The Constitution of India Part XXII: Short Title, Commencement, Authoritative Text in Hindi and Repeals (Articles 393–395)

XXII

Part XXII: Short Title, Commencement, etc.

The concluding part of the Constitution provides the formal identity of the document. It specifies when the Constitution came into effect, ensures its availability in the Hindi language, and formally repeals the British-era statutes that governed India prior to independence.

The Final Provisions (Articles 393–395)

393

Short Title

This article provides the official name of the document: "This Constitution may be called the Constitution of India."

While seemingly simple, this officially established India's status as a distinct, unified constitutional entity.

394

Commencement

This article handles the "rollout" of the Constitution in two phases:

• Nov 26, 1949: Immediate enforcement of articles relating to Citizenship, Elections, Provisional Parliament, and Temporary provisions.
• Jan 26, 1950: The remaining Constitution came into force (Republic Day).

394A

Authoritative text in the Hindi language

Inserted by the 58th Amendment (1987), it mandates the President to publish a translation of the Constitution in Hindi.

This translation has the same legal standing as the original English text for all purposes.

395

Repeals

This article officially "switched off" the old legal regime. It repealed:

• The Indian Independence Act, 1947.
• The Government of India Act, 1935.

Note: The Abolition of Privy Council Jurisdiction Act, 1949, was not repealed.

📅 Why January 26th?

While the Constitution was ready by November 26, 1949, the makers waited until January 26, 1950 for the full commencement to honor the 20th anniversary of the Purna Swaraj (Complete Independence) declaration of 1930.

📝 The "Closing" of the Document

Article 395 is perhaps the most legally significant in this part. By repealing the 1947 Independence Act and the 1935 GOI Act, the Constitution makers ensured that the source of authority for the Indian government was no longer the British Parliament, but the People of India themselves. It marked the final break from colonial legal lineage.