Constitution of India
The Preamble
We, the People of India…
The introduction to the Constitution: who made it, what kind of State India is, and what it aims to achieve.
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.
Tap a highlighted word for its meaning. Words in [brackets] were changed by the 42nd Amendment. Subs. by the Constitution (Forty-second Amendment) Act, 1976, s.2, for "SOVEREIGN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC" (w.e.f. 3-1-1977). Subs. by s. 2, ibid., for "Unity of the Nation" (w.e.f. 3-1-1977).
Meaning of each word
- We, the people of India
- The Constitution draws its authority from the people of India. Its source is the people, not a monarch or a foreign power.
- Sovereign
- India is independent: it makes its own decisions on internal and external matters and is not subject to any outside authority.
- Secular
- Added by the 42nd Amendment (1976). The State has no religion of its own and treats all religions equally (Articles 25–28 protect freedom of religion).
- Democratic
- Power rests with the people, who elect their representatives through regular, free elections based on universal adult franchise.
- Republic
- The head of the State, the President, is elected (indirectly) for a fixed term; the office is not hereditary.
- Justice — social, economic and political
- Social justice: no discrimination on caste, religion, sex or race. Economic justice: a fair distribution of wealth. Political justice: equal political rights for all. The idea is taken from the Russian Revolution (1917).
- Liberty
- Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship — secured mainly through the Fundamental Rights. The ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity come from the French Revolution.
- Equality
- Equality of status and of opportunity: no special privileges for any section, and equal chances for all (Articles 14–18).
- Fraternity
- A sense of brotherhood that assures the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation (the words 'and integrity' were added by the 42nd Amendment).
Frequently asked questions
- What is the Preamble of the Indian Constitution?
- The Preamble is the introduction to the Constitution. It states the source of the Constitution (the people of India), the nature of the State (sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic) and its objectives (justice, liberty, equality and fraternity).
- Has the Preamble ever been amended?
- Yes, once: the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 added the words 'Socialist', 'Secular' and 'Integrity'.
- Is the Preamble a part of the Constitution?
- Yes. In the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973) the Supreme Court held that the Preamble is part of the Constitution and can be amended, but not in a way that destroys the basic structure. In the Berubari Union case (1960) it had held otherwise.
- Who proposed the Objectives Resolution on which the Preamble is based?
- Jawaharlal Nehru moved the Objectives Resolution in the Constituent Assembly on 13 December 1946; it was adopted on 22 January 1947.
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