Preamble of the Constitution
Last updated: 3 October 2026
The Preamble is the introduction to the Constitution of India. It tells us the source of the Constitution (the people of India), the nature of the Indian State and the objectives it wants to achieve.
Background
- The Preamble is based on the Objectives Resolution, moved by Jawaharlal Nehru in the Constituent Assembly on 13 December 1946 and adopted on 22 January 1947.
- The Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 (Constitution Day) and came into force on 26 January 1950 (Republic Day).
- The idea of a Preamble was taken from the US Constitution. The ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity were inspired by the French Revolution, and the ideal of social, economic and political justice by the Russian Revolution.
Key words of the Preamble
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Sovereign | India is free to take its own decisions, inside and outside the country. |
| Socialist | The State aims to end inequality of income, status and opportunity (democratic socialism). |
| Secular | The State has no religion of its own and treats all religions equally. |
| Democratic | Power belongs to the people, who elect their government. |
| Republic | The Head of State (the President) is elected, not hereditary. |
| Justice | Social, economic and political. |
| Liberty | Of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship. |
| Equality | Of status and of opportunity. |
| Fraternity | Assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation. |
The 42nd Amendment, 1976
The Preamble has been amended only once, by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976. It added three words: Socialist, Secular and Integrity.
Is the Preamble a part of the Constitution?
| Case | What the Supreme Court said |
|---|---|
| Berubari Union case (1960) | The Preamble is not a part of the Constitution. |
| Kesavananda Bharati case (1973) | The Preamble is a part of the Constitution and can be amended, but its basic features cannot be changed. |
| LIC of India case (1995) | The Preamble is an integral part of the Constitution. |
The Preamble is not enforceable in a court (non-justiciable). It is neither a source of power for the legislature nor a limit on its powers, but it helps courts interpret the Constitution.
Quick revision
- Order of the key words: Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic.
- The Preamble mentions the date of adoption: 26 November 1949.
- N. A. Palkhivala called the Preamble the “identity card of the Constitution”.
- K. M. Munshi called it the “political horoscope” of India.
- Amended only once: 42nd Amendment, 1976.