Preamble to the Indian Constitution

Text of the Preamble

WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure 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 nation;

IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION

The Ingredients of the Preamble

The Preamble of the Indian constitution contains the following ingredients:

  • Sources of authority of the Indian Constitution,
  • Nature of Indian State
  • Objectives of the Constitution
  • Date of adoption of the Constitution

Important Keywords in the Preamble

  • Soverign
  • Secular
  • Republic
  • Liberty
  • Fraternity
  • Socialist
  • Democratic
  • Justice Equality

Sovereign

  • India – Neither a dependency nor a dominion
  • 1949 membership of commonwealth of nations
  • British crown as the head
  • Membership of UNO
  • Acquire foreign territory or cede part of its territory

Socialist

  • Added by 42nd Amendment in 1976
  • Before Present in Directive Principles of State Policy
  • 1955, Congress party “Socialist pattern of society’ – Avadi Session
  • Democratic Socialism
  • Mixed economy – Public and Private Sector
  • Communistic Socialism
  • Production and Distribution; No private Property
  • Indian Socialism – blend of Marxism and Gandhism

Secular

  • Added by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976
  • 1974, the supreme court said ‘secular state not expressedly mentioned in the constitution
  • Article 25 to 28 – fundamental rights to freedom of religion
  • All religions have same status and support

Democratic

  • Two types
    1. Direct (Adopted from Switzerland)
      • supreme power – people
      • 4 devices: Referendum, Initiative, Recall and Plebiscite
    2. Indirect (India)
      • supreme power: Representatives elected by people
      • Two kinds – Parliamentary & Presidential
  • Dr. Ambedkar (Nov 25, 1949)
    1. Political democracy cannot last unless social democracy
    2. Social democracy: liberty, equality and fraternity

Republic

Democratic Polity into two categories

  1. Monarchy
    • Head – King/Queen (Britain)
  2. Republic
    1. Elected Head Directly/indirectly (USA, India)
  • Political Sovereignty with people, not in single individual
  • Public offices open to all citizens without discrimination

Justice

  • Secured in Fundamental rights and Directive Principles
  • Three forms
    1. Social Justice – All citizens are equal irrespective of caste, creed, race, religion, sex etc.
    2. Economic Justice – Non-Discrimination between people on basis of wealth, income, property
    3. Political Justice – Equal Political rights; equal access to all political offices.

Liberty

  • Absence of Restraints
  • Providing Opportunities for Development
  • Liberty of thought, expression, faith, worship, and belief.

Liberty, equality and fraternity taken from Fresh revolution (1789-1799)

Equality

  • Absence of special privileges to any section of society, Without any discrimination
  • Equality of Status and Opportunity
  • Civic Equality
  • Equality before the law (Article 14)
  • Prohibition of Discrimination (Article 15)
  • Equality of Opportunity – Public Employment (Article 16)
  • Abolition of untouchability and titles (Articles 17 & 18)
  • Political equality
  • Lok Sabha and State assemblies election – Adult Suffrage (Article 326)
  • Economic Equality
  • Men and Women – Equal
  • Equal Pay for equal work

Fraternity

  • Brotherhood
  • Single Citizenship
  • Artice 51A – Promotes Harmony and Brotherhood
  • Assures two things
    1. Dignity of the individual
    2. Unity and Integrity of the nation