Constituent Assembly

1. In 1895, Bal Gangadhar Tilak first demanded a Constituent Assembly.
2. In 1922 Mahatma Gandhi demanded the Constituent Assembly.
3. In 1928, the Nehru Committee demanded a Constituent Assembly.
4. In 1934, Manvendra Nath Rai demanded a Constituent Assembly.
5. In 1935, the Congress Party officially demanded the Constituent Assembly.
6. In 1938 Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru as a representative of Congress demanded a Constituent

Assembly elected on the basis of universal adult franchise

• In August 1940, the British accepted the demand of the Constituent Assembly for the first time.

The word 'Constituent Assembly' was not mentioned in it.

• The Cripps Mission in 1942 had a provision of a Constituent Assembly to be indirectly elected by the members of the lower house of the provincial legislatures.
• The Constituent Assembly was elected in 1946 on the basis of recommendations of Cabinet Mission.

It was elected by the members of the lower house of the provincial legislature by the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.

Total Members of the Constituent Assembly (389) 

296 members from British India. 93 members from Princely States

(Elected) 

Members from

Provinces

 (292)

(Nominated)

Member from the Chief

Commissioner Provinces (4)

1. Delhi

2. Ajmer Merwara

3. Coorg

4. Baluchistan

Constituent Assembly Election

• A representative was elected on a population of 10 lakhs.
• 'Proportional representation method was used for election. Members were elected by 'single transferable vote'.
• Three categories were created under proportional representation -

1. Muslim (reserved seats-78)
2. Sikhs (reserved seats -04)
3. General (reserved seats-210) (Hindu, Jain, Christian, etc.)

• Constituent Assembly was elected indirectly.
• Electoral College: The Constituent Assembly was elected by the members of the lower house of the provincial legislature.
• Justice to all citizens of the country
1. Social
2. Economic
3. Political
• Freedom
1. Thought
2. Expression
3. Belief
4. Faith
5. Worship
6. Vocation
7. Association
8. Action
• Equality 
1. Opportunity
2. Before the law
3. Equality Will be ensured
• Special measures should be taken to protect the interests of the following
1. Minority
2. Backward and tribal areas
3. Socially backward and deprived class/depressed and other backward classes
• Maintaining the integrity of the Indian territory and maintaining sovereign right over the water, land and sky under it.
• Since ancient times, India has a special place in the world, to maintain that place and to promote world peace and welfare of mankind.