Preamble to the Constitution of India

September 6, 201ShareTwetShare
By Arti Goyal, University Institute of Legal Studies, Panjab University
Editor’s Note:  The Preamble, often viewed as the manifestation of the vision of the
drafters of our Constitution, has secured its own niche in public and academic
debates. The author of this paper has attempted to sift through debates to analyze the
Preamble from several perspectives. This paper is a compilation of well-researched
case law and comprises a comprehensive analysis of the various aspects involved in
the topic. The author does have a tendency to go into mundane details in certain parts
but manages to preserve the originality of the paper.
Introduction
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. A Preamble means the introduction to the statute. The objectives before
the Constituent Assembly were to Constitute India into a “sovereign democratic
republic” and to secure its citizens “justice liberty, equality, and fraternity”. The
ultimate aim of the makers of the Constitution was to have a welfare state and an
egalitarian society projecting the aims and aspirations of the people of India who
sacrificed everything for the attainment of country’s freedom.

It is worthwhile to note that the preamble was adopted by the Constituent Assembly
after the Draft Constitution had been approved. The basic idea behind it was the
preamble should be in conformity with the provisions of the constitution and express
in a few words the philosophy of the constitution. It may be recalled that after the
transfer of power, the Constituent Assembly became sovereign, which is reflected in
the use of words “give to ourselves this constitution” in the preamble. It also implied
that the preamble emanated from the people of India and sovereignty lies with them.

Chief Justice Subba Rao in Golak Nath v. State of Punjab[i] had held that “The
preamble to an Act sets out the main objectives which the legislation is intended to
achieve”.
Unlike the Constitution of Australia, Canada or the U.S.A., the constitution of India
has an elaborate preamble. The purpose of the preamble is to clarify who has made the
constitution, what is its source, what is the ultimate sanction behind it, what is the
nature of the polity which is sought to be established by the constitution.
History Of The Preamble
The Preamble to the Indian constitution is based on “Objective Resolution” of Nehru.
Jawaharlal Nehru introduced an objective resolution on December 13, 1946, and it
was adopted by Constituent assembly on 13 Dec 1947. The drafting committee of the
assembly in formulating the Preamble in the light of “Objective Resolution” felt that
the Preamble should be restricted to defining the essential features of the new state
and its basic socio-political objectives and that the other matters dealt with Resolution
could be more appropriately provided for in the substantive parts of the Constitution.
The committee adopted the expression ‘Sovereign Democratic Republic’ in place of
‘Sovereign Independent Republic’ as used in the “Objective Resolution,” for it
thought the independence was implied in the word Sovereign. The committee added
the word Fraternity which was not present in the Objective Resolution. “The
committee felt that the need for fraternal concord and goodwill in India was never
greater than now and that this particular aim of the new Constitution should be
emphasized by special mention in the Preamble.”[ii] In other respect the committee
tried to embody in the Preamble “the spirit and, as far as possible, the language
of “Objective Resolution.”
Meaning And Concept
The term ‘Preamble’ means the introduction to a statute. It is the introductory part of
the constitution. A preamble may also be used to introduce a particular section or
group of sections.[iii] According to Chambers Twentieth Century Dictionary, a
preamble means preface, introduction, especially that of an act of Parliament, giving
its reasons and purpose – a prelude. [iv]

 Black’s Law Dictionary states that the preamble means a clause at the beginning or a
statute explanatory of the reasons for its enactment and the objectives sought to be
accomplished. Generally, a Preamble is a declaration made by the legislature of the
reasons for the passage of the statute and is helpful in the interpretation of any
ambiguities within the statute to which it is prefixed. [v]

The Constitution opens with a Preamble. 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 Committee claimed that they had tried to embody in it the spirit, and as far as
possible, the language of the Objectives Resolution.[vi] Constitutions all over the
world generally have a preamble. The form, content, and length of the preamble differ
from constitution to constitution. Irrespective of these differences the preamble
generally sets the ideas and goals which the makers of the constitution intended to
achieve through that constitution.

Object, Purpose,Importamnance, And Scope Of The

Preamble
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.

The proper function of the preamble is to explain and recite certain facts which are
necessary to be explained and recited before the enactment contained in an act of
Parliament could be understood. A preamble may be used for other reasons, such as,
to limit the scope of certain expressions or to explain facts or introduce definitions. It
usually states or professes to state, the general object and meaning of the legislature in
passing the measure.

Hence it may be legitimately consulted for the purpose of solving an ambiguity or

fixing the connotation of words which may possibly have more meaning, or
determining of the Act, whenever the enacting part in any of these respect is prone to
doubt. In a nutshell, a court may look into the object and policy of the Act as recited
in the Preamble when a doubt arises in its mind as to whether the narrower or the
more liberal interpretation ought to be placed on the language which is capable of
bearing both meanings.

In A.K Gopalan v. State of Madras[vii], it was contended that the preamble to our

constitution which seeks to give India a ‘demo/cratic’ constitution should be the
guiding start in its interpretation and hence any law made under Article 21 should be
held as void if it offends 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 modified with reference to the
preamble.
In Berubari Union case[viii]the Supreme Court held that the preamble had never
been regarded as the source of any substantive power conferred on the government or
on any of its departments. The court further explained that “what is true about the
powers is equally true about the prohibitions and limitations”. It, therefore, observed
that the preamble had limited application. The court laid down that the preamble
would not be resorted to if the language of the enactment contained in the constitution
was clear.
However, “if the terms used in any of the articles in the constitution are ambiguous or
capable of two meanings, in interpreting them some assistance may be sought in the
objectives enshrined in the Preamble.” In State of Rajasthan v. Basant Nahata [ix]it
was held that a preamble with an ordinary Statute is to be resorted only when the
language is itself capable of more than one meaning and not when something is not
capable of being given a precise meaning as in case of public policy.
In Kesavananda Bharati[x]case the Supreme Court attached much importance to the
preamble. In this case, the main question before the Supreme Court related to the
scope of amending power of the Union Parliament under Article 368 of
the Constitution of India. The Supreme Court traced the history of the drafting and
ultimate adoption of the Preamble. Chief Justice Sikri observed,
“No authority has been referred before us to establish the propositions that what is
true about the powers is equally true about the prohibitions and limitations. Even
from the Preamble limitations have been derived in some cases. It seems to me that
the preamble of our Constitution is of extreme importance and the constitution should
be read and interpreted in the light of the grand and noble vision expressed in the
preamble.”

A majority of the full bench held that the objectives specified in the preamble contain
the basic structure of our constitution, which cannot be amended in exercise of the
power under Article 368 of the constitution. It was further held that being a part of the
constitution, the preamble was not outside the reach of the amending power of the
Parliament under Article 368. It was in the exercise of this amending power that
the Constitution (42nd Amendment) Act 1976 amended the preamble inserting
therein, the terms socialist, secular and integrity.
In the 1995 case of Union Government v. LIC of India also the Supreme Court has
once again held that the Preamble is an integral part of the Constitution.
The Preamble serves the following purposes:

a)      It indicates the source from which the Constitution comes, viz., the people of
India.

b)      It contains the enacting clause which brings into force, the Constitution which
makes it an act of the people, for the people and by the people.

c)      It declares the rights and freedoms which the people of India intended to provide
to all citizens and the basic type of government and polity which was to be
established. [xi]
  Preamble: Whether a part of the Constitution? 
It has been highly a matter of arguments and discussions in the past that whether
Preamble should be treated as a part of the constitution or not. The vexed question
whether the Preamble is a part of the Constitution or not was dealt with in two leading
cases on the subject:

1. Beruberi Case
Berubari[xii] case was the Presidential Reference “under Article 143(1) of
the Constitution of India on the implementation of the Indo-Pakistan Agreement
Relating to Beruberi Union and Exchange of Enclaves which came up for
consideration by a bench consisting of eight judges headed by the Chief Justice B.P.
Singh. Justice Gajendragadkar delivered the unanimous opinion of the Court.
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.

2. Kesavananda Bharati case

Kesavananda Bharati[xiii] case has created history. For the first 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,
(i) That the Preamble to the Constitution of India is a part of the Constitution;

(ii) That the Preamble is not a source of power or a source of limitations or

prohibitions;

(iii) The Preamble has a significant 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. Preamble tells about the nature of state and objects that India has
to achieve. There was a controversial issue whether Preamble was part of Indian
Constitution there were a number of judicial interpretation but finally Kesavanada
Bharati case it was held that the Preamble is a part of the Constitution
 Amendment to the Preamble
The issue that whether the preamble to the constitution of India can be amended or not
was raised before the Supreme Court in the famous case of Kesavananda
Bharati v. State of Kerala, 1973[xiv]. The Supreme Court has held that Preamble is
the part of the constitution and it can be amended but, Parliament cannot amend the
basic features of the preamble. The court observed, “The edifice of our constitution is
based upon the basic element in the Preamble. If any of these elements are removed
the structure will not survive and it will not be the same constitution and will not be
able to maintain its identity.”[xv]
The preamble to the Indian constitution was amended by the 42nd Amendment Act,
1976 whereby the words Socialist, Secular, and Integrity were added to the preamble
by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, to ensure the economic justice and elimination
of inequality in income and standard of life. Secularism implies equality of all
religions and religious tolerance and does not identify any state religion. The word
integrity ensures one of the major aims and objectives of the preamble ensuring the
fraternity and unity of the state.
Contents Of The Preamble
The Preamble is part of our constitution. The contents of Preamble play an important
role in the interpretation of our constitution. The Preamble declares:

“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.”
 “We, the People of India”
The preamble begins with the words “We the people of India…” thus clearly
indicating the source of all authority of the constitution. At the dawn of independence,
we were 350 million (approximately).  This figure constituted 1/6th of humanity. The
words “We, the people of India” declares in unambiguous terms that the Constitution
has been adopted, enacted and given to themselves by the people of India. It
emphasizes the sovereignty of the people and the fact that all powers of government
flow from the people. It is the people of India on whose authority the Constitution
rests. The preamble surmises that it is the people of India who are the authors of the
constitution.
Although the constitution was not directly voted upon by the people of the country as
it was practically impossible for four hundred million people to take part in the voting,
it is clear from the Preamble that the framers of the constitution has been promulgated
in the name of the people, attached importance to the sovereignty of the people and
the constitution. The constitution is not based on the mandate of several states which
constitute the units of the Union.

In this sense also, the constitution is one, given by the people of the country to
themselves. Jawahar Lal Nehru in the constituent assembly stated that the word
‘People’ indicated that the constitution was not created by the States, nor by the
people of the several States but by the people of India in their aggregate capacity. By
analogy, even the Constitution of U.S.A., in spite of the fact that it was actually born
out of the agreement between the number of independent states, professes to be
established by the people of the United States, and not by the federating states in their
sovereign capacities.

The words “we the people of India” echo in the opening words in the preamble to the
constitutions of the United States and of Ireland. It is emphasized that the constitution
is founded on the authority of the people, in whom is vested the ultimate sovereignty.
The Supreme Court in Union of India v. Madangopal[xvi], referred to these words in
the preamble while recognizing the power of the Indian legislatures, to enact laws
with retrospective operation beyond the commencement of the constitution itself. The
court observed that “our constitution as appears from the preamble derives its
authority from the people of India”.
‘We, the people if India’, means in other words, ‘we, the citizens of India’, whether
voters or non- voters. The terms- ‘people of India’ and ‘citizens’ are synonyms terms.
Both the words describe the political body which lays the basis of sovereignty and
which hold the power and conduct of the government through their representatives;
they are what we familiarly call the ‘sovereign people’ and every citizen is one of this
people and they are a constituent member of this sovereignty.
Constitutional expert D.D. Basu has stated that though the constitution of India has
been made by men who cannot be said to be fully representatives of the nation and it
has been ratified by a direct vote of the people, the Constitution of India, like that of
the United States professes that is has been founded on the consent and acquiescence
of the people.[xvii] The preamble says that the people of India enacted and adopted
the constitution, after “having solemnly resolved…” It explains that the founding
fathers had given serious thought to the provisions of the Constitution. They had
performed a sacred duty and exercised full wisdom and political knowledge on their
part. They had no axe to grind beyond “securing a good and workable constitution”.
[xviii]

 Sovereign
According to Preamble, the constitution of India has been pursuance of the solemn
resolution of the people of India to constitute India into a ‘Sovereign Democratic
Republic’, and to secure well-defined objects set forth in the preamble. Sovereignty
denotes supreme and ultimate power. It may be real or normal, legal or political,
individual or pluralistic. In monarchial orders, sovereignty was vested in the person of
monarchs. But, in the republican form of governments, which mostly prevail in the
contemporary world, sovereignty is shifted to the elected representatives of the
people.

According to D.D Basu, the word ‘sovereign’ is taken from Article 5 of the
constitution of Ireland. ‘Sovereign or supreme power is that which is absolute and
uncontrolled within its own sphere’.  In the words of Cooley, “A state is sovereign
when there resides within itself supreme and absolute power, acknowledging no
superior”.
Sovereignty, in short, means the independent authority of a state. It has two aspects-
external and internal. External sovereignty or sovereignty in international law means
the independence of a state of the will of other states, in her conduct with other states
in the comity of nations. Sovereign in its relation between states and among states
signifies independence.  The external sovereignty of India means that it can acquire
foreign territory and also cede any part of the Indian territory, subject to limitations(if
any) imposed by the constitution.
On the other hand, internal sovereignty refers to the relationship between the states
and the individuals within its territory. Internal sovereignty relates to internal and
domestic affairs and is divided into four organs, namely, the executive, the legislature,
the judiciary and the administrative.
Though India became a sovereign country on 26 th January 1950, having equal status
with the other members of the international community, she decided to remain in the
Commonwealth of Nations. Pandit Nehru declared that India will continue – “her full
membership of the Commonwealth of Nations and her acceptance of the King as the
symbol of the free association of the independent nations and as such the Head of the
Commonwealth”. Her membership of the Commonwealth of Nations and that of the
United Nations Organization do not affect her sovereignty to any extent. It is merely a
voluntary association of India and it is open to India to cut off this association at her
will, and that it has no constitutional significance.
 Socialist
The constitutional commitment to the goal of socio-economic justice, as envisaged by
the original preamble by the constitution of India has been fortified by
the Constitution (42nd Amendment) Act, 1976. The term ‘socialist’ literally means a
political-economic system which advocates the state’s ownership of the means of
production, distribution, and exchange.[xix]
Concise Oxford Dictionary defines ‘socialism’ as a political and economic theory of a
social organization which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and
exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.” Professor M.C
Jain Kagzi while noting that socialism has interspersed in the provision of the
constitution remarks that preambular reference was intended ushering in a socio-
economic revolution.

The term ‘socialist’ has not been defined in the constitution. Professor M.P Jain
observes that the term ‘does not, however, envisage doctrinaire socialism in the sense
of insistence on state ownership as a matter of policy’. It does not mean total
exclusion of private enterprise and complete state ownership of material resources of
the nation. D.D. Basu regards that the Supreme Court has gone a step further toward
social justice. P.M Bakshi understands socialism in the context of social justice.[xx] A
broad spectrum of Indian jurists and authors admit the relevance of socialism in India.
Swarn Singh, the chief architect of the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 explained that by
the word ‘socialism’ nothing more was meant than what was explained at the Awadi
session of Congress, which is short aimed at a ‘mixed economy’.
Mrs. Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister, further explained that the term ‘socialist’
was used simply to indicate that the goal of the state in India was to secure a ‘better
life for the people’ or ‘equality of opportunity’. She said that socialism like
democracy was interpretable differently in different countries. She, thus, made it clear
that India had her own concept of socialism and all she wanted was a better life for the
people.

That the framers wished to go socialist was never in doubt. Our first Prime Minister
and a member of the Constituent Assembly Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru exclaimed: “I stand
for socialism and I hope, India will stand for Socialism and that India will go towards
the constitution of a socialist state, and I do believe that the whole world will go that
way.” [xxi]
In Excel Wear v. Union of India[xxii], the Supreme Court observed that “the
addition of the word socialist might enable the courts to lean more in favor of
nationalization and state ownership of the industry. But, so long as private ownership
of industries is recognized and governs an overwhelming large proportion of our
economic structure, the principle of socialism and social justice cannot be pushed to
such an extent so as to ignore completely or to a very large extent, the interest of
another section of the public, namely, the private owners of the undertaking.”
In D.S Nakara v. Union of India[xxiii], the court observed that “the basic framework
of socialism is to provide a decent standard of life to the working people and
especially provide security from cradle to grave.” The principal aim of the socialist
State, the Supreme Court held, was to eliminate inequality in income and status and
standard of life.
In Air India Statutory Corporation v. United Labour Union[xxiv], the Supreme
Court elaborated the concept of “socialism” and stated that the word socialism was
expressly brought in the constitution to establish an egalitarian social order through
rule of law as its basic structure.
In Samatha v. State of Andhra Pradesh[xxv] the Supreme Court observed that the
word Socialist used in the Preamble must be read from the goals, Article 14, 15, 16,
17, 21, 23, 38, 39, 46 and all other cognate Articles sought to establish, i.e. to reduce
inequalities in income and status and to provide equality of opportunities and
facilities.
 Secular
In Webster’s Dictionary, the word ‘secular’ has been described as a ‘view of life’, or
of any particular matter based on premise that religious considerations should be
ignored or purposefully excluded or as a system of social ethics based upon doctrine
that ethical standards and conduct be determined exclusively without reference to
religion. It is the rational approach to life and it refuses to give a plea for religion.

For the first time, by the 42nd amendment of the constitution in 1976, the term-secular’
was inserted into the Preamble but without a definition of the term. Secular is derived
from the Latin word speculum, which means an indefinite period of time. Before the
mid-nineteenth century, the word ‘secular’ was occasionally used with contempt.
Although the term secular was not included anywhere in the constitution, as it was
originally adopted on November 26, 1949, the founding fathers of the constitution
were clear in their mind as to what they meant by secularism. The word secular has no
Indian origin. It traces its origin from West in the context of the Christian religion.
Unlike in the West, in India secularism was never born out of the conflict between the
church or the temple and the State. It was rooted in India’s own past history and
culture. It is based on the desire of the founding fathers to be just and fair to all
communities irrespective of their number.
The term secular inserted by the Constitution (42nd Amendment) Act, 1976, explains
that the state does not recognize any religion as a state religion and that it treats all
religions equally, and with equal respect, without, in any manner, interfering with
their individual rights of religion, faith or worship. It does not mean that it is an
irreligious or atheistic state. Nor, it means that India is an anti-religious state. It
neither promotes nor practices any particular religion, nor it interferes with any
religious practice. The constitution ensures equal freedom to all religions.
The Supreme Court in St. Xavier’s College v. State of Gujarat[xxvi], explained
“secularism is neither anti-God nor pro-God, it treats alike the devout, the agnostic
and the atheist. It eliminates God from the matters of the state and ensures that no one
shall be discriminated against on the grounds of religion”. That, every person is free to
mold or regulate his relations with his God in any manner. He is free to go to God or
to heaven in his own ways. And, that worshipping God is left to be dictated by his
own conscience.
In S.R Bommai v. Union of India[xxvii], a nine-judge bench of the apex court
observed that the concept of “Secularism” was very much embedded in our
constitutional philosophy. What was implicit earlier had been made explicit by the
constitution (42nd amendment) in 1976.
In Aruna Roy v. Union of India[xxviii], the Supreme Court has said that secularism
has a positive meaning that is developing, understanding and respect towards different
religions. Recently in I.R Coelho v. State of Tamil Nadu[xxix] it has been held that
secularism is a matter of conclusion to be drawn from various Articles conferring
Fundamental Rights. “If the secular character is not to be found in Part III”, the Court
ruled, “it cannot be found anywhere else in the Constitution, because every
fundamental right in Part III stands either for a principle or a matter of detail”.
In Valsamma Paul v. Cochin University[xxx], the apex court emphasized that inter-
caste marriages and adoption were two important social institutions through which
“secularism” would find its fruitful and solid base for an egalitarian social order under
the Constitution of India. “Secularism,” the court said, was a bridge between religions
in a multi-religious society to cross over the barriers of their diversity. In the positive
sense, it was the cornerstone of an egalitarian and forward-looking society which our
constitution endeavored to establish.
 Democratic
The term Democracy is derived from the Greek words ‘demos’ which means ‘people’
and ‘kratos’ which means ‘authority’. It thus means government by the people.
Democracy may properly be defined as that form of government in the administration
of which the mass of the adult population has some direct or indirect share.
The Supreme Court in Mohan Lal v. District Magistrate, Rai Bareilly[xxxi],
observed: “[D]emocracy 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”. The basic principle of
democracy in a society governed by the rule of Law is not only to respect the will of
the majority but also to prevent the dictatorship of the majority”.
Democracy may be a direct or indirect democracy. In a direct democracy, every
people exercise the power of the government. The people as a whole not only carry on
the government but can even change the constitution by their direct vote. In an
indirect democracy, the people elect their representatives who carry on the
administration of the government directly. It is also known as representative
democracy. In India, the Constitution provides for a Parliamentary Representative
Democracy.

The apex court in Union of India v. Association for Democratic

Reforms[xxxii], observed: “A successful democracy posits an ‘aware’ citizenry”. 
“Democracy cannot survive”, the court said, without free and fair elections, without
free and fairly informed voters.” This states that free and fair elections are the most
important features of democracy. Thus democracy implies that all three powers of the
government i.e. the executive, the legislature and the judiciary should be separate, yet
mutually independent. Democracy is also a way of life and it must maintain human
dignity, equality and rule of law.
Thus, the sovereign Constitutional state established by the framers could only be
Ramrajya and people’s democracy. Only in the democratic state the sovereignty
would be vested in the people and the Nation. In reaffirmation to the democratic
principle, the Constitution was adopted, enacted and adopted by the Constituent
Assembly in the name of, and for “We, the People of India.” [xxxiii]

 Republic
A republic means a state in which the supreme power rests in the people and their
elected representatives or officers, as opposed to one governed by the king or a similar
ruler. The word ‘republic’ is derived from res publica, meaning public property or
commonwealth. According to Montesquieu, “a republican government is that in which
a body, or only a part of people, is possessed of the supreme power”. The term
‘republic’ is used in distinction to the monarchy.
A republic means a form of government in which the head of the state is an elected
person and not a heredity monarch like the king or the queen in Great Britain. Under
such a system, political sovereignty is vested in the people and the head of the state is
the person elected by the people for a fixed term. In a wider sense, the word ‘republic’
denotes a government where no one holds the public power as a proprietary right, but
all power is exercised for the common good-where inhabitants are the subjects and
free citizens at the same time. The constitution of India envisions

The Indian government as a ‘republican form of government’, in which, the ultimate

power resides in the body of the people exercised via universal adult suffrage. The
president of India who is the executive head of the state is elected by the people
(though indirectly) who holds office for a term of five years. All citizens are equal in
the eyes of law, there is no privileged class and all public offices are open for all the
citizens without any distinction on the basis of race, caste, sex or creed.

In a republic, the state sovereignty is vested in and held by the people, and the
political power is exercised popularly as an expression of the people’s sovereign
command, grace or pleasure. The Constitution is adopted and given to themselves by
the People. The Constitution of India has been adopted enacted and given “To
ourselves by “We, the People”.

 Justice
The preamble of the constitution of India professes to secure to all its citizens
political, economic and social justice. Social justice means the abolition of all sorts of
inequities which may result from the inequalities of wealth, opportunity, status, race,
religion, caste, title and the like. To achieve this ideal of social justice, the constitution
lays down the directives for the state in Part IV of the constitution.

In Air India Statutory Corporation v. United labor Union[xxxiv], 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. It was held that social justice was a dynamic device to mitigate the
sufferings of the poor, weak, Dalits, tribals and deprived sections of the society and to
elevate them to the level of equality, to live a life with dignity of the person.
The expression ‘economic justice’ means justice from the standpoint of economic
force. In short, it means equal pay for equal work, that every person should get his just
dues for his labor irrespective of his caste, sex or social status.

Political justice means the absence of any unreasonable or arbitrary distinction among
men in political matters. The constitution has adopted the system of universal adult
suffrage, to secure political justice.

 The expression ‘justice’ is the harmonious reconcilement of individual conduct with

the general welfare of society. An act or conduct of a person is said to be just if it
promotes the general well-being of the community. Therefore, the attainment of the
common good as distinguished from the good of individuals is the essence of justice.
Justice is considered to be the primary goal of a welfare state and its very existence
rests on the parameters of justice.

 Liberty
The preamble of the constitution of India professes to secure the liberty of belief,
thought, expression, faith, and worship which are essential to the development of the
individuals and the nation. Liberty or freedom signifies the absence of external
impediments of motion. It implies the absence of restraint. Liberty is the power of
doing what is allowed by law.

Aristotle stated that in democracy, liberty is supposed, for it is commonly held that no
man is free in any other government. Liberty is a concept of multiple strands. No
universally accepted definition of liberty exists, although statesmen and judges,
among others, have attempted to give an all-comprising definition of the same.
Liberty in the preamble of the constitution of India does not mean mere absence of
restraint of domination. It is a positive concept of the ‘right to liberty of thought,
expression, belief, faith, and worship’.

Acharya J.B Kriplani observed that ‘liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and
worship’ all these freedoms can be only be guaranteed on the basis of non-violence.
Democracy is closely connected with the concept of liberty. Therefore, certain
minimal rights are to be enjoyed by every person in a community for free and
civilized existence in civil society. In an ordered society, the liberty of no individual
can be absolute or unfettered.

It must be subject to social control, in order to protect the collective interests of the
aggregate of the individuals who constitute that society. For example,  for prevention
and investigation of crimes and the prosecution of criminals. In order, to sustain
democracy, liberty is not to degenerate into license. This has been highlighted by
Justice Ramaswamy in his dissenting opinion in Kartar Singh’s Case.[xxxv]

Liberty is the most cherished possession of a man. Liberty is the right of doing an act
which the law permits. Constitution has recognized the existence of rights in every
man. “Liberty is confined and controlled by law, whether common law or statute. It is
regulated freedom. It is not abstract or absolute freedom. The safeguards of liberty lie
in the good sense of the people and in the system of representative and responsible
government, which has been evolved. Liberty is itself the gift of law and may be the
law forfeited abridged”[xxxvi]

 It was held in Meyer v. Nebraska, “Liberty denotes not merely freedom from bodily
restraint but also the right of the individual to contract, engage in any of the common
occupations of life, to acquire useful knowledge, to marry, establish a home and bring
up children, to worship God according to dictates of his own conscience, and
generally to enjoy those privileges long recognized at common law as essential to the
orderly pursuit of happiness by free men.”[xxxvii]
According to John Salmond, “the sphere of my legal liberty is that sphere of activity
within which the law is contend to leave me alone”. The constitutional law of the
country has fully guaranteed liberty through its mechanisms, judiciary and established
rules of justiciability.

 Equality
Guaranteeing of certain rights to each individual is meaningless unless all equality is
banished from the social structure, and each individual is assured of equal status and
opportunity for the development of what is best in him. Rights carry no meaning if
they cannot be enjoyed equally by all members of the community. One of the main
tasks of the constitution makers was to ensure equality of status and opportunity for
all and to provide the basis for ultimately establishing an egalitarian society. They
proceeded to achieve these objectives by incorporating a set of fundamental principles
into the Constitution.

D.D. Basu has observed that it is the same equality of status and opportunity that the
constitution of India professes to offer to the citizens by the preamble.[xxxviii]
Equality of status and opportunity is secured to 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 office under the
state.

It is exactly this equality of status and opportunity that our constitution professes to
offer to the citizens by the preamble. 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.”[xxxix]Equality is one of the magnificent cornerstones of Indian
democracy.[xl] An equality status permeates the basic structure of the constitution.
[xli]

 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 drafting committee has taken notice of the diversities of India based on race,
religions, languages and cultures. The fraternity is the cementing factor of the inherent
diversities. Fraternity means brotherhood, the promotion of which is absolutely
essential for a country which is composed of many race and religions.

Brotherhood is a particular kind of relationship which links all human beings,

irrespective of gender and generation. A democratic system will function in a healthy
manner only if there is a spirit of brotherhood, oneness among the people of the land.
The fraternity is not possible unless the dignity of each individual is preserved and
mutually respected. The longing for forming company paves the way for fraternity.
Peaceful co-existence, live and let live others, mutual understanding, feeling for inter-
se cooperation, attitude of adjustment, sacrifice, to be useful to others, enjoyment of
common weal, solidarity for defence of all and other good human qualities develop
fraternity- are the promotion for the concept of fraternity.

The expression ‘to promote among them all’ preceding the word ‘fraternity’ is
significant 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. In the words of the Supreme Court- fraternity means a sense
of common brotherhood of all Indians. In a country like ours with so many disruptive
forces of regionalism, communalism, and linguist, it is necessary to emphasize and re-
emphasize that the unity and integrity of India can be preserved only by a spirit of
brotherhood. India has one citizenship and every citizen should feel that he is Indian
first irrespective of other bases.[xlii]

 The dignity of the Individual

Dignity of the individuals is to be maintained for the promotion of fraternity.
Therefore, the preamble of the constitution of India assures the dignity of each and
every individual. This dignity is assured by securing to each individual equal
fundamental rights and at the same time, by laying down a number of directives for
the state to direct its policies towards, inter alia, securing to all citizens, men and
women equally, the right to an adequate means of livelihood, just and humane
conditions of work, a decent standard of life.

The constitution of India seeks to achieve ‘dignity of individual’ by guaranteeing

equal fundamental rights to each individual, so that he can enforce minimal rights, if
invaded by anybody in the court of law. The dignity of individual in a nation is the
dignity of the nation itself. The preamble of constitution of India recognizes and
ensures enforcement of Fundamental Right necessary for existence, the full
development of personality, dignified lives such as equality and freedom of the
Indians. It is to be noted that our Supreme Court has read the preamble with article 21
to come to the conclusion that the right to dignity is a fundamental right.

The Preamble To The Constitution: A Comparative

Study
Preamble is an introductory part of the Constitution. Every constitution has its own
preamble. There is a comparative study of the preamble of the USA and Canada as
below:

The Preamble of the Constitution of USA

The Preamble of the constitution of the USA declares,

“We the people of United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish
justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the
general welfare, and secure the blessing of liberty to ourselves, and our posterity, do
ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America”.

The preamble of the constitution of the USA, in a precise form, contains a

“declaration” and a descriptive objective.  The declaration is to the effect that the
people of the United States “ordain and establish” the constitution for the United
States of America.

On the other hand, the preamble of the constitution of India serves two
purposes:
1.   It indicates the source from which the constitution derives its authority, and

2. It also states the objects which the constitution seeks to establish and promote.

The Constitution of India, like that of the United State of America, strikes one as a
monumental piece prepared by men of great eminence and patriotism. Undoubtedly
there is a difference between the constitution of U.S.A and India in phraseology and
emphasis – more than a century and a half has passed between the adoptions of two
Constitutions, many world events of far-reaching social and economic consequence
had taken in the meantime and people’s ideas had passed through radical
transformations.
The constitution of U.S.A is the supreme law of the land. It guarantees the
fundamental right of person, property, and liberty.  It is however, noteworthy that
these rights were incorporated in the constitution by a number of amendments effected
after the constitution was promulgated. They were not enumerated in the original draft
of the constitution. But by subsequent amendment individual liberty has been
effectively safeguarded. Only 133 years later with the 19 th amendment, women
acquired the right to vote. The rights of the citizen are made enforceable by recourse
to judiciary.
These rights cannot be modified or suspended except by a constitutional amendment.
The constitution of the U.S.A is based on popular sovereignty in the U.S.A is
attributed to the people. Unlike the United Kingdom where the hereditary monarchy is
the head of the state, the United States of America is a republic with the president as
the elected head of the state. The constitution has derived its authority from the
people.

Thus the constitution of the U.S.A is a unique constitution presenting a constitutional

model entirely different from the U.K. Its stability and strength is the envy of the
different 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.[xliii]

The Preamble Of The Constitution Of Canada

The constitution of Canada consists of many laws as well as political convention and
judicial practices. The preamble state that the province of Canada nova Scotia and
new Brunswick  have expressed their desire to be federally united into one domain
under the crown with the constitution similar in the Principle to that of the united
kingdom. The preamble of the constitution has cited the fourfold objective:

 To fulfill the desire of the constituent units of Canada to form into a

union under the crown.
 That such a union would be conducive to the welfare of the provinces
and promote the interest of the British Empire.
 That a legislative authority and an executive government be provided
for.
 To enable the eventual admission into the union of other parts of British
North America.
In compare to Canada Preamble Indian Preamble lays down main
objective of state to be:
 To establish democratic, republic, sovereign, socialist and secular state
 To achieve Justice- social, economic and political;
  Liberty of thoughts, expression, belief, faith and worship;
 Equality of status and opportunity; and
 Fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and
integrity of the nation.
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.

Interpretation Value Of The Preamble

The Preamble of Indian Constitution reflects the basic structure and the spirit of the
Constitution. It is regarded that the preamble serves as a channelizing tool for the
interpretation of the constitution as a whole. The preamble acts as the preface of the
constitution of India and lays down the philosophical ideas. It represents the entire
constitution in its written words.

The Preamble declares four aims in the governance of India-

1. Justice- social, economic and political;

2. Liberty of thoughts, expression, belief, faith, and worship;
3. Equality of status and opportunity;
4. And Fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and
integrity of the nation.
 Preamble as Projector of ‘Desired Established State’
The Preamble proclaims the solemn resolution of the people of India to constitute
India into a ‘Sovereign socialist secular democratic republic’. The Preamble was
adopted with the constitution in the constituent assembly. It came into effect in 1950
along with the constitution. The original draft of the constitution opened with the
words ‘Sovereign Democratic Republic’ in the first line.

The words ‘Socialist and Secular’ were inserted by the 42nd amendment in 1976. The
same amendment contributed to the changes of the words unity of the nation into
unity and integrity of the nation. The significance of the preamble of the Indian
Constitution lies in the ‘We the People’. These words emphasize that ultimately the
powers are vested in the hands of the people of India.

According to the preamble of the constitution of India, the word Sovereign occupies a
vital role in the country. It means supreme or independent and embodies India is
internally and externally sovereign and is free from the control of any foreign power.
The word Socialist also has enormous significance as it implies economic and social
equality. The word was added by the 42nd Amendment Act 1976 during the
emergency.

The Preamble also guarantees secularism. The word Secularism was also inserted into
the preamble by the 42nd Amendment Act 1976. Secularism implies equality of all
religions and religious tolerance and does not identify any state religion. The
preamble of the Indian Constitution also puts forth the words Democratic and
Republic. India follows a Democratic form of government.

The people of India elect their government at all levels such as Union, State and local
by a system of universal adult franchise. India is also a Republic, in a country where
the head of the state is elected directly or indirectly, for a fixed tenure. The president
of India is the titular head of the state. Thus, the preamble plays a pivotal role.

 Preamble as Interpreter of Legislation and statutes

The Constitution of India starts with a preamble which contains the spirit of the
constitution. Every legislation framed is in conformity with the spirit of the preamble
and thus the constitutionality and objects of the statutes are tested. It contains the
recitals showing the reason for the enactment of any legislation and prevents the
legislation to fall in the arms of ambiguity.

In Kashi Prasad v. State of U.P[xliv]the court held that even though the preamble
cannot be used to defeat the provisions of the legislation itself, but it can be used as a
vital source in making the interpretation of the legislation.
 As a provider of Authority to the Indian Constitution:
The preamble to the constitution of India begins with ‘We the People of India’, thus
conferring that the authority of the constitution lies in the people of India, who have
themselves led to the enactment of the Constitution for their own governance.

The provision of the constitution of India cannot be overridden by the Preamble.

In Re Berubari[xlv], the Supreme Court held that the Preamble was not a part of the
constitution and therefore it could not be regarded as a source of any substantive
power.
In Kesavananda Bharati’s[xlvi] case, the Supreme Court rejected the above view and
held the preamble to be a part of the constitution. The constitution must be read in
light of the preamble. The preamble could be used for the amendment power of the
parliament under Article 368 but basic elements cannot be amended. The 42nd
Amendment has inserted the words “Secularism, Socialism, and Integrity” in the
preamble.
  General rules of interpretation of the constitution
1. If the words are clear and unambiguous, they must be given the full effect.

2. The constitution must be read as a whole.

3. Principles of Harmonious construction must be applied.

4. The constitution must be interpreted in a broad and liberal sense.

5. The court has to infer the spirit of the constitution from the language.

6. Internal and External aids may be used while interpreting.

7. The Constitution prevails over other statutes.

Conclusion
To conclude, it will not be wrong to say that the spirit or the ideology behind the
Constitution is sufficiently crystallized in the preamble. It is also right to state that
preamble is the basic part of any document and it is but obvious to our constitution
because it is the supreme law of our country. The preamble declares that the people of
India adopted, enacted and gave to themselves the constitution on 26 th November,
1949 but the date of commencement of the constitution was fixed to 26 January, 1950.
Article 394 provides that Articles 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 60, 324, 367, 379 and 394 came into
force on the adoption of the constitution on 26 th November, 1949. The rest of the
provisions of the constitution came into force on 26 th January, 1950 and this day is
referred to as the commencement of the constitution. The preamble is of considerable
legal significance in so far as embodies an enacting clause. It cannot be resorted to as
the basic in construing the various provisions of the constitution, which are couched in
plain language.
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.

Formatted on March 13th, 2019.

REFERENCES:
[1] AIR 1967 SC 1643.

[2] Retrieved from http://www.ambedkar.org/ambcd/63A2.Dr.%20Ambedkar’s

%20Entry%20into%20the%20CA.htm on 14 September 2013 at 9:20 pm.

[3]  Narender Kumar (2012), Constitutional Law of India, Allahabad Law Agency,

Faridabad, P-27
[4] Aparajita Barauh (2007), Preamble of the Constitution of India, Deep and Deep
Publications Pvt. Limited, New Delhi, P-3.
[5] Ibid.
[6] M.C Jain Kagzi(2004)Constituion of India, India Law House, Delhi, P-322
[7] AIR 1950 SC 27

[8] Re. Berubari Union and Exchange of Enclaves, AIR 1960 SC 845.

[9] AIR 2005 SC 3401

[10] Kesvanandan Bharati v. State of Kerala 1973 SC 1461

[11] Supra 4, P-7.
[12] Supra 8
[13] Supra 10
[14] Supra 10
[15]  Retrieved from, http://www.preservearticles.com/2012011020424/essay-on-the-
amendment-of-the-preamble-of-india.html on 15 September 2013 at 7:15 pm

[16] AIR 1954 SC 158

[17] Supra 4, P-61.
[18] Supra 3, P-4.
[19] Collin’s New Gem Dictionary, 6th Edition

[20] Supra 4, P-46.
[21] Supra 4, P-327.
[22] AIR 1979 SC 25

[23] AIR 1983 SC 25

[24] AIR 1997 SC 645

[25] AIR 1997 SC 3297

[26] AIR 1974 SC 1889

[27] AIR 1994 SC 1918

[28] AIR 2003 SC 3176

[29] AIR 2007 SC 861

[30] AIR 1996 SC 1011

[31] AIR 1993 SC 2042

[32] AIR 2002 SC 2112

[33] Supra 4, P-329
[34] AIR 1997 SC 645

[35] KARTAR SINGH V. STATE OF PUNJAB (1994) 3 SCC 569 (PARAS.373-75)

(CB)- RAMASWAMY.J.

[36] ADM V. SHIVKANI SHUKLA AIR 1976 SC 1207; (1976) 2 SCC 52- RAY CJ

[37] 262 US 390, 399. 43 SUPREME COURT 625, 626(1923

[38] Supra 4, P-61
[39] GAURI SHANKAR V. UNION OF INDIA, AIR 1995 SC 55

[40] INDRA SAWHENY V. UNION OF INDIA AIR 1993 SC 477; 1992 (SUPP-3)
SCC 217

[41] VELAMURI VENKATA SIVAPRASAD V. KOTHARI

VENKATESWARALU AIR 2000 SC 434;(2000) 2SCC 139

[42] RAGHUNATHRAO V. UNION OF INIDA, 1993 SC 1267

[43] Supra 4 P-300
[44] AIR 1950 AII 732
[45] Supra 8
[46] Supra 10.
Edited By: Tania Singla, Student of 4th Year, NLU Delhi. 

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8 thoughts on “Preamble to the Constitution of India”

1.
prajwal
November 20, 2015 at 1:14 pm
 i am a law student, i find your article very helpful for my academics, though i see a lot of
repetance. Thank you for your indirect guidance.

Reply

2.
Ashutosh Rai
March 1, 2016 at 5:09 am
Date of adoption of the preamble is wrong I suppose. Before Nehru could give the O.R how
could the Assemble adopt it ?

Reply

3.
GARIMA SRIVASTAVA
May 9, 2016 at 5:27 am
As checked please amend introduced year of Objective resolution given by Pt. Jawwaharlal
Nehru from 13 Dec, 1947 to 13 th Dec, 1946.

Year is 1946.

Thanks.

Reply


Nikhil Shukla
September 18, 2019 at 4:24 pm
Yes right

Reply

4.
Saswat Shekhar Nayak
June 2, 2016 at 7:49 am

Thank you so much 

Beautifully explained…… Made by polity study session quite interesting!

Reply

5.
 nishu singh
May 27, 2017 at 5:50 am
thanks for this explainession this explain is very closely

Reply

6.
Naina
September 30, 2017 at 4:16 pm
Objective resolution was introduced on 13 dec 1946. Please correct it.

Reply

7.
Ash
October 28, 2019 at 12:01 pm
Thanks for this article. Very well and thoroughly written.

Reply

What are the basic values enshrined in the

Preamble of our Constitution? How relevant
are these values in the present time?

What are the basic values enshrined in the Preamble of our Constitution?
How relevant are these values in the present time?
Approach:
 In the Introduction part, write about the Preamble and the values
enshrined in the Preamble.
 Then briefly explain some of the important values mention in the
Preamble
 After that explain how  they are relevant in the present time
 Conclude appropriately
Model Answer :
The Preamble to the constitution embodies the essence of the entire
constitution and is like an introduction and preface of a book. It embodies
the fundamental values and the philosophy on which the Constitution is
based. It embodies the ideals and aspirations of the people of India.
Values in the Preamble:
The values expressed in the Preamble are Sovereignty, Socialism,
Secularism, Democracy, Republican character, Justice, Liberty, Equality,
Fraternity, Human Dignity and the Unity and Integrity of the Nation.
Some of them are explained below:
 The term “Sovereignty” implies that India is internally supreme and
externally free.
 By the word “Socialism”, the Constitution means the achievement
of Socialistic ends through democratic means i.e. democratic
socialism.
 By Secularism the Constitution means that India is neutral in
religious matters and treats all religions impartially.
 The terms Democratic Republic means that the government will be
run by the method of discussion and persuasion. And the supreme
power is held by the people and their elected representative.
 To build up an ideal democracy, the preamble emphasizes justice,
liberty, equality and fraternity as political ideals. These ideals listed in
the preamble are, according to Prof. Barker, the quintessence of
western democracy.
Relevance for today:
The basic values enshrined in our Preamble are co-terminus with the
ideals and aspirations of the freedom struggle. These values are even
more relevant today than the date of its adoption because of these
following reasons:
 In the present world order, the idea of sovereignty is more relevant
because in the Globalized era several international organization
forces small countries to do what large countries want.
 In view of the persistent communal tensions and riots on the basis
of religion, secular values are more relevant today.
 Although we have achieved political democracy, we are yet to
achieve social democracy (social justice, equality and dignity of
person) and economic democracy (reducing economic inequalities).
On the other hand, the idea of Socialism, though it still exists in the
preamble, has given way to a more modern concept of the “welfare state”
(where government does not control all economic activity, but aims to
provide benefits to all) after the 1991 reforms (coinciding with the fall of
Soviet Union).
Conclusion:
As seen above, the values enshrined in our Preamble are very relevant in
today’s context. They also aid in the legal interpretation where the
language of the Constitution is found to be ambiguous.