Part XXI - Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions • Article

Article 379 Simplified: Provisions as to provisional Parliament and the Speaker and Deputy Speaker thereof

Article 379 originally established the Constituent Assembly of India as the 'Provisional Parliament' from 1950 until the first general elections were held in 1952. Since India had successfully elected its first permanent bicameral Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) by 1952, this transitional article was omitted by the 7th Amendment in 1956.

Official Text

Omitted by the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956, s. 29 and Sch. (w.e.f. 1-11-1956).

Simple Meaning

Explain Like Ten

Before India had its first big elections in 1952, the group of leaders who wrote the Constitution acted as our temporary Parliament. This rule was deleted in 1956 because the real elected Parliament had taken over.

Student Mode

Article 379 was a transitional provision that established the Constituent Assembly of India as the 'Provisional Parliament' from January 26, 1950, until the first elected bicameral Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) was formed in April 1952. It was repealed by the 7th Amendment in 1956 as it had served its transitional purpose.

Example

Between 1950 and 1952, before citizens voted in the first general election, the Constituent Assembly acted as India's Parliament under Article 379, passing early laws like the Representation of the People Act.

Key Takeaway

A repealed article that once designated the Constituent Assembly as India's provisional parliament until the first general elections in 1952.

FAQs

Why did India have a 'Provisional Parliament' under Article 379?

Preparing electoral rolls and organizing elections for a country of hundreds of millions took two years. A provisional parliament was required to pass budgets, write laws, and govern the country during this interim period.

Who was the Speaker of this Provisional Parliament?

Ganesh Vasudev Mavalankar, who later became the first Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

Quiz

Which body acted as India's Provisional Parliament under Article 379 from 1950 to 1952?

Answer: The Constituent Assembly of India

Which amendment omitted Article 379 from the Constitution?

Answer: 7th Amendment