Who served as the permanent Chairman (President) of the Constituent Assembly of independent India?

Introduction / Context:
The Constituent Assembly was the body that drafted the Constitution of India. Within this assembly, certain leaders held key positions, including the Chairman or President of the Assembly. This question tests recognition of the leader who served as the permanent Chairman of the Constituent Assembly after its initial organisational meetings, a detail that frequently appears in examinations related to Indian polity and constitutional history.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The question asks for the permanent Chairman or President of the Constituent Assembly of independent India.
Four prominent leaders are listed as options.
The learner is assumed to be aware that there was an initially elected temporary chairperson and then a permanent one.
No numerical or date based computation is required for this question.

Concept / Approach:
At its first meeting, the Constituent Assembly elected Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha as the temporary Chairman. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the permanent Chairman, often referred to as President of the Assembly. He presided over the proceedings during the crucial phase of drafting and adoption of the Constitution. Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar chaired the Drafting Committee, not the Assembly itself. C. Rajagopalachari and K. M. Munshi were influential participants but did not serve as permanent Chairman. Therefore, the correct answer is Dr. Rajendra Prasad.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Constituent Assembly first elected a temporary Chairman and then a permanent Chairman. Step 2: Remember that Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha was the temporary Chair at the first meeting, which is not asked in this question. Step 3: Note that after the initial session, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the permanent Chairman or President of the Assembly. Step 4: Understand that Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar held the post of Chairman of the Drafting Committee, which is a different role. Step 5: Recognise that C. Rajagopalachari and K. M. Munshi were important members but did not hold the permanent chair of the Assembly. Step 6: Based on these facts, select Dr. Rajendra Prasad as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Verification can be done by checking the standard narrative of the Constituent Assembly proceedings in polity textbooks. Nearly every reliable source states that Dr. Rajendra Prasad served as President of the Assembly throughout the main drafting period. Many exam oriented summaries also include a table where his name appears as permanent Chairman, while Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha is listed as temporary Chairman and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar as Chairman of the Drafting Committee. This convergence of information across texts confirms that Dr. Rajendra Prasad is the correct option.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar: Served as Chairman of the Drafting Committee but not as permanent Chairman of the entire Assembly.
C. Rajagopalachari: Played a significant political role in independent India but is not recorded as permanent Chairman of the Constituent Assembly.
K. M. Munshi: A key drafter and member of important committees, yet he did not occupy the post of permanent Chairman of the Assembly.

Common Pitfalls:
A frequent confusion is between roles held by different leaders within the same institution. Because Ambedkar is closely associated with drafting, some candidates mistakenly assume he presided over the Assembly itself. Others forget the distinction between temporary and permanent chairpersons. To avoid this, learners should memorise a short list of names with precise roles, such as Dr. Rajendra Prasad as President of the Assembly and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar as Chairman of the Drafting Committee. Keeping this structure in mind helps answer related questions quickly and accurately.

Final Answer:
The permanent Chairman (President) of the Constituent Assembly of independent India was Dr. Rajendra Prasad.