Who was the permanent President of the Constituent Assembly?

The Constituent Assembly of India functioned under two distinct presiding roles: a temporary (provisional) president who conducted only the inaugural formalities of the first sitting, and a permanent president who was formally elected soon after and presided over the Assembly for its entire remaining life, including the sessions that finalised and adopted the Constitution.

When the Constituent Assembly first convened on 9 December 1946, Dr. Sachchidanand Sinha, the most senior member present, was appointed temporary president to open proceedings. Two days later, on 11 December 1946, the Assembly formally elected Dr. Rajendra Prasad as its permanent President, a position he held until the Assembly completed its work in January 1950.

• Jawaharlal Nehru moved the historic Objectives Resolution in the Assembly but never held the office of its president.

• Dr. Sachchidanand Sinha's role was limited to the temporary presidency of the opening sitting, not the permanent office.

• Dr. K. M. Munshi served as a member of the Drafting Committee, not as the Assembly's presiding officer.

Hence, the permanent President of the Constituent Assembly was Dr. Rajendra Prasad, who went on to become independent India's first President.