Discover the importance of Samvidhan Divas, the journey of India’s Constitution from the Preamble to key amendments, and how the world’s longest written Constitution continues to shape democracy, rights, and governance in modern India.
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NEW DELHI: Constitution Day, also known as Samvidhan Divas, is celebrated every year on November 26 to mark the historic adoption of the Indian Constitution by the Constituent Assembly of India in 1949. The day holds immense importance for every Indian citizen, as it honours the ideals of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. The day serves as a tribute to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who chaired the Drafting Committee and played a remarkable role in shaping the legal, social and democratic foundation of independent India.
Although the Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949, it came into effect on January 26, 1950, the day India became a Republic and India emerged as a sovereign democratic republic, a date celebrated today as Republic Day.
For the first time in 74 years, Jammu & Kashmir celebrated Constitution Day after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, marking fuller integration into India’s constitutional framework.
How Constitution Day Came Into Being
The Government of India officially designated November 26 as Constitution Day in 2015, the year commemorating the 125th birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Before this, the day was observed as Law Day by legal institutions and the judiciary.
The announcement aimed to promote constitutional awareness, encourage citizens to understand the rights and duties enshrined in the Constitution, and honour Ambedkar’s vision for an inclusive and progressive nation.
Constitution Day 2025
In 2025, Constitution Day holds special significance as India marks 76 years since the adoption of the Constitution. The national ceremony takes place on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at the historic Central Hall of the old Parliament building (Samvidhan Sadan).
President Droupadi Murmu will lead the celebration, in the presence of:
- Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chair C.P. Radhakrishnan
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla
- Union Ministers, Members of Parliament and dignitaries
The programme will include a public reading of the Preamble, speeches, and the digital launch of the Constitution in nine Indian languages, Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Punjabi, Bodo, Kashmiri, Telugu, Odia and Assamese. A commemorative booklet showcasing the original calligraphy of the Constitution will also be released.
Across the nation, ministries, state governments, schools, colleges, and civic bodies will organise debates, cultural events, quizzes, exhibitions, essay competitions and the ‘Samvidhan Yatra’ under the theme “Hamara Samvidhan, Hamara Samman.”
Making of the Constitution
The Constituent Assembly, formed in December 1946, included 389 members, among them Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel and Dr. Rajendra Prasad, who served as its President. The drafting process spanned 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days, involving 114 days of debate. More than 7,600 amendments were proposed, and 2,400 were ultimately accepted.
The Indian Constitution remains the longest written Constitution in the world, originally containing 395 Articles and 8 Schedules, today expanded through amendments to cover 25 Parts and 12 Schedules.
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Constitution: The Foundation of Modern India
The Preamble describes India as a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic, committed to justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. Over the decades, several amendments and historic Supreme Court judgments, including Kesavananda Bharati (1973), Maneka Gandhi (1978) and the Right to Privacy judgment (2017), have shaped the evolving interpretation of the Constitution.
Recent decisions, such as the 2024 Electoral Bonds ruling, further reinforce constitutional transparency and electoral integrity.
Adoption of the Indian Constitution: Timeline
The adoption of the Indian Constitution on 26 November 1949 was the result of a long constitutional and political journey spanning several decades. The struggle for independence, demand for self-rule, and need for a democratic legal framework laid the foundation for the creation of a new governing structure. Several landmark events shaped the formation of the Constitution:
1. 1934: Idea of a Constituent Assembly
Manabendra Nath Roy, an Indian revolutionary and political theorist, first proposed the concept of drafting a Constitution by Indians themselves. The Indian National Congress later endorsed the idea, advocating for a constitution framed without British intervention.
2. 1946: Cabinet Mission and Formation of the Constituent Assembly
The British Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946 outlined the framework for forming a Constituent Assembly to draft an independent India’s constitution. Elections were held to select its members.
3. December 9, 1946: First Session of the Constituent Assembly
The first meeting of the Constituent Assembly was held in the Constitution Hall (now Central Hall of Parliament). Dr. Sachidananda Sinha served as the temporary President.
4. December 11, 1946: Dr. Rajendra Prasad Elected President
Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the permanent President of the Assembly, and H.C. Mukherjee was elected as Vice-President.
5. December 13, 1946: Objectives Resolution Introduced
Jawaharlal Nehru moved the Objectives Resolution, which outlined the philosophy and guiding principles of the Constitution. This later became the Preamble of the Constitution and was adopted on January 22, 1947.
6. August 29, 1947: Drafting Committee Formed
The Drafting Committee was appointed with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as the Chairman, entrusted with preparing the first draft of the Constitution.
7. November 4, 1948: Draft Constitution Presented
Dr. Ambedkar introduced the Draft Constitution to the Assembly. It was debated extensively for almost a year.
8. November 26, 1949: Constitution Adopted
After 11 sessions covering 114 days of debate, and examining over 7,600 amendments (of which 2,400 were accepted), the Constituent Assembly formally adopted the Constitution of India.
9. January 24, 1950: Signing of the Final Document
Members of the Assembly signed the final handwritten copies in English and Hindi.
10. January 26, 1950: Constitution Came Into Effect
The Constitution officially came into force and India became a sovereign democratic republic. The date was chosen to commemorate Purna Swaraj Day (26 January 1930), when the call for complete independence was first declared.
Major Constitutional Amendments of India
1st Amendment Act, 1951
Introduced provisions for the advancement of socially and economically backward classes and protected land reform laws through the Ninth Schedule. Added Articles 31A and 31B, imposed new reasonable restrictions on freedom of speech, and clarified state power in nationalisation and trade matters.
7th Amendment Act, 1956
Reorganized states by abolishing the Part A, B, C, D classification and creating 14 states and 6 union territories. Extended High Court jurisdiction to UTs and allowed common High Courts for multiple states.
42nd Amendment Act, 1976 – Mini Constitution
Added socialist, secular, and integrity to the Preamble, introduced Fundamental Duties, strengthened Directive Principles, extended legislative terms to six years, and expanded central powers. It also aimed to limit judicial review and mandated that the President act on Cabinet advice.
44th Amendment Act, 1978
Restored Lok Sabha and Assembly terms to five years, reinstated judicial powers, added safeguards on emergency provisions, replaced internal disturbance with armed rebellion, and protected Articles 20 & 21 from suspension. The Right to Property was removed from Fundamental Rights and made a legal right.
52nd Amendment Act, 1985
Introduced the Anti-Defection Law, adding the 10th Schedule to prevent political defections.
61st Amendment Act, 1988
Reduced the voting age from 21 to 18 years.
73rd & 74th Amendments Act, 1992
Constitutionalised Panchayati Raj (Part IX, 11th Schedule) and Urban Local Bodies (Part IX-A, 12th Schedule), strengthening grassroots democracy.
86th Amendment Act, 2002
Made education a fundamental right under Article 21A and added the duty of parents to provide education (Article 51A).
101st Amendment Act, 2016
Introduced GST, enabling both the Centre and states to levy Goods and Services Tax.
103rd Amendment Act, 2019
Provided 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in education and public employment.
104th Amendment Act, 2020
Ended the reserved seats for Anglo-Indians in Parliament and state assemblies and extended SC/ST reservation for another ten years.
106th Amendment Act, 2023
Reserved one-third seats for women in the Lok Sabha, state legislatures and Delhi Assembly, with implementation after the next census. Valid for 15 years, extendable by Parliament.
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Landmark Constitutional Judgments
1. Golaknath v. State of Punjab (1967)
The Supreme Court ruled that Parliament cannot amend Fundamental Rights, placing limits on amendment powers for the first time.
2. Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973)
Introduced the Basic Structure Doctrine, stating that the core features of the Constitution (like secularism, democracy, rule of law) cannot be altered by Parliament.
3. Indira Nehru Gandhi v. Raj Narain (1975)
Applied the basic structure doctrine and struck down part of the 39th Amendment, protecting free and fair elections and the rule of law.
4. Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978)
Expanded the scope of Article 21, ruling that the procedure established by law must be just, fair & reasonable. Linked Articles 14, 19 & 21.
5. Minerva Mills v. Union of India (1980)
Reinforced the basic structure doctrine and restored judicial review, limiting Parliament’s amendment powers. Balanced Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles.
6. Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corporation (1985)
Recognized the Right to Livelihood as part of the Right to Life (Article 21) while protecting pavement dwellers.
7. S. R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994)
It restricted the misuse of President’s Rule (Article 356) and held that such proclamations are subject to judicial review. Strengthened federalism.
8. Justice K. S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017)
Declared Right to Privacy a Fundamental Right under Article 21, limiting state action unless lawful, necessary & proportionate.
9. Government of NCT of Delhi v. Union of India (2018)
Held that the Lieutenant Governor must follow the aid and advice of Delhi’s elected government in all matters except police, land, and public order.
10. Association for Democratic Reforms v. Union of India (2024)
Struck down the Electoral Bonds Scheme as unconstitutional, protecting transparency in political funding.
About the Indian Constitution
Purpose
The Constitution is the supreme law of India. It defines the structure, powers, and duties of government institutions and outlines the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
Drafting Timeline
- Adopted: 26 November 1949
- Enforced: 26 January 1950
- Originally contained 395 Articles, 22 Parts, and 8 Schedules.
- The longest written constitution in the world (around 1.45 lakh words).
- Handwritten by Prem Behari Narain Raizada; artwork by Shantiniketan artists under Nandalal Bose.
- The Constituent Assembly debated it for 167 days across 11 sessions.
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the principal architect; Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the first to sign.
Preamble
Declares India a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic and promises justice, liberty, equality and fraternity
Key Features of the Constitution
1. Longest Written Constitution
Now has 448 Articles, 25 Parts, and 12 Schedules.
2. Borrowed from Multiple Constitutions
Adopted features from various global constitutions and the Government of India Act, 1935.
3. Blend of Rigidity and Flexibility
Amendments require:
- Special Majority in Parliament, or
- Special Majority + State Ratification, or
- Simple majority for less critical provisions.
4. Federal Structure with Unitary Bias
Federal in design but unitary during national emergencies; described as quasi-federal and cooperative federalism.
5. Parliamentary System
Based on the Westminster model, features:
- Nominal and real executive
- Collective responsibility
- Majority party rule
- Prime Ministerial leadership
6. Balance of Parliament and Judiciary
Combines judicial review and parliamentary power to amend most provisions.
7. Integrated and Independent Judiciary
Single system with the Supreme Court at the top, ensuring protection of rights and constitutional supremacy.
8. Fundamental Rights (Part III)
Six rights:
- Equality
- Freedom
- Protection from exploitation
- Freedom of religion
- Cultural and educational rights
- Right to constitutional remedies
9. Directive Principles (Part IV)
Non-justiciable guidelines for establishing a welfare state.
10. Fundamental Duties (Part IV-A)
11 duties, added through the 42nd and 86th Amendments; non-justiciable.
11. Secular State
Equal respect and protection for all religions.
12. Universal Adult Franchise
Voting rights for all citizens 18+ years, without discrimination.
13. Single Citizenship
One Indian citizenship for the entire nation.
14. Independent Constitutional Bodies
Include:
- Election Commission
- CAG
- UPSC & State PSCs
15. Emergency Provisions
Three types: National, State, and Financial emergencies.
16. Three-Tier Government
Local self-governance through the 73rd & 74th amendments.
17. Co-operative Societies
The 97th Amendment gave constitutional recognition to cooperatives.
Conclusion
Constitution Day is a powerful reminder of India’s democratic spirit and the visionary leadership that shaped the nation’s constitutional framework. From the historic adoption of the Preamble to the transformative amendments and landmark Supreme Court judgments, the Constitution continues to evolve as a living document, protecting rights, ensuring justice, and guiding national progress.
As we celebrate Samvidhan Divas, it is our collective duty to uphold the values of liberty, equality, and fraternity, and contribute to building an inclusive, transparent, and empowered India.
The Constitution is not just a legal text; it is the soul of our democracy, belonging to every citizen of India.
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