1. What is the Preamble?
The Preamble is the introductory statement to the Constitution. It:
- States the source of authority of the Constitution – “We, the people of India”.
- Declares the nature of the State – Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic.
- Lists the main objectives – Justice, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.
हिंदी: Preamble = प्रस्तावना।
ये बताती है – किसने संविधान बनाया (We, the people), कैसा राज्य होगा (Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic)
और हमें किस बात की गारंटी चाहिए (Justice, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity)।
2. Text of the Preamble (Simple Format)
“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.”
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.”
हिंदी: ऊपर की lines को पूरा याद करना NDA के लिए ज़रूरी नहीं,
लेकिन keywords – Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic, Justice, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity – ज़रूर याद रखें।
3. Key Words in the Preamble
1) We, the people of India
→ Ultimate power lies with the people; Constitution gets its authority from citizens, not from any king or foreign power.
2) Sovereign
→ India is fully independent – both internal and external. No foreign country can control our decisions.
3) Socialist
→ Aims at reducing inequality of income and wealth. State will work for welfare of all, especially the weaker sections.
4) Secular
→ State has no official religion; it respects all religions equally. People are free to follow any religion or none.
5) Democratic
→ Government is elected by the people, for the people, and is accountable to the people.
6) Republic
→ Head of State is an elected person (President), not a hereditary king or queen.
→ Ultimate power lies with the people; Constitution gets its authority from citizens, not from any king or foreign power.
2) Sovereign
→ India is fully independent – both internal and external. No foreign country can control our decisions.
3) Socialist
→ Aims at reducing inequality of income and wealth. State will work for welfare of all, especially the weaker sections.
4) Secular
→ State has no official religion; it respects all religions equally. People are free to follow any religion or none.
5) Democratic
→ Government is elected by the people, for the people, and is accountable to the people.
6) Republic
→ Head of State is an elected person (President), not a hereditary king or queen.
हिंदी Shortcut:
S S S D R → Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic
बार–बार बोलें: “एस–एस–एस–डी–आर” – याद हो जाएगा।
4. Objectives in the Preamble
1) Justice – social, economic and political
2) Liberty – of thought, expression, belief, faith, worship
→ Freedom to think, speak, believe and worship as we wish (within reasonable limits of law).
3) Equality – of status and of opportunity
→ No special privileges by birth; equal chance for all in social and economic life.
4) Fraternity – dignity of the individual, unity and integrity of the Nation
→ Feeling of brotherhood among all citizens; respect for each person’s dignity; and protection of national unity & integrity.
- Social: end of discrimination based on caste, colour, religion, etc.
- Economic: fair distribution of wealth and resources.
- Political: equal political rights (e.g., right to vote).
2) Liberty – of thought, expression, belief, faith, worship
→ Freedom to think, speak, believe and worship as we wish (within reasonable limits of law).
3) Equality – of status and of opportunity
→ No special privileges by birth; equal chance for all in social and economic life.
4) Fraternity – dignity of the individual, unity and integrity of the Nation
→ Feeling of brotherhood among all citizens; respect for each person’s dignity; and protection of national unity & integrity.
हिंदी Trick:
J L E F → Justice, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity
इसको ऐसे याद रख सकते हैं – “जलफ” (Jal–F) – जैसे कोई code word।
5. Is the Preamble Part of the Constitution?
The Supreme Court has clearly said:
- Preamble is a part of the Constitution.
- It helps in interpreting the Constitution – i.e., if there is doubt, we see what Preamble says about the spirit and objectives.
- However, Preamble itself is not enforceable in court like Fundamental Rights. It is not a source of direct rights, but a guide.
हिंदी: Court ने माना है कि Preamble संविधान का हिस्सा है और “मार्गदर्शक रोशनी” (guiding light) की तरह काम करता है,
लेकिन इसे सीधे court में अधिकार के रूप में नहीं लागू किया जा सकता।
6. 42nd Amendment and the Preamble
The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 made important changes:
- Added the words “Socialist” and “Secular” to describe India.
- Added the word “Integrity” along with “unity” → “unity and integrity of the Nation”.
हिंदी: 42nd Amendment, 1976 →
Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic
और “unity and integrity of the Nation” – ये बदलाव इसी संशोधन से आए।
📘 Practice Questions (NDA Style)
1. The Preamble of the Indian Constitution begins with the words:
a) In the name of God b) We, the people of India c) India that is Bharat d) Union of States
2. Which of the following words is NOT used in the Preamble to describe India?
a) Sovereign b) Socialist c) Secular d) Communist
3. Which Amendment added the words "Socialist" and "Secular" to the Preamble?
a) 24th Amendment b) 42nd Amendment c) 44th Amendment d) 52nd Amendment
4. Which one is not an objective mentioned in the Preamble?
a) Justice b) Liberty c) Equality d) Prosperity
5. The term "Republic" in the Preamble means:
a) Head of State is elected b) Rule of a king c) Military rule d) Religious rule
a) In the name of God b) We, the people of India c) India that is Bharat d) Union of States
2. Which of the following words is NOT used in the Preamble to describe India?
a) Sovereign b) Socialist c) Secular d) Communist
3. Which Amendment added the words "Socialist" and "Secular" to the Preamble?
a) 24th Amendment b) 42nd Amendment c) 44th Amendment d) 52nd Amendment
4. Which one is not an objective mentioned in the Preamble?
a) Justice b) Liberty c) Equality d) Prosperity
5. The term "Republic" in the Preamble means:
a) Head of State is elected b) Rule of a king c) Military rule d) Religious rule
Answers:
1 – b) We, the people of India
2 – d) Communist
3 – b) 42nd Amendment
4 – d) Prosperity
5 – a) Head of State is elected
1 – b) We, the people of India
2 – d) Communist
3 – b) 42nd Amendment
4 – d) Prosperity
5 – a) Head of State is elected
Quick Recap | सार
Now you should be able to:
- Recall the most important ideas of this topic.
- Solve typical NDA-style questions from this chapter.
- Spot and avoid common traps used in competitive exams.
Self-check: 3–4 random questions उठा कर देखिए – अगर आसानी से हो रहे हैं, तो chapter strong है।
Common Exam Mistakes | आम गलतियाँ
- Concept ठीक से clear न करना और सीधे रटने की कोशिश करना।
- Question पूरी तरह पढ़े बिना answer mark कर देना।
- Figures, dates, या formulas को last step में verify न करना।
NDA में smart strategy यह है कि आसान वाले सवाल पहले, doubtful बाद में – और silly mistakes से बचना सबसे ज़रूरी है।