Preamble to the Constitution of India

Summary

The script discusses the Preamble of the Constitution of India, introduced on November 26, 1949, and effective from January 26, 1950. It outlines the nation's core values, including justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. The 42nd Amendment added 'socialist' and 'secular', emphasizing a democratic, non-discriminatory society. The Preamble, influenced by international documents, guides legal interpretation and is considered part of the Constitution's basic structure, unamendable and integral to India's governance.

Takeaways

• 📜 The Preamble to the Constitution is an introductory statement that outlines the fundamental values, principles, and objectives of the Constitution.
• 🗓️ The Preamble of India's Constitution was introduced on November 26, 1949, and came into effect on January 26, 1950, which is celebrated as Republic Day in India.
• 🌟 The Preamble serves as a guiding framework for the interpretation and implementation of the Constitution.
• 🔄 The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 made significant changes to the Preamble, including the insertion of the terms 'socialist' and 'secular'.
• 🇮🇳 The Preamble declares India to be a sovereign, socialist, secular, Democratic Republic, emphasizing justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity for all citizens.
• 🔵 The term 'sovereign' indicates India's independent authority as a state, with no external control over its internal and external affairs.
• 🏛️ 'Secular' means India maintains a state that ensures equal treatment of all religions, with no official state religion.
• 📊 'Socialist' in the Preamble denotes a commitment to reducing economic inequalities and promoting social justice.
• 🏆 'Democratic' signifies that the government is constructed by the people, with everyone having the right to vote irrespective of caste, creed, or gender.
• 🌐 'Republic' indicates that India has a republic form of government where the head of the state is elected, not hereditary.
• 🏛️ The Preamble is considered an integral part of the Constitution, as confirmed by the Supreme Court in the Keshavananda Bharati case.
• 📚 The historical background of the Preamble is rooted in India's struggle for Independence and the framing of the Constitution after British colonial rule.

Q & A

What is the definition of a Preamble according to the Oxford dictionary?

The Oxford dictionary defines a Preamble as an opening statement that elucidates the purpose of any book, document, philosophy, bill, statute, etc.

When was the Preamble of the Constitution of India first introduced?

The Preamble of the Constitution of India was first introduced on the 26th of November, 1949.

Why is January 26th celebrated as Republic Day in India?

January 26th is celebrated as Republic Day in India because it marks the day when the Preamble of the Constitution came into effect, and India formally became a republic.

What significant changes were made to the Preamble of the Constitution of India by the 42nd Amendment Act of 1976?

The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 made significant changes to the Preamble by inserting the terms 'socialist' and 'secular' into it.

What does the term 'sovereign' in the Preamble imply for India?

The term 'sovereign' implies that India has independent authority as a state, with control over every subject and no external power having control over it.

What is the meaning of 'socialist' in the context of the Preamble of the Constitution of India?

The term 'socialist' in the Preamble denotes a political and economic system that provides for social, economic, and political justice, aiming to reduce economic inequalities and promote social justice.

How does the term 'secular' in the Preamble define the state of India?

The term 'secular' in the Preamble ensures that India maintains a state that treats all religions equally, with no official state religion and full freedom for citizens to practice any religion.

What does the term 'Democratic' in the Preamble signify about the governance in India?

The term 'Democratic' signifies that the government in India is constructed by the people, with citizens electing their government at all levels, ensuring equal participation and decision-making.

What is the meaning of 'Republic' in the Preamble of the Constitution of India?

The term 'Republic' in the Preamble indicates that India has a form of government where the head of the state is elected and not a hereditary monarch.

What does 'Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship' in the Preamble promise to the citizens of India?

It guarantees fundamental freedoms for citizens, including freedom of thought, expression, speech, belief, faith, and the right to worship according to one's own conscience.

What is the historical context behind the drafting of the Preamble of the Constitution of India?

The historical context of the Preamble can be traced back to India's struggle for Independence and the framing of the Constitution after British colonial rule, with leaders like Mahatma Gandhi advocating for freedom and self-rule.

Is the Preamble of the Constitution of India considered a part of the Constitution itself?

Yes, the Preamble is considered a part of the Constitution, as established by the Supreme Court in the Keshavananda Bharati case, where it was held that the Preamble is unamendable and relates to the basic structure of the Constitution.

Outlines

00:00

📜 Introduction to the Preamble

The Preamble of the Constitution of India is a foundational statement that outlines the core values, principles, and objectives of the Indian Constitution. It was introduced on November 26, 1949, and came into effect on January 26, 1950, which is celebrated as Republic Day in India. The Preamble was drafted by the Constituent Assembly and was amended in 1976 to include the terms 'socialist' and 'secular.' It serves as a guiding framework for the interpretation and implementation of the Constitution, emphasizing democratic governance, justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. The Preamble reflects the collective will of the people and India's commitment to a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic.

05:02

🏛️ Key Elements of the Preamble

The Preamble's key elements include the terms 'We the People of India,' signifying that the Constitution's authority comes from the people, emphasizing democracy. 'Sovereign' indicates India's independent authority, 'Socialist' refers to a commitment to reducing economic inequalities and promoting social justice, and 'Secular' means equal treatment of all religions with no official state religion. 'Democratic' implies that the government is elected by the people, and 'Republic' indicates that the head of state is elected, not hereditary. The Preamble also guarantees justice, social, economic, and political liberty, equality of status and opportunity, and the promotion of fraternity, ensuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the nation.

10:04

🌟 Historical Background and Influences

The historical background of the Preamble is rooted in India's struggle for independence and the framing of the Constitution. After nearly 200 years of British colonial rule, India gained independence, leading to the formation of the Constitutional Assembly in 1946 to draft the Constitution. The Preamble's language was influenced by the Objective Resolution moved by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1946, which outlined the ideals and goals for the Constitution. The Preamble also reflects the influence of international documents, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, emphasizing justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. It was adopted on January 26, 1950, marking the commencement of the Republic of India.

15:04

🏛️ Legal Status and Significance of the Preamble

The Preamble is considered the preface of the Constitution, containing its ideals and principles, and reflecting the objectives it seeks to achieve. The landmark case of Kesavananda Bharati held that the Preamble is a part of the Constitution and plays a crucial role in the interpretation of statutes and provisions. It is unamendable and forms part of the basic structure or framework of the Constitution. The Preamble is described as the soul of the Constitution, serving as a guiding philosophy and representing the aspirations of the people for justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity in a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic. It is a key element of the longest Constitution globally, setting the tone for the entire legal framework of India.

Keywords

💡Preamble

The Preamble is an introductory statement that sets forth the guiding principles, values, and objectives of a legal document, such as a constitution. In the context of the video, the Preamble of the Constitution of India outlines the fundamental values and principles that the constitution aims to uphold. It is described as the 'soul' of the Constitution, serving as a guiding framework for its interpretation and implementation.

💡Constitution of India

The Constitution of India is the supreme legal document that establishes the framework for the governance of India, setting out the fundamental principles, laws, and guidelines. The video highlights that the Preamble, as part of the Constitution, was introduced on 26th November 1949 and came into effect on 26th January 1950, which is celebrated as Republic Day in India.

💡Sovereign

Sovereign refers to the independent authority of a state, where it has control over its subjects and is not under the control of any external power. In the video, it is mentioned that India being a 'sovereign' state means it has complete authority over its internal and external affairs, as part of the Preamble's declaration.

💡Socialist

Socialist, as used in the Preamble, denotes a commitment to a political and economic system that aims to reduce economic inequalities and promote social justice. The video explains that the term was added to the Preamble by the 42nd Amendment Act of 1976, emphasizing the goal of achieving a more equitable society.

💡Secular

Secular in the context of the Indian Constitution means that the state treats all religions equally and does not establish an official state religion. The video script mentions that India maintains a secular state, ensuring equal treatment of all religions and providing freedom of religion to its citizens.

💡Democratic

Democratic signifies a system of governance where the people elect their government. The video script emphasizes that India is a democratic state, with the people having the authority to elect their representatives at various levels of government, reflecting the collective will of the people.

💡Republic

A Republic is a form of government where the head of state is elected and not hereditary, such as a king or queen. The video explains that India is a Republic, with the President of India being elected and serving for a fixed term, embodying the principle of public property or Commonwealth.

💡Justice

Justice in the Preamble refers to the fair and equitable distribution of resources, opportunities, and privileges within society. The video script discusses how the Constitution aims to eliminate disparities and promote social justice through measures like reservations and laws against discrimination.

💡Liberty

Liberty in the context of the Preamble signifies the fundamental freedoms for citizens, including freedom of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship. The video script highlights these freedoms as essential components of the democratic principles that the Indian Constitution seeks to protect.

💡Fraternity

Fraternity as mentioned in the Preamble emphasizes the need for unity and a sense of brotherhood among citizens. The video script discusses how fraternity promotes solidarity and common citizenship, aiming to prevent discrimination and foster a spirit of unity.

💡42nd Amendment Act

The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 is significant as it made substantial changes to the Preamble, including the insertion of the terms 'socialist' and 'secular'. The video script points out that this amendment was a key moment in the evolution of the Preamble, reflecting India's commitment to these ideals.

Highlights

The Preamble to the Constitution is an introductory statement that outlines the fundamental values, principles, and objectives of the Indian Constitution.

The Preamble was introduced on November 26, 1949, and came into effect on January 26, 1950.

India celebrates Republic Day on January 26 each year to commemorate the Preamble's enactment.

The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 made significant changes to the Preamble, including the insertion of 'socialist' and 'secular'.

The Preamble emphasizes that the power and authority of the Constitution comes from the people of India, indicating a democratic form of governance.

The term 'Sovereign' signifies India's independent authority as a state.

The term 'Socialist' in the Preamble denotes a commitment to reducing economic inequalities and promoting social justice.

India is described as a 'secular' state, ensuring equal treatment of all religions with no official state religion.

The Preamble's mention of 'Democratic' reflects the people's election of their government at all levels.

The 'Republic' form of government in India means the head of state is elected, not hereditary.

The Preamble seeks to ensure justice, social, economic, and political for all citizens.

Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship is guaranteed as a fundamental freedom.

The Preamble promotes equality of status and opportunity among citizens.

Fraternity, as mentioned in the Preamble, aims to prevent discrimination and foster solidarity among citizens.

The Preamble reflects the aspirations and ideals of the framers of the Indian Constitution and serves as a guiding light for governance and legal interpretation.

The historical background of the Preamble traces back to the struggle for Independence and the framing of the Constitution.

The Objective Resolution of 1946 influenced the language of the Preamble, emphasizing justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.

The Preamble was adopted on January 26, 1950, marking the commencement of the Republic of India.

The Supreme Court of India held in the Kesavananda Bharati case that the Preamble is a part of the Constitution and is unamendable.

The Preamble is considered the soul of the Constitution, setting the tone for the entire document and representing the aspirations of the people.

Transcripts

[Music]

Preamble to the

Constitution the term Preamble as

defined in the Oxford dictionary

connotes an opening statement that

elucidates the purpose of any book

document philosophy Bill statute

Etc the blacks Law Dictionary defines it

as a clause that exists at the big

beginning of a constitution or

statute consisting of an explanation

regarding its enactment and the

objectives for which it is

passed the Webster dictionary defines it

as an introductory statement made for

the purpose of clarifying the intent of

the law and for mentioning the reasons

for the

enactment the britanica dictionary

defines it as a statement that is made

at the introduction of a legal document

which generally gives the reason and

explanation for the parts that

follow in the words of Sir aladi Krishna

Swami Preamble is something that

expresses what we thought for or dreamed

for so

long the Preamble of the Constitution of

India was first introduced on the 26th

of November

1949 but Indian Preamble of the

Constitution started its action on 26th

of January

1950 the Preamble of the Constitution of

India was introduced by the constituent

assembly and the day on which the

Preamble of the Constitution came into

effect 26th of January is celebrated as

Republic Day every year in

India the preamble to the Constitution

of India is a concise introductory

statement that outlines the fundamental

values principles and objectives of the

Indian

constitution it serves as a guiding

framework for the interpretation and

implementation of the

Constitution the Preamble was adopted

along with the constitution on January

26th

1950 the day when India formally became

a republic the 42nd Amendment Act of

1976 made significant changes to the

Preamble of the Constitution of India

the primary altercations included the

insertion of the terms socialist and

secular in the

Preamble prior to the amendment the

Preamble

read we the people of India having

solemnly resolved to constitute India

into a s Sovereign Democratic Republic

and to secure to all its

citizens the the 42nd Amendment modified

the preamble to include the terms

socialist and secular and the amended

Preamble here onwards read we the people

of India having solemnly resolved to

constitute India into a sovereign

socialist secular Democratic Republic

and to secure to all its citizens the

Preamble of the Constitution of India

reads as follows

we the people of India having solemnly

resolved to constitute India into a

sovereign socialist secular Democratic

Republic and to ensure to all its

citizens justice social and economic and

political Liberty of thought expression

belief faith and worship equality of

status and

opportunity and to promote among them

all fraternity assuring the Dignity of

the individual and the unity and

integrity of the

nation moving ahead to the key elements

of the

Preamble firstly we the people of

India emphasizes that the power and

authority of the Constitution emanates

from the people of India indicating the

Democratic nature of the governance

reinforces the idea that the

constitution is not imposed but is a

product of the collective will of the

people secondly Sovereign socialist

secular Democratic

Republic the term Sovereign means the

independent authority of the state it

means the state has control over every

subject and no other Authority or

external power has control over it so

the legislature of a country has the

power to make laws in the country with

restrictions keeping in mind imposed by

the

Constitution India is an independent

nation with complete authority over its

internal and external

Affairs the term socialist denotes

Democratic

socialism it means a political economic

system system that provides social

economic and political

Justice signifies a commitment to

achieving a socialist society by

reducing economic inequalities and

promoting social

justice it implies a society where

wealth and resources are distributed in

a way that benefits all

citizens moving ahead the term secular

India maintains a secular state State

ensuring equal treatment of all

religions and there is no official state

religion the Constitution states India

as a secular State the citizens have

their own view of life and can choose

their religion as they

like the state provides full freedom to

the people to practice any religion of

their

choice the state treats all religions

equally with equal respect and cannot

discriminate between

them the state has no right interfering

with the people with their choice of

religion Faith or Idol of

worship the term Democratic is derived

from the Greek words where demos means

people and katos means

Authority these terms collectively mean

the government is constructed by the

people India is a democratic State as

the people people elect their government

at all

levels that means Union state and local

or ground level everyone has the right

to vote irrespective of their cast Creed

or

gender

Republic India has a republic form of

government as the head of the state is

elected and not a hereditary Monarch

like a king or a queen the term republic

is obtained from resua that means means

public property or

Commonwealth it means the power to elect

the head of the state for a fixed term

lies within the people justice social

economic and political social

justice social justice refers to the

fair and equitable distribution of

resources opportunities and privileges

within a

society

objective the Constitution aims to to

eliminate disparities and inequalities

based on cast religion race and

gender

measures policies such as reservations

in education and

unemployment as well as laws against

untouchability and discrimination are

intended to promote social

justice economic

Justice economic Justice evolves

ensuring that wealth and econom IC

opportunities are distributed fairly

among all sections of

society the objective the Constitution

seeks to reduce economic disparities and

promote the well-being of all

citizens measures the directive

principles of State policy also known as

the dpsp in the Constitution provides

guidelines for the government to work

towards economic Justice through

measures such as equitable distribution

of resources and preventing

concentration of

wealth moving ahead with political

Justice political Justice pertains to

the equal participation of all citizens

in the political processes and decision

making of the

country the objective for the same the

Constitution aims to establish a

democratic system where every citizen

has an equal opportunity to participate

in the political life of the

nation measures Universal adult suffrage

regular elections and the concept of one

person one vote are fundamental

principles ensuring political

Justice the Constitution provides for

the representation of various

communities through reservations in

legislative

bodies moving ahead Liberty of thought

expression belief faith and

worship guarantees fundamental freedoms

for the

citizens thought and expression freedom

of speech and expression belief and

Faith freedom of conscience and the

right to profess practice and propagate

any

religion worship freedom to worship

according to one's own conscience

the next part equality of status and of

opportunity infes equality among

citizens both in terms of status and

opportunities promoting social

justice equality of status all citizens

are equal before the law and there is no

discrimination based on cast Creed

gender or

religion equality of opportunity

provides equal opportunities in matters

of employment and prevents

discrimination fraternity assuring the

Dignity of the individual and the unity

and integrity of the nation stresses the

need for Unity and a sense of

Brotherhood among the citizens aiming to

prevent discrimination and Foster a

spirit of

solidarity fraternity promotes a sense

of Brotherhood and common

citizenship Dignity of the

individual ensures the protection of the

dignity and rights of every

individual unity and integrity of the

nation emphasizes the need to maintain

the unity and integrity of the

nation the Preamble encapsulates The

aspirations and ideals of the framers of

Indian constitution serving as a Guiding

Light for the nation's governance and

legal interpretation

it reflects a commitment to democratic

principles social justice secularism and

the protection of individual

liberties historical background of the

Preamble the historical background of

the Preamble can be traced back to its

struggle for Independence and the

framing of the

Constitution here's a brief historical

context British colonial rule from 1858

to

1947 India was under British colonial

rule for nearly 200 years the struggle

for Independence gained momentum in the

late 19th and the early 20th Centuries

with leaders like Mahatma Gandhi

advocating for freedom and self-rule

the Constitutional assembly and

independence from 1947 to

1950 as India approached Independence

the need for a constitutional framework

became

evident the Constitutional assembly was

formed in 1946 to draft a constitution

for the independent

nation Dr BR ambedkar was appointed as

the chairman of the drafting

committee the drafting of the

Constitution from 1946

1949 the drafting of the Constitution

was a complex process that involved

discussions debates and contributions

from various leaders representing

different ideologies and regions

the constituent assembly debated various

constitutional provisions and the

Preamble was adopted after considering

several

drafts the next step into history was

objective resolution in

1946 The Preamble language was

influenced by the objective resolution

moved by jawaharlal nehu on December

13th

1946 The Objective resolution outlined

the ideals and goals that the

constituent assembly sought to achieve

in the

Constitution it emphasized Justice

Liberty equality and

fraternity influence of international

documents the Preamble also reflects the

influence of various International

documents and principles and ideals such

as Justice Liberty equality and

fraternity are in line with the ideals

enshrined in the Universal Declaration

of Human

Rights adoption of the Preamble

1950 the Preamble as we know it today

was adopted on January 26 1950 when the

constitution of India came into

effect the adoption of the Preamble

marked the commencement of the Republic

of

India the Preamble declares India to be

a sovereign socialist secular and

Democratic Republic ensuring Justice

Liberty equality and fraternity for its

citizens it reflects the aspirations of

the people and the values that the

nation seeks to

upload over the years the Preamble has

served as a Guiding Light for the

interpretation and implementation of the

Constitution's

provision this leads us to an important

question is the preamble a part of the

Constitution the preamble is the preface

of the Constitution it contains the

ideals and principles of the

Constitution and reflects the purpose or

the objectives that will Constitution

seek to

achieve the question remains whether it

is a part of the Constitution was

finally settled in the quanda bharti

case one of the most important landmark

cases in the country where the honorable

Supreme Court held that firstly the

Preamble of the Constitution will now be

considered a part of the

Constitution secondly the Preamble is

not the supreme power of source of any

restriction or prohibition but it plays

an important role in the interpretation

of statutes and provisions of the

Constitution third the Preamble is

unamendable and it cannot be varied

altered or repeated and that the

Preamble is a part of the Constitution

and Rel relates to the basic structure

or the framework of the

Constitution

concluding the Preamble is the most

precious part of the Constitution it is

the soulle of the Constitution it is the

key to the Constitution it is a jewel

set in the Constitution these were the

famous words of pundit takur Das parav

the former member of the constituent

assembly of

India the Preamble serves as a guiding

philosophy setting the tone for the

entire Constitution and represents the

aspirations of the people for justice

Liberty equality Fraternity in a

sovereign socialist secular and

Democratic

Republic the preamble to the

Constitution of India serves as a

seeks to achieve for the people of

India it serves as the crown of the

Indian constitution which is the longest

and the lengthiest Constitution compared

to that of any other sovereign country