On 26 January 1950, the newly drafted constitution of India came to be enforced by way of replacing the Government of India Act 1935. Since then, this day is celebrated as the Republic Day of India year on year as a national event with a public holiday declared in all states of the country.

On 26 January 1930, the Indian National Congress declared Purna Swaraj or complete Independence of the country from foreign rule. This proclamation enjoined the members of the congress as well as the band of Indian nationalists to fight for the independence of the country and it was also decided that this day shall be celebrated as the independence day of the country. Later when India got its independence on another day (15 August), it was decided that the constituent assembly would enforce the Constitution on 26 January 1950, though it was adopted on 26 November 1949.

India got its freedom from the British rule on 15 August 1947. When India was declared as the constitutional monarchy on this day, the nation still did not have a permanent constitution. Therefore, on 28 August 1947, the drafting committee was established under the leadership of Dr.B.R. Ambedkar. The drafting committee submitted a draft of the constitution to the Assembly on 4th November 1947. Assembly organized a series of sessions to discuss the constitution. The process that stretched over 166 days was spread over 2 years, 11 months and 18 days. All these sessions were open to the public.

Following several deliberations and modifications, the Assembly consisting of 308 members prepared two handwritten copies of the constitution, one in Hindi and the other in English duly signed by all the members. After its signing on 24 January 1950, it was enforced throughout the nation two days later on 26 January 1950.