Omar Bennett
The Preamble to the Indian Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 by the Constituent Assembly of India and came into effect on 26 January 1950. The Preamble is an introductory statement that sets out the guiding purpose and principles of the document. It is considered the heart and soul of the Constitution, outlining India's commitment to being a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic. The Preamble has been amended only once, on 18 December 1976, during the Emergency, when the Indira Gandhi government pushed through several changes, including the addition of the words socialist and secular.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of adoption | 26 November 1949 |
| Date of enactment | 26 January 1950 |
| Date amended | 18 December 1976 |
| Number of words | 73 |
| Number of amendments | 1 |
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What You'll Learn
- The Preamble was adopted on November 26, 1949, and came into effect on January 26, 1950
- The Preamble is an introductory statement that sets out the guiding purpose and principles of the Constitution
- The Preamble was amended only once, on December 18, 1976, during the Emergency in India
- The Preamble is considered to be the heart and soul of the Constitution
- The Preamble declares India to be a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic
The Preamble was adopted on November 26, 1949, and came into effect on January 26, 1950
The Preamble to the Indian Constitution is an introductory statement that outlines the purpose, philosophy, and objectives of the document. It presents the core values and principles of the nation, acting as a concise summary of the entire Constitution. The Preamble was formulated by Jawaharlal Nehru's 'Objectives Resolution', which was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on January 22, 1947. This resolution defined the basic purpose and guiding principles for the members of the Constituent Assembly in framing the Constitution.
The Preamble itself was then adopted on November 26, 1949, by the Constituent Assembly of India, and it came into effect on January 26, 1950. The date of adoption, November 26, 1949, is significant as it affirms that the Constitution of India derives its authority and legitimacy from the people of India. This phrase, "We, the people of India", indicates that the Constitution was drafted and adopted by the people themselves, reflecting their collective will and aspirations. It signifies the power and responsibility vested in the citizens to govern themselves and participate in the democratic process.
The Preamble to the Indian Constitution has 73 words, and it begins with the words, "We, the people of India", emphasising the sovereignty of the people and the fact that all powers of the government flow from them. The Preamble highlights India's commitment to being a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, and Democratic Republic, ensuring independence, equality, and secular governance. It also specifies Justice, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity as its objectives.
The Preamble has been described as the "heart and soul" of the Constitution, and while it is not directly enforceable in a court of law, it plays a crucial role in interpreting ambiguous areas of the Constitution. The Supreme Court of India has clarified that the Preamble, being a part of the Constitution, can be subjected to Constitutional Amendments under Article 368, but the basic structure cannot be altered.
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The Preamble is an introductory statement that sets out the guiding purpose and principles of the Constitution
The Preamble to the Constitution of India is an introductory statement that sets out the guiding purpose and principles of the document. It was adopted on 26 November 1949 by the Constituent Assembly of India and came into effect on 26 January 1950. The Preamble is not directly enforceable in a court of law in India, but it does state the objectives of the Constitution and aids in the interpretation of Articles when language is found to be ambiguous.
The Preamble begins with the words, "We, the people of India...", indicating that the source of the Constitution's authority is the people of India. It emphasises the sovereignty of the people and that all powers of the government flow from them. The Preamble also declares India to be a "Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic", highlighting the country's commitment to independence, equality, and secular governance.
The objectives stated by the Preamble are to secure justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity for all citizens and promote unity and integrity within the nation. These ideals are further elaborated upon in the Preamble, with liberty defined as being enjoyed within the limitations mentioned in the Constitution, and equality referring to the absence of special privileges for any section of society, as well as the provision of equal opportunities for all without discrimination.
The Preamble also includes the term "republic", indicating that the head of the state is elected by the people. In India, this refers to the President, who is the elected head of state. The Preamble, therefore, reflects the nation's identity, its democratic ethos, and its foundational principles. It is considered the heart and soul of the Constitution, presenting the intention of its framers, the history behind its creation, and the core values and principles of the nation.
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The Preamble was amended only once, on December 18, 1976, during the Emergency in India
The Preamble to the Constitution of India was amended only once, on 18 December 1976, during the Emergency in India. This amendment, known as the Forty-second Amendment, was enacted during the period of emergency rule in India by the Indira Gandhi government.
The Forty-second Amendment made several changes to the Preamble. The words "socialist" and "secular" were added between "sovereign" and "democratic", and the phrase "unity of the Nation" was changed to "unity and integrity of the Nation". The term "socialist" refers to the achievement of socialist goals through democratic means, with a mixed economy where both private and public sectors coexist. "Secular" means that all religions in India are treated with equal respect, protection, and support from the state, and that there is no state religion. The addition of "integrity" to the Preamble further emphasised the importance of maintaining integrity in society and promoting unity among citizens.
The Preamble, as part of the Constitution, can be amended under Article 368, as clarified by the Supreme Court of India. However, the basic structure of the Preamble, which forms the "heart and soul" of the Constitution, cannot be altered. The Supreme Court has recognised the Preamble as part of the "'Basic Structure' of the Constitution, and it plays a crucial role in interpreting ambiguous areas of the Constitution.
The Preamble to the Constitution of the Republic of India was initially adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950, celebrated as Republic Day. The ideals behind the Preamble were laid down by Jawaharlal Nehru's Objectives Resolution, which was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 22 January 1947.
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The Preamble is considered to be the heart and soul of the Constitution
The Preamble to the Indian Constitution was adopted, enacted, and given to the people of India on 26 November 1949. The Constituent Assembly debated the Preamble on 17 October 1949, and it has since been amended only once on 18 December 1976.
The Preamble is also a reflection of the nation's identity, its democratic ethos, and its foundational principles. It symbolizes the unity and diversity of India by acknowledging the plurality of its citizens and their diverse backgrounds, languages, cultures, and religions. The Preamble is the source of authority for the Constitution, stating that its power comes from the people of India. It guarantees certain rights and freedoms, including social, economic, and political justice, liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship, and equality of status and opportunity.
In addition, the Preamble plays a crucial role in resolving doubts and ambiguities in the interpretation of the Constitution. It serves as a guiding light for governance and provides inspiration for citizens, reminding them of their rights, duties, and responsibilities towards the nation. The Preamble is subject to Constitutional Amendments under Article 368, but the basic structure of the Preamble, which forms the 'Basic Structure' of the Constitution, cannot be altered. This was established in the 1973 Kesavananda case, where the Supreme Court of India recognised the preamble as part of the "Basic Structure" of the Constitution.
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The Preamble declares India to be a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic
The Preamble to the Constitution of India was debated by the Constituent Assembly on 17 October 1949 and adopted on 26 November 1949. It declares India to be a "sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic".
The term "sovereign" denotes the supreme and ultimate power of the Indian state, both in internal and external affairs. It implies that India has the power to acquire foreign territory and cede its own territory, subject to limitations imposed by the Constitution.
The term "socialist" was added to the Preamble through the 42nd Amendment in 1976. It refers to the achievement of socialist goals through democratic evolutionary and non-violent means. It implies a mixed economy where both private and public sectors coexist, and the belief that wealth should be shared equally by society, not concentrated in the hands of a few.
The term "secular" was also added in the 42nd Amendment in 1976. It means that all religions in India receive equal respect, protection, and support from the state, and that the relationship between the government and religious groups is determined by the Constitution and law.
The term "democratic" implies that the Constitution of India derives its authority from the will of the people, expressed in elections. The term "republic" indicates that the head of state, in this case, the President of India, is elected by the people.
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Frequently asked questions
The preamble of the Constitution of India was created on 26 November 1949.
The Preamble of the Constitution of India came into effect on 26 January 1950.
The Preamble is an introductory statement that outlines the purpose, philosophy, and objectives of the Constitution. It highlights India's commitment to being a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic.
Yes, the Preamble has been amended once on 18 December 1976 during the Emergency in India. The Indira Gandhi government made several changes, including adding the words "socialist" and "secular" and changing "unity of the nation" to "unity and integrity of the nation".
The Preamble is not directly enforceable in a court of law, but it is considered an integral part of the Constitution and can be used to interpret ambiguous areas.
