Why is Constitution Day celebrated on 26 November? This day is as significant as 26 January

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): In India, 26 November is observed as Constitution Day, earlier known as National Law Day. Every year, this day reminds the nation of the adoption of the Indian Constitution. Government departments, schools, and institutions across the country organize various events to mark the occasion.

On 26 November 1949, the Constituent Assembly officially adopted the Constitution of India. However, it came into force on 26 January 1950. The idea of celebrating 26 November as the anniversary of the Constitution’s adoption emerged during discussions on assessing the state of law in the country.

Former MP L. M. Singhvi proposed at the Supreme Court Bar Association that 26 November should be observed as National Law Day. The proposal was approved in 1979. From then until 2015, the day was marked as National Law Day.

In October 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that 26 November would be celebrated as Constitution Day in honour of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Constitution. Soon after, on 19 November, the central government issued a Gazette notification formally declaring 26 November as Constitution Day. Since then, the day has been observed nationwide, though it is still referred to as National Law Day by some.

Both 26 January and 26 November have a deep connection with the Constitution. The Constitution was completed and adopted by the Assembly on 26 November 1949, while it was officially implemented on 26 January 1950. For this reason, 26 January is celebrated as Republic Day, and 26 November as Constitution Day or National Law Day.

According to a report, the drafting of the Indian Constitution took 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days. It was on 26 November 1949 that the final draft was fully completed.