When the Constitution of India came into force on 26 January 1950, it originally contained exactly how many Articles?

Introduction / Context:
The Constitution of India has been amended many times, and today it contains more Articles than when it first came into force. However, examinations often ask about the original structure of the Constitution as adopted in 1950. One frequently asked fact is the exact number of Articles in the original document. Knowing this number helps you track how the Constitution has grown and changed over time through amendments.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question focuses on the number of Articles at the time the Constitution originally came into force.
• The options offer four close but distinct numbers around four hundred.
• We assume familiarity with common figures given in polity textbooks regarding the original Constitution.

Concept / Approach:
The original Constitution of India, as it came into effect on 26 January 1950, contained 395 Articles, divided into 22 Parts, along with 8 Schedules. Over the years, amendments have added, removed, and renumbered Articles, but the original number remains a standard fact for exams. The correct approach is to recall that 395 is the exact figure and choose the option that matches it.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall from polity guides that the original Constitution had 22 Parts, 395 Articles, and 8 Schedules. Step 2: Look at the options and identify which one exactly matches 395. Step 3: Note that options B, C, and D differ by 5, 10, or 20 Articles and do not match the commonly cited number. Step 4: Select option A, 395 Articles, as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Verification can be done by checking any reliable table of key facts about the Constitution in standard textbooks or government publications. These almost always give the original number of Articles as 395, while also explaining that amendments have changed the total over time. The repetition of this figure across sources confirms its accuracy for examination purposes.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B, 415 Articles, and option D, 405 Articles, are larger than the original total and likely correspond to later counts after several amendments. Option C, 400 Articles, is a rounded number rather than the exact count and is not supported by official records of the original document.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse the current approximate number of Articles with the original number, since the Constitution has grown over time. Another common error is to treat 400 as a convenient approximate figure rather than memorising the precise count. To avoid these pitfalls, it is important to remember the exact combination often quoted together: 22 Parts, 395 Articles, and 8 Schedules in the original Constitution.

Final Answer:
When the Constitution of India came into force on 26 January 1950, it originally contained 395 Articles.