National Constitution Day [26th November]

National Constitution Day marks the day of the adoption of the Indian Constitution. It took around three years for the constitution-makers to draft the Constitution of India. The Constituent Assembly finally adopted the new Constitution of India on 26 November 1949. Therefore, Constitution Day is celebrated every year to honour this day.

The Constitution of India came into effect on 26 November 1950. Constitution Day is also known as National Law Day or Samvidhan Divas. Learn more about the history and significance of this day here.

Indian Constitution Day 2022

On 26 November 1949, the Constitution of India was officially adopted and to honor this event, this day was named as Constitution Day. This day is celebrated all across India to remind the citizens of our constitutional values. Previously, this day was observed as National Law Day.

The government of India officiated Constitution Day of India by a gazette notification on 19 November 2015. Here, we have shared some more information about this day:

History of Constitution Day of India

Constitution Day was formerly known as National Law Day. The history of this day can be traced back to 19 November 2015, when the Indian government officially established the day. The Government of India announced 26 November as Constitution Day through a Gazette notification. The primary objective of this day is to promote the values of the Indian Constitution among Indian citizens.

The decision to celebrate the National Constitution Day on 26 November every year was first announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 11 October 2015 at the foundation stone laying ceremony of Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s Statue of Equality Memorial in Mumbai. Dr Ambedkar was the Chairman of the Constituent Assembly Drafting Committee and played a prime role in the drafting of the constitution. Hence, Indian Constitution Day is celebrated to let people know the ideas and thoughts of the visionary leader, Dr B.R. Ambedkar.

History of Drafting the Indian Constitution:

• The responsibility of framing the Constitution of India was entrusted to the Constituent Assembly.
• The Constituent Assembly was formed in 1946 under the Cabinet Mission Plan. The Assembly's first meeting was held on 9 December 1946, in which Dr Sachhidanand Sinha was elected as the Assembly's Provisional President.
• On 11 December 1946, Dr Rajendra Prasad was elected as the Assembly's permanent Chairman.
• There were thirteen (13) committees in total for preparing the Constitution of India, and Dr B.R. Ambedkar was made the Chairman of the Drafting Committee.
• After the committees submitted their reports, a special seven-member Drafting Committee designed the basic draft of the Constitution.

Significance of Constitution Day

Indian Constitution Day is significant because it marks the day of the adoption of the constitution. The Constitution is a document with all the rights and privileges of Indian citizens and the laws of the land written down in it. It is an important document without which the governance of the country would not be possible. Constitution Day is a day to acknowledge the importance of the Constitution and to honor it.

Facts About the Constitution of India:

• The Indian Constitution is the world's lengthiest and longest written Constitution, with 395 Articles, 22 Parts, and 12 Schedules.
• The Indian Constitution is also unique because it was not printed or typeset but was calligraphic and handwritten in Hindi and English.
• The Indian Constitution's original copies are well-preserved in helium-filed cases in the Parliament of Indias Library.
• There are 22 pieces of artwork and illustrations designed by Acharya Nandalal Bose.

How is Constitution Day of India Celebrated?

Although Constitution Day is an important day in India, the Central Government hasn't declared it a public holiday. Various government departments across India observe this day through myriad events, such as follows:

• On National Constitution Day, people read the constitution and spread awareness about it.
• Many school students across the country read the Preamble of the Constitution on this day.
• They also participate in various online and offline quiz programs and essay competitions on the Indian Constitution.
• On 26 November 2015, Constitution Day was celebrated by giving a tribute to Dr B.R. Ambedkar in a session in the Indian Parliament.
• In the same year, a “Run for Equality” was also arranged by the Department of Sports, Government of India.

FAQ on National Constitution Day

Q1. When is Constitution Day celebrated in India?

National Constitution Day is celebrated on 26 November in India. It is celebrated on this date to commemorate the official adoption of the Indian Constitution on 26 November 1949. Constitution Day is about remembering and honoring the importance of the constitution.

Q2. Why do we celebrate Constitution Day in India?

National Constitution Day is celebrated to observe and honour the Indian Constitution's adoption on 26 November 1949. This event was significant because it was the country’s first independently drafted legal document after independence from the Britishers.

Q3. Who founded National Constitution Day?

National Constitution Day was officially established by the Government of India on 19 November 2015 through a gazette notification. Prior to this, 26 November was observed as National Law Day. Now, Constitution Day is celebrated every year on 26 November.

Q4. What is unique about the Indian Constitution?

Indian Constitution Day is celebrated on 26 November every year. The Indian Constitution is the world's longest-written constitution, with 395 Articles, 22 Parts, and 12 Schedules. Our Constitution is also unique because it was not printed or typeset but was calligraphic and handwritten in Hindi and English.

Q5. Why is 26 November celebrated as Constitution Day?

26 November was chosen as National Constitution Day because it was on this day that the Indian Constitution was officially adopted in 1949. The Constitution came into effect a year later on the same date. To honor the day, we celebrate it as Constitution Day.