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Question 16 of 58 · Making & Sources of the Constitution
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At the historic midnight session of the Constituent Assembly on 14-15 August 1947, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan addressed the Assembly after the speech of:

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Answer: Option A — Jawaharlal Nehru

Detailed Solution

At the historic midnight session of the Constituent Assembly on the night of 14-15 August 1947, Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan spoke after Jawaharlal Nehru's famous "Tryst with Destiny" speech.

About the midnight session:

  • The special session of the Constituent Assembly began at 11 p.m. on 14 August 1947, in the Constitution Hall (now the Central Hall of Parliament) in New Delhi.
  • It was presided over by Dr Rajendra Prasad, the President of the Constituent Assembly.
  • The session began with the singing of "Vande Mataram" by Sucheta Kripalani.
  • Rajendra Prasad made the opening address, and a two-minute silence was observed in memory of those who had died in the freedom struggle.

Nehru's speech:

Just before midnight, Nehru delivered his famous speech, "Tryst with Destiny".

He said: "Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge... At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom."

He moved a resolution by which the members took a pledge to dedicate themselves to the service of India and her people.

Other speakers:

Choudhry Khaliquzzaman also spoke, supporting the resolution.

Dr S. Radhakrishnan spoke after Nehru, speaking about India's spiritual and cultural heritage, the responsibilities of freedom, and the need to rise above narrow divisions.

At midnight, the members took the pledge, and the Assembly assumed power for the governance of India.

Later events:

The session ended with the presentation of the national flag on behalf of the women of India by Hansa Mehta, and the singing of "Saare Jahan Se Achha" and "Jana Gana Mana".

About Radhakrishnan:

  • He was a philosopher, who later became the first Vice-President (1952-1962) and the second President (1962-1967) of India.
  • His birthday, 5 September, is celebrated as Teachers' Day.

Why not the other options?

  • ✗Rajendra Prasad presided; Patel and Mountbatten did not speak in this order.

Quick tip

Remember: midnight session of 14-15 August 1947 = Nehru's "Tryst with Destiny", followed by Radhakrishnan's speech; presided by Rajendra Prasad; flag presented by Hansa Mehta.

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Making & Sources of the Constitution — Preparation

This question tests your understanding of Making & Sources of the Constitution, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.

This topic covers how the Indian Constitution was made: the Constituent Assembly, its committees and members, the drafting process and key dates, and the features India borrowed from other constitutions, such as the parliamentary system from Britain and Fundamental Rights from the USA. Exams frequently ask who chaired the Drafting Committee (B. R. Ambedkar), who was President of the Constituent Assembly (Rajendra Prasad), and when the Constitution was adopted (26 November 1949) and came into force (26 January 1950). Questions on borrowed features are very common, so learn a table of features and their source countries. Practise the making of the Constitution questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.

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