Framing of India's constitution

In this fourth Volume of the series on the framing of India's Constitution are included several important documents having a bearing on the texts of various articles at different stages before they were finalized. The period during which this process took place extended from February, 1948, when the Draft Constitution as settled by the Drafting Committee was published, to November, 1949, when the Constitution was finally adopted by the Constituent Assembly. This period. represents a vital phase in the evolution of India's Constitution. A number of events of historic importance took place during this period and these inevitably influenced the discussions in the Assembly on the provisions of the Constitution.

The Draft Constitution, as settled by the Drafting Committee, was widely circulated. Copies were sent to all members of the Assembly, to the Provincial Governments and Legislatures, to the Ministries of the Government of India, and to the Federal Court and the High Courts. Copies were also made available to the general public. A large number of comments and suggestions was received and the Drafting Committee found it necessary to meet in March, 1948, to consider these suggestions. At this stage it was also decided that a Special Committee, consisting mostly of members of the Union Constitution Committee, the Union Powers Committee and the Provincial Constitution Committee, should examine the Draft Constitution and these comments and suggestions. In particular this Special Committee was requested to consider certain provisions which departed from the decisions taken earlier by the Assembly. The Special Committee met for this purpose on April 10 and 11, 1948.