Text and Content of the Preamble
Indian Polity › Preamble · Topic 4.1
The Preamble is the introduction to the Constitution, based on Nehru's Objectives Resolution. Its four ingredients are the source of authority, the nature of the State, the objectives and the date of adoption, 26 November 1949.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Polity · Preamble
At a Glance
- What it is The introduction or preface to the Constitution, containing its summary or essence
- Called The “identity card of the Constitution” (N.A. Palkhivala)
- Based on The Objectives Resolution drafted and moved by Pandit Nehru
- Four ingredients Source of authority, nature of the State, objectives and date of adoption
- Date of adoption 26 November 1949
- Amended Once, in 1976, by the 42nd Amendment Act, which added Socialist, Secular and Integrity
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Polity: Preamble
Where Does It Fit?
This is the first topic of the category on the Preamble. It sets out what the Preamble says and what it contains. The later topics explain its objectives, its key words, its amendment, its status and its amendability.
What Is the Preamble?
The American Constitution was the first to begin with a Preamble, and many countries, including India, followed this practice. The term preamble refers to the introduction or preface to the Constitution. It contains the summary or essence of the Constitution. N.A. Palkhivala, an eminent jurist and constitutional expert, called the Preamble the “identity card of the Constitution”.
The Preamble to the Indian Constitution is based on the Objectives Resolution, drafted and moved by Pandit Nehru on 13 December 1946 and adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 22 January 1947. It has been amended by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act (1976), which added three new words: Socialist, Secular and Integrity.
What Is the Text of the Preamble?
The Preamble in its present form reads:
“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.”
What Are the Four Ingredients?
The Preamble reveals four ingredients or components.
| Ingredient | What the Preamble says |
|---|---|
| Source of authority of the Constitution | The Constitution derives its authority from the people of India |
| Nature of the Indian State | India is a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic and republican polity |
| Objectives of the Constitution | Justice, liberty, equality and fraternity |
| Date of adoption | 26 November 1949 |
When Was the Preamble Enacted?
Like any other part of the Constitution, the Preamble was enacted by the Constituent Assembly, but after the rest of the Constitution had already been enacted. The reason for inserting the Preamble at the end was to ensure that it was in conformity with the Constitution as adopted by the Constituent Assembly.
What Do the Objectives Resolution and the Preamble Share?
The Objectives Resolution laid down the fundamentals and philosophy of the constitutional structure. It declared the firm and solemn resolve to proclaim India as an Independent Sovereign Republic, with a Union of the territories, in which all power and authority of the sovereign independent India are derived from the people, and in which justice (social, economic and political), equality of status and of opportunity, and freedom of thought, expression, belief, faith, worship, vocation, association and action are guaranteed and secured to all the people of India. The Preamble draws on this resolution.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Identity of the Constitution Every question on the nature of the State and the aims of the Constitution begins with the Preamble
- Direct Prelims material The text, the four ingredients, the 1976 additions and the date can be asked directly
What Came Next?
The next topic takes up the objectives of the Constitution as stated in the Preamble, and the later topics explain the key words, the 1976 amendment, the status of the Preamble and its amendability.
Key People and Terms
- Preamble The introduction or preface; the essence of the Constitution
- Objectives Resolution Moved by Nehru on 13 December 1946; adopted on 22 January 1947
- N.A. Palkhivala Called it the identity card of the Constitution
- 26 November 1949 The date of adoption stated in the Preamble
- 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 Added Socialist, Secular and Integrity
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- The American Constitution was the first to begin with a Preamble.
- Based on the Objectives Resolution: moved 13 December 1946, adopted 22 January 1947.
- Four ingredients: source of authority, nature of the State, objectives, date of adoption.
- Date of adoption: 26 November 1949.
- Amended only once, in 1976.
- The Preamble was enacted after the rest of the Constitution.
Do Not Confuse With
- Objectives Resolution and Preamble The resolution came first (1946 to 1947); the Preamble was adopted at the end, on 26 November 1949
- Nature of the State and objectives Sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic and republic describe the State; justice, liberty, equality and fraternity are the objectives
- Date of moving and date of adoption The resolution was moved on 13 December 1946 and adopted on 22 January 1947
Memory Hook
People, State, aims, date: the four ingredients of the Preamble, taken from Nehru’s Objectives Resolution.
Mains Angle
Questions on the Preamble usually ask what it contains and why it matters. Use these points to add depth.
- Summary of the Constitution The Preamble contains the summary or essence of the Constitution
- Source in the people The Constitution derives its authority from the people of India
- Linked to the Objectives Resolution The Preamble is based on the resolution moved by Nehru in 1946
- Added at the end It was enacted last, to ensure that it conformed to the Constitution as adopted
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“The Preamble is the identity card of the Constitution. Explain its contents.”
How to Answer
- Introduction Meaning of the Preamble and Palkhivala’s description.
- Text and ingredients The four ingredients and the Objectives Resolution.
- Amendment The 1976 additions.
- Conclusion The Preamble states the source of authority, the nature of the State, the objectives and the date.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Preamble of the Indian Constitution?
The Preamble is the introduction or preface to the Constitution and contains its summary or essence. It declares India a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic, states the objectives of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity, and records 26 November 1949 as the date of adoption.
What are the four ingredients of the Preamble?
The Preamble has four ingredients: the source of authority of the Constitution, which is the people of India; the nature of the Indian State; the objectives of the Constitution, which are justice, liberty, equality and fraternity; and the date of adoption, 26 November 1949.
On which document is the Preamble based?
The Preamble is based on the Objectives Resolution, drafted and moved by Pandit Nehru in the Constituent Assembly on 13 December 1946 and adopted by the Assembly on 22 January 1947. It laid down the fundamentals and philosophy of the constitutional structure.
Who called the Preamble the identity card of the Constitution?
N.A. Palkhivala, an eminent jurist and constitutional expert, called the Preamble the identity card of the Constitution. The American Constitution was the first to begin with a Preamble, and many countries, including India, followed this practice.
Which words were added to the Preamble in 1976?
The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976 added three new words to the Preamble: Socialist, Secular and Integrity. The Preamble has been amended only once so far, and the amendment was held to be valid.
Why was the Preamble enacted at the end?
The Preamble was enacted by the Constituent Assembly after the rest of the Constitution had been enacted. The reason for inserting it at the end was to ensure that it was in conformity with the Constitution as adopted by the Constituent Assembly.
What date does the Preamble mention?
The Preamble mentions 26 November 1949, the twenty-sixth day of November 1949, as the date on which the people of India, in their Constituent Assembly, adopted, enacted and gave to themselves the Constitution. The Constitution came into effect later, on 26 January 1950.
What does the Preamble say about the source of the Constitution?
The Preamble opens with We, the People of India, and states that the Constitution derives its authority from the people of India. The people adopted, enacted and gave the Constitution to themselves through the Constituent Assembly.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 The American Constitution was the first to begin with a Preamble.
Many countries, including India, followed this practice.
2 The Preamble of the Indian Constitution is based on the Objectives Resolution moved by Pandit Nehru.
It was moved on 13 December 1946 and adopted on 22 January 1947.
3 The Preamble has been amended three times.
It has been amended only once, in 1976, by the 42nd Amendment Act.
4 The Preamble was enacted by the Constituent Assembly before the rest of the Constitution.
It was enacted after the rest of the Constitution, to ensure conformity with it.
5 The Preamble mentions 26 January 1950 as the date of adoption.
It mentions 26 November 1949.
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