The correct answer is 8. Explanation & Key Takeaways: • The Constitution of India was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26th November 1949 and officially came into force on 26th January 1950. • At the time of its original enactment, the Constitution contained a Preamble, 395 Articles categorized into 22 Parts, and exactly 8 Schedules. • Schedules are additional provisions in the Constitution that categorize and tabulate bureaucratic activity and policy of the Government. They provide detailed information that would otherwise make the main Articles too lengthy. • The original eight schedules addressed crucial administrative aspects: • First Schedule: Lists the States and Union Territories of India. • Second Schedule: Details provisions relating to the emoluments, allowances, and privileges of the President, Governors, and Speakers. • Third Schedule: Contains the forms of Oaths and Affirmations for Union Ministers and Judges. • Fourth Schedule: Specifies the allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) to the States and Union Territories. • Fifth and Sixth Schedules: Deal with the administration and control of Scheduled Areas, Scheduled Tribes, and Tribal Areas in the North-Eastern states. • Seventh Schedule: Defines the division of powers between the Union and States through the Union List, State List, and Concurrent List. • Eighth Schedule: Lists the 22 official languages recognized by the Constitution (originally 14 were included). Related Concepts: • Over time, through various Constitutional Amendments, the number of schedules has increased from 8 to 12: • 9th Schedule: Added by the 1st Amendment Act, 1951, to protect laws related to land reforms from judicial scrutiny. • 10th Schedule: Added by the 52nd Amendment Act, 1985, containing provisions regarding disqualification on grounds of defection, known as the Anti-Defection Law. • 11th Schedule: Added by the 73rd Amendment Act, 1992, which lists 29 subjects under the jurisdiction of Panchayati Raj Institutions. • 12th Schedule: Added by the 74th Amendment Act, 1992, which specifies 18 functional items for Municipalities.