Q1. What was the exact constitutional status of India on 26th January, 1950?
Explanation
The Preamble to the Indian Constitution is a brief introductory statement that reflects the hopes and aspirations of the people. The ideals behind the Preamble to Indian Constitution is based on ‘Objective Resolution’ which were drafted by Jawaharlal Nehru and adopted by the Constituent Assembly on January 22, 1947. The original Preamble, adopted by the Constituent Assembly in 1949, declared India a "Sovereign Democratic Republic". Later, it was amended by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act (1976), and added three new words-"Socialist, Secular and Integrity".
The words “Socialist” and “Secular” were not in the Preamble on 26 January 1950; they were added in 1976. Options C and D therefore describe the Preamble as it reads today, not the constitutional status on the day the Constitution came into force.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2021
(b) A Sovereign Democratic Republic
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.
