November 26 marks the 76th anniversary of the adoption of the Indian Constitution in 1949, a document that came into effect on January 26, 1950. Celebrated as Samvidhan Divas since 2015, the day honors B.R. Ambedkar and the Constituent Assembly's work in framing India's foundational law. The occasion highlights the Constitution's evolution through amendments and landmark judgments.
The Indian Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949, after an intensive drafting process spanning two years, 11 months, and 18 days across 166 sitting days. The Assembly, with 299 members including 15 women and chaired by B.R. Ambedkar for the Drafting Committee, considered 7,635 amendments, resulting in an original document of 395 articles and eight schedules.
Key milestones include the first session on December 9, 1946, with 207 members; Jawaharlal Nehru's Objectives Resolution on December 13, 1946, adopted as the Preamble on January 22, 1947; and the Drafting Committee's formation on August 29, 1947. The final draft was presented on November 4, 1948, signed on January 24, 1950, and enforced on Republic Day.
Since 2015, coinciding with Ambedkar's 125th birth anniversary, November 26 has been officially Samvidhan Divas, as notified by the government to promote constitutional values. A 2015 Press Information Bureau release stated: “This year, the country is celebrating the 125th birth Anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The ‘Constitution Day’ will be a part of these year-long nationwide celebrations. This will be a tribute to Dr. Ambedkar, who played a seminal role in the framing of the Indian Constitution.”
The Constitution has been amended 106 times, expanding to 448 articles and 12 schedules. Significant changes include the 42nd Amendment (1976), adding 'socialist', 'secular', and 'integrity' to the Preamble and introducing Fundamental Duties; the 44th Amendment (1978), restoring some judicial powers; the 61st Amendment (1989), lowering the voting age to 18; the 86th Amendment (2002), inserting Right to Education under Article 21A; and the 101st Amendment (2016), enabling the Goods and Services Tax.
Landmark Supreme Court judgments have shaped its interpretation, such as Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973), establishing the basic structure doctrine; Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978), expanding Article 21; and the 2024 ruling in Association for Democratic Reforms v. Union of India, striking down the Electoral Bonds Scheme as unconstitutional.
As Speaker Om Birla noted, the Constitution guides India toward a Viksit Bharat by 2047, fostering inclusivity through universal adult franchise and affirmative action for marginalized groups. It has endured by adapting to societal needs while protecting core principles like liberty, equality, and fraternity.
