NCERT Class 9 Political Science — Chapter 2: Constitutional design

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During the proceedings of the Constituent Assembly, which of the following leaders occupied the position of Vice-Chairman?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

ASachchidananda Sinha
BH.C. Mookherjee
CFrank Anthony
DB.N. Rau

Did you get this right?

Solution

Explanation

The Constituent Assembly of India, constituted in November 1946, established specific leadership roles to guide its proceedings. While a temporary chairman presided over the first meeting, the Assembly subsequently elected a permanent President and Vice-Presidents.

Detailed Analysis:

H.C. Mookherjee: He was elected as the Vice-President of the Constituent Assembly. Along with V.T. Krishnamachari, he served as one of the two Vice-Presidents. The question refers to this position as Vice-Chairman.
B.N. Rau: He served as the Constitutional Advisor to the Constituent Assembly and was responsible for preparing the initial draft of the Constitution. He did not hold a presiding office.
Frank Anthony: He was a prominent member representing the Anglo-Indian community and served on various committees, but he did not hold the office of Vice-Chairman or Vice-President.
Sachchidananda Sinha: As the oldest member, he was elected as the temporary President (Chairman) for the first meeting of the Assembly on December 9, 1946, following the French practice. He was not the Vice-Chairman.

Key Takeaway:
H.C. Mookherjee was the first elected Vice-President of the Constituent Assembly. Later, V.T. Krishnamachari was also elected as a second Vice-President.

Your note

More from Chapter 2: Constitutional design

Consider the following statements regarding the relationship between democracy and constitutions: 1. All countries that have a constitution are necessarily democratic. 2. All countries that are democratic will have a constitution. 3. The practice of having a written constitution became common only after the Russian Revolution. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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The "supreme law" of a country that determines the relationship among people living in a territory and also the relationship between the people and government is known as:

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What was the total membership of the Constituent Assembly of India immediately following the partition?

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Consider the following statements about the working of the Constituent Assembly: 1. The Drafting Committee was chaired by Dr. Rajendra Prasad. 2. The members deliberated for 114 days spread over three years. 3. More than two thousand amendments were considered during the drafting process. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Consider the following statements about the preamble of the US Constitution: 1. It begins with the phrase "We, the States of the United States". 2. It aims to form a "more perfect union". 3. It explicitly mentions "Justice" and "Liberty" as core values. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Explanation

Detailed Analysis:

H.C. Mookherjee: He was elected as the Vice-President of the Constituent Assembly. Along with V.T. Krishnamachari, he served as one of the two Vice-Presidents. The question refers to this position as Vice-Chairman.
B.N. Rau: He served as the Constitutional Advisor to the Constituent Assembly and was responsible for preparing the initial draft of the Constitution. He did not hold a presiding office.
Frank Anthony: He was a prominent member representing the Anglo-Indian community and served on various committees, but he did not hold the office of Vice-Chairman or Vice-President.
Sachchidananda Sinha: As the oldest member, he was elected as the temporary President (Chairman) for the first meeting of the Assembly on December 9, 1946, following the French practice. He was not the Vice-Chairman.

Key Takeaway:
H.C. Mookherjee was the first elected Vice-President of the Constituent Assembly. Later, V.T. Krishnamachari was also elected as a second Vice-President.