In 1928, Motilal Nehru drafted a constitutional frame work known as Nehru report.
In 1934, M N Roy suggested of constituent assembly.
On the recommendation of cabinet mission plan, a constituent assembly was set up in November, 1946.
On 26th January, 1950 Indian constitution came into being.
Salient features of the Indian constitution –
Longest written constitution.
Blend of rigidity and flexibility.
Parliamentary form of government.
Independent judiciary.
Federal system with unitary features.
Secular state.
Universal adult franchise.
Emergency provisions.
Schedules in the Indian constitution –
1st schedule – deals with names (state and union territories) and their territorial extent.
2nd schedule – deals with salaries and allowances.
3rd schedule – deals with forms of oath or affirmations of members.
4th schedule – deals with allocation of seats in Rajyasabha.
5th schedule – deals with administration and control of schedule areas and tribes.
6th schedule – deals with administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
7th schedule – deals with allocation of powers / functions between union and states. (union list, state list and concurrent list)
8th schedule – deals with the 22 languages of India.
9th schedule – contains acts and orders related to land tenure, road tax, railways and industries. (added by first amendment in 1951)
10th schedule – deals with the provisions for disqualification of members (MPs and MLAs) on the ground of defection. (added by 52nd amendment in 1985)
11th schedule – contains list of 29 subjects on which schemes may be entrusted to the panchayats by the legislative of state. (it was added by 73rd amendment act, 1992)
12th schedule – contains list of 18 subjects on which schemes may be entrusted to municipalities by the legislative of state for implementation. (it was added by 74th amendment act, 1992)
National flag –
Was designed by Pingali Venkaya of Andhra Pradesh.
On 22nd July, 1947 it was adopted by the constituent assembly.
Its length: breath is 3:2.
Its middle portion is the Ashok chakra having 24 spokes.
National emblem –
It is taken from the pillar of Ashoka from Sarnath (Varanasi).
On 26th January, 1950 it was adopted by the Government of India.
At its base “satyameva jayate” is written in the Devnagari script and is taken from the Mundaka Upnishad.
“Satyameva Jayate” is the national motto of India.
National anthem –
Written by Rabindra Nath Tagore.
Recitation period is 52 sec.
First time it was sung in Calcutta congress session in 27th December, 1911.
Constituent assembly adopted it in 24th January, 1950.
National song (Vandemataram) –
It is taken from Anandmath by Bankim Chandra Chatterji.
First time it was sung in Kolkata session of congress in 1896.
It was officially adopted on 24th January, 1950.
National calendar –
Saka era along with the Gregorian calendar.
Chaitra is the first month.
It was adopted on 22nd March, 1957 by the government of India.
National animal –
Tiger (Panthera tigris).
It has eight species around the world.
The Indian specie is known as the Royal Bengal tiger.
National bird –
Indian peacock (Pavo cristatus).
It is protected under Indian wildlife protection act, 1972.