Importance of Preamble of Indian Constitution

A constitution’s preamble is the first portion of the introduction of the document. It usually includes the country’s history, fundamental ideas and goals, and a declaration of the country’s intentions. The preamble to a constitution is significant because it establishes the tone for the entire document. It also explains why the document was made in the first place. 

The American Constitution is the first to include the concept of a preface in its constitution. It has been suggested that the Preamble is not merely a preface to the Constitution, but also a declaration of self-evident fundamental truths.

Preamble in the Constitution

Meaning of Preamble

The Preamble refers to an preamble of the legislation or the constitution and is a declaration issued by the legislature before the introduction of a law and also helps in comprehension of some provisions. The main motive behind the Preamble is the explanation of definitions of important words and include particular words which must be defined.

Significance of The Preamble

The Indian Constitution is a document that describes what India stands for and how it will be governed, making it one of the most important documents in the country. The preamble is an introduction to the Constitution that explains what it stands for and how it will be applied. It’s almost like the Indian constitution’s mission statement. It attempts to summarize what India represents as a country and a society in a single paragraph. Furthermore, it is based on Pandit Nehru’s ‘Objectives Resolution. 

According to the preamble, India is declared a sovereign nation and a democratic republic. It follows socialism and is secular in terms of religion. The Preamble outlines the Constitution’s purposes, which include ensuring justice, protecting people’s liberty, achieving social equality, and instilling a sense of fraternity among citizens. The day the constitution was adopted, November 26, 1949, is referenced in the Preamble.

A debate on whether the preamble is a part of the Constitution existed previously, as there is no mention of it in the Constitution. The clarity on that came after a few judgments given by the supreme court, which stand out as landmark judgments. 

According to the Supreme Court in the Berubari Union case, the Preamble explains the overarching purpose of the various provisions of the Constitution and so acts as a key to the framers’ views. Even though the court recognizes the importance of the preamble, it believes it is not a component of the Constitution.

The Supreme Court rejected the earlier decision in the Kesavananda Bharati case and concluded that the Preamble is a component of the Constitution. Reflected this statement in the LIC of India case.
It is important to remember that, while the preamble can be concluded as a part of the constitution, it is not enforceable by law as the rest of the parts.

Facts of the Preamble

Important facts on the Preamble include the following:

1. The Preamble of Indian constitution is lengthy.
2. The main function of Preamble is to define the constitution and its goals and objectives.
3. The Preamble is responsible for the direction and purpose of the Constitution of India.
4. The constitution was established in 1949 but came into effect on 26 January 1950 according to the Preamble.

Amendments to the Preamble

Only when the preamble is part of the constitution is it feasible to change it. Following the clarification that the preamble is a component of the Constitution, the topic of amenability arose. It was decided that the preamble can be amended, but only if the core elements and features remained unchanged.

The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 amended the constitution’s preamble, adding the words “socialist,” “secular,” and “integrity” to the preamble.

Important words of the Preamble

Some important words in the Preamble include-

1. Sovereign: India is a sovereign country, by this conception. It denotes that it is not ruled by or under the jurisdiction of any external authority or country.
2. Socialist: The 42nd Amendment Act adds the phrase “socialist” to the preamble. Rather than traditional communalist socialism, Indian socialism is democratic. It operates in a mixed economy, with public and private ownership coexisting.
3. Secular: The 42nd Amendment established the term “secular.” It establishes that the state has no official religion and is not prejudiced against any faith. It distinguishes between states and religion.
4. Democratic republic: It asserts that India will pursue a republican, or people’s representative, democratic system of governance. To display the democratic republic character, the constitution covers various themes such as universal adult franchise, an independent judiciary, eradication of discrimination, and so on.
5. Justice: The preamble indicates that the justice here is social, economic, and political justice. Social justice refers to the equitable treatment of all citizens of the country, regardless of sex, caste, religion, gender, or other factors.
6. Liberty: Liberty is defined as freedom from restriction, force, or control. Liberty refers to our power to make decisions about our own lives in this context. Fundamental rights provide freedom of thought, faith, speech, belief, and worship, and when they are violated, they can be enforced in a court of law. Liberty is not limitless, and no one can do whatever they want while jeopardizing others’ fundamental rights or the Constitution itself.
7. Equality: The phrase “equality” refers to the lack of preferential treatment for any group in society, as well as the provision of suitable opportunities for all people, without regard for their race or gender.
   Fraternity: Fraternity is defined as a sense of brotherhood among people. According to the Preamble, the fraternity must provide two things: human dignity and national unity and integrity.

Related Links

1. Indian Constitution
2. Salient Features of the Indian Constitution
3. Significance of the phrase ” We the people of India” in the Preamble

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the importance of the Preamble?

Preamble is a document which explains the document’s purpose and underlying philosophy.

What are the main objectives of the Preamble?

The main objectives of Preamble is ensuring the citizens of India as a soverign, socialist, democratic republic and also as a secular country.

What is Preamble of India and its importance?

Preamble of India and its importance is that it presents the principles of Constitution and also indicates the sources for authority and authenticity.

What is the importance of the Constitution of India?

The Constitution of India lays down the framework for defining the fundamental political principles and also establishes its structure and procedures.