Happy Republic Day

What is a Republic?

A republic is a form of government in which the country is considered a “public matter,” and the head of state is an elected or appointed official, not a hereditary monarch.
In a republic, political power is derived from the people through their elected representatives.
The term “republic” comes from the Latin phrase “res publica,” which means “public affair” or “public thing.”

India’s Republic Day- 26^th January

Republic Day in India is a significant national day that commemorates the date on which the Constitution of India came into effect, transforming the nation into a newly formed republic.
India gained independence from British rule on August 15, 1947.
- After independence, India initially continued to be a constitutional monarchy with George VI as the head of state represented by the Governor-General.
On January 26, 1950, India witnessed the culmination of its constitutional journey, as the Constitution replaced the Government of India Act (1935), establishing a democratic government system.
- This marked the transition from an autonomous Commonwealth realm, with the British Monarch as the nominal head of the Indian Dominion, to a fully sovereign Commonwealth republic with the President of India as the nominal head of the Indian Union.
The Indian Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution on November 26, 1949, and it came into effect on January 26, 1950.
Significance of January 26th:
- The choice of January 26th holds historical resonance, as on this day in 1930, the Indian National Congress proclaimed the Declaration of Indian Independence (Purna Swaraj), denouncing the Dominion status later granted by the departing British Regime.
- This declaration laid the foundation for India’s aspirations towards complete independence.
Constitutional Development:
- After independence, India lacked a permanent constitution and operated under modified colonial laws.
- A Drafting Committee, chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, was appointed on August 29, 1947, to draft a permanent constitution.
- The Constituent Assembly, in open sessions to the public, meticulously deliberated for 166 days over nearly three years before adopting the Constitution.
- The Constituent Assembly signed the Constitution on January 24, 1950, in Hindi and English.
- Two days later, on January 26, 1950, the Constitution came into effect nationwide.
- Dr. Rajendra Prasad assumed office as the first President of the Indian Union, and the Constituent Assembly transformed into the Parliament of India under the new constitutional provisions.