Who was the Provisional President of the Constituent Assembly before Dr. Rajendra Prasad took over?

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Question

Who was the Provisional President of the Constituent Assembly before Dr. Rajendra Prasad took over?

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: D — Dr. Sachchidananda SinhaStep-by-step Solution:The Constituent Assembly of India held its first meeting on 9 December 1946. The Muslim League boycotted the meeting, demanding a separate state of Pakistan. Only 211 members attended the first session.Following the French practice of electing the oldest member as the provisional chairperson, Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha, the oldest member present at the first session, was elected as the temporary/provisional President of the Constituent Assembly.Subsequently, at the second session, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the permanent President of the Constituent Assembly on 11 December 1946. Dr. H.C. Mukherjee and V.T. Krishnamachari were elected as Vice Presidents of the Constituent Assembly.Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha (1871–1950) was a noted Indian lawyer, politician, and journalist from Bihar.Why other options are incorrect:Option A (C. Rajagopalachari): Rajagopalachari was a prominent Congress leader and statesman. He served as the last Governor-General of India (1948–1950) and founded the Swatantra Party. He was not the provisional President of the Constituent Assembly. ✗Option B (Dr. B.R. Ambedkar): Ambedkar was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution — the most important committee that actually drafted the Constitution. He was not the provisional President of the Constituent Assembly. ✗Option C (T.T. Krishnamachari): T.T. Krishnamachari was a member of the Drafting Committee who later became a senior minister. He had no role as provisional President of the Constituent Assembly. ✗Key Concept: The Constituent Assembly of India: Formed: Based on the Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946. Total Members: 389 (later reduced to 299 after Partition). First Meeting: 9 December 1946. Provisional President: Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha (oldest member). Permanent President: Dr. Rajendra Prasad. Vice Presidents: Dr. H.C. Mukherjee and V.T. Krishnamachari. Chairman of Drafting Committee: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Key committees: Drafting Committee (Ambedkar), Union Constitution Committee (Nehru), Union Powers Committee (Nehru), Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights (Sardar Patel). Constitution adopted: 26 November 1949; Came into force: 26 January 1950. Time taken: 2 years, 11 months, 18 days. Sessions: 11 sessions; Total sittings: 166 days.

Who was the Provisional President of the Constituent Assembly before Dr. Rajendra Prasad took over?

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Who was the Provisional President of the Constituent Assembly before Dr. Rajendra Prasad took over?

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