Keywords in the Preamble – UPSC Notes – Indian Polity

Table of Contents

The first words in the Preamble of India are “We, the people of India”. This shows that the ultimate power lies with the people in a democracy. A democracy is a rule of people, for the people, by the people.

The following are some of the important keywords mentioned in the Preamble:

Sovereign

The term “sovereign” signifies India being a sovereign state, capable of taking its own decision, without the dominion of, or dependency on any other foreign power.

Membership of commonwealth or the United Nations membership doesn’t take away the sovereignty of India
India is neither dependent on, not dominated by any other nation, but an independent state.

Both internal and external affairs decisions lie with the country, independent of any other power.

Socialist

The Indian brand of socialism is the Democratic socialism. Indian socialism believes in a mixed economy, in which both the private and public sector co-exist.

Indian socialism aims at inclusive growth, aspiring to eradicate all economic and social differences in the different sections of the society.

The term was added through the 42nd amendment act, 1976.
The Indian nature of socialism exists in the various provisions of the Constitution. Example – Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP).
Indian socialism can also be said as a blend of Marxism and Gandhian socialism.

Secular

The Indian form of secularism is different from the western form of secularism. Indian secular states that all religions in the country enjoy the same status.

The term “secular” was also added through the 42nd amendment act, 1976.
The Supreme Court in 1974 stated that the world “secular state” was not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution.
However, it is evident that India is a secular state, when we consider the secular fundamental provisions of the Constitution. Example – Right against discrimination on the basis of religion.

Democratic

A representative parliamentary democracy, the Indian constitution holds the executive responsible for all its actions, to the legislature.

The democratic nature of the Indian polity is through the universal adult franchise.

Our constitution has democracy driven by popular sovereignty.
We have indirect democracy, where representatives elected by us through the election process represent us in law and decision making.
In our representative parliamentary democracy, the executive is responsible to the legislature.
Democratic embraces in a broader sense, not only political democracy, but also social and economic democracy in its true sense.

Republic

Republic, in Indian context means India has an elected President. The clear message of this is the political equality provided by the Constitution.

Justice

The Indian Constitution provides for social, economic and political justice. The idea of justice resonates with the idea of an egalitarian and just society.

Justice was borrowed from the Russian (then USSR) Constitution.
Social Justice – Denotes non-discrimination of people on the basis social differences.
Economic Justice – Denotes equal treatment of all the citizens, irrespective of the economic difference.
Distributive Justice – It is the combination of social and economic justice.
Political Justice – Denotes all citizens having equal rights to contest elections, equal access to the political offices, and equal voice in the government.

Liberty

The Preamble prescribes some core values like liberty of thought, belief, faith, expression, and worship. It has been done because the ideals of democracy cannot be attained, if there is no presence of some minimal rights essential for the free existence of all.

The idea of Liberty was borrowed from the French Revolution.
Liberty means the absence of restraints on an individual.
It also, at the same time, talks about providing equal opportunities for the development of the individuals.

Equality

Equality is the assurance of equality of status and opportunity to all the citizens for his/her best development. Every human has a dignified self, and inequality helps it thrive and excel through eradicating inequality in all forms.

It means absence of special privileges to any section of the society.
Non-discriminatory opportunities for all.
Civic, Political and Economic Quality.
The idea was borrowed from the French Revolution.

Fraternity

Fraternity stands for the spirit of common brotherhood. The Preamble, while mentioning Fraternity, embraces the plural society of the country. To give meaning to the ideals of liberty, equality and justice, we have fraternity as a principle.

Fraternity was again borrowed from the French Revolution.
It means a sense of brotherhood.
Fraternity in the preamble is assured through – the unity and integrity of the nation, and dignity of the individual.
The word integrity was added through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976.
Dr KM Munshi opined that along with ensuring materialistic benefits to an individual, the personality of every individual is also sacred, according to the Constitution.
The Article 51-A of the Indian Constitution, a part of the Fundamental Duties, states that every citizen of India fosters harmony and spirit of shared brotherhood among all Indians. Further, Fraternity in Preamble emphasizes on guaranteeing human dignity, national unity, and integrity to all.

FAQs on the Preamble of India:

Q: What does the phrase “We, the people of India” signify in the Preamble?
- A: This phrase signifies that ultimate power in the Indian democracy lies with the people. It reflects the democratic principle of governance—rule of the people, for the people, and by the people.
Q: What does the term “Sovereign” in the Preamble mean for India?
- A: “Sovereign” signifies that India is an independent state capable of making its own decisions without being dependent on or dominated by any foreign power. Both internal and external affairs are under India’s independent control.
Q: What is the nature of socialism mentioned in the Preamble, and when was it added to the Constitution?
- A: Indian socialism, a form of democratic socialism, promotes a mixed economy with both private and public sectors. It aims at inclusive growth, reducing economic and social differences. The term was added through the 42nd amendment act in 1976.
Q: How does the Indian concept of secularism differ from Western secularism?
- A: Indian secularism states that all religions enjoy the same status. It was added to the Constitution through the 42nd amendment act in 1976. Although the term “secular state” is not explicitly mentioned, the Constitution contains provisions against religious discrimination.
Q: What type of democracy does India have, and what is the role of the executive in this democracy?
- A: India has a representative parliamentary democracy with universal adult franchise. The executive is responsible to the legislature. The democracy in India encompasses political, social, and economic dimensions.
Q: What does “Republic” mean in the Indian context as mentioned in the Preamble?
- A: In the Indian context, “Republic” means having an elected President, symbolizing political equality provided by the Constitution.
Q: What are the different aspects of justice mentioned in the Preamble, and where was the idea of justice borrowed from?
- A: The Preamble mentions social, economic, and political justice. The idea of justice was borrowed from the Russian (then USSR) Constitution. It includes concepts like social justice, economic justice, distributive justice, and political justice.
Q: What core values of liberty are emphasized in the Preamble, and from where was the idea of liberty borrowed?
- A: The Preamble emphasizes liberty of thought, belief, faith, expression, and worship. The idea of liberty was borrowed from the French Revolution. It signifies the absence of restraints on an individual and the provision of equal opportunities for development.
Q: What does “Equality” mean in the context of the Preamble, and where was the idea borrowed from?
- A: Equality in the Preamble assures equal status and opportunity for all citizens. The idea was borrowed from the French Revolution and encompasses non-discriminatory opportunities in civic, political, and economic spheres.
Q: What is the significance of “Fraternity” in the Preamble, and how is it assured in the Indian context?
- A: Fraternity in the Preamble represents a spirit of common brotherhood. It assures unity and integrity of the nation and the dignity of the individual. The word “integrity” was added through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act in 1976. Fraternity, as per the Fundamental Duties, emphasizes fostering harmony and shared brotherhood among all Indians.

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