Q1. The Preamble to the Constitution of India, is:
Explanation
The Preamble to the Constitution of India is part of the Constitution but lacks independent legal force. It outlines guiding principles like justice, liberty, and equality. The Supreme Court in Kesavananda Bharati (1973) affirmed it as integral to understanding the Constitution’s philosophy, although it doesn’t confer enforceable rights. It serves as a guiding tool for interpreting the Constitution’s objectives.
Additional insight:
In 1976, Preamble was amended by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act to add "Socialist, Secular, and Integrity". In the Berubari Union Case (1960), the Supreme Court had earlier held that the Preamble is not a source of power or substantive rights and has no independent legal effect. It also held that Preamble is not an operative part of the Constitution and lacks legal force.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2020
(d) a part of the Constitution but has no legal effect independently of other parts
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Preamble?
This page covers 1 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Preamble (Polity), asked from 1997 to 2021. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for Preamble?
Questions on Preamble (Polity) are available for 7 years, from 1997 to 2021. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
