Republic Day 2026: How India’s Constitution Came Into Force on January 26, 1950

On January 26, India celebrates Republic Day every year to remember the day when the Constitution of India came into force. Although the Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949, it officially came into force on January 26, 1950.  In 2026, the nation marks its 77th Republic Day.

Although India achieved freedom on August 15, 1947, the journey towards complete self-rule was fulfilled only on January 26, 1950. When the Constitution empowered Indian citizens to choose their own representatives and govern themselves through democratic means.

This historic moment was marked by Dr Rajendra Prasad taking the oath at 10:24 am as India's first president at the Durbar Hall, in the Government House (now Rashtrapati Bhavan) in New Delhi. followed by the presidential drive to Irwin Stadium (now Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium), where he unfurled the national flag. Since then, Republic Day has been observed across the country with pride, patriotic spirit, and national celebrations.

Journey of the Indian Republic

On January 26, 1950, exactly 894 days after the end of British rule, the nation declared itself a republic with a 21-gun salute and the unfurling of the national flag. This transformation from a colonial nation to a sovereign, secular, and democratic republic was the result of years of struggle, sacrifice, and determination.

This transition from a British colony to a sovereign, secular, and democratic nation was the culmination of a two-decade journey that began with the 1930 dream of “Purna Swaraj”. Every year, the nation commemorates this long-awaited realisation of self-governance with immense pride and happiness all over the nation.

The foundation of the Indian Republic was laid during the 1929 Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress, where Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and fellow revolutionaries pledged to achieve “Purna Swaraj” (complete independence), designating January 26, 1930, as the first ‘Independence Day.’

Years later, following negotiations with the British Cabinet Mission, the Constituent Assembly convened for the first time on December 9, 1946, to give India a constitution. Through a process of discussion, debate, and revision, the Indian Constitution was finalised and officially adopted on November 26, 1949. The Constitution of India came into force on January 26, 1950.

At the time of its adoption, the Constitution of India consisted of 395 Articles and 8 Schedules. With a length of approximately 1, 45,000 words, it established a world record as the longest national constitution ever adopted.

The Making of the Indian Constitution

The Process of drafting the constitution started soon after independence. A drafting Committee was formed, with Dr B. R. Ambedkar as its Chairman.  The Constitution was formally adopted on November 26, 1949, and two months later, on 26 January 1950, it came into force. It took nearly 2 years, 11 months, and 17 days to the final draft. 

The original Constitution was handwritten in both English and Hindi. The English version was written by Prem Behari Narain Raizada, while the Hindi version was written by Vasant Krishna Vaidya. Each page was artistically decorated by artists from Santiniketan, under the guidance of Nandalal Bose.  

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