Last Updated:January 26, 2026, 11:29 IST
After India gained independence in 1947, the Constitution came into effect on January 26, 1950. Now, the original copy is preserved as the nation’s 'soul' using scientific methods
TL;DR: But what makes this day so important that it is marked with respect and pride across the country?
On January 26, India celebrates Republic Day. But what makes this day so important that it is marked with respect and pride across the country? Republic Day is not just a national festival; it commemorates the historic moment when India became a fully democratic republic.
After gaining independence from the British, India required its own laws to protect citizens’ rights and establish a government ‘by the people, for the people’.
On January 26, 1950, the Indian Constitution came into effect across the nation, marking a turning point in India’s democratic journey.
The Need For A Constitution
TL;DR: India gained independence on August 15, 1947, but it did not yet have a permanent constitution.
India gained independence on August 15, 1947, but it did not yet have a permanent constitution. At that time, the country was still governed under the British-era Government of India Act 1935. To make India truly independent and self-reliant, a constitution was essential.
Under the leadership of Dr BR Ambedkar, the drafting committee took 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days to prepare the Indian Constitution. It was adopted on November 26, 1949, and came into effect on January 26, 1950.
The Original Constitution: Handwritten Masterpiece
TL;DR: The Constitution of India, which came into effect on January 26, 1950, is the longest written constitution in the world.
The Constitution of India, which came into effect on January 26, 1950, is the longest written constitution in the world. The original copy was entirely handwritten by calligrapher Prem Behari Narain Raizada in italics. It was neither typed nor printed.
Each page was beautifully decorated by artists from Shantiniketan, with Nandalal Bose and Rammanohar Sinha being the primary contributors. The original copies are preserved in both Hindi and English.
Early Preservation Efforts
TL;DR: In the early years, the original Constitution was wrapped in flannel cloth with naphthalene balls to protect it from moisture and pests.
In the early years, the original Constitution was wrapped in flannel cloth with naphthalene balls to protect it from moisture and pests.
In 1994, the Indian government, inspired by preservation methods in the United States, decided to store the Constitution in a scientifically prepared gas chamber. They partnered with the Getty Institute in the US, and together with India’s National Physical Laboratory, created a special chamber for preservation.
Why A Gas Chamber?
TL;DR: The chamber is filled with helium, an inert gas that prevents chemical reactions and decay.
The chamber is filled with helium, an inert gas that prevents chemical reactions and decay. Normally, organic and inorganic materials degrade over time, but helium ensures that fungus or micro-animals cannot form, keeping the Constitution safe for long periods.
The original ink used in the Constitution oxidises and fades over time, so maintaining proper humidity is crucial. The chamber is designed to maintain 50 grams of humidity per cubic metre.
Every year, the helium gas is replaced with fresh gas. The chamber is inspected every two months, and the internal environment is continuously monitored using CCTV cameras.
Protection From Light
TL;DR: Direct and ultraviolet light can fade the ink, so lighting around the Constitution is carefully arranged.
Direct and ultraviolet light can fade the ink, so lighting around the Constitution is carefully arranged. These measures ensure that the ‘soul of India’ remains protected.
The Constitution: Soul of India
TL;DR: The Constitution gave India its sovereign, democratic, and secular character, providing citizens with fundamental rights and a framework for a democratic government.
The Constitution gave India its sovereign, democratic, and secular character, providing citizens with fundamental rights and a framework for a democratic government. It is rightly regarded as the soul of the country.
Today, the original handwritten copies are preserved in a specially designed room in the Parliament Library, New Delhi. The meticulous efforts to protect the Constitution reflect the same care and reverence with which India created this defining document of its independence.
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Curated by Aisha Patel
