The Preamble functions as a foreword to the Constitution. The Preamble performs three functions that grant the Constitution its credibility and importance.
1. The Preamble indicated the source and target of the Constitution. The words 'We the people of India do hereby adopt, enact and give to ourselves this Constitution' indicate that the Constitution is a valid one in the context of our Democracy, as it has been created by the people, for the people.
2. The Preamble indicated the date when the Constitution was adopted, by the words 'this twenty sixth day of November 1949).
3. The Preamble lays down the objectives and philosophy of the Constitution by the words 'to constitute India into a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic'.
The term 'Sovereign' implies the independent authority of the State. The Indian State is a power unto itself, and does not have to refer to any external authority when making policy decisions.
The term 'Socialist' implies that India shall be a welfare state.
The term 'Secular', along with the term 'socialist' was introduced in the Preamble by the Constitution (Forty second Amendment) Act, 1976. In the Indian context 'secular' has three implications:
a. The Indian state shall not have an official religion
b. Citizens of India enjoy the freedom to profess and practice any religion of their choice.
c. Citizens of India enjoy the freedom to choose to not belong to any religion at all, if they so desire.
The term 'Democratic' implies that the Head of Government is elected. e.g. Prime Minister is elected to Parliament.
The term 'Republic' implies that the Head of State is elected. e.g. President is elected by the elected members of Parliament and the State Legislatures.
The Constitution also guarantees Indians all conceivable forms of justice: social, economic and political.
1. The Preamble indicated the source and target of the Constitution. The words 'We the people of India do hereby adopt, enact and give to ourselves this Constitution' indicate that the Constitution is a valid one in the context of our Democracy, as it has been created by the people, for the people.
2. The Preamble indicated the date when the Constitution was adopted, by the words 'this twenty sixth day of November 1949).
3. The Preamble lays down the objectives and philosophy of the Constitution by the words 'to constitute India into a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic'.
The term 'Sovereign' implies the independent authority of the State. The Indian State is a power unto itself, and does not have to refer to any external authority when making policy decisions.
The term 'Socialist' implies that India shall be a welfare state.
The term 'Secular', along with the term 'socialist' was introduced in the Preamble by the Constitution (Forty second Amendment) Act, 1976. In the Indian context 'secular' has three implications:
a. The Indian state shall not have an official religion
b. Citizens of India enjoy the freedom to profess and practice any religion of their choice.
c. Citizens of India enjoy the freedom to choose to not belong to any religion at all, if they so desire.
The term 'Democratic' implies that the Head of Government is elected. e.g. Prime Minister is elected to Parliament.
The term 'Republic' implies that the Head of State is elected. e.g. President is elected by the elected members of Parliament and the State Legislatures.
The Constitution also guarantees Indians all conceivable forms of justice: social, economic and political.
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