Happy Republic Day 2022: Know The History And Significance Of This Important Day

While the Constitution of India was adopted on November 26, 1949, it came into force on January 26, 1950.

Members of the Drafting Committee | Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

Happy Republic Day 2022: It was the 26th of January, 1950 when India moved a step forward after gaining independence from colonial rule and empowered itself with its own constitution. This year on January 26, the country will be celebrating its 73rd year of being the Republic of India. 

Republic Day: History

After India gained independence on August 15, 1947, the country did not have any permanent constitution of its own. Two weeks later on August 29, 1947, a resolution was moved to appoint a Drafting Committee. 

The Drafting Committee headed by Dr B R Ambedkar was tasked with drafting the Constitution of India. The first session of this committee was held on December 9, 1946, after which several rounds of sessions were held for two years to debate and deliberate regarding the draft of the Constitution. 

The last session of the Drafting Committee concluded on November 26, 1949, and the Constitution was adopted on the same day. However, it was after two months, on January 26, 1950, that it came into effect. 

The Drafting Committee initially included 389 members but after India’s independence and the partition, the number of members was reduced to 299. 

Republic Day: Significance

While the Constitution of India was adopted on November 26, 1949, it came into force on January 26, 1950. This was done so to commemorate the declaration of Purna Swaraj or Complete Independence by the Indian National Congress on January 26, 1930. 

The Constitution of India contains 395 articles divided into 22 parts and 8 schedules. It lays down some fundamental rights which are to be enjoyed by all the citizens of this country irrespective of any kind of bias. It also lays down some fundamental duties which every citizen of the country should abide by.