Previous Year Question
The mind of the makers of the Constitution of India is reflected in which of the following?
The Preamble
The Fundamental Rights
The Directive Principles of State Policy
The Fundamental Duties
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Solution
The ideals, objectives and political philosophy of the makers of the Constitution are most clearly reflected in the Preamble. Therefore, option (a) is correct.
The Preamble is not merely an introduction to the Constitution. It provides a concise statement of the foundational principles on which the entire constitutional arrangement has been constructed.
The Preamble reveals the following:
Source of constitutional authority: “We, the People of India” establishes that the ultimate authority of the Constitution originates from the people of India.
Nature of the Indian State: India is declared a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic.
Objectives of the Constitution: To secure for all citizens social, economic and political justice; liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; and equality of status and opportunity.
Social objective of the nation: To promote fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation.
Date of adoption: The Constituent Assembly adopted, enacted and gave the Constitution to the people on 26 November 1949.
The Preamble was influenced by the Objectives Resolution, which the Constituent Assembly adopted on 22 January 1947. Jawaharlal Nehru had introduced the Resolution in the Constituent Assembly on 13 December 1946. It expressed constitutional ideals such as a sovereign republic, authority derived from the people, justice, equality, freedom and protection of minorities.
The Preamble is a key to understanding the mind of the Constitution-makers. When the meaning of a constitutional provision is ambiguous, courts may use the ideals expressed in the Preamble to determine its meaning. However, the Preamble is not an independent source of governmental power.
Options (b), (c) and (d) express particular objectives of the Constitution, but they do not provide a summary of the entire constitutional philosophy of its makers. Fundamental Rights protect civil liberties; Directive Principles guide socio-economic governance; and Fundamental Duties prescribe citizens’ responsibilities. The broader philosophy underlying all these provisions is expressed in the Preamble.