Preamble of the Indian Constitution Notes for SSC Exams

The Preamble is the introduction to the Constitution of India. It tells the source of the Constitution, the nature of the Indian State and the aims of the Constitution. It is an important topic of Indian Polity, and the questions ask about its key words, its amendment and the facts of the Constituent Assembly. These Preamble of the Indian Constitution notes for SSC give all the points in simple tables with practice questions.

Text and Key Words

The Preamble begins with "We, the people of India" and ends with "adopt, enact and give to ourselves this Constitution" on 26 November 1949.

Important Facts

Is the Preamble a Part of the Constitution?

• The Preamble is not enforceable in a court of law, and it does not give any power to the legislature.
• It is used to understand the meaning of the Constitution when the language is not clear.

Famous Remarks About the Preamble

Constituent Assembly: Facts

Four Words to Remember

• Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic: the five features of the Indian State.
• Justice, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity: the four objectives.
• "Integrity" was added along with "Unity" in the phrase "unity and integrity of the nation" in 1976.

Quick Tips

• Learn the five key words and the four objectives separately.
• Remember that the Preamble was amended only once, in 1976.
• Remember the two cases: Berubari (not a part) and Kesavananda Bharati (a part).
• Learn the dates of the Constituent Assembly: 9 December 1946, 26 November 1949 and 26 January 1950.

Quick Revision Points

• The Preamble starts with "We, the people of India".
• Socialist, Secular and Integrity were added in 1976.
• The Preamble is based on the Objective Resolution of Nehru.
• Kesavananda Bharati case said the Preamble is a part of the Constitution.
• Dr. B. R. Ambedkar was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee.

Practice Questions With Answers

1. Which Amendment added the words Socialist and Secular to the Preamble?
   Answer: 42nd Amendment (1976)
2. Who moved the Objective Resolution?
   Answer: Jawaharlal Nehru
3. Which case said that the Preamble is a part of the Constitution?
   Answer: Kesavananda Bharati case (1973)
4. Who was the permanent President of the Constituent Assembly?
   Answer: Dr. Rajendra Prasad
5. Who was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee?
   Answer: Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
6. On which date was the Constitution adopted?
   Answer: 26 November 1949
7. When did the Constitution come into force?
   Answer: 26 January 1950
8. From which revolution were liberty, equality and fraternity taken?
   Answer: French Revolution
9. Who called the Preamble the "identity card of the Constitution"?
   Answer: N. A. Palkhivala
10. How many times has the Preamble been amended?
    Answer: Once

How to Practise This Chapter

Learn the key words and the dates of the Constituent Assembly, and revise them daily for a week. Then solve questions from our practice papers, the free SSC quizzes and the previous year papers page. Read the next chapter, President of India, and the related chapters Fundamental Rights and Important Constitutional Amendments. See all topics on the Indian Polity notes page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Preamble?

The Preamble is the introduction to the Constitution that tells its source, its nature and its objectives.

What are the key words of the Preamble?

The key words are Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic and Republic, along with Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.

Which Amendment changed the Preamble?

The 42nd Amendment of 1976 added the words Socialist, Secular and Integrity to the Preamble.

Is the Preamble a part of the Constitution?

Yes. In the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973) the Supreme Court said that the Preamble is a part of the Constitution.

Can the Preamble be amended?

Yes, it can be amended, but the basic structure of the Constitution cannot be changed.

Is the Preamble enforceable in court?

No. The Preamble is not enforceable in a court of law.

What is the source of the Preamble?

The Preamble is based on the Objective Resolution moved by Jawaharlal Nehru in the Constituent Assembly.

Who is the maker of the Indian Constitution?

The Constitution was made by the Constituent Assembly. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee.

When was the Constitution adopted?

The Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950.

What does "secular" mean in the Preamble?

It means that the State has no official religion and treats all religions equally.

How can I remember the Preamble easily?

Learn the five key words, the four objectives, the year of the only amendment and the two cases.

How many questions come from the Preamble in SSC exams?

Usually one question comes from the Preamble and the Constituent Assembly in SSC General Awareness papers, but the number changes from year to year.