Preamble

It is a misconception that all citizens of the country should know the preamble. Let’s put it in a better way! Further, everyone should know the gist of every preamble and every governing constitution of the world.  Before heading into everything essential about the Indian preamble, let’s learn a few basics about it!

Browse more Topics under Indian Constitution

• Constitution of India: Historical Background
• Features of the Indian Constitution
• Union and Its Territory (Article 1 – 4)
• Citizenship (Article 5-11)
• Fundamental Rights – Right to Equality
• Fundamental Rights – Right to Freedom
• Fundamental Rights – Right against Exploitation (Very Short Article)
• Fundamental Rights – Right to Freedom of Religion
• Fundamental Rights – Cultural and Educational Rights
• Fundamental Rights – Saving of Certain Laws
• Fundamental Rights – Right to Constitutional Remedies
• Directive Principles of State Policy
• Emergency Provision and Special Provisions of the Indian Constitution
• Indian Parliament – Structure of Indian Parliament
• Indian Parliament – Functions of Indian Parliament

Introducing the Indian Constitution – Preamble

For an organization or an institute to function properly, there are a set of rules and regulations. These rules and guidelines are the key essentials that help the head to govern its people.

Further, these rules could include dress code, culture to follow, hierarchy to abide by, etc. Similarly, for a country to function properly, there are a set of such rules.

Therefore, the preamble of the Indian Constitution is a brief statement of the various guidelines and rules that guide the citizens. Moreover, the preamble explains the aspirations and hopes of the people. It is a preface which emphasizes on the entire constitution.

The Constituent Assembly adopts this on 26th November 1949. However, it came into effect on 26th January 1950.

The Preamble and its Initial Articles

The Indian constitution and its preamble describe India as a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic and republic.

Sovereign refers to the independent authority of a State. It also means that it has the power to legislate on any subject and that the preamble is not subject to the control of any other State or external power.

Secular refers to the relationship between the government and religious groups. The constitution determines the relationship according to the constitution and law. It keeps the power of the state and religion as separate aspects.

Socialist refers to the achievement of socialist goals through democratic, evolutionary and non-violent means.

Democratic refers to the right of the people of India to elect their governments by a system of universal adult franchise, which is also known as “one person one vote”. Every Indian citizen after 18 years of age who is not otherwise debarred by law is entitled to vote. The word ‘democratic’ not only refers to political but also to social and economic democracy.

Republic refers to the aspect wherein the head of state is in power and not a hereditary monarch. Thus, this word denotes a government where no one holds public power as a proprietary right. 

It secures to all of its citizen with the following:

• Social, political and economic justice
• Equality of opportunity, equality of status and to promote equality among them all
• Liberty of expression thought, belief, worship, and faith
• Fraternity in the sense of assuring dignity to all citizens along with unity and integrity of the country and its elements.

These italicized terms of the constitution were made to be a part of the preamble after its 42nd amendment in the year 1976. The Indian Constitution and the preamble is one of the best of its kind and it embodies the spirit of the nation and the constitution. Indian preamble focuses on unity and national integrity as well.

The Articles to the Preamble

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Part 1 – THE UNION AND ITS TERRITORY

Article 1 speaks of the territories, union territories, and the acquired territories.

Article 2 speaks of the admission of other territories into the union territories. These admissions are governed by law and only the parliament can do it.

Article 3 talks about the formation of new states, the alteration of areas and boundaries by either increasing or diminishing them.

Article 4 talks of territory reorganization for the nation’s benefit and citizen convenience.

Part 2 – CITIZENSHIP

Article 5 (Act of 1955) – citizenship decision is on the basis of 5 modes. However, they are: by birth, by descent, by registration, by naturalization and by incorporation of territory.

Article 6 speaks of dual citizenship.

To know more about the Indian Constitution, click here.

Solved Questions on Preamble

Q. Who said that the Indian Preamble is the soul of our Indian Constitution?