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Drafting Committee was a Parliamentary committee established on August 29, 1947, to draft the supreme law of the land, i.e., the Constitution of India. It was one of the most important committees of the Constituent Assembly of India, tasked with scrutinizing, refining, and drafting the Constitution of India. This committee laid the foundation for a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic, ensuring that the ideals of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity were deeply embedded in the supreme law of the land, that is Constitution of India.

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What was Drafting Committee?

Drafting Committee was a committee of the Constituent Assembly that was formed on August 29, 1947, to draft the Constitution of India. Chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, it consisted of seven members: Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar, N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar, K.M. Munshi, Mohammad Saadulla, B.L. Mitter and D.P. Khaitan. An overview of the Drafting Committee is given below:

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Drafting Committee formed on

Drafting Committee of the Indian Constituent Assembly, formed on August 29, 1947, the constituent assembly appointed B.R. Ambedkar as its chairman, along with 6 members(a total of 7). It was the most significant committee with the task of drafting the supreme law of the land i.e., the Constitution of India.

Drafting Committee Chairmen

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly of India. He played a pivotal role in drafting the Constitution of India and is often referred to as the principal architect of the Indian Constitution. He was a jurist, economist, and social reformer. Born on April 14, 1891, he championed Dalit rights, fought untouchability, and promoted equality. As chairman of the Drafting Committee, he shaped India’s democratic framework. His legacy inspires social justice movements. He passed away on December 6, 1956.

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Drafting Committee Members

Drafting committee has a very prominent personality as its member’s names and details are given below:

TT Krishnamachari (He replaced D.P. Khaitan and joined in January 1948): A seasoned administrator and politician, Krishnamachari was brought into the committee after the demise of a member. Known for his sharp intellect, he contributed to the debates on economic and administrative structures, helping refine key provisions in the draft Constitution.

• Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar: An eminent jurist and advocate, Ayyar was instrumental in framing the legal and constitutional framework of the draft. He played a significant role in balancing federalism with the unitary structure and ensuring judicial independence.

• KM Munshi: A writer, lawyer and political leader, Munshi brought a cultural and historical perspective to the drafting process. He championed the inclusion of the Directive Principles of State Policy and provisions related to linguistic and cultural rights.

• N Gopalaswami Ayyangar: A former prime minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Ayyangar was a key figure in shaping the administrative aspects of the Constitution. His insights were critical in designing the parliamentary structure and special provisions for Jammu and Kashmir. He also drafted Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

• Mohammad Saadulla: Hailing from Assam, lawyer-politician Saadulla contributed to discussions on minority rights and federalism, bringing in a perspective from the northeastern region, and ensuring inclusivity in the governance framework.

• Debi Prasad Khaitan (died 1948): A distinguished lawyer and legislator from Bengal, Khaitan’s contributions in the early phases of the drafting process were significant. His untimely death in 1948 left a void but his work laid the foundation for many progressive provisions.

• N Madhava Rao (He replaced B.L. Mitter): A respected administrator, Rao brought his expertise in governance to the committee. He played a role in shaping provisions related to administrative reforms and institutional frameworks.

• BL Mitter: A prominent legal expert, Mitter initially contributed to the drafting process but resigned due to health reasons. His early inputs on legal structures and judicial mechanisms were invaluable in shaping the Constitution. Mitter is also said to have made significant contributions to the integration of the princely states with India.

Role of Drafting Committee in Constitution Making

Drafting Committee of the Indian Constituent Assembly, formed on August 29, 1947, had the following key functions:

• Prepare the Draft Constitution Examining and revising constitutional proposals from other committees and members of the Constituent Assembly, based on the initial framework by B.N. Rau.
• Maintaining a healthy balance between federalism and unity and integrity of the nation, while incorporating provisions for both central and state governments.
• Protecting individual rights and liberty, as enjoyed by Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policy, and provisions for social justice.
• Addressing diversity and representation by including provisions for minority rights, reservations, and social upliftment, promoting equality, abolishing untouchability, and protecting marginalised communities.
• Structuring governance institutions such as the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary to ensure checks and balances.

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Drafting Committee FAQS?

What was the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution?

The Drafting Committee was a group appointed by the Constituent Assembly of India on August 29, 1947, to prepare a draft of the Indian Constitution. It was tasked with scrutinizing the initial draft prepared by the Constitutional Adviser, B.N. Rau, and transforming the Assembly’s decisions into a legal document. It was the most crucial committee of the Constituent Assembly.

Who was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee?

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was elected as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee during its first meeting on August 30, 1947. He is often referred to as the "Architect of the Indian Constitution" due to his significant contributions to its drafting.

How many members were in the Drafting Committee?

The Drafting Committee originally consisted of seven members. Due to resignations and deaths, some members were replaced over time.

Who were the members of the Drafting Committee?

The original seven members of the Drafting Committee were:

• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (Chairman)
• Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar
• N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar
• K.M. Munshi
• Mohammad Saadulla
• B.L. Mitter (later replaced by N. Madhava Rao due to health issues)
• D.P. Khaitan (died in 1948, replaced by T.T. Krishnamachari)

What was the role of the Drafting Committee?

The Drafting Committee was responsible for: 

• Scrutinising and refining the draft Constitution prepared by B.N. Rau. Incorporating decisions made by the Constituent Assembly and various committees.
• Drafting a comprehensive Constitution that reflected India’s values of justice, equality, liberty, and fraternity.
• Reviewing feedback from the public, Assembly members, and other stakeholders to revise the draft.

When was the Drafting Committee formed?

The Drafting Committee was established on August 29, 1947, by a resolution of the Constituent Assembly.