The Preamble - Meaning and Significance

1. POLITY
Enlightened Minds
Inspiring Excellence

2. The PREAMBLE
CHAPTER-2

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Introduction
 1.Preamble is based on the ‘Objectives Resolution’,drafted and moved by Pandit
Nehru, and adopted by the Constituent Assembly.
 2. It was enacted at the end of the constitution to reflect constitution.
 3. Preamble is not a source of power to legislature not a prohibition upon the
powers of legislature.
 4. It is non-justiciable.
 5.The Preamble has been amended only once so far, in 1976, by the 42nd
Constitutional Amendment Act,which has added three new words— Socialist,
Secular and Integrity—to the Preamble

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Key Words
 Sovereign- India is neither a dependency nor adominion of any other nation, but
an independent state
 Socialist- Indian brand of socialism is a ‘democratic socialism’ (coexistence of
public and private sector) and not a ‘communistic socialism’ (also known as ‘state
socialism’). Indian socialism is a blend of Marxism and Gandhism, leaning heavily
towards Gandhian socialism’

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 Secular- added by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976. Positive
concept of secularism i.e, all religions in our country (irrespective of their strength)
have the same status and support from the state.
 Democratic- The term ‘democratic’ is used in the Preamble in the broader sense
embracing not only political democracy but also social and economic democracy

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 Republic- the term ‘republic’ in our Preamble indicates that India has an elected
head called the president. It implies political sovereignty lies with people and public
offices are open to all.
 Justice- The term ‘justice’ in the Preamble embraces three distinct forms—social,
economic and political, secured through various provisions of Fundamental Rights
and Directive Principles.(political through FR’s and social and economic justice
through DPSP)

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 Liberty- absence of restraints on the activities of individuals, and at the same
time, providing opportunities for the development of individual personalities.
 Equality- ‘equality’ means the absence of special privileges to any section of the
society, and the provision of adequate opportunities for all individuals without any
discrimination. Ensures equality of status and opportunities.
 Fraternity- A sense of brotherhood, the Constitution promotes this feeling of
fraternity by the system of single citizenship.

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Significance of the Preamble:
 Basic Philosophy and Fundamental values of the constitution are stated.
 Essential to unravel minds of constitutional forefathers.
 Date of enactment of constitution – Nov 26, 1949 mentioned only in Preamble.
 Source of the constitution as People of India is mentioned in Preamble.
 Nature of Indian state-sovereign, socialist, secular,democratic and republican polity.
 Objectives- it specifies justice, liberty, equality, fraternity, unity and integrity.

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Preamble as part of the constitution:
 Berubari case: Preamble is not part of the constitution.
 Keshavananda Bharati case, LIC of India case: Preamble is
 part of the constitution.
 Amendment of Preamble: Preamble can be amended without affecting Basic
features of the constitution.

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UPSC PRELIMS Questions
 Which of the following is true about preamble?
1. It is not enforceable by courts.
2. It is part of constitution.
3. Preamble enshrines narrow objectives of governments.
a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. 1 and 2 only
d. 1,2 and 3

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Consider the following statements
1. The word secular appeared nowhere in constitution before it was inserted into the
preamble.
2. The word secular signifies state will protect religion of majority in state.
Which of the following statements are true?
a. Only1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and2
d. Neither 1 nor 2

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 With reference to word ‘Justice’ and ‘Fraternity’ in preamble. Which of the
following statements is true?
 1. Justice signifies political and economic justice only.
2. Fraternity was incorporated from article 1 of universal declaration of human
rights.
a. Only1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and2
d. Neither 1 nor 2

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 Consider the following statements
1. Preamble has been amended only once through 44th constitutional amendment act
1976.
2. Secular, Socialist and liberty were added to the constitution through
44th constitutional amendment act 1976.
Which of the above statements is true?
a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2

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 With reference to the word socialist in preamble. Which of the following
statements is true?
 1. Original constitution reflected socialistic principles.
2. Socialistic principles were incorporated in constitution only through amendment.
 a. Only1
b. Only2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2

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Consider the following statements regarding constitution of India
1. Indian federation is not result of agreement between the units of which it is made of.
2. India was already a union at the time of constituent assembly debates.
Which of the above is true?
a. Only1
b. Only2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2

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UPSC MAINS Questions
 What was the amendment in 1975, in the preamble of the Constitution? Discuss its
significance.(1983)
 What are the major commitments of the Constitution of India as incorporated in its
preamble(1988)
 What is the significance of a preamble to a constitution? Bring out the philosophy of
the Indian polity as enshrined in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution.(2004)
 Discuss each adjective attached to the word ‘Republic’ in the ‘Preamble’. Are they
defendable in the present circumstances?(2016)

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Assignment
 Preamble contains the aims and aspirations of the constitution. Explain what
those aims are? Discuss whether the ideal of secularism has undergone a change
since independence? ( 15M,250 words)
 Evaluate the significance of preamble to the Constitution of India. Is it a part of
the Constitution? Substantiate. (10M, 150 words)

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