On what date did the Constitution of India come into effect?

Explanation

The Constitution of India came into effect on January 26, 1950, and that is why the date is observed as the day India became a Republic. Under Article 394, only specified articles came into force at once, while the remaining provisions came into force on the twenty-sixth day of January, 1950. That day is referred to in the Constitution as its commencement. November 26, 1949 is important in the making of the Constitution, but it is not the general commencement date. For RAS, the distinction between adoption and commencement is the key trap.

Why the other options are wrong

• (B) November 26, 1949 is not the date on which the Constitution generally came into effect; Article 394 identifies January 26, 1950 as the commencement date for the remaining provisions.
• (C) August 15, 1947 marks India becoming independent, but the Constitution's commencement under Article 394 was January 26, 1950.
• (D) January 26, 1947 has no role as the Constitution's commencement date; the relevant commencement date is January 26, 1950.

Concept

The basic constitutional timeline requires a clear distinction between independence, adoption-related dates and commencement. RAS polity questions often turn on exact constitutional dates rather than broad historical memory.

Source

• Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India

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