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The term Preamble means a preliminary or introductory statement, especially attached to a statute or
constitution setting forth its purpose.[1] The 'Preamble' is an introduction to a Statute. The Preamble to
the Constitution of India records the aims and aspirations of the people of India which have been
translated into the various provisions of the Constitution. In the Berubari case[2] the Supreme Court has
expressed that the Preamble is a key to open the mind of the makers and shows the purpose why they
have made several provisions in the Constitution. For these reasons the Preamble is also a legitimate
aid in the interpretation of the provisions of the Constitution. It expresses what we thought or dreamt
for so long[3]
Background
The Preamble of the Indian Constitution is primarily based on the Objective Resolution written by
Jawaharlal Nehru. He introduced this objective resolution on 13th December, 1946 and was adopted by
the Constituent Assembly on 22nd January, 1947. Initially, the Preamble was drafted by Sh. B. N. Rau in
his memorandum of May 30, 1947, and was later reproduced in the Draft of October 7, 1947. In the
context of the deliberations by the Constituent Assembly, the Preamble was reformulated.
The preamble can also be called the soul of the constitution as it has everything about the constitution.
It was adopted on 26th November, 1949 and it was implemented from 26th January, 1950 also known as
Republic Day.
In forming the Preamble on the basis of Objective Resolution, the Drafting Committee felt that the
Preamble should only deal with the basic features of the State and its objectives. The Committee has
mentioned the words Sovereign, Democratic, Republic as used in the Objective Resolution.
The word Fraternity has also been used by the Committee. However, this word is not a part of the
Objective Resolution. The Committee has tried to keep the spirit and language of the Objective
Resolution in the Preamble as far as possible.
For these reasons the Preamble is also a legitimate aid in the interpretation of the provisions of the
Constitution. It expresses what we thought or dreamt for so long.[4] In simple words the Preamble
serves as an introduction to the Constitution and highlights in brief the basic ideas for which the
constitution stands and what the frames of the Constitution sought out to achieve for the citizens of
India.
Purpose
The purpose of the preamble is:
1. The source from which the Constitution comes is indicated viz., the people of India.
2. The enacting clause which brings the Constitution into force is contained.
3. The rights and freedoms which the people of India intended to secure to all citizens are declared
and the basic type of government and polity which were to be established.[5]
Therefore, it declares that the source of authority under the Constitution is the People of India and
there is no subordination to any external authority. Scope
The Preamble does not grant any power but it gives a direction and purpose to the Constitution. It
outlines the objectives of the whole Constitution. The Preamble contains the fundamentals of the
constitution. The preamble to an Act sets out the main objectives which the legislation is intended to
achieve.[6]
In A.K Gopalan v. State of Madras[7] it was contended that the preamble to our constitution which seeks
to give India a democratic constitution should be the guiding start in its interpretation and hence any
law made under Article 21 should be held as void if it o ends the principles of natural justice, for
otherwise the so-called fundamental rights to life and personal liberty would have no protection. The
majority on the bench of the Supreme Court rejected this contention holding that law in Article 21 refers
to positive or state made law and not natural justice and that this meaning of the language of Article 21
could not be modi ed with reference to the preamble.
Preamble indicates the ultimate source for the validity of and the sanction behind the constitution is will
of the people. Thus the source of the Constitution are the people themselves from whom the
Constitution derives its ultimate sanction.
This assertion a rms the Republican and Democratic character of the Indian polity and Sovereignty of
the people. The People of India thus constitute the sovereign political body who hold the ultimate power
and who conduct the government of their elected representatives. As regard the nature of the Indian
Polity, the Preamble to the Constitution declares India to be Sovereign Secular Democratic Republic. It
sets out the objectives and socio-economic goals to achieve which the Indian Polity has been
established, these are stated in the Preamble.
These are:
1. social, economic and political Justice
2. Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;
3. Equality of status and of opportunity;
4. and to promote among them all Fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and
integrity of the Nation.
For a proper appreciation of aims and aspirations embodied in our constitution, therefore, we must turn
to the various expressions contained in the Preamble. Combining the ideals of political, social and
economic democracy with that of equality and fraternity, the Preamble seeks to establish what
Mahatma Gandhi described as The India of my dreams[8], namely
An India, in which the poorest shall feel that it is their country in whose making an e ective voice? an
India in which all communities shall live in perfect harmony.
Sovereign:
The word Sovereign has been adopted from Article 5 of the Ireland Constitution.
Cooley has de ned Sovereign as, "A State is sovereign when there resides within itself a supreme
absolute power, acknowledging no superior." Sovereign de ned by R.H. Soltan Sovereignty is the
exercise of the nal legal coercive power of the State. [10]
The Preamble states that India is a Sovereign State which implies the independent authority of India.
India is not under the control of or dependent upon any other external power. The Parliament of India
can enact laws in the country subject to certain restrictions imposed by the Constitution.
In the case of Synthetic & Chemicals Ltd. v. the State of Uttar Pradesh[11], the Supreme Court decided
that the word sovereign means that the state has the authority everything within the restrictions given
by the Constitution. Sovereign means supreme or independence. This case helped in di erentiating
between external and internal sovereign. This case proposed that No country can have its own
constitution unless it is not sovereign
Socialist
The term Socialist was added after the 42nd Amendment, 1976, during the emergency. The term
socialist denotes democratic socialism. It means a political-economic system that provides social,
economic, and political justice. Even prior to this amendment the idea was implicit in the constitution, in
the form of directive principles of state policy and in the words of Preamble, 'Justice social, economic
and political' as well as 'Equality- of status and opportunity.'
In Excel Wear v. Union of India, [12] the Supreme Court found that with the addition of the word
socialist, a portal is opened to lean the judgments in favor of nationalization and state ownership of the
industry. But the principle of socialism and social justice can not ignore the interest of a di erent section
of the society majorly the private owners.
In D.S. Nakara v. Union of India,[13] the Court observed that the basic framework of socialism is to
provide a descent standard of life to the working people and especially provide from cradle to grave.
This amongst others on economic side envisaged economic equality and equitable distribution of
income. The principal aim of a socialist State, the Supreme Court held, was to eliminate inequality in
income and status and standard of life. Thus we can say that democratic socialism aims to end poverty,
ignorance, disease and inequality of opportunity.
Secularism:
The term Secular was also added by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, during the emergency. The
Constitution states India as a secular state as the state has no o cial religion. The Preamble re ects the
way of life adopted by Indian citizens for themselves after independence. In fact, every civilization has
also been a mirror of the way of life as well as re ecting movement of human spirit. Religion in each
civilizastion has indicated about the faith of human beings in absolute values and a way of life to realize
them.
The concept of Secularism is also contained in Articles 25 to 30 of the Constitution by way of Right to
Freedom of Religion. The Supreme Court in St. Xaviers College v. State of Gujarat,[14] explained that
India is neither anti -God, nor pro-God; it treats alike the devout, the antagonistic and the atheist.
It eliminates God from the matters of the State and ensures that no one shall be discriminated against
on t he ground of religion. That every person if free to go to the God or Heaven in his own ways. And,
that worshipping God is left to be dictated by his own conscience.
In the case of Bal Patil v. Union of India, the Court held that all religions and religious groups must be
treated equally and with equal respect. India is a secular state where people have the right to choose
their religion. But the state will have no speci c religion.
In the case of S.R. Bommai v. Union of India,[15] the nine-judge bench of Apex Courts found the concept
of secularism as the basic feature of the Constitution.
Democratic
The term Democratic is derived from the Greek words where demos means people and Kratos means
authority. Thus literally, democracy signi es 'the rule of the people.' The de nition given by Abraham
Lincoln reads "Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, and for the people."
The Supreme Court in the case of Union of India v. Association for Democratic Reforms, observed: "a
successful democracy posits an aware citizenry". "Democracy cannot survive without free and fair
elections, without free and fairly informed voters".[16] The power bestowed upon the citizens of India to
elect the government is clearly emphasized.
The Supreme Court in Mohan Lal v. Dist. Magistrate Rai Bareilly, observed: "Democracy is a concept, a
political philosophy, an ideal practiced by many nations culturally advanced and politically mature by
resorting to governance by representatives of the people elected directly or, indirectly."[17]
Republic
India has a republic form of government as the head of state is elected and not a hereditary monarch
like a king or queen. The term Republic is obtained from res publica that means public property or
commonwealth. It means the power to elect the head of the state for a xed term lies within the people.
So, in conclusion, the word republic shows a government where the head of state is elected by the
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5/26/2021 The Preamble To The Indian Constitution
The term Justice comprises of three elements that complete the de nition, which is social, economic,
and political. Justice among the citizens is necessary to maintain order in society. Justice is promised
through various provisions of Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy provided by
the Constitution of India.
Social Justice:
Social justice means that the Constitution wants to create a society without discrimination on any
grounds like caste, creed, gender, religion, etc. Where people have equal social status by helping the less
privileged people. The Constitution tries to eliminate all the exploitations which harm equality in the
society.
Economic Justice:
Economic Justice means no discrimination can be caused by people on the basis of their wealth, income,
and economic status. Every person must be paid equally for an equal position and all people must get
opportunities to earn for their living.
Political Justice:
Political Justice means all the people have an equal, free and fair right without any discrimination to
participate in political opportunities. It means everyone has equal rights to access political o ces and
have equal participation in the processes of the government.
To achieve this ideal of social justice, the Constitution lays down the Directives Principles of State Policy
in Part IV of the Constitution. In the case of Air India Statutory Corporation v. United Labor Union, [18]
the Supreme Court observed that the aim of social justice was to attain a substantial degree of social,
economic and political equality which was the legitimate expectation and constitutional goal.
The Constitution of India professes to secure the liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith, and
worship, which are regarded as essential to the development of the individual in the Nation.
The same principle is re ected in Articles 25-28 of the Constitution which talk about the Right to
Freedom of Religion and Article 19 (1) (a) which talks about the liberty in the eld of expression.
the people of India by abolishing all distinctions and discriminations by the state between citizen and
citizen on the ground of religion, race, caste sex and by throwing open public places, by abolishing
untouchability and titles, by securing equality for opportunity in the matters relating to employment or
matters relating to employment or appointment to any o ce under the state.
The principle of equality of law means not the same law should apply to everyone, but that a law should
deal alike with all in one class; that these should be equality of treatment under equal circumstances. It
means that should not be treated unlike and unlikes should not be treated alike. Likes should be treated
alike.[19] Equality is one of the magni cent cornerstones of Indian democracy.[20]An equality status
permeates the basic structure of the constitution.[21]
Fraternity
Fraternity means the spirit of brotherhood, a feeling that all people are children of the same soil, the
same motherland. The term was added to the preamble by a drafting committee of the constituent
assembly, as the committee felt the need for fraternal concord and the goodwill in India was never
greater than by then in this particular aim of the new Constitution should be emphasized by special
mention in the preamble.
The expression to promote among them all preceding the word fraternity is signi cant in this respect.
Among them, all promotes, more particularly the word all-not only among underprivileged classes but
also among the entire people of India. Do hereby adopt, enact etc. has been borrowed from the last line
the preamble of the Irish constitution.
The last part of the preamble is the date of adoption which shows that our constitution is adopted on
the 26th day of November 1949.
The court ruled out that the Preamble to the Constitution, containing the declaration made by the
people of India in exercise of their sovereign will, no doubt it is a key to open the mind of the
makers which may show the general purposes for which they made the several provisions in the
Constitution but nevertheless the Preamble is not a part of the Constitution.
Â
2. Kesavananda Bharati case
This case has created history. For the rst time, a bench of 13 judges assembled and sat in its
original jurisdiction hearing the writ petition. Thirteen judges placed on record 11 separate
opinions.
To the extent necessary for the purpose of the Preamble, it can be safely concluded that the majority in
Kesavananda Bharati case leans in favor of holding:
1. That the Preamble to the Constitution of India is a part of the Constitution;
2. That the Preamble is not a source of power or a source of limitations or prohibitions;
3. The Preamble has a signi cant role to play in the interpretation of statutes and also in the
interpretation of provisions of the Constitution.
Kesavanada Bharati case is a milestone and also a turning point in the constitutional history of India.
D.G. Palekar, J. held that the Preamble is a part of the Constitution and, therefore, is amendable under
Article 368. It can be concluded that Preamble is an introductory part of our Constitution. The Preamble
is based on the Objective Resolution of Nehru. So, it can be concluded that preamble is part of the
introductory part of the Constitution.
The Preamble is the part of the Constitution it can be amended but subject to the condition that the
"basic features" in the Preamble cannot be amended. It will not be the same Constitution if any of these
elements are removed. India has been constituted into the Sovereign Democratic Republic by the
people as declared by the Preamble. Amending power cannot be interpreted to confer power on the
Parliament to take away any of these fundamental and basic characteristics.
The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 was the rst act ever to amend the preamble of the Constitution. On
December 18th, 1976, Socialist, Secular, and Integrity were added to the preamble to protect economic
justice and eliminate discrimination whatsoever. Through this amendment, socialist and secular were
added between sovereign and democratic, and Unity of the Nation was changed to Unity and Integrity
of the Nation. So, in the end, the preamble of the Constitution is considered a beautiful preface to the
document as it contains all the basic information like the objective and philosophy of the Constitution.
The preamble of the constitution of the USA, in a precise form, contains a declaration and a descriptive
objective. The declaration is to the e ect that the people of the United States ordain and establish the
constitution for the United States of America.
The constitution of the U.S.A is a unique constitution presenting a constitutional model entirely di erent
from U.K. Its stability and strength is the envy of the di erent constitution of the world .Some of the
developing democracies like Sri Lanka and Pakistan have opted for it . The constitution has aura of the
sacred about it. It occupies a shrine up in the higher stretches of American reverence. [23]
Prof. A. V. Dicey thought that preamble of Canada was inaccurate when it described the constitution of
Canada, he has stated that if preamble were intended to express anything like whole truth, for the world
kingdom ought to have been substituted by the states.
As Indian Preamble lays down the basic structure of Indian Constitution which is not as such depicted in
the Preamble of Canada and USA, so it can be concluded that Indian Preamble is more structured than
Preamble of USA and Canada.
Conclusion
To conclude, it will not be wrong to say that the spirit or the ideology behind the Constitution is
su ciently crystallized in the preamble. The Preamble highlights some of the fundamental values and
guiding principles on which the constitution is based. It is a guiding light having interpretational value.
It plays a pivotal role in case of ambiguity. The Preamble of the Constitution of India is one of the best of
its kind ever drafted. Both in ideas and expression, it is a unique one. It embodies the spirit of the
constitution to build up an independent nation which will ensure the triumph of justice, liberty, equality,
and fraternity.
The drafters of the Constitution also drafted the Preamble as a mirror and an introduction of the same.
It would not be wrong to say that the spirit of the Constitution is su ciently summated in the Preamble.
End-Notes:
1. Oxford Dictionary of Law, Oxford university Press, New York, p.416
2. Berubari Union and Exchange of Enclaves, Re, AIR 1960 SC 845,856: (1960) 3 SCR 250.
3. Sir AlladiKrishnaswami- Constituent Assembly Debates. Vol. 10, 417.
4. Sir AlladiKrishnaswami- Constituent Assembly Debates. Vol. 10, 417.
5. Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala, AIR 1973 SC 1461.
6. Subba Rao. C.J., in I.C. GolakNath v. State of Punjab, AIR 1967 SC 1643
7. AIR 1950 SC 27
8. Retrieved from http://www.mkgandhi.org/momgandhi/chap64.htm
9. 1954 AIR 158, 1954 SCR 541
10. SR. Myneni,, Political Science for Law Students, Allahabad Law Agency, 2006,p.100.
11. 1990 AIR 1927, 1989 SCR Supl. (1) 623
12. 1979 AIR 25, 1979 SCR (1)1009
Add a comment...
Daljeet Singh
Preambles of the Consitution of India is based over Sepration of Power in the third schedule
Satyamav Jante Separate illwills and Separate Welfare in mathmatics remove variation from the
act and Consitution of India and Implment them in the whole parts of India
Like · Reply · 1y
Daljeet Singh
Parmote Equality of Stutus and Parmote General Welfare its a Socialism
Social Justice Social Security Capitalism Federalism Secuarlism based over Equality of Stutus
and Natrual Justice based over Identity check if you will not Identity check How you will act fairly ?
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