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Home The Constitution Part XXII

Part XXII: Short Title, Commencement, Authoritative Text, Repeals

Articles 393–395 · The Constitution's closing Part — just four short Articles giving the document its name, fixing when it came into force, confirming its Hindi text is equally authoritative, and formally repealing the two colonial-era laws it replaced.

Every Article In This Part

All of Articles 393–395

Grouped by subject so related provisions stay together — every article number in this Part is covered below.

Art. 393
Short title

This Constitution may be called the Constitution of India.

Art. 394
Commencement

Came into force on 26 January 1950 (chosen to mark Purna Swaraj / 'complete independence day', first declared in 1930) — though a few provisions (elections, the provisional Parliament, and the President/Vice-President's offices) took effect earlier, on 26 November 1949, when the Constituent Assembly adopted the text.

Art. 394A
Authoritative text in Hindi

The Hindi translation of the Constitution is equally authoritative as the English text — added by the 58th Amendment, 1987.

Art. 395
Repeals

Repealed the Indian Independence Act, 1947 and the Government of India Act, 1935 — the two British-era laws the new Constitution replaced.

See This In Practice

Related rights categories

Fundamental Rights

The Constitution's promises to every citizen — and how to invoke them.

Voting & Political Rights

Enrolment, EVM/VVPAT, election complaints, and NOTA.

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about this Part

Why is 26 January celebrated as Republic Day if the Constitution was adopted on 26 November?
The Constituent Assembly adopted the final text on 26 November 1949, but deliberately delayed it coming fully into force until 26 January 1950 — the same date the Indian National Congress had declared as 'Purna Swaraj' (complete independence) Day back in 1930, to give it that historic symbolism.
← PreviousPart XXI: Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions Next →Part I: Union and its Territory

This is a plain-language guide to Part XXII of the Constitution of India for general educational purposes, not a substitute for the bare text of the Constitution or professional legal advice. Article numbering and content reflect amendments up to 2026; always cross-check the authoritative text at india.gov.in or legislative.gov.in before relying on it for a legal matter.