Important Committees of Constituent Assembly is part of Indian Polity and Governance. Below are notes on 6 sub-topics, followed by practice MCQs from State PSC and UPSC papers.

Ad hoc Committee on the National Flag

  • Ad hoc Committee on National Flag: Chaired by Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
  • Finance and Staff Committee: Chaired by Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
  • Order of Business Committee: Chaired by Dr. K.M. Munshi.
  • Credential Committee: Chaired by Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar.

Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Minorities and Tribal and Excluded Areas

  • Chairman: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
  • Scope: Advised on Fundamental Rights, Minorities, Tribal, and Excluded Areas.
  • Largest Committee: Was the largest committee of the Constituent Assembly by number of members. Enacting ordinary laws (functioning as 2. Provisional Parliament, chaired by G.V. Mavalankar).
  • National Flag adopted: July 22, 1947.
  • Drafting Committee: Appointed on August 29, 1947; Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as Chairman.
  • Ratified India's membership of the Commonwealth: May 1949 (during its 10th session).
  • National Anthem and National Song adopted: January 24, 1950.
  • Dr. Rajendra Prasad elected first President of India: January 24, 1950.
  • Total sessions: 11 sessions.
  • Time taken to frame Constitution: 2 years, 11 months, 18 days.
  • Constitution adopted and enacted: November 26, 1949 (some provisions related to citizenship, elections, provisional parliament, etc., came into force on this date).
  • Constitution fully commenced (Republic Day): January 26, 1950.
  • Decision-making in Assembly: Primarily by consensus and accommodation.
  • Drafts of the Constitution were released for public discussion.
  • Sub-committees and their Chairpersons:
    • Fundamental Rights Sub-committee: J.B. Kriplani
    • Minorities Sub-committee: H.C. Mookherjee
    • North-East Frontier Tribal Areas and Assam Excluded & Partially Excluded Areas Sub-committee: Gopinath Bardoloi
    • Excluded and Partially Excluded Areas (Other than Assam) Sub-committee: A.V. Thakkar

Drafting Committee

  • Constituted on August 29, 1947.
  • Tasked with preparing a draft Constitution for India.
  • Comprised of seven members.
  • Chairman: Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
  • Other members:
    • N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar
    • Alladi Krishnaswamy Ayyar
    • Dr. K. M. Munshi
    • Syed Mohammad Saadullah
    • N. Madhava Rao (replaced B. L. Mitter, who resigned due to ill health)
    • T. T. Krishnamachari (replaced D. P. Khaitan, who died in 1948)
  • Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, and V.T. Krishnamachari were NOT members of the Drafting Committee.

6. Sources of Constitution

Provincial Constitution Committee

  • Provincial Constitution Committee
  • Headed by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Steering Committee

  • Chairman: Dr. Rajendra Prasad.

Union Constitution Committee

  • Chairman: Jawaharlal Nehru
  • Prerogative Writs:
    • Types of writs (Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, Quo Warranto).
  • Office of Attorney-General:
    • Inspired by the British model.
  • Nominal Head:
    • President as titular head, similar to British Monarch.
  • Note: The British Constitution is largely unwritten, unlike India's comprehensive written constitution.

Practice MCQs: Important Committees of Constituent Assembly

Ad hoc Committee on the National Flag

  1. Which of the following committee/s of the Constituent Assembly did Rajendra Prasad NOT chair as its Chairman? (I) Ad hoc Committee on the National Flag (II) Finance and Staff Committee (III) Order of Business Committee (IV) Credential Committee Choose the correct answer - (1) Only (III) and (IV) (2) Only (IV) (3) Only (I), (II) and (III) (4) Only (I) and (II)

    Asked in: D. Sacchidanand Shastri

    1. Only (III) and (IV)
    2. Only (IV)
    3. Only (I), (II) and (III)
    4. Only (I) and (II)
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Only (IV)

    Ans: C Lab Assistant Higher Education (Group C) Exam -2023 This question pertains to the historical context of the formation of the Indian Constitution and the key figures involved.

  2. Who presided over the Constituent Assembly in 1947? - [a] Dr Rajendra Prasad - [c] Dr BR Ambedkar - [b] Jawaharlal Nehru - [d] Sardar Patel

    Asked in: Research Assistant 2014 · Protection Officer 2024

    1. Dr Rajendra Prasad
    2. Jawaharlal Nehru
    3. Dr BR Ambedkar
    4. Sardar Patel
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Dr Rajendra Prasad

    While Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Prime Minister and introduced the Objectives Resolution, and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee, Dr. Rajendra Prasad held the position of the President of the Constituent Assembly. This question tests specific knowledge about the functioning of the Constituent Assembly and the roles of its key members in chairing various committees.

Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Minorities and Tribal and Excluded Areas

  1. Consider the following pairs: Committee of the Constituent Assembly 1. Language Committee 2. Union Power Committee 3. Minority Committee 4. Fundamental Rights Sub-committee 5. Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights Chairperson Jawaharlal Nehru Moturi Satyanarayana H. C. Mookharjee J. B. Kriplani Vallabhbhai Patel How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

    Asked in: HAS Prelims 2022

    1. Only 1 pair
    2. Only two pairs
    3. Only three pairs
    4. All five pairs
    Show answer

    Answer: D. All five pairs

    - Jawaharlal Nehru chaired major committees like Union Powers Committee and Union Constitution Committee. - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel chaired the Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Minorities etc. - H.C. Mookherjee chaired the Minorities Sub-committee. - J.B. Kriplani chaired the Fundamental Rights Sub-committee.

  2. As a member of the Constituent Assembly, Sardar Patel did not lead which of the following committees ? 1. Committee on Tribal and Excluded Areas 2. Committee on Minority Affairs 3. Committee on Fundamental Rights 4. Committee on Devolution of Power to the Union

    Asked in: PPSC CS Prelims 2015

    1. 1, 2 and 3
    2. 2, 3 and 4
    3. 4 only
    4. 2 and 4 only
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 4 only

    - Sardar Patel was the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Minorities and Tribal and Excluded Areas. This committee was further divided into sub-committees. - While Patel was the overall chairman of the Advisory Committee dealing with areas covered by 1, 2, and 3, the specific sub-committees for Fundamental Rights (J.B. Kripalani), Minorities (H.C. Mookerjee), and Tribal and Excluded Areas (Gopinath Bordoloi/A.V. Thakkar) had different chairpersons. However, as chairman of the main committee, he significantly influenced and led the work on these subjects. - Matters related to the devolution of power to the Union were primarily handled by the Union Powers Committee and the Union Constitution Committee, both of which were chaired by Jawaharlal Nehru.

  3. Match list-I with list-II and identify the correct answer from the code given below List-I List-II Constituent Assembly Chairman Committee (A) Fundamental Rights (i) B.R. Ambedkar (ii) Jawahar Lal (B) Steering Nehru (C) Union powers (iii) K.M. Munshi (D) Drafting (iv) Sardar Patel Code :

    Asked in: RPSC RAS Prelims 2021

    1. A-(iv), B-(iii), C-(ii), D-(i)
    2. A-(ii), B-(iv), C-(iii), D-(i)
    3. A-(iii), B-(iv), C-(ii), D-(i)
    4. A-(ii), B-(iii), C-(iv), D-(i)
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A-(iv), B-(iii), C-(ii), D-(i)

    Major committees of the Constituent Assembly and their chairpersons are important topics in Indian Polity. Key chairmen include Jawaharlal Nehru (Union Powers, Union Constitution), Sardar Patel (Provincial Constitution, Advisory Committee), Rajendra Prasad (Rules of Procedure, Steering), B.R. Ambedkar (Drafting).

  4. Which of the following committee suggested incorporating Fundamental Duties in the Indian Constitution?

    Asked in: WBCS Main Paper 5 2021

    1. Swaran Singh Committee
    2. Narasimhan Committee
    3. Raghavan Committee
    4. Malhotra Committee
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Swaran Singh Committee

    - The Swaran Singh Committee was constituted in 1976 during the National Emergency to make recommendations about fundamental duties. - It recommended the inclusion of eight fundamental duties, but the 42nd Amendment added ten duties. An eleventh duty was added later by the 86th Amendment Act, 2002.

  5. Which was the largest Committee of the Constituent Assembly of India in terms of number of members? - Question not attempted

    Asked in: Librarian Grade II (School Edu.) 2024

    1. Union Constitution Committee
    2. Provincial Constitution Committee
    3. Union Power Committee
    4. Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Minorities and Tribal and Excluded Areas
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Minorities and Tribal and Excluded Areas

    The Advisory Committee was one of the most significant committees due to the vast and crucial nature of the rights and areas it was tasked to oversee, necessitating a large number of members for comprehensive deliberation.

Drafting Committee

  1. Which of the following statement(s) is(are) incorrect? 1. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar was the chairman of Drafting Committee. 2. Jawaharlal Nehru chaired the Union Constitution Committee. 3. Sardar Patel chaired Provincial Constitution Committee. 4. Sardar Patel chaired States Committee. (committee for negotiating with States)

    Asked in: GPSC Prelims CSP 1 2018

    1. Only 1 and 2
    2. Only 3
    3. Only 4
    4. Only 2
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Only 4

    Key committees of the Constituent Assembly and their chairmen are important facts regarding the making of the Indian Constitution.

  2. Which leader was not the member of Constitutional Draft Committee?

    Asked in: HPPSC HPAS Prelims 2020

    1. Jawaharlal Nehru
    2. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
    3. B.L. Mitter
    4. Mohammad Saadulla
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Jawaharlal Nehru

    - The Drafting Committee was responsible for preparing the draft Constitution of India. - Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee. - Other members included Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar, N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar, K.M. Munshi, Syed Mohammad Saadullah, N. Madhava Rau (who replaced B.L. Mitter), and T.T. Krishnamachari (who replaced D.P. Khaitan).

  3. The Chairman of Draftig Committee of Indian Constituent Assembly was :

    Asked in: UPPCS Prelims 1995

    1. Dr.Rajendra Prasad
    2. Jawahar Lal Nehru
    3. B.R. Ambedkar
    4. Purushottam Das Tandon
    Show answer

    Answer: C. B.R. Ambedkar

    The Drafting Committee was the most important committee of the Constituent Assembly, responsible for preparing the draft of the Constitution.

  4. Who amongst the following was not a member of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution ?

    Asked in: UPPSC Upper Mains 2012

    1. Mohammad Sadullah
    2. K.M. Munshi
    3. A.K. Ayyar
    4. Jawaharlal Nehru
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Jawaharlal Nehru

    Jawaharlal Nehru was not a member of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution of India.

  5. The number of members included in the Constitution Drafting Committee was

    Asked in: UPPSC Upper Mains 2006

    1. Seven
    2. Nine
    3. Eleven
    4. Thirteen
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Seven

    - The Drafting Committee was chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. - It was entrusted with the task of preparing a draft of the new Constitution.

  6. K.M. Munshi was related to :

    Asked in: MPPSC CS Prelims 2024

    1. Public Accounts Committee
    2. Constitution Draft Committee
    3. Preamble Committee
    4. Hindu Code Bill Drafting Committee
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Constitution Draft Committee

    K.M. Munshi (Kanaiyalal Maneklal Munshi) was a prominent member of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution, which was chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The Drafting Committee was responsible for preparing the draft of the Constitution of India.

  7. Match List – I with List – II and choose the correct answer using the code given below the lists. List – I (Committees of Constituent Assembly) A. Union Constitution Committee B. Rules of Procedure Committee C. Drafting Committee D. Fundamental Rights Sub-committee List – II (Chairman of Committees) 1. Dr. Rajendra Prasad 2. J. B. Kripalani 3. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar 4. Jawaharlal Nehru Code : A B C D (a) 2 1 3 4 (b) 4 1 3 2 (c) 1 4 3 2 (d) 1 2 3 4

    Asked in: uppsc 2025 2025

    1. 2 1 3 4
    2. 4 1 3 2
    3. 1 4 3 2
    4. 1 2 3 4
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 4 1 3 2

    The correct matching is: A. Union Constitution Committee - Jawaharlal Nehru (4) B. Rules of Procedure Committee - Dr. Rajendra Prasad (1) C. Drafting Committee - Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (3) D. Fundamental Rights Sub-committee - J. B. Kripalani (2)

  8. Who among the following was not a member of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly?

    Asked in: District Statistical Officer Assistant Director 2025

    1. Syed Mohammad Saadullah
    2. N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar
    3. Alladi Krishnaswamy Ayyar
    4. V.T. Krishnamachari
    Show answer

    Answer: D. V.T. Krishnamachari

    The Drafting Committee was a crucial committee of the Constituent Assembly responsible for preparing the draft of the Constitution of India. Its members were: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (Chairman), K.M. Munshi, Syed Mohammad Saadullah, N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar, Alladi Krishnaswamy Ayyar, K.T. Shah, D.P. Khaitan, and T.T. Krishnamachari.

  9. Who was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution of India ?

    Asked in: Civil Judge (Junior Division) Exam 2011

    1. Dr. Rajendra Prasad
    2. Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar
    3. Dr. Radha Krishnan
    4. Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar

    This is a fundamental question regarding the Indian Constitution and its framing. Knowledge of the key figures involved in its creation is essential.

  10. Who among the following was a member of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution?

    Asked in: GS&GE JE PWD 10 2024 1601 2025

    1. Bishnuram Medhi
    2. Gopinath Bordoloi
    3. Liladhar Baruah
    4. Syed Muhammad Saadulla
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Syed Muhammad Saadulla

    Member of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution.

Provincial Constitution Committee

  1. Who headed provincial constitution committee of constituent assembly?

    Asked in: TNPSC CS Prelims 2019

    1. J.B. Kirpalani
    2. H.C. Mukherjee
    3. A.V. Thakkar
    4. Sardar Vallabai Patel
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Sardar Vallabai Patel

    - The Constituent Assembly formed various committees to deal with different aspects of constitution-making. - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was the chairman of the Provincial Constitution Committee. - Jawaharlal Nehru chaired the Union Powers Committee, Union Constitution Committee, and States Committee. - Dr. B.R. Ambedkar chaired the Drafting Committee. - Dr. Rajendra Prasad chaired the Rules of Procedure Committee and the Steering Committee. - J.B. Kripalani chaired the Fundamental Rights sub-committee. - H.C. Mukherjee was the Vice-President of the Constituent Assembly. - A.V. Thakkar was involved in sub-committees related to Tribal and Excluded Areas.

  2. Who was the Chairman of the Provincial Consti¬tution Committee of the Constituent Assembly ?

    Asked in: UPPSC Upper Mains 2008

    1. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
    2. Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru
    3. Dr. Rajendra Prasad
    4. Sardar Patel
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Sardar Patel

    The Constituent Assembly formed several committees to facilitate the drafting of the Constitution. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel headed important committees including the Provincial Constitution Committee and the Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Minorities and Tribal and Excluded Areas.

Steering Committee

  1. For which of the following committees of the constituent assembly, Dr. Rajendra Prasad served as Chairman?

    Asked in: KPSC KAS Prelims 2024

    1. Rules of Procedure committee
    2. Steering committee
    3. Finance and staff committee
    4. Ad hoc committee on the national flag E. Order of business committee Choose the correct answer form the options given below : A. All are correct B. A, B, C and D are correct C. A, B and C are correct D. A, B, C and E are correct
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Steering committee

    Dr. Rajendra Prasad chaired several key committees of the Constituent Assembly, including the Rules of Procedure Committee, Steering Committee, Finance and Staff Committee, and the Ad hoc Committee on the National Flag.

  2. Who among the following was the Chairman of the Committee of the Constituent Assembly ?

    Asked in: OPSC CS Prelims 2017

    1. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
    2. Jawaharlal Nehru
    3. Dr. Rajendra Prasad
    4. Sardar Patel
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Dr. Rajendra Prasad

    Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the President of the Constituent Assembly and chaired significant committees like the Steering Committee and Rules of Procedure Committee, which guided the Assembly's functioning.

Union Constitution Committee

  1. Match the Committees of the Constituent Assembly (List I) with their Chairmen (List II) : List I (Committee) List II (Chairman)

    Asked in: KPSC KAS Prelims 2015

    1. House Committee I. K.M. Munshi
    2. Order of Business II. Pattabhi Sitara‐ Committee mayya
    3. Union Constitution III. Sardar Patel Committee
    4. Provincial Constitu‐ IV. Jawaharlal Nehru tion Committee V. Alladi Krish‐ naswamy Ayyar Select the code for the correct answer from the options given below : A. V II IV I 6. Sources of Constitution B. II I IV III C. V II IV III D. I II IV III
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Order of Business II. Pattabhi Sitara‐ Committee mayya

    - The Union Constitution Committee was chaired by Jawaharlal Nehru. - The Provincial Constitution Committee was chaired by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. - The Order of Business Committee was chaired by K.M. Munshi. - The House Committee was chaired by B. Pattabhi Sitaramayya.

  2. Which of the following statement about the important committees of the Constituent Assembly is incorrect ?

    Asked in: Sr. Teacher Gr II (Sec. Edu.) Comp. Exam 2022

    1. The Union Powers Committee had 9 members.
    2. Sardar Patel was the Chairman of the Commit‐ tee on Union Constitution.
    3. Dr. K.M. Munshi was the Chairman of the Steering Committee.
    4. Jawaharlal Nehru was the Chairman of the Union Powers Committee.
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Sardar Patel was the Chairman of the Commit‐ tee on Union Constitution.

    d-2022 This question tests detailed knowledge about the chairpersons of various important committees formed by the Constituent Assembly.