The Preamble

The preamble is a preliminary statement attached to a constitution. It represents the aspirations, rights and responsibilities of the country's citizens.

The Preamble of India indicates where the constitution comes from. The clauses of the Preamble dictate the constitution to be enforced appropriately. It establishes the rights and freedom of all the citizens of the people of India. The Preamble defines the direction of and purpose of the constitution. It contains the fundamental factors of the constitution. As a whole, it sets out the main objectives, which in turn defines the country’s legislation. 

History of the Preamble

The Preamble of the country was conceived and based on the objectives for the country set By Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. He put forward these objectives on the 13th December 1946, and the Constituent Assembly of India accepted it on the 22nd of January 1947.

To start with, the Preamble was initiated and drafted by Shree B.N Rau, presented as a draft on the 7th of October 1947. 

The complete Preamble was accepted on the 26th of November 1949. This day is marked as The Republic day when on 26th January 1950 it was adopted by the legislation of the country. The Preamble defines the constitution and highlights the ideas of the constitution at a glance. It serves as a frame for the constitution of India. 

Purpose of the Preamble

  • The Preamble indicates that the validity behind the constitution is from the people of the country itself. It reflects the Democratic, sovereign and secular character of the country
  • Indian Preamble nurtures the objectives set out within the scope of the constitution. It sets out clear objectives and goals for all classes of people who strive to achieve equal status
  • A sovereign country is not dependable on external powers or political influence. a sovereign nation is free from all ties and independent to take decisions on its own for the country’s benefit
  • To preach socialism, a country should provide social, economic and political justice to its citizens. In the words of the Preamble, equality of status and opportunity to the citizens
  • Every civilisation has the right to worship their faith and beliefs, and The preamble indicates that faith and beliefs invite a way to a more secular environment in the country
  • The Preamble is a reflection of the democratic nature of the country. A country where the government is defined by the people, people, and people! Republic signifies that the elected head or representative of the country will always be elected and appointed as a king or a monarch. Every individual will get a fair chance to be elected as the head of the nation

Objectives defined by the Preamble of the Indian Constitution

  • Equal social, economic and political justice: the preamble describes that a country should inculcate a society devoid of discrimination of caste, colour and creed. People should have equal status and should be helpful towards the less privileged. All types of exploitation under the name of caste and colour should be abandoned
  • Freedom to express thought, beliefs and faith to worship: liberty of thoughts, expressions and faith is the key to a prosperous nation. It imbibes neutral values regarding all religions and does not enact any firm beliefs. It allows each individual to worship their faith
  • Providing equal status and opportunity: to provide equal opportunities to all individuals by abolishing all discriminations based on religion, caste and creed. Equality is the most magnificent pillar of Indian democracy. It is an essential cornerstone of the preamble of the constitution
  • Assure dignity to all individuals: ensuring dignity to all the citizens, devoid of social and economic status. Every individual should live a life with dignity and respect, which should be met by economic justice
  • People are the Source of the Constitution: as we start reading the constitution of India, it starts from “ we the people of India”. The constitution signifies that it has been formed by the house of representatives elected by the country’s people
  • States the type of Government in the country to be established: the Preamble dictates the country to have a transparent government and political system. A justifiable government would be a secular, sovereign, democratic, socialist, republic and will protect the rights of the people
  • Rights of the people- the Preamble defines the rights of the people as providing them with the fundamental rights of justice, fraternity, liberty and equality

Conclusion 

The preamble represents the main objectives of the constitution of India. It outlines the main idea behind the constitution of India. The pillars of the preamble of the Indian constitution lie on the foundation bricks of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. The preamble was enacted on the 26th of November in the year 1949. Shree BN Rau was behind the immaculate work of drafting The Preamble of the Indian Constitution.

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Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the Karnataka PSC Examination Preparation.

What is the 42nd Amendment in the Preamble of the Indian constitution?

Answer: The term Socialist was coined as secular, and the term integrity was added to the Preamble of the Indian Con...Read full

Which articles of the constitution were added later in the Preamble?

Answer: Articles 5,6,7,8,9,60,324, 379 and 394 have existed since the adoption of the Constitution, and the rest of ...Read full

Where is the concept of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity adopted into The Preamble?

Answer: It has been adapted from the French Revolution motto. 

What is the importance of the Preamble?

Answer: The Preamble is a statute to the precise objectives of the constitution. It stands to enshrine the objective...Read full

When did the government of India accept the Preamble as a part of the Indian constitution?

Answer: In the year 1960, Re Berubari Union Case, the supreme court declared the Preamble as not a part of the India...Read full