History, Art & CultureImportant2025-11-26

76th Constitution Day and Ambedkar Bust Unveiling

In News

What Happened

India celebrated its 76th Constitution Day on November 26, 2025, at the Samvidhan Sadan in New Delhi. The event featured the digital release of the Constitution in nine regional languages and the launch of a Ministry of Culture booklet showcasing the document's original calligraphy. Simultaneously, a bronze bust of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was unveiled at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris to honor his role as the chief architect of the Indian Constitution.

Why It Matters

This dual celebration highlights the growing global recognition of Indian democratic values and Dr. Ambedkar's intellectual legacy regarding equality and human rights. The digital translations promote linguistic inclusivity, aligning with the Eighth Schedule's goal of making governance accessible to citizens in their native languages.

Background

History & Context

The Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution of India on November 26, 1949, and it came into effect on January 26, 1950. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar chaired the pivotal Drafting Committee appointed in 1947. The original English version was not typed or printed but handwritten by calligrapher Prem Behari Narain Raizada, with artistic illumination by Shantiniketan artists including Nandalal Bose. The Government of India officially notified November 26 as Constitution Day (Samvidhan Divas) in 2015 to mark Dr. Ambedkar's 125th birth anniversary.

What Changed

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BEFORE: The Constitution was primarily accessed digitally in English, Hindi, and a few major scheduled languages. NOW: The digital release in nine additional regional languages expands direct accessibility for citizens at the grassroots level.
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BEFORE: Dr. Ambedkar's legacy as the architect of the Indian Constitution was largely commemorated through domestic monuments and institutions. NOW: The installation of his bust at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris permanently elevates his legacy as a global symbol of social justice and democratic design.
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BEFORE: The artistic heritage of the Constitution, particularly Prem Behari Narain Raizada's calligraphy, was primarily known to historians and confined to the Parliament library. NOW: The Ministry of Culture's new booklet actively popularizes and documents this unique artistic heritage for the general public.

Prelims Angle

NCERT Connection

This event directly applies to NCERT Class 11 Political Science Chapter 1 ('Constitution: Why and How?'), which discusses the making of the Constitution and the role of the Constituent Assembly. The event operationalizes the constitutional provisions regarding the Eighth Schedule languages and highlights the historical significance of the Drafting Committee led by Dr. Ambedkar.

Practice Questions

Q1

Correct Statement(s)

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the making and celebration of the Indian Constitution? 1. The original Constitution of India was handwritten by Prem Behari Narain Raizada in a flowing italic style. 2. On the 76th Constitution Day, a bronze bust of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was unveiled at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

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