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Q61 (IAS/2024) Polity & Governance › Constitutional Basics & Evolution › Constituent Assembly Official Key

Who was the Provisional President of the Constituent Assembly before Dr. Rajendra Prasad took over ?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: D
Explanation

Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha (the eldest member) was elected to become the Provisional President of the Constituent Assembly[1], before Dr. Rajendra Prasad was formally elected as the permanent President of the Assembly on 11 December 1946[1]. Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha, the oldest member, was elected as the temporary Chairman of the Assembly, following the French practice[2]. The Constituent Assembly held its first meeting on December 9, 1946[2], and on December 11, 1946, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the permanent Chairman (President) of the Assembly[2]. The other options are incorrect: C. Rajagopalachari was not associated with this provisional role, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee, and T.T. Krishnamachari was not the provisional president.

Sources
  1. [2] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 2: Making of the Constitution > WORKING OF THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY > p. 12
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Q. Who was the Provisional President of the Constituent Assembly before Dr. Rajendra Prasad took over ? [A] C. Rajagopalachari [B] Dr. B.R…
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 2.5/10 · 7.5/10
Statement 1
Was C. Rajagopalachari the Provisional President of the Constituent Assembly of India immediately before Dr. Rajendra Prasad took over?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"J.B. Kripalani, the Assembly’s Secretary, elected **Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha (the eldest member)** to become the **Provisional President** of the Constituent Assembly. Two days later, on 11 December 1946, **Dr. Rajendra Prasad** was formally elected as the permanent President of the Assembly."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly names Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha as the Provisional President of the Constituent Assembly.
  • States Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as permanent President two days later, implying Sinha held the provisional post immediately before Rajendra Prasad.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"Dr Sachidanand Sinha was the first president of the Constituent Assembly. Later, Dr Rajendra Prasad was elected its president."
Why this source?
  • Confirms Dr Sachidanand Sinha was the first president of the Constituent Assembly.
  • Notes that Dr Rajendra Prasad was elected its president later, supporting that Sinha preceded Rajendra Prasad (not C. Rajagopalachari).

Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 2: Making of the Constitution > WORKING OF THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY > p. 12
Strength: 5/5
“The Constituent Assembly held its first meeting on December 9, 1946. The Muslim League boycotted the meeting and insisted on a separate state of Pakistan. The meeting was, thus, attended by only 207 members. Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha, the oldest member, was elected. as the temporary Chairman of the Assembly, following the French practice. On December 11, 1946, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the permanent Chairman (President) of the Assembly. Similarly, on January 25, 1947, H.C. Mukherjee was elected as the Vice-President of the Assembly. Later on, the Assembly resolved to have two Vice-Presidents. Accordingly, on July 16, 1947, V.”
Why relevant

States that Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha, the oldest member, was elected as the temporary (provisional) Chairman of the Assembly following the French practice.

How to extend

A student could use this rule (oldest member = temporary chairman) plus a list of assembly members to check who actually held the provisional post immediately before Rajendra Prasad.

Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 35: Making of the Constitution for India > Constituent Assembly > p. 617
Strength: 5/5
“the name of Dr Sachhidanand Sinha, the oldest member of the Assembly, for the post of the provisional president. Later, on December 11, Dr Rajendra Prasad was elected as the President of the Constituent Assembly. The Constituent Assembly appointed several committees for framing the constitution. These committees submitted their reports between April and August 1947 and on the basis of these reports, Dr B.N. Rau, the Constitutional Adviser, submitted a draft of the Constitution by the end of October 1947. This draft contained 240 Clauses and 13 Schedules. In order to consider this Draft Constitution, a Drafting Committee under the chairmanship of Dr B.R.”
Why relevant

Names Dr Sachhidanand Sinha as the nominee for the post of provisional president and notes that on December 11 Dr Rajendra Prasad was elected President.

How to extend

Compare the named provisional office-holder (Sinha) and the date Rajendra Prasad assumed office to see whether anyone else (e.g., Rajagopalachari) could have been provisional president in between.

Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 2: Making of the Constitution > WORKING OF THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY > p. 12
Strength: 4/5
“The Constituent Assembly held its first meeting on December 9, 1946. The Muslim League boycotted the meeting and insisted on a separate state of Pakistan. The meeting was, thus, attended by only 207 members. Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha, the oldest member, was elected. as the temporary Chairman of the Assembly, following the French practice. On December 11, 1946, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the permanent Chairman (President) of the Assembly. Similarly, on January 25, 1947, H.C. Mukherjee was elected as the Vice-President of the Assembly. Later on, the Assembly resolved to have two Vice-Presidents. Accordingly, on July 16, 1947, V.T.”
Why relevant

Repeats that the oldest member (Sachchidananda Sinha) was elected temporary Chairman and that Rajendra Prasad was elected permanent Chairman on December 11, 1946.

How to extend

Use these successive-role statements (temporary chairman → Rajendra Prasad elected on a specific date) to infer who immediately preceded Rajendra Prasad in that role.

Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 33: Challenges Before the New-born Nation > First Day of Independent India > p. 590
Strength: 3/5
“August 15, 1947 started an epoch that ended India's colonial subjugation and looked forward to a new India—India as an independent country. The Constituent Assembly of India met at 11 p.m. on August 14, 1947. Rajendra Prasad presided over the session. In a ceremony held in the Constituent Assembly (in Parliament House) at midnight of August 14-15, 1947,”
Why relevant

Notes that Rajendra Prasad presided over the Assembly session at the transition to independence (August 14–15, 1947), indicating his established role as presiding officer after his election.

How to extend

Combine Rajendra Prasad's confirmed presiding role at key dates with the earlier provisional-chair practice to rule out other figures serving as provisional president immediately before him.

Statement 2
Was Dr. B. R. Ambedkar the Provisional President of the Constituent Assembly of India immediately before Dr. Rajendra Prasad took over?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The first temporary 2-day President of the Constituent Assembly was Dr. Sachidanand Sinha. Later, Rajendra Prasad was elected President of the Constituent Assembly."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states who served as the temporary (provisional) president immediately before Rajendra Prasad.
  • Shows that the temporary president was Dr. Sachidanand Sinha, not Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"the Constituent Assembly, with Dr. Rajendra Prasad as its President and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee,"
Why this source?
  • Identifies the roles of Rajendra Prasad and B.R. Ambedkar within the Constituent Assembly.
  • Shows Ambedkar served as Chairman of the Drafting Committee, not as President.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"Dr Sachidanand Sinha was the first president of the Constituent Assembly. Later, Dr Rajendra Prasad was elected its president. Dr BR Ambedkar, the chairman of ..."
Why this source?
  • Confirms Dr. Sachidanand Sinha was the first president and that Rajendra Prasad was later elected president.
  • Mentions Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in the context of a different role (chairman), not as provisional president.

Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 2: Making of the Constitution > WORKING OF THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY > p. 12
Strength: 5/5
“The Constituent Assembly held its first meeting on December 9, 1946. The Muslim League boycotted the meeting and insisted on a separate state of Pakistan. The meeting was, thus, attended by only 207 members. Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha, the oldest member, was elected. as the temporary Chairman of the Assembly, following the French practice. On December 11, 1946, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the permanent Chairman (President) of the Assembly. Similarly, on January 25, 1947, H.C. Mukherjee was elected as the Vice-President of the Assembly. Later on, the Assembly resolved to have two Vice-Presidents. Accordingly, on July 16, 1947, V.”
Why relevant

States the assembly's first meeting (9 Dec 1946) elected Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha, the oldest member, as temporary Chairman following the French practice, and that Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected permanent Chairman on 11 Dec 1946.

How to extend

A student could use the rule that the oldest member serves as provisional head to infer that the provisional presidency was held by Sinha at that time, not by another leader such as Ambedkar, and then check lists of officers for confirmation.

Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 35: Making of the Constitution for India > Constituent Assembly > p. 617
Strength: 5/5
“the name of Dr Sachhidanand Sinha, the oldest member of the Assembly, for the post of the provisional president. Later, on December 11, Dr Rajendra Prasad was elected as the President of the Constituent Assembly. The Constituent Assembly appointed several committees for framing the constitution. These committees submitted their reports between April and August 1947 and on the basis of these reports, Dr B.N. Rau, the Constitutional Adviser, submitted a draft of the Constitution by the end of October 1947. This draft contained 240 Clauses and 13 Schedules. In order to consider this Draft Constitution, a Drafting Committee under the chairmanship of Dr B.R.”
Why relevant

Explicitly names Dr. Sachhidanand Sinha as chosen for the post of provisional president and then notes Rajendra Prasad's election on December 11.

How to extend

Combine this naming with the Dec 9–11 meeting timeline to argue there was a single provisional presiding officer (Sinha) immediately before Rajendra Prasad.

Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 2: Making of the Constitution > WORKING OF THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY > p. 12
Strength: 4/5
“The Constituent Assembly held its first meeting on December 9, 1946. The Muslim League boycotted the meeting and insisted on a separate state of Pakistan. The meeting was, thus, attended by only 207 members. Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha, the oldest member, was elected. as the temporary Chairman of the Assembly, following the French practice. On December 11, 1946, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the permanent Chairman (President) of the Assembly. Similarly, on January 25, 1947, H.C. Mukherjee was elected as the Vice-President of the Assembly. Later on, the Assembly resolved to have two Vice-Presidents. Accordingly, on July 16, 1947, V.T.”
Why relevant

Repeats the pattern: first meeting on Dec 9, oldest member as temporary chairman, Rajendra Prasad elected permanent Chairman on Dec 11.

How to extend

Use the repeated account across sources as corroboration that the provisional role was tied to the oldest member rather than to committee chairs like Ambedkar's.

THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART III, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 12: FRAMING THE CONSTITUTION > 1.2 The dominant voices > p. 320
Strength: 4/5
“Rajendra Prasad's role was as President of the Assembly, where he had to steer the discussion along constructive lines while making sure all members had a chance to speak. Besides this Congress trio, a very important member of the Assembly was the lawyer and economist B.R. A mbedkar. During the period of British rule, Ambedkar had been a political opponent of the Congress; but, on the advice of Mahatma Gandhi, he was asked at Independence to join the Union Cabinet as law minister. In this capacity, he served as Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution. Serving with him were two other lawyers, K.M.”
Why relevant

Describes Rajendra Prasad's role as President of the Assembly and separately identifies B.R. Ambedkar as Chairman of the Drafting Committee (a distinct office).

How to extend

Differentiate offices: since Ambedkar is shown as Drafting Committee chair, a student can infer he held committee leadership rather than the Assembly's provisional presidency and should check officer lists to rule him out.

Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 1: CONSTITUTION: WHY AND HOW? > Procedures > p. 18
Strength: 3/5
“The importance of public reason was emphasised in the mundane procedures of the Assembly as well. The Constituent Assembly had eight major Committees on different subjects. Usually, Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajendra Prasad, Sardar Patel or B.R. Ambedkar chaired these Committees. These were not men who agreed with each other on many things. Ambedkar had been a bitter critic of the Congress and Gandhi, accusing them of not doing enough for the upliftment of Scheduled Castes. Patel and Nehru disagreed on many issues. Nevertheless, they all worked together. Each Committee usually drafted particular provisions of the Constitution which were then subjected to debate by the entire Assembly.”
Why relevant

Notes that major committees were usually chaired by figures like Nehru, Rajendra Prasad, Sardar Patel or B.R. Ambedkar, indicating Ambedkar's role was committee-level, not necessarily the Assembly's presiding officer.

How to extend

Use this pattern to separate committee chairs from Assembly presidents and thereby question whether Ambedkar occupied the provisional presiding role immediately before Rajendra Prasad.

Statement 3
Was T. T. Krishnamachari the Provisional President of the Constituent Assembly of India immediately before Dr. Rajendra Prasad took over?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"J.B. Kripalani, the Assembly’s Secretary, elected Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha (the eldest member) to become the Provisional President of the Constituent Assembly. Two days later, on 11 December 1946, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was formally elected as the permanent President of the Assembly."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states who was elected Provisional President at the Assembly's first meeting.
  • Shows the timing: provisional president chosen on opening (9 Dec 1946) and Rajendra Prasad elected two days later (11 Dec 1946), so the provisional immediately before Rajendra Prasad was the named elder member, not T. T. Krishnamachari.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"Dr Sachidanand Sinha was the first president of the Constituent Assembly. Later, Dr Rajendra Prasad was elected its president."
Why this source?
  • Confirms Dr. Sachidanand Sinha was the first (provisional) president of the Constituent Assembly.
  • States that Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected president later, supporting that Sinha — not T. T. Krishnamachari — held the provisional role immediately before Rajendra Prasad.
Web source
Presence: 3/5
"The Constituent Assembly, with Dr. Rajendra Prasad as its President ... held intensive deliberations in the Central Hall of Parliament"
Why this source?
  • Confirms Dr. Rajendra Prasad served as President of the Constituent Assembly.
  • Supports the timing/context that Rajendra Prasad took over as President, consistent with other passages naming the provisional predecessor.

Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 35: Making of the Constitution for India > Constituent Assembly > p. 617
Strength: 5/5
“the name of Dr Sachhidanand Sinha, the oldest member of the Assembly, for the post of the provisional president. Later, on December 11, Dr Rajendra Prasad was elected as the President of the Constituent Assembly. The Constituent Assembly appointed several committees for framing the constitution. These committees submitted their reports between April and August 1947 and on the basis of these reports, Dr B.N. Rau, the Constitutional Adviser, submitted a draft of the Constitution by the end of October 1947. This draft contained 240 Clauses and 13 Schedules. In order to consider this Draft Constitution, a Drafting Committee under the chairmanship of Dr B.R.”
Why relevant

States that Dr. Sachchidanand Sinha, the oldest member, was named for the post of provisional president and that Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected on December 11.

How to extend

A student could use the rule 'oldest member serves as temporary/provisional chairman' and check the list of oldest members (and dates) to see if T. T. Krishnamachari fits that role before Dec 11.

Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 2: Making of the Constitution > WORKING OF THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY > p. 12
Strength: 5/5
“The Constituent Assembly held its first meeting on December 9, 1946. The Muslim League boycotted the meeting and insisted on a separate state of Pakistan. The meeting was, thus, attended by only 207 members. Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha, the oldest member, was elected. as the temporary Chairman of the Assembly, following the French practice. On December 11, 1946, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the permanent Chairman (President) of the Assembly. Similarly, on January 25, 1947, H.C. Mukherjee was elected as the Vice-President of the Assembly. Later on, the Assembly resolved to have two Vice-Presidents. Accordingly, on July 16, 1947, V.T.”
Why relevant

Explicitly says Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha was elected temporary Chairman of the Assembly, and Rajendra Prasad was elected permanent Chairman on December 11, 1946.

How to extend

One could compare the named temporary chairman and the date of the permanent election to see who held the provisional role immediately before Rajendra Prasad.

Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 2: Making of the Constitution > WORKING OF THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY > p. 12
Strength: 4/5
“The Constituent Assembly held its first meeting on December 9, 1946. The Muslim League boycotted the meeting and insisted on a separate state of Pakistan. The meeting was, thus, attended by only 207 members. Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha, the oldest member, was elected. as the temporary Chairman of the Assembly, following the French practice. On December 11, 1946, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the permanent Chairman (President) of the Assembly. Similarly, on January 25, 1947, H.C. Mukherjee was elected as the Vice-President of the Assembly. Later on, the Assembly resolved to have two Vice-Presidents. Accordingly, on July 16, 1947, V.”
Why relevant

Repeats the pattern/rule: the oldest member is elected as temporary chairman (following French practice) and subsequently a permanent chairman was elected.

How to extend

Use this institutional practice to narrow candidates for provisional president (i.e., the oldest member) and verify whether T. T. Krishnamachari was that person at the relevant meeting.

Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 10: The Constitution of India — An Introduction > How was our Constitution developed? > p. 214
Strength: 3/5
“The Indian Constitution was developed and written by the Constituent Assembly over a period of almost three years. It was formed on 9 December 1946, with its members elected by the legislative assemblies of the provinces (whose members had been, in turn, elected by the people). Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the Chairman of the Constituent Assembly. The work was completed on 26 November 1949, and the resulting document was adopted as the Constitution of India on 26 January 1950, which is why we celebrate this day annually as Republic Day. The initial text of the Constitution was prepared by a Drafting Committee chaired by Dr.”
Why relevant

Confirms Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the Chairman of the Constituent Assembly and gives the assembly formation date (9 Dec 1946) and overall timeframe for the chairmanship.

How to extend

Combine the assembly formation date with the temporary/permanent chair rules to check the sequence of who presided immediately before Rajendra Prasad.

Statement 4
Was Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha the Provisional President of the Constituent Assembly of India immediately before Dr. Rajendra Prasad took over?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 2: Making of the Constitution > WORKING OF THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY > p. 12
Presence: 5/5
“The Constituent Assembly held its first meeting on December 9, 1946. The Muslim League boycotted the meeting and insisted on a separate state of Pakistan. The meeting was, thus, attended by only 207 members. Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha, the oldest member, was elected. as the temporary Chairman of the Assembly, following the French practice. On December 11, 1946, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the permanent Chairman (President) of the Assembly. Similarly, on January 25, 1947, H.C. Mukherjee was elected as the Vice-President of the Assembly. Later on, the Assembly resolved to have two Vice-Presidents. Accordingly, on July 16, 1947, V.T.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly identifies Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha, the oldest member, as elected temporary Chairman (provisional presiding officer).
  • States that on December 11, 1946 Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected permanent Chairman (President), indicating Sinha preceded him.
Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 2: Making of the Constitution > WORKING OF THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY > p. 12
Presence: 5/5
“The Constituent Assembly held its first meeting on December 9, 1946. The Muslim League boycotted the meeting and insisted on a separate state of Pakistan. The meeting was, thus, attended by only 207 members. Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha, the oldest member, was elected. as the temporary Chairman of the Assembly, following the French practice. On December 11, 1946, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the permanent Chairman (President) of the Assembly. Similarly, on January 25, 1947, H.C. Mukherjee was elected as the Vice-President of the Assembly. Later on, the Assembly resolved to have two Vice-Presidents. Accordingly, on July 16, 1947, V.”
Why this source?
  • Restates that Sinha was the temporary Chairman following the French practice, confirming his provisional role.
  • Confirms the sequence by recording Rajendra Prasad's election as permanent Chairman on December 11, 1946.
Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 35: Making of the Constitution for India > Constituent Assembly > p. 617
Presence: 4/5
“the name of Dr Sachhidanand Sinha, the oldest member of the Assembly, for the post of the provisional president. Later, on December 11, Dr Rajendra Prasad was elected as the President of the Constituent Assembly. The Constituent Assembly appointed several committees for framing the constitution. These committees submitted their reports between April and August 1947 and on the basis of these reports, Dr B.N. Rau, the Constitutional Adviser, submitted a draft of the Constitution by the end of October 1947. This draft contained 240 Clauses and 13 Schedules. In order to consider this Draft Constitution, a Drafting Committee under the chairmanship of Dr B.R.”
Why this source?
  • Refers to Dr. Sachhidanand Sinha as holding the provisional president post as the oldest member of the Assembly.
  • Notes that later, on December 11, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected President, implying succession from Sinha to Prasad.
Pattern takeaway: UPSC frequently targets the 'French Practice' of seniority (Pro-tem roles). They check if you know the specific procedural history before the famous names (like Rajendra Prasad or Ambedkar) took their permanent seats.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Direct lift from M. Laxmikanth (Chapter 2: Making of the Constitution) and Spectrum (Chapter 35).
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: The 'Inception Timeline' of the Constituent Assembly (First Meeting vs. Permanent Organisation).
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Office Bearers' roster: B.N. Rau (Constitutional Advisor), H.V.R. Iyengar (Secretary), S.N. Mukherjee (Chief Draftsman), Prem Behari Narain Raizada (Calligrapher), and the *two* Vice-Presidents (H.C. Mukherjee & V.T. Krishnamachari).
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: When studying any constitutional body, always distinguish between the 'Transitional/Provisional' head and the 'Permanent' head. UPSC loves the gap between 'First Meeting' and 'Formal Election'.
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Provisional (temporary) Chairmanship of the Constituent Assembly
💡 The insight

The Constituent Assembly initially appointed its oldest member as temporary chairman (provisional president) before electing a permanent president.

High-yield for questions on constituent procedure and parliamentary precedents; clarifies distinction between temporary and permanent presiding officers and is useful in questions about constitutional assembly practices and transitional arrangements.

📚 Reading List :
  • Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 2: Making of the Constitution > WORKING OF THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY > p. 12
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 35: Making of the Constitution for India > Constituent Assembly > p. 617
🔗 Anchor: "Was C. Rajagopalachari the Provisional President of the Constituent Assembly of ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Election of the Permanent Chairman (Dr Rajendra Prasad) and key dates
💡 The insight

Dr Rajendra Prasad was elected as the permanent Chairman (President) of the Constituent Assembly on December 11, 1946.

Important for timeline-based questions on constitution formation and independence-era leadership; connects to topics on constitution adoption, Republic Day, and roles of prominent leaders in the constitution-making process.

📚 Reading List :
  • Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 2: Making of the Constitution > WORKING OF THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY > p. 12
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 35: Making of the Constitution for India > Constituent Assembly > p. 617
🔗 Anchor: "Was C. Rajagopalachari the Provisional President of the Constituent Assembly of ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Constituent Assembly as Provisional Parliament after Republic Day
💡 The insight

The Constituent Assembly continued as the provisional parliament of India from January 26, 1950, until the first elected Parliament was formed.

Useful for questions on institutional continuity after the constitution came into force; links constitutional history with legislative transition, and explains how constituent bodies can assume legislative functions during transitional periods.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 2: Making of the Constitution > Other Functions Performed > p. 14
  • Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 2: Making of the Constitution > Other Functions Performed > p. 14
🔗 Anchor: "Was C. Rajagopalachari the Provisional President of the Constituent Assembly of ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Provisional (temporary) Chairmanship at the Constituent Assembly's first meeting
💡 The insight

The oldest member of the Assembly was chosen as the temporary/provisional chairman at the inaugural sitting.

High-yield for questions on Constituent Assembly procedure and chronology; links to how constitutional bodies adopt parliamentary conventions and to questions about initial organisational steps before permanent officers were elected.

📚 Reading List :
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 35: Making of the Constitution for India > Constituent Assembly > p. 617
  • Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 2: Making of the Constitution > WORKING OF THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY > p. 12
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 2: Making of the Constitution > WORKING OF THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY > p. 12
🔗 Anchor: "Was Dr. B. R. Ambedkar the Provisional President of the Constituent Assembly of ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Election of the permanent Chairman (President) of the Constituent Assembly
💡 The insight

Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the permanent Chairman (President) of the Constituent Assembly on December 11, 1946.

Crucial for timelines about the Constituent Assembly and independence-era leadership; helps answer questions on who presided over key debates and the transition from provisional arrangements to permanent office-bearers.

📚 Reading List :
  • Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 2: Making of the Constitution > WORKING OF THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY > p. 12
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 2: Making of the Constitution > WORKING OF THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY > p. 12
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 35: Making of the Constitution for India > Constituent Assembly > p. 618
🔗 Anchor: "Was Dr. B. R. Ambedkar the Provisional President of the Constituent Assembly of ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 B.R. Ambedkar as Chairman of the Drafting Committee
💡 The insight

B.R. Ambedkar served as Chairman of the Drafting Committee and was Law Minister during the framing of the Constitution.

Essential for understanding contributors to the Constitution's text and committee-based drafting; connects to questions on committee composition, roles of key leaders, and the interaction between political office and constitution-making.

📚 Reading List :
  • THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART III, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 12: FRAMING THE CONSTITUTION > 1.2 The dominant voices > p. 320
  • Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 10: The Constitution of India — An Introduction > How was our Constitution developed? > p. 214
  • Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 1: CONSTITUTION: WHY AND HOW? > Procedures > p. 18
🔗 Anchor: "Was Dr. B. R. Ambedkar the Provisional President of the Constituent Assembly of ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Temporary Chairman by Seniority (French practice)
💡 The insight

The Constituent Assembly chose its oldest member as temporary chairman before electing a permanent president.

High-yield for questions on parliamentary procedure and constitutional conventions: explains how provisional presiding officers are chosen in inaugural sittings and links to broader topics on legislative procedure and precedent. Useful for questions comparing constitutional assemblies and procedural norms.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 2: Making of the Constitution > WORKING OF THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY > p. 12
  • Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 2: Making of the Constitution > WORKING OF THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY > p. 12
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 35: Making of the Constitution for India > Constituent Assembly > p. 617
🔗 Anchor: "Was T. T. Krishnamachari the Provisional President of the Constituent Assembly o..."
🌑 The Hidden Trap

The Constituent Assembly actually had TWO Vice-Presidents elected later: H.C. Mukherjee and V.T. Krishnamachari. Most aspirants stop reading after H.C. Mukherjee.

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

Role Association: Ambedkar = Drafting Committee Chairman. Rajagopalachari = Last Governor-General. T.T. Krishnamachari = Drafting Committee Member. Sinha is the only name left for a 'ceremonial/provisional' role based on seniority.

🔗 Mains Connection

Link this history to modern Indian Polity: The office of 'Speaker Pro-tem' in the Lok Sabha today follows this exact same 'French Practice' (appointing the senior-most member to preside over oath-taking).

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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

CAPF · 2020 · Q110 Relevance score: 4.52

Who was the President of the Consti¬tuent Assembly ?

IAS · 1995 · Q30 Relevance score: 1.56

In the interim government formed in 1946, the Vice-President of the Executive Council was

CDS-I · 2009 · Q85 Relevance score: 1.31

Who among the following had moved the objectives resolution which formed the basis of the Preamble of the Constitution of India in the Constituent Assembly on December 13, 1946 ?

CDS-II · 2009 · Q79 Relevance score: 1.12

Who among the following was elected President of India unopposed?

IAS · 2003 · Q149 Relevance score: 0.38

Who headed the Interim Cabinet formed in the 1946?