CBSE Class 12 History – Framing the Constitution

Chapter Overview

This chapter traces the journey of drafting India’s Constitution between December 1946 and November 1949. It showcases how the Constituent Assembly—comprising political leaders and legal experts—debated clauses, balanced ideals of justice, democracy, federal structure, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, and minorities’ safeguards, to frame a modern republic. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Important Keywords

• Objective Resolution: Jawaharlal Nehru's December 1946 vision declaration affirming sovereign republic, justice, equality, in a secular democratic framework. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
• Constituent Assembly: Body (299 members) chosen by provincial legislatures (1946), dominated by Congress; drafted and adopted Constitution. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
• Fundamental Rights: Articles 12–35 guaranteeing equality, liberty, and freedom with legal enforceability. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
• Directive Principles: Non‑justiciable guidelines aimed at social and economic welfare. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
• Center‑State Lists: Union, State, Concurrent lists defining legislative powers. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
• Federalism: Distribution of power—strong Centre with limited state authority. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
• Language Debate: Official language compromise: Hindi in Devanagari with English for 15 years, regional languages in states. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}