Why Is 26 November Constitution Day? How India’s Constitution Was Made and What Makes It Special

New Delhi: Today the country is celebrating 76th Constitution Day. On this very day in 1949, the Constituent Assembly finalized and adopted the Constitution of India. Its formal effective date was 26 January 1950, hence the same day became Republic Day. In the year 2015, the Central Government declared 26 November as “Constitution Day”, so that the contribution of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar and all the members involved in the making of the Constitution could be respectfully remembered.

In how many days was the constitution prepared?

The Indian Constitution was prepared in 2 years, 11 months and 18 days. 

• July 1946: Elections for the Constituent Assembly
• 9 December 1946: First meeting (Dr. Sachchidanand Sinha temporary chairman)
• 11 December 1946: Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected permanent president.
• Total members: 389 → 299 left after division
• Last meeting: 26 November 1949
• Entered into force: 26 January 1950

In this long time, there were 11 sessions, 165 meetings and 114 days of debate. Total expenditure: Only Rs 64 lakh (about Rs 600 crore in today's price).

Dr. Ambedkar: The real architect of the Indian Constitution

The command of the Constitution Drafting Committee was in the hands of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar. This committee of seven members worked continuously for 141 days and prepared the draft of the Constitution. Ambedkar often used to say, “No matter how good the Constitution is, it will be of no use if the people who run it are not good.”

It was under his leadership that many historical changes like equality (Articles 14-18), freedom (19-22), protection against exploitation (23-24) and provisions related to social justice and reservation (15, 16, 330, 332) were made, due to which the Constitution is still considered modern and visionary.

Why is the Constitution of India the most special in the world?

The Constitution of India is the longest written constitution in the world. Originally 395 articles and 8 schedules, now 470 articles. 
The best things were taken from the constitutions of more than 100 countries –

• Fundamental Rights: America
• Parliamentary system: Britain
• Emergency: Germany
• Guiding elements: Ireland

1. Together unitary federal – strong centre, but states also have rights
2. Guarantee of secularism – no state religion
3. Living document – 106 amendments so far, still the original spirit remains intact

Constitution Day message of 2025

This year’s theme is “Constitution and Empowered Citizens.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that our Constitution is not just a law book but a document of dreams of 140 crore Indians. Special sessions are being held in the Supreme Court and High Court, preamble readings are being held in schools and colleges, and the  “I am the Constitution of India” campaign is going on across the country.

Today once again say with pride – “We the people of India… do adopt, enact, and dedicate this Constitution… to constitute India a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic Republic.”