Making Of Constitution: Constituent Assembly

The Constituent Assembly was constituted in November 1946 under the scheme formulated by the Cabinet Mission Plan.

Total Seats Allocation:
- British India: 296 seats.
- Princely States: 93 seats.
Population-Based Allocation: Seats distributed in proportion to population among provinces and princely states.
Community-Based Division: British provincial seats divided among Muslims, Sikhs, and General (all except Muslims and Sikhs) communities based on their population.
Election Method for British Provinces: Proportional Representation using a single transferable vote by members of each community in the provincial legislative assembly.
Nomination for Princely States: Representatives nominated by the heads of princely states.

The Constituent Assembly held its first meeting on December 9, 1946 and the Muslim League boycotted.
Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha, the oldest member, was elected as the temporary President of the Assembly, following the French practice.
Later, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the President of the Assembly. Similarly, both H.C. Mukherjee and V.T. Krishnamachari was elected as the Vice-Presidents of the Assembly.

It ratified India’s membership of the Commonwealth in May 1949.
It adopted the national flag on July 22, 1947.
It adopted the national anthem on January 24, 1950.
It adopted the national song on January 24, 1950.
It elected Dr. Rajendra Prasad as the first President of India on January 24, 1950.