The Preamble (Indian Polity and Governance)

Total Questions: 47

1. In The Following Quotation, [U.P.S.C. (Pre) 1997]

WE THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a (Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic) and to sure to all its citizens.

JUSTICE, social, economic and political;

LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and work ship;

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 X do hereby adopt, enact and give to ourselves this Constitution. X stands for:

Correct Answer: (b) Twenty - sixth day of November, 1950
Solution:The Indian Constitution starts with the preamble, which outlines the main objective of the Constitution. The Preamble describes the nature, objectives, and ideals of the Indian political system. It also contains the date in which the constitution was adopted, i.e., 26 November, 1949. The term ''X'' stand for the adoption sate. Thus, option (b) is the correct answer.

The Preamble to the Constitution is the reflection of the core values, philosophy and objectives that embody the Constitution. It declares India to be a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic committed to Justice, Equality and Liberty for the people.

Although it does not grant substantive rights to the people and neither is enforceable in the courts, it is a guiding light in the interpretation of the Constitution. It was introduced through the Objective Resolution by Jawaharlal Nehru and adopted on January 22, 1947.

The Supreme Court through various judgements has held that the Preamble is a part of the Constitution. The opening and last sentences of the Preamble -"We, the people...adopt enact and give to ourselves this Constitution" imply that sovereignty lies with the people of India. Thus, it is the soul of the Constitution.

2. What was the exact Constitution status of the Indian Republic on 26-01-1950 when the Constitution came into force? [U.P.P.C.S. (Main) 2009, U.P Lower (Spl) (Pre) 2008]

Correct Answer: (b) A Sovereign Democratic Republic
Solution:The Constitution of India came into force on 26th January 1950. The exact Constitutional status on 26-1-1950 was A SOVEREIGN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC "The words socialist, secular and integrity were added by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976.

The Preamble to the Constitution is the reflection of the core values, philosophy and objectives that embody the Constitution. It declares India to be a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic committed to Justice, Equality and Liberty for the people.

Although it does not grant substantive rights to the people and neither is enforceable in the courts, it is a guiding light in the interpretation of the Constitution. It was introduced through the Objective Resolution by Jawaharlal Nehru and adopted on January 22, 1947.

The Supreme Court through various judgements has held that the Preamble is a part of the Constitution. The opening and last sentences of the Preamble -"We, the people...adopt enact and give to ourselves this Constitution" imply that sovereignty lies with the people of India. Thus, it is the soul of the Constitution.

3. What was the exact constitutional status of India on 26 January, 1950? [U.P.S.C. (Pre) 2021]

Correct Answer: (b) A Sovereign Democratic Republic
Solution:The Constitution of India came into force on 26th January 1950. The exact Constitutional status on 26-1-1950 was A SOVEREIGN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC "The words socialist, secular and integrity were added by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976.

The Preamble to the Constitution is the reflection of the core values, philosophy and objectives that embody the Constitution. It declares India to be a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic committed to Justice, Equality and Liberty for the people.

Although it does not grant substantive rights to the people and neither is enforceable in the courts, it is a guiding light in the interpretation of the Constitution. It was introduced through the Objective Resolution by Jawaharlal Nehru and adopted on January 22, 1947.

The Supreme Court through various judgements has held that the Preamble is a part of the Constitution. The opening and last sentences of the Preamble -"We, the people...adopt enact and give to ourselves this Constitution" imply that sovereignty lies with the people of India. Thus, it is the soul of the Constitution.

4. The mind of the makers of the constitution of India is reflected in which of the following? [U.P.S.C. (Pre) 2017]

Correct Answer: (a) The Preamble
Solution:The Preamble reflects the minds of the makers of the Constitution. K.M. Munshi called it the political horoscope. The Preamble to the Constitution is the reflection of the core values, philosophy and objectives hat embody the Constitution.

It declares India to be a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic committed to Justice, Equality and Liberty for the people. Although it does not grant substantive rights to the people and neither is enforceable in the courts, it is a guiding light in the interpretation of the Constitution.

It was introduced through the Objective Resolution by Jawaharlal Nehru and adopted on January 22, 1947. The Supreme Court through various judgements has held that the Preamble is a part of the Constitution.

The opening and last sentences of the Preamble -"We, the people...adopt enact and give to ourselves this Constitution" imply that sovereignty lies with the people of India. Thus, it is the soul of the Constitution

5. How many types of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity in that order have been mentioned in the preamble of constitution of India? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2018]

Correct Answer: (a) 3,5,2,1
Solution:The Preamble of the Constitution mentions 3 types of justice, 5 types of liberty, 2 types of equality and one Kind of fraternity. The Preamble to the Constitution is the reflection of the core values, philosophy and objectives that embody the Constitution.

It declares India to be a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic committed to Justice, Equality and Liberty for the people. Although it does not grant substantive rights to the people and neither is enforceable in the courts, it is a guiding light in the interpretation of the Constitution.

It was introduced through the Objective Resolution by Jawaharlal Nehru and adopted on January 22, 1947. The Supreme Court through various judgements has held that the Preamble is a part of the Constitution.

The opening and last sentences of the Preamble -"We, the people...adopt enact and give to ourselves this Constitution" imply that sovereignty lies with the people of India. Thus, it is the soul of the Constitution.

6. In the context of the Preamble of Indian Constitution which of the following sequence is correct?

Correct Answer: (d) Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic
Solution:The Preamble to the Indian Constitution, as amended by the 42- Amendment in 1976 is-We the People of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a Sovereign Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic The word People's is not mentioned in the Preamble of the Indies Constitution.

This particular word has been mentioned in the Constitution of China. Thus option (d) is the correct answer

7. Which among the following is the correct order mentioned in Preamble of the Indian Constitution? [UP R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2021]

Correct Answer: (b) Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic
Solution:The preamble of the Indian Constitution- WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved 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, ENACKAND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION Obviously, the correct order is-Sovereign, Socialist, Secular and Democratic.

8. In which form is India declared in the Preamble of Indian Constitution? [42nd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1997]

Correct Answer: (c) A Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic
Solution:The preamble of the Indian Constitution- WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved 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, ENACKAND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION Obviously, the correct order is-Sovereign, Socialist, Secular and Democratic.

9. Consider the following words. [48th to 52nd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2008]

(A) Socialist

(B) Democratic

(C) Sovereign

(D) Secular

Choose the correct sequence of words as given in the Preamble.

Correct Answer: (a) C, A, D and B
Solution:The preamble of the Indian Constitution- WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved 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, ENACKAND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION Obviously, the correct order is-Sovereign, Socialist, Secular and Democratic.

10. The expression "Socialist" was introduced in the Preamble of Indian Constitution by which amendment? [60-62nd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2016]

Correct Answer: (a) 42nd amendment
Solution:The preamble has been amended by the 42 Constitutional amendment Act (1976), which added three new words: socialist, secular and integrity. The Preamble's declaration of India as a "Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic" encapsulates the fundamental principles that shape the nature and functioning of the Indian state.

Sovereignty: The term "Sovereign" signifies the independent and supreme authority of the Indian state. Internally, it means that the Indian government has the ultimate decision-making power within its territorial boundaries. Externally, it implies that India is not subject to control or interference by any external power.

Socialism: The addition of "Socialist" through the 42nd Amendment in 1976 reflects India's commitment to achieving social and economic equality. The government plays a crucial role in ensuring the equitable distribution of resources and providing basic amenities to all citizens, regardless of their social or economic status. It is reflected in the DPSPs of the Constitution.

Secularism: The declaration of India as a "Secular" state in the Preamble emphasises that the state does not have an official religion. It ensures that all religions are treated with equal respect. Citizens have the freedom of conscience and the right to profess, practice, and propagate their religion without discrimination.

Democracy: The characterisation of India as a "Democratic" republic underscores the principle of government by the people, for the people, and of the people. Regular, free and fair elections allow citizens to actively participate in the political process. Every citizen has an equal right to vote and choose their representatives.

Republic: The term "Republic" signifies that the head of the state (the President) is an elected official, not a hereditary monarch. This form of government ensures that the power and authority of the state are derived from the people's mandate.