UPSC Prelims 2024 Q61: Indian Polity – Constitutional Framework & Development
- (a) C. Rajagopalachari
- (b) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
- (c) T. T. Krishnamachari
- (d) Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha
Answer: (d) Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha
Explanation
Provisional President of the Constituent Assembly
The Constituent Assembly of India held its first meeting on December 9, 1946.
At this inaugural session, a Provisional/Temporary President was needed before the permanent President was elected.
Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha (the oldest member of the Constituent Assembly) was chosen as the Provisional President following parliamentary convention (senior-most member presides over the first meeting).
On December 11, 1946, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the permanent President of the Constituent Assembly, and Dr. H.C. Mookherjee was elected as Vice-President.
Key Constituent Assembly Facts:
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First meeting | December 9, 1946 |
| Provisional President | Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha |
| Permanent President | Dr. Rajendra Prasad (elected December 11, 1946) |
| Total members | 389 (initially); 299 (after Partition) |
| Constitution adopted | November 26, 1949 |
Answer: (d) Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. C. Rajagopalachari was a senior Congress leader and later became the first Indian Governor-General of India (1948-1950), but was not the Provisional President of the Constituent Assembly.
- (b) Incorrect. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution, not the Provisional President of the Constituent Assembly. He joined the Assembly later.
- (c) Incorrect. T.T. Krishnamachari was a member of the Drafting Committee who replaced Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar, but he was not the Provisional President of the Constituent Assembly.
- (d) CORRECT. Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha served as the Provisional/Temporary President of the Constituent Assembly at its inaugural session on December 9, 1946, per the convention of the senior-most member presiding.
Key point
Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha = Provisional President of Constituent Assembly (December 9, 1946). Dr. Rajendra Prasad = permanent President (elected December 11, 1946). Dr. B.R. Ambedkar = Chairman, Drafting Committee.
Remember
Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha was the Provisional President of the Constituent Assembly at its first meeting on December 9, 1946. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected permanent President two days later.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Dr. Ambedkar (Drafting Committee Chairman) with the Provisional President - Ambedkar's role was drafting the Constitution, not presiding over the Assembly.
- Forgetting that the Provisional President was the oldest/senior-most member per parliamentary convention - Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha was the oldest member present.
- Mixing up C. Rajagopalachari's role - he was the first Indian Governor-General (1948-1950), not Constituent Assembly Provisional President.
Exam tip
Constituent Assembly key roles: Provisional President = Sachchidananda Sinha. Permanent President = Rajendra Prasad. Drafting Committee Chair = Ambedkar. Vice President of CA = H.C. Mookherjee. First meeting: December 9, 1946.
Sources
- NCERT Class 12 Political Science - Chapter 1: The Constitution - Why and How?
- Constituent Assembly Debates - Volume I (December 1946)