Q. What was the exact constitutional status of India on 26th January, 1950?

  • A Democratic Republic
  • A Sovereign Democratic Republic
  • A Sovereign Secular Democratic Republic
  • A Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic

Answer: (b) A Sovereign Democratic Republic

Notes:
  • The Constituent Assembly on 26th November, 1949, adopted, enacted and gave citizens their own Constitution.
  • The original Preamble, adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26th November, 1949 and came into force on 26th January, 1950, declared India as a “Sovereign Democratic Republic”. 
  • The Constitutional status of India on 26th January, 1950 was a Sovereign Democratic Republic as the words – Socialist and Secular were added to the Preamble by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976.
  • Presently, the Preamble to the Indian Constitution defines India to be a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular and Democratic Republic.
Constitution Day
  • It is celebrated on 26th November every year.
  • It is also known as National Law Day.
  • On this day in 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India formally adopted the Constitution of India that came into force on 26th January 1950.
  • The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on 19th November 2015, notified the decision of the Government of India to celebrate 26 November as ‘Constitution Day’.