NCERT Class 12 History — Chapter 4: Framing the Constitution - The Beginning of a New Era

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Who prepared a series of background papers based on a close study of the political systems obtaining in other countries for the Constituent Assembly?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

AK.M. Munshi
BS.N. Mukherjee
CB.R. Ambedkar
DB.N. Rau

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Solution

The correct option is B.N. Rau

Explanation

The formulation of the Indian Constitution involved extensive research into global constitutional precedents. This preparatory work was spearheaded by the Constitutional Advisor to the Constituent Assembly, who provided the necessary intellectual and comparative foundation for the Drafting Committee.

Detailed

Sir B.N. Rau (Benegal Narsing Rau): He was appointed as the Constitutional Advisor to the Constituent Assembly. He prepared a series of background papers based on a close study of the political systems and constitutions of other countries (such as the USA, Canada, Ireland, and the UK). He also prepared the initial draft of the Constitution in October 1947, which served as the basis for the Drafting Committee's work.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar: He was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee. His role was to scrutinize, debate, and refine the draft constitution, incorporating the background work provided by the advisor and the assembly's debates.
S.N. Mukherjee: He was the Chief Draftsman of the Constitution in the Constituent Assembly, responsible for the complex task of putting the proposals into precise legal language.
K.M. Munshi: He was a prominent member of the Drafting Committee and the Order of Business Committee, but he was not the primary author of the comparative background papers.

Key Takeaway:
Sir B.N. Rau, as the Constitutional Advisor, conducted the comparative study of foreign constitutions and prepared the background papers and the first draft, whereas Dr. B.R. Ambedkar chaired the committee that finalized the Constitution.

Your note

More from Chapter 4: Framing the Constitution - The Beginning of a New Era

With reference to the "Objectives Resolution" introduced in the Constituent Assembly, consider the following statements: 1. It was moved by Jawaharlal Nehru on 13 December 1946. 2. It proclaimed India to be an "Independent Sovereign Republic". 3. It promised adequate safeguards for minorities, backward and tribal areas, and depressed classes. 4. It explicitly declared that India would follow the American model of democracy. How many of the statements given above are correct?

medium

Consider the following statements regarding the composition and nature of the Constituent Assembly of India: 1. The members were elected on the basis of universal adult franchise. 2. The Muslim League chose to boycott the Assembly to press for a separate Pakistan. 3. Initially, the Socialists kept away from the Assembly, believing it was a British creation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

With reference to the debates on separate electorates in the Constituent Assembly, consider the following statements: 1. B. Pocker Bahadur argued that separate electorates were necessary to ensure Muslims had a meaningful voice. 2. Govind Ballabh Pant supported separate electorates as a mechanism to integrate minorities into the nation. 3. Sardar Patel argued that separate electorates were the only way to ensure minority representation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

With reference to the language controversy in the Constituent Assembly, consider the following statements: 1. Mahatma Gandhi advocated for Hindustani as the national language. 2. R.V. Dhulekar argued that English should be the sole language of constitution-making. 3. The Language Committee decided that English would continue to be used for official purposes for fifteen years. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Which of the following events occurred during the years immediately preceding the making of the Constitution 1945-1947? 1. The Rising of the ratings of the Royal Indian Navy occurred in 1942. 2. The Great Calcutta Killings. 3. The Workers' movements and strikes in various cities. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

medium

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The correct option is B.N. Rau

Explanation

Detailed

Sir B.N. Rau (Benegal Narsing Rau): He was appointed as the Constitutional Advisor to the Constituent Assembly. He prepared a series of background papers based on a close study of the political systems and constitutions of other countries (such as the USA, Canada, Ireland, and the UK). He also prepared the initial draft of the Constitution in October 1947, which served as the basis for the Drafting Committee's work.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar: He was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee. His role was to scrutinize, debate, and refine the draft constitution, incorporating the background work provided by the advisor and the assembly's debates.
S.N. Mukherjee: He was the Chief Draftsman of the Constitution in the Constituent Assembly, responsible for the complex task of putting the proposals into precise legal language.
K.M. Munshi: He was a prominent member of the Drafting Committee and the Order of Business Committee, but he was not the primary author of the comparative background papers.