Answer:

The Preamble to the Indian Constitution states: ‘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 26th day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT,

ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.’

Nature of the Preamble

The Preamble outlines the aims of the Constitution makers and aspirations of our founding fathers. It envisions India as a democratic Republic not only from the political but also from the social standpoint i.e. a democratic society which seeks both economic as well as social justice.

The Preamble declares that India being an independent and sovereign democratic republic has the power to legislate on any subject and that it is not subject to the control of any other State or external power. The term ‘Republic’ connotes that we have an elected President as the Head of the State and all offices, including that of the President, are open to all its citizens.

The unity and fraternity of the people of India, professing numerous faiths, has been sought to be achieved by enshrining the ideal of a secular state, which means that the State protects all religions equally and does not itself uphold any religion as state

religion. Also, the Preamble states that people are the ultimate authority and the Constitution emerges from them.