Preamble to the Constitution of India
Summary
TLDRThe 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
- ๐ The Preamble to the Constitution is an introductory statement that outlines the fundamental values, principles, and objectives of the Constitution.
- ๐๏ธ 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.
- ๐ The Preamble serves as a guiding framework for the interpretation and implementation of the Constitution.
- ๐ The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 made significant changes to the Preamble, including the insertion of the terms 'socialist' and 'secular'.
- ๐ฎ๐ณ The Preamble declares India to be a sovereign, socialist, secular, Democratic Republic, emphasizing justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity for all citizens.
- ๐ต The term 'sovereign' indicates India's independent authority as a state, with no external control over its internal and external affairs.
- ๐๏ธ 'Secular' means India maintains a state that ensures equal treatment of all religions, with no official state religion.
- ๐ 'Socialist' in the Preamble denotes a commitment to reducing economic inequalities and promoting social justice.
- ๐ 'Democratic' signifies that the government is constructed by the people, with everyone having the right to vote irrespective of caste, creed, or gender.
- ๐ 'Republic' indicates that India has a republic form of government where the head of the state is elected, not hereditary.
- ๐๏ธ The Preamble is considered an integral part of the Constitution, as confirmed by the Supreme Court in the Keshavananda Bharati case.
- ๐ 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
๐ 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.
๐๏ธ 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.
๐ 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.
๐๏ธ 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.
Mindmap
Keywords
๐กPreamble
๐กConstitution of India
๐กSovereign
๐กSocialist
๐กSecular
๐กDemocratic
๐กRepublic
๐กJustice
๐กLiberty
๐กFraternity
๐ก42nd Amendment Act
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
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