BharatNotes What is Preamble of the Constitution?
The Preamble is the brief introductory statement that sets out the guiding purpose, principles and philosophy of the Constitution of India. It opens with the words "WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA", asserting that the ultimate authority of the Constitution rests with the people. It was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949, and the Constitution came into force on 26 January 1950. The Preamble is widely regarded as the "identity card" or soul of the Constitution and reflects the Objectives Resolution moved by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1946.
Key Components
The Preamble describes India as a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic and commits to securing four objectives for all citizens.
| Element | Content |
|---|---|
| Source of authority | We, the People of India |
| Nature of state | Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic |
| Objectives | Justice (social, economic, political); Liberty (of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship); Equality (of status and opportunity); Fraternity (assuring dignity of the individual and unity and integrity of the Nation) |
| Date | 26 November 1949 |
The arrangement of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity was inspired by the ideals of the French Revolution, while the concept of Justice was drawn from the Russian Revolution.
The 42nd Amendment, 1976
The Preamble has been amended only once, by the Constitution (Forty-second Amendment) Act, 1976, enacted during the Emergency. It inserted three words: "Socialist" and "Secular" (changing "Sovereign Democratic Republic" to "Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic") and "Integrity" (changing "unity of the Nation" to "unity and integrity of the Nation").
Is the Preamble a Part of the Constitution?
Judicial opinion evolved over time:
- In Berubari Union (1960), the Supreme Court held the Preamble is not a part of the Constitution.
- In Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973), the Court overruled this, holding the Preamble is a part of the Constitution and reflects its basic structure, though it is non-justiciable.
- In LIC of India case (1995), the Court reaffirmed that the Preamble is an integral part of the Constitution.
On 25 November 2024, a Supreme Court bench led by CJI Sanjiv Khanna dismissed petitions challenging the insertion of "Socialist" and "Secular", upholding Parliament's power under Article 368 to amend the Preamble (as of November 2024).
UPSC Angle
This is a high-yield Prelims topic. UPSC Prelims 2017 tested which objective is NOT in the Preamble, Prelims 2020 asked what the Preamble "is" (a part of the Constitution), and Prelims 2021 asked what India was declared as on 26 January 1950 (a Sovereign Democratic Republic). Aspirants must memorise the exact sequence of words and remember the three terms added in 1976.
Do not confuse: the Preamble was adopted on 26 November 1949 (Constitution Day / Samvidhan Divas) but the Constitution came into force on 26 January 1950 (Republic Day).
For current affairs linkage on constitutional values and secularism debates, cross-reference Ujiyari.com.
