Previous Year Question

When the Constitution came into force on 26 January 1950, the exact constitutional status of India was a “Sovereign Democratic Republic.” Therefore, option (b) is correct.

The original Preamble expressed the resolve to constitute India into a “Sovereign Democratic Republic.” The words “Socialist” and “Secular” were not included in the Preamble at that time.

These expressions have the following constitutional significance:

• Sovereign: India is not subordinate to any external authority in its internal or external affairs. It can independently determine its legislative, executive and foreign policies.

• Democratic: Governmental authority originates from the people. Citizens elect their representatives, and the government functions through elected representatives.

• Republic: India does not have a hereditary monarch as its Head of State. The President is elected through a constitutional process and holds office for a fixed term.

Option (a) is incomplete because it does not mention India’s sovereign status.

Options (c) and (d) do not describe the position on 26 January 1950. The words “Socialist” and “Secular” were inserted in the Preamble by the Constitution (Forty-second Amendment) Act, 1976. The same amendment changed “unity of the Nation” to “unity and integrity of the Nation.” These changes came into effect on 3 January 1977.

It is important to note that the secular character of the Indian State and the commitment to socio-economic justice were reflected in several constitutional provisions from the beginning. However, the question asks for the exact constitutional expression contained in the Preamble on 26 January 1950, when the words “Socialist” and “Secular” were absent.