Preamble of Indian Constitution – Objectives, Significance, Preamble of India UPSC

The Preamble of the Indian Constitution displays the mindset of its framers and the history behind the construction of the constitution. It defines the philosophy and objectives of the Indian Constitution. The constitutional expert, N.A. Palkhivala, defined the preamble as the identity card for the constitution of India. The Preamble was first introduced in the Constitution of America. After the United States of America, many countries, including India, started to follow the concept of having a Preamble in their constitutions.

Table of Content

1.     What is Preamble?

2.     Preamble of Indian Constitution

3.     Preamble of India Meaning

4.     Objective Resolution of Preamble of India

5.     Significance of Preamble of Indian Constitution

6.     Amendment of Preamble

7.     Facts about Indian Constitution Preamble

8.     Preamble of Indian Constitution UPSC

9.     Relevant Articles and Landmark Judgments

10.                        MCQs for UPSC Exam

11.                        FAQs on Preamble of Indian Constitution

What is Preamble?

The Preamble of the Indian Constitution was adopted on 26th November 1949. Inspired by the Preamble of the Constitution of the USA and the ‘Objective Resolution’ drafted by Pandit Nehru, it reflects the philosophy and objectives of the Indian Constitution. N.A. Palkhivala called it the ‘identity card of the Constitution’. The Preamble has been amended once by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976, to include the words Socialist, Secular, and Integrity.

Preamble of Indian Constitution

The Preamble of the Indian Constitution reads as follows:

"We, the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a [Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic] and to secure to all its citizens:
Justice, social, economic and political;
Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;
Equality of status and of opportunity; and to promote among them all
Fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation;
In our Constituent Assembly this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do hereby adopt, enact and give to ourselves this Constitution."

Preamble of India Meaning

The Preamble of the Indian Constitution can be understood as a summary of the entire constitution. The main words mentioned in the Preamble are:

• Sovereign: India is independent and not a dominion of any other country.
• Socialist: Aims to remove inequality in social and economic areas.
• Secular: All religions co-exist peacefully and are treated equally.
• Democratic: For the people, by the people, and of the people.
• Republic: No privilege given to any specific class of citizens, with the head of state (President) elected.
• Justice: Social, economic, and political justice for all.
• Liberty: Freedom of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship.
• Equality: Equal opportunities for all irrespective of caste, creed, sex, color, or community.
• Fraternity: Promotes a sense of brotherhood and unity among citizens.

Objective Resolution of Preamble of India

The Preamble of India originated from the Objective Resolution passed by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1946. The Objective Resolution highlighted the basic ideas behind the constitution and aimed to:

• Unite India from pre-independent territories into states.
• Distribute powers between union and state.
• Provide social, economic, and political justice to all.
• Protect minorities and underprivileged groups.
• Safeguard the Republic’s territorial integrity and sovereign rights.
• Contribute to global peace and human welfare.

Significance of Preamble of Indian Constitution

The Preamble reflects the basic philosophy and fundamental values of the Constitution. It has been discussed in several landmark cases, including:

• Berubari Union Case (1960): The Preamble is the key to understanding the mind of the Constitution makers.
• Kesavananda Bharati Case (1973): The Preamble is part of the Constitution and can be amended.
• Union Government v. LIC of India case (1995): The Preamble is an inalienable part of the Constitution.

Amendment of Preamble

The Preamble has been amended once by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976, which added the words Socialist, Secular, and Integrity. The amendment aimed to address social and economic inequality, secularism, and national integrity.

Facts about Indian Constitution Preamble

• The Preamble is non-justiciable, meaning its provisions are not enforceable in a court of law.
• It neither grants the legislature any authority nor forbids it from exercising any type of authority.
• The Preamble presents the core objectives of the Constitution and reflects the dream and aspiration of the founding fathers.

Preamble of Indian Constitution UPSC

The Preamble is an important topic for the UPSC exam. Understanding its significance, objectives, and amendments is crucial for both the Prelims and Mains exams.

Relevant Articles and Landmark Judgments

Relevant Articles

• Article 21: Right to life and personal liberty.
• Article 39: Directive Principles of State Policy related to adequate means of livelihood.
• Article 41: Right to work.

Landmark Judgments

• Berubari Union Case (1960)
• Kesavananda Bharati Case (1973)
• Union Government v. LIC of India case (1995)

MCQs for UPSC Exam

Question 1

Economic Justice’ the objective of the Constitution has been provided in:
a) The Preamble and Fundamental Rights
b) The Preamble and the Directive Principles of State Policy
c) The Fundamental Rights and the Directive Principles of State Policy
d) None of the above

Answer: b) The Preamble and the Directive Principles of State Policy.

Question 2

The mind of the makers of the Constitution of India is reflected in which of the following?
a) The Preamble
b) The Fundamental Rights
c) The Directive Principles of State Policy
d) The Fundamental Duties

Answer: a) The Preamble

Question 3

The Preamble to the Constitution of India is:
a) A part of the Constitution but has no legal effect
b) Not a part of the Constitution and has no legal effect either
c) Part of the Constitution and has the same legal effect as any other part
d) A part of the Constitution but has no legal effect independently of other parts.

Answer: d) A part of the Constitution but has no legal effect independently of other parts.

Question 4

Which amendment to the Indian Constitution introduced the words "Socialist" and "Secular" in the Preamble?
a) 24th Amendment
b) 42nd Amendment
c) 44th Amendment
d) 52nd Amendment

Answer: b) 42nd Amendment

Question 5

Which of the following ideals is not mentioned in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution?
a) Liberty
b) Equality
c) Fraternity
d) Freedom

Answer: d) Freedom

FAQs on Preamble of Indian Constitution

What is the Preamble of the Indian Constitution?

The Preamble of India is the introduction to the Constitution that outlines its fundamental values and guiding principles. It encapsulates the essence and core objectives of the Constitution.

Who wrote the original draft of the Preamble?

The original draft of the Preamble was based on the Objective Resolution drafted by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1946.

What is the importance of the Preamble?

The Preamble is important because it provides the central idea of the purpose and direction of the Indian Constitution. It serves as a guiding principle for interpreting the Constitution.

Which revolution slogan made an impact on our Preamble?

The slogan of the French Revolution of 1789 – ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity – greatly impacted the Preamble of the Indian Constitution.

How many times has the Preamble been amended?

The Preamble has been amended once by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976, to include the words Socialist, Secular, and Integrity.

Is the Preamble a part of the Constitution?

Yes, after the judgment in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973), it was accepted that the Preamble is a part of the Constitution.

Is the Preamble of the Indian Constitution justiciable?

No, the Preamble is non-justiciable; its provisions are not enforceable in courts of law.

How many words are in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution?

There are 73 words in the Preamble of the Constitution.

When was the word secular added to the Preamble of the Indian Constitution?

The word ‘Secular’ was added to the Preamble by the 42nd Amendment in 1976.