Part XXII: Short Title, Commencement, Authoritative Text in Hindi and Repeals
Part XXII contains the final provisions of the Constitution of India, including the short title, date of commencement, authoritative text in Hindi, and repeals of previous enactments. These articles provide the formal conclusion to the constitutional document and establish its legal status.
Articles Covered
Article 393: Short Title
This Constitution may be called the Constitution of India.
Key Points:
- Establishes the official name of the document
- Simple and clear identification
- Used for legal citations
- Distinguishes from other constitutional documents
Article 394: Commencement
1. This article and articles 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 60, 324, 366, 367, 372, 388, 391, 392 and 393 shall come into force at once, and the remaining provisions of this Constitution shall come into force on the twenty-sixth day of January, 1950, which day is referred to in this Constitution as the commencement of this Constitution.
2. Notwithstanding anything in clause (1), the provisions of this Constitution relating to—
- (a) the election of the President;
- (b) the election of the Vice-President;
- (c) the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the House of the People and the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Council of States;
- (d) the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council of a State;
- (e) the election of the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council of a State;
- (f) the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of a State;
- (g) the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of a Union territory;
- (h) the election of the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council of a Union territory;
- (i) the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of a Union territory;
- (j) the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of a Union territory;
- (k) the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of a Union territory;
- (l) the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of a Union territory;
- (m) the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of a Union territory;
- (n) the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of a Union territory;
- (o) the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of a Union territory;
- (p) the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of a Union territory;
- (q) the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of a Union territory;
- (r) the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of a Union territory;
- (s) the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of a Union territory;
- (t) the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of a Union territory;
- (u) the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of a Union territory;
- (v) the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of a Union territory;
- (w) the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of a Union territory;
- (x) the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of a Union territory;
- (y) the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of a Union territory;
- (z) the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of a Union territory;
shall come into force on such date as the President may by order appoint.
Key Points:
- Establishes January 26, 1950 as Republic Day
- Some provisions came into force immediately
- Most provisions commenced on Republic Day
- President could appoint dates for elections
Article 394A: Authoritative Text in the Hindi Language
1. The President shall cause to be published under his authority,—
- (a) the translation of this Constitution in the Hindi language, signed by the members of the Constituent Assembly, with such modifications as may be necessary to bring it in conformity with the language, style and terminology adopted in the authoritative texts of Central Acts in the Hindi language, and incorporating therein all the amendments of this Constitution made up to the date of publication of the translation of this Constitution in that language;
- (b) the translation in the Hindi language of every amendment of this Constitution made in the English language.
2. The translation of this Constitution and of every amendment thereof published under clause (1) shall be construed to have the same meaning as the original thereof and if any difficulty arises in so construing any part of such translation, the President shall cause the same to be revised suitably.
3. The translation of this Constitution and of every amendment thereof published under this article shall be deemed to be, for all purposes, the authoritative text thereof in the Hindi language.
Key Points:
- Provides authoritative Hindi translation
- President publishes Hindi version
- Includes all amendments
- Hindi version has same legal force
Article 395: Repeals
The Indian Independence Act, 1947, and the Government of India Act, 1935, together with all enactments amending or supplementing the latter Act, but not including the Abolition of Privy Council Jurisdiction Act, 1949, are hereby repealed.
Key Points:
- Repeals British colonial laws
- Ends legal continuity with colonial rule
- Establishes complete independence
- Creates clean legal break
Key Features of Part XXII
Legal Identity
- Establishes official name
- Provides legal citation
- Creates formal identity
- Distinguishes from other documents
Commencement
- Republic Day as commencement
- Staggered implementation
- Immediate and delayed provisions
- Presidential discretion for elections
Bilingual Authority
- Hindi as authoritative text
- Equal legal force
- President's responsibility
- Includes all amendments
Legal Break
- Repeals colonial laws
- Complete independence
- Clean legal slate
- Ends colonial continuity
Historical Significance
Part XXII represents the formal conclusion of India's constitutional journey from colonial rule to complete independence. The choice of January 26, 1950, as Republic Day was significant as it marked the anniversary of the Purna Swaraj (Complete Independence) resolution passed by the Indian National Congress in 1930.
The provision for an authoritative Hindi text reflects India's commitment to linguistic diversity and the recognition of Hindi as a national language while maintaining the English version for legal precision. The repeal of colonial laws symbolizes the complete break from British rule and the establishment of a truly independent legal system.
Completion of the Constitutional Framework
With Part XXII, the Constitution of India achieves its complete form. From the Preamble that sets out the ideals and objectives, through the detailed provisions covering every aspect of governance, to these final articles that establish its legal identity and commencement, the Constitution represents a comprehensive framework for India's democracy.
The Constitution has proven to be a living document, capable of adapting to changing circumstances while maintaining its core democratic principles. It has guided India through more than seven decades of democratic governance, making it one of the world's most successful constitutional democracies.