Preamble of the Constitution MCQ Questions and Answers

Statement a is incorrect. ‘Liberty’ means the absence of restraints on the activities of individuals, and at the same time, providing opportunities for the development of individual personalities. The Preamble secures to all citizens of India liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship, through their Fundamental Rights, enforceable in court of law, in case of violation.

Statement b is incorrect. ‘Equality’ means the absence of special privileges to any section of the society, and the provision of adequate opportunities for all individuals without any discrimination. The Preamble secures to all citizens of India equality of status and opportunity. This provision embraces three dimensions of equality–civic, political and economic.

Statement c is correct. Justice means equal treatment of all citizens without any social, economic and political distinction. Social justice denotes the equal treatment of all citizens without any social distinction based on caste, colour, race, religion, sex. Economic justice denotes the non-discrimination between people on the basis of economic factors. It involves the elimination of glaring inequalities in wealth, income and property. Political justice implies that all citizens should have equal political rights, equal access to all political offi ces and equal voice in the government.

Statement d is incorrect. Fraternity means a sense of brotherhood. Fraternity has to assure two things– the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the nation.

Statement 1 is correct. The doctrine of essentiality is a doctrine that has evolved to protect the religious practices that are essential or integral part of the religion. The doctrine of “essentiality” was invented by a sevenjudge Bench of the Supreme Court in the ‘Shirur Mutt’ case in 1954. The court held that the term “religion” will cover all rituals and practices “integral” to a religion, and took upon itself the responsibility of determining the essential and non-essential practices of a religion.

Statement 2 is incorrect. The term ‘Secular’ was added to the preamble by the forty-second constitution Amendment Act of 1976. (India is a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic, republic).

Statement 3 is incorrect. It is a feature of Western Model of Secularism, and not Indian Secularism. The Indian Secularism allows for principled state intervention in all religions. The secular Indian state does not have to treat every aspect of every religion with equal respect. It allows equal disrespect for some aspects of organised religions. Indian secularism has made room for and is compatible with the idea of state-supported religious reform.

Thus, in India, a policy of the state can have an exclusively religious rationale. In Western Model, the state will not intervene in the aff airs of religion and, in the same manner, religion will not interfere in the aff airs of the state. No policy of the state can have an exclusively religious rationale. No religious classifi cation can be the basis of any public policy.

The term ‘equality’ means the absence of special privileges to any section of the society, and the provision of adequate opportunities for all individuals without any discrimination. The Preamble secures to all citizens of India equality of status and opportunity. The provision embraces three dimensions of equality–civic, political and economic.

Option b is correct. The term ‘republic’ in our Preamble indicates that India has an elected head called the president. He is elected indirectly for a fixed period of five years. A republic also means two more things: one, vesting of political sovereignty in the people and not in a single individual like a king; second, the absence of any privileged class and hence all public offi ces being opened to every citizen without any discrimination.

Option c is incorrect. Democracy is based on the doctrine of popular sovereignty, that is, possession of supreme power by the people. The Indian Constitution provides for representative parliamentary democracy under which the executive is responsible to the legislature for all its policies and actions. Universal adult franchise, periodic elections, rule of law, independence of judiciary, and absence of discrimination on certain grounds are the manifestations of the democratic character of the Indian polity.

Option d is incorrect. The word ‘sovereign’ implies that India is neither a dependency nor a dominion of any other nation, but an independent state. There is no authority above it, and it is free to conduct its own affairs (both internal and external).

Option a is incorrect. Sovereign state means India can either acquire a foreign territory or cede a part of its territory in favour of a foreign state. The word ‘sovereign’ implies that India is neither a dependency nor a dominion of any other nation, but an independent state.

Option b is incorrect. Indian democratic system, as stipulated in the Preamble, is based on the doctrine of popular sovereignty, that is, possession of supreme power by the people (and not by the parliament).

Option c is incorrect.The term ‘equality’, in the preamble, means the absence of special privileges to any section of society, and the provision of adequate opportunities for all individuals without any discrimination. The Preamble secures to all citizens of India equality of status and opportunity

Option d is correct. Fraternity means a sense of brothe .The Constitution promotes this feeling of fraternity by the system of single citizenship. The Preamble declares that fraternity must assure two things– the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the nation.

Options a, b and c are incorrect. Communistic socialism is also known as ‘state socialism’. Communistic socialism involves the nationalization of all means of production and distribution and the abolition of private property.

Option d is correct. The Indian brand of socialism is a ‘democratic socialism’ which is a blend of Marxism and Gandhism where both public and private sectors co-exist. Democratic socialism aims to end poverty, ignorance, disease and inequality of opportunity.

Jawaharlal Nehru described democratic socialism as one, which will be based on political liberty, equality and tolerance. Under democratic socialism we could maintain individual freedom and initiative with centralized-social control and planning of the economic life of the people.

The Constitution of India stands for a secular state. Hence, it does not uphold any particular religion as the offi cial religion of the Indian State. The following provisions of the Constitution reveal the secular character of the Indian State: The term ‘secular’ was added to the Preamble of the Indian Constitution by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976. The Preamble secures to all citizens of India liberty of belief, faith and worship. Hence, option a is correct.

The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or equal protection of the laws (Article 14). Hence, option d is correct. The State shall not discriminate against any citizen on the ground of religion (Article 15). Equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters of public employment (Article 16). All persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice and propagate any religion (Article 25). Every religious denomination or any of its section shall have the right to manage its religious aff airs (Article 26). No person shall be compelled to pay any taxes for the promotion of a particular religion (Article 27). Hence, option c is incorrect. No religious instruction shall be provided in any educational institution maintained by the State (Article 28). Any section of the citizens shall have the right to conserve its distinct language, script or culture (Article29). All minorities shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice (Article 30). Hence, option b is correct.

Statement 1 is correct. The Preamble was enacted after the entire Constitution was already enacted. It is a modifi ed version of the Objectives Resolution moved by Jawaharlal Nehru on December 13, 1946.

Statement 2 is incorrect. Some provisions of the Constitution pertaining to citizenship, elections, provisional parliament etc came into force on November 26, 1949, when the Constitution was adopted. The remaining provisions of the Constitution came into force on January 26, 1950.

Statement 3 is incorrect. November 26, 1949 is the date mentioned in the preamble is the date on which people of India in Constituent assembly adopted, enacted and gave to themselves this constitution (not enforced).

Statement 1 is correct. In a republic the head of the state is always elected directly or indirectly for a fi xed period. India is a republic nation as it has an elected head called the president.

Statement 2 is incorrect. A country having a parliamentary form of government need not always be a republic. Great Britain has a parliamentary form of government but is not a republic nation as it is a monarchy and the head of the state is not elected.

Statement 3 is correct. A republic also means vesting of political sovereignty in the people and not in a single individual like a king.

Statement 4 is correct. The term Republic also means the absence of any privileged class. Hence, all public offi ces are open to every citizen without any discrimination.

Fraternity means a sense of brotherhood. The Constitution promotes this feeling of fraternity by the system of single citizenship. The Preamble declares that fraternity has to assure two things – The dignity of the individual The unity and integrity of the nation.
The word ‘integrity’ has been added to the preamble by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976).
In the preamble, the equal status and opportunity comes under the head ‘Equality’.

The term ‘justice’ in the Preamble of the Constitution of India includes social, economic and political justice for the citizens of the country.
Distributive justice concerns with the just allocation of resources in the society. In other words, distributive
justice is a combination of social justice and economic justice. Economic justice denotes the non-discrimination between people on the basis of economic factors. Social justice denotes the equal treatment of all citizens without any social distinction based on caste, colour, race, religion, sex and so on.

The term ‘equality’ means the absence of special privileges to any section of the society, and the provision of adequate opportunities for all individuals without any
discrimination. The following provisions under Fundamental rights
(Part III) ensure civic equality:
a. Equality before the law (Article 14).
b. Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth (Article 15).
c. Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment (Article 16).
d. Abolition of untouchability (Article 17).
e. Abolition of titles (Article 18).
The Directive Principles of State Policy (Article 39 under Part IV) secures economic equality by equal right
to an adequate means of livelihood and equal pay for equal work.
Part XV (Elections) of the Constitution aims to achieve
political equality. No person is to be declared ineligible for inclusion in electoral rolls on grounds of religion, race,caste or sex (Article 325). Two, elections to the Lok Sabha and the state assemblies to be on the basis of adult suff rage (Article 326).

Statement 1 is incorrect. In India secularism does not mean separation of religion from state. India does not have an offi cial state religion. It is positive Concept. It gives equal freedom to all religion. It is neither irreligious nor anti-religious. Western secularism is conceived as separation of state and religion.

Statement 2 is correct. Supreme court in S.R Bommai case upheld that secularism constitutes the basic feature of the Constitution.

Concept of Positive and Negative Liberty – Historically, Liberty was initially thought to be an outcome of complete absence of restrains. This idea of liberty is known as negative liberty. However, later on political thinkers agreed on the fact that an absolute lack of restraints is neither possible nor desirable. This idea of liberty is known as positive liberty. Philosopher John Locke said
“where there is no law, there is no freedom”. He also wrote that the ultimate aim of the laws was not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom.
Option a is incorrect. Because if there are more laws, it may lead to more liberty as well as laws themselves might be enabling more liberty.
Option b is correct. In a society without laws, liberty may come under danger because the consequent lawlessness.
Option c is incorrect. Even a constitutional monarchy like Bhutan can guarantee its people liberty through just laws. On the other hand, even a democracy which has majoritarian politics may deprive certain sections of its minority citizens some of their liberties.
Option d is incorrect. This may or may not be the case. It would depend on the kind of changes being made to the laws. If the changes are towards bringing more
transparencies and accountabilities in the system, then such changes may even improve people’s liberties.

Statement 1 is correct: The Preamble secures for social justice and empowerment. The words “JUSTICE, social, economic and political; 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”.

Statement 2 is correct: Following provisions in Fundamental rights provide for social justice and empowerment – Article 23. Prohibition of traffi c in human beings and forced labour Article 24. Prohibition of employment of children in factories, etc.

Statement 3 is correct: Under DPSPs, the state needs to secure a social order for the promotion of welfare of the people. Article 39 (only fi rst part) – The State shall, in particular, direct its policy towards securing – (a) that the citizens, men and women equally, have the right to an adequate means of livelihood.

AMENABILITY OF THE PREAMBLE The question as to whether the Preamble can be amended under Article 368 of the Constitution arose for the fi rst time in the historic Kesavananda Bharati case (1973). It was urged that the Preamble cannot be amended as it is not a part of the Constitution. The petitioner contended that the amending power in Article 368 cannot be used to destroy or damage the basic elements or the fundamental features of the Constitution, which are enshrined in the Preamble.

Statement 1 is incorrect. The Supreme Court, however, held that the Preamble is a part of the Constitution. The Court stated that the opinion tendered by it in the Berubari Union (1960) in this regard was wrong, and held that the Preamble can be amended under Article 368 of the Constitution, subject to the condition that no amendment is done to the ‘basic structure’. In other words, the Court held that the basic elements or the fundamental features of the Constitution as contained in the Preamble cannot be altered by an amendment under Article 368.

Statement 2 is correct. The Preamble has been amended only once so far, in 1976, by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, which has added three new words– Socialist, Secular and Integrity–to the Preamble. This amendment was held to be valid.

Statement 1 is incorrect. Objective Resolution proclaimed for the establishment of Independent, sovereign, republic India and not included the words socialist and secular. Even the original constitution did not include these words.
Statement 2 is correct. Objective Resolution proclaimed This ancient land attains its rightful and honoured place in the world and makes its full and willing contribution to
the promotion of world peace and the welfare of mankind.
Statement 3 is correct. Objective Resolution provided some fundamental freedoms like the freedom of speech, expression, belief, faith worship, vocation, action and
association to the people of India
Statement 4 is correct. Objective Resolution stated that India shall be a union of all the territories that comprise British India, the territories that now form the Indian states and such other parts of India as are outside India and the states as well as other territories that are willing to join.

Statement 1 is incorrect. The Preamble has been amended only once so far, in 1976, by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, which has added three new words–Socialist, Secular and Integrity–to the Preamble.
Statement 2 is incorrect. The Preamble to the Indian Constitution is based on the
‘Objectives Resolution’, draft ed and moved by Jawaharlal Nehru, and adopted by the Constituent Assembly. It was not written by N.A. Palkhivala. He called the Preamble
as the ‘identity card of the Constitution.

Sovereignty is a term mentioned in the Preamble to the Indian Constitution. India became a sovereign with the promulgation of the Constitution of India. Statement a is incorrect: Possession of supreme political power in the nation by the common people, i.e. citizens is termed as Democracy

Statement b is incorrect: If the Head of the State is a person who is elected (directly or indirectly) it is known as a Republic, like India is.

Statement c is incorrect: Absence of restrictions on the activities of individuals is termed as Liberty.

Statement d is correct: The term Sovereignty refers to a nation which is not an dependency or dominion of any other nation (like it used to be under the Britishers before 1947). A sovereign nation takes its decisions independently according to its interests, be it in internal matters, or even in external matters, as mentioned in the statement. Membership of global platforms and groupings like UNO, WTO or Commonwealth does not mean that the nation has given up its right to decide its external matters according to its interests.

As a political ideology, liberalism has been identifi ed with tolerance as a value. Liberals have oft en defended the right of a person to hold and express his/her opinions and beliefs even when they disagree with them. But that is not all that there is to liberalism. And liberalism is not the only modern ideology that supports tolerance.

Statement 1 is correct. Positive liberty recognizes that one can be free only in society (not outside it). Hence tries to make the society such that it enables the development of the individual. Whereas negative liberty is only concerned with the inviolable area of non-interference and not with the conditions in society, outside this area, as such.

Statement 2 is incorrect. The harm principle states that the only actions that can be prevented are ones that create harm. In other words, a person can do whatever he wants as long as his actions do not harm others. For J S Mill, minor harm should not have any force of laws but only social disapproval.

Statement 3 is incorrect. What is more distinctive about modern liberalism is its focus on the individual. For liberals, entities like family, society, community have no value in themselves, but only if these are valued by individuals.

The Preamble contains the ideals, objectives and basic principles of the Constitution which include commitmentm to democracy, guarantee to all the people of India; Justice, equality and freedom The Preamble covers all these dimensions of justice – social, economic and political.

Statement 1 is correct. Social Justice is the recognition or greater good to a larger number without deprivationor accrual of legal rights and is the comprehensive form to remove social imbalance by law harmonizing the rival claims or the interest of diff erent groups and/or section in the social structure or individuals by means of which alone it would be possible to build up a welfare State. Social Justice implies that all citizens are treated equally irrespective of their status in society as a result of the accident birth, race, caste, religion, sex, title etc.

Statement 2 is correct. Economic Justice means the banishment of poverty, not by expropriation of those who have but by the multiplication of the national wealth and resources and an equitable distribution thereof amongst all who contribute towards its production, is the aim of the state envisaged by the directive principles. Economic justice is a facet of liberty without which equality of status and dignity of person is teasing illusions. Theideal of economic justice is to make equality of status meaningful and life worth living at its best removing inequality of opportunity and of status-social, economic and political.

Statement 3 is correct. Political Justice proposes that there should be no limits on freedom of thought and expression of the individual; and that the pursuit of knowledge should be the primary aim of the individual.

Socialism was added to the Preamble of the Indian constitution, by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act in 1976.

Option 1 is correct: believes in equality of all and does not believe in private property or accumulation of resources by individuals. Article 39(b) mentions that the state should strive to ensure that national resources should be equally distributed among all citizens, as far as possible.

Option 2 is correct: Socialism believes that essential services required for the well being of a human should be provided by the State. Such a state is known as welfare state and is envisaged in the Indian constitution. In the DPSPs of Part IV of the Indian constitution Articles 39, 39(A), 41, 42, 43 etc encourage the State to off er living wages, equal pay, free legal aid, maternity benefi ts, etc.

Option 3 is correct: The idea of Indian democratic socialism, as embodied in the Indian constitution, both in the Preamble as well as in Article 38, under DPSP (Part IV) talks about bringing in equality of opportunities. This means regardless of an individual’s personal wealth, the State shall strive to provide access to important services that are essential for all round development and dignity. For example, free and compulsory education (fundamental right under Article 21A), free healthcare (schemes like Ayushman Bharat, Article 39(f), Article 47), good infrastructure like roads, internet, etc.

Option 4 is incorrect: The ideology of Socialism negates the existence of God and therefore religion. In contrast, the idea of secularism, as per Indian constitution, is equal respect and help to all religions as well as freedom for individual citizens to confess, practice and preach their religion. These ideals are enshrined in the Preamble as well as in Articles 25-28 of Part III (Fundamental Rights) of the Indian constitution.