CHAPTER 1 The Preamble and model MCQs

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The Preamble:

The Preamble to the Constitution sets out the main objectives which the Constituent Assembly intended to achieve.

The Preamble which is based on the “Objectives Resolution” was drafted and moved by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and adopted by the Constituent Assembly. It has been amended by the 42nd Constitution Amendment Act, 1976 by which three new words – Socialist, Secular and Integrity were added.

The Supreme Court in the Kesavananda Bharati vs State of Kerala (1973) case overruled its earlier decision of 1960 and made it clear that the Preamble is a part of the Constitution and is subjected to the amending power of the Parliament, provided the basic structure of the Constitution as found in the Preamble is not destroyed. However, it is not an essential part of the Constitution.

The Preamble is non-justiciable in nature like Directive Principles of State Policy and cannot be enforced in a court of law. N.A. Palkhivala, an eminent jurist termed the Preamble as the “identity card of the Constitution”.

India was a dependency (colony) of the British Empire till the passage of the Indian Independence Act, 1947. From August 15, 1947 to January 26, 1950 India was having a political status of a dominion in the British Commonwealth of Nations. India declared herself a Sovereign Republic on January 26, 1950.

The idea of social, economic and political justice has been taken from the Russian Revolution of 1917.

The idea of liberty, equality and fraternity mentioned in the Preamble of our Constitution has been taken from the French Revolution (1789–1799).

The Preamble states that the objectives to be secured to every citizen are:

(i) Justice – social, economic and political

(ii) Liberty – of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship

(iii) Equality – of status and opportunity

(iv) Fraternity – to promote fraternity among all, assuring the dignity of the individual and unity and integrity of the nation  

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The Preamble :

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:

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, Enact and Give to ourselves this Constitution.

MAIN WORDS IN THE PREAMBLE:

Sovereign:

It means that there is no authority outside India on which the country is dependent in any means.

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Socialist:

It was added by the 42nd Constitution Amendment Act, 1976.

The Constitution aims to achieve socialistic pattern through democratic means, i.e., the Indian brand of socialism is a democratic socialism and not a communistic socialism.

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Secular:

It was also added by the 42nd Constitution Amendment Act, 1976.

It means India is a Secular State. It means the principle of Sarva Dharma Sambhava is vested in India.

Secular does not mean that India is non-religious or anti-religious; instead every citizen is free to adopt or not to adopt any religion.

Democratic:

India follows Representative Parliamentary Democracy where MPs, MLAs & Panchayat Members are directly & indirectly elected by the people. Preamble however envisages not only political democracy but also social & economic democracy.

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Republic:

Republic means that there exists no hereditary ruler in India and all the authorities of the State are directly or indirectly elected by the people.

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Justice:

The term justice in the Preamble embraces three distinct forms — social, economic and political.

• Social justice denotes the equal treatment of all citizens without any social distinction based on caste, colour, race, religion, sex and so on.

• Economic justice denotes no discrimination between people on the basis of economic factor. It involves the elimination of glaring inequalities in wealth, income and property.

• Political justice implies that all citizens should have equal political rights, equal access to all political offices and equal voice in the government.

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Liberty:

The term ‘liberty’ means the absence of restraints on the activities of individuals and at the same time, providing opportunities for the development of individual personalities.

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Equality:

The term ‘equality’ means the absence of special privileges to any section of the society, and the provision of adequate opportunities for all individuals without any discrimination.                                                                  

 MODEL MCQs :

1.

With reference to the Preamble of the Indian Constitution, consider the following statements:

1. It is a part of the Constitution and is enforceable in a court of law.

2. It can be amended under Article 368.

3. It is a source of power to the legislature.

Which of the above is/are correct?

A) 1 only

B) 2 only

C) 2 and 3 only

D) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: B) 2 only

Explanation:

• Statement 1 : Preamble is part of Constitution but non-justiciable (not enforceable).

• Statement 2 : It can be amended (Kesavananda Bharati vs State of Kerala (1973)).

• Statement 3 : It is not a source of power, only a guiding principle.

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2.

The ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity in the Preamble have been inspired from:

A) American Revolution

B) Russian Revolution

C) French Revolution

D) British Constitution

Answer: C) French Revolution

Explanation:

• These ideals came from the French Revolution.

• Russian Revolution influenced justice (social, economic).

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3.

Which of the following words were added by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976?

1. Socialist

2. Secular

3. Integrity

4. Democratic

Select the correct answer:

A) 1, 2 and 3 only

B) 2, 3 and 4 only

C) 1 and 4 only

D) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: A) 1, 2 and 3 only

Explanation:

• Socialist, Secular, Integrity were added in 1976.

• “Democratic” was already present in original Preamble.

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4.

Consider the following statements regarding the Preamble:

1. It is based on the Objectives Resolution.

2. It was drafted by B.R. Ambedkar.

3. It reflects the philosophy of the Constitution.

Which of the above is/are correct?

A) 1 and 3 only

B) 2 only

C) 1 and 2 only

D) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: A) 1 and 3 only

Explanation:

• Statement 1 : Based on Objectives Resolution (moved by Jawaharlal Nehru).

• Statement 2 : Not solely drafted by Ambedkar.

• Statement 3 : It reflects philosophy and ideals.

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5.

Which of the following best describes the term “Sovereign” in the Preamble?

A) India has a written Constitution

B) India is free from external control

C) India follows parliamentary democracy

D) India ensures equality before law

Answer: B) India is free from external control

Explanation:

• Sovereign = full independence internally & externally.

• No foreign authority controls India.

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6.

In the context of the Preamble, which of the following statements is correct?

A) It grants fundamental rights to citizens

B) It is enforceable by courts

C) It is non-justiciable in nature

D) It overrides Fundamental Rights

Answer: C) It is non-justiciable in nature

Explanation:

• It does not grant rights directly.

• Courts cannot enforce it.

• It is only guiding principle.

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7.

The Supreme Court in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973) held that:

A) Preamble is not a part of the Constitution

B) Preamble cannot be amended

C) Preamble is part of the Constitution but basic structure cannot be altered

D) Preamble is superior to the Constitution

Answer: C)

Explanation:

• Kesavananda Bharati vs State of Kerala (1973) established:

  • Preamble is part of Constitution

  • Amendment allowed but basic structure protected

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8.

Which of the following objectives are explicitly mentioned in the Preamble?

1. Justice – social, economic and political

2. Liberty – thought, expression, belief, faith and worship

3. Equality – of status and opportunity

4. Right to constitutional remedies

Select the correct answer:

A) 1, 2 and 3 only

B) 1 and 4 only

C) 2, 3 and 4 only

D) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: A) 1, 2 and 3 only

Explanation:

• 1, 2, 3  are in Preamble.

• 4  is a Fundamental Right (Article 32).

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9.

The term “Republic” in the Preamble implies:

A) Rule by elected representatives

B) Absence of monarchy

C) Federal structure of government

D) Supremacy of Parliament

Answer: B) Absence of monarchy

Explanation:

• Republic = no hereditary ruler.

• Head of State is elected. 

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10.

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Preamble?

1. It was adopted on 26 January 1950.

2. It declares India as a Democratic Republic.

3. It ensures unity and integrity of the nation.

Select the correct answer:

A) 2 and 3 only

B) 1 and 2 only

C) 1 and 3 only

D) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: A) 2 and 3 only

Explanation:

• Statement 1 : Adopted on 26 November 1949.

• Statement 2 : Declares Democratic Republic.

• Statement 3 : Mentions unity & integrity

Disclaimer:

This content is prepared for educational and informational purposes only. The notes are simplified for better understanding and exam preparation (UPSC and State Exams). Readers are advised to refer to standard textbooks and official sources for detailed study.

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