitution acts as the core document that defines India’s Democratic, secular, and egalitarian principles.
- It guides India through political, social, and economic, justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity, the fundamental principles of India’s governance.
iv.The Preamble to the Constitution is derived from the Objectives Resolution, proposed by Jawaharlal Nehru in the Constituent Assembly on December 13, 1946.
- The words “socialist”, “secular” and “integrity” were added to the Preamble under the 42nd constitutional amendment moved by the Indira Gandhi government in 1976
v.It was entirely handcrafted by the artists of Shantiniketan under the guidance of Acharya Nandalal Bose, with the calligraphy texts done by Prem Behari Narain Raizada in Delhi.
vi.The original copies of the Indian Constitution are preserved in special helium-filled cases in the Parliament Library of India.
About the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJ&E):
Union Minister– Virendra Kumar Khatik (Constituency- Tikamgarh, Madhya Pradesh)
Ministers of State (MoS)– Ramdas Athawale (Maharashtra); B. L. Verma (Uttar Pradesh)
