Question 1

Consider the following words:
1. Socialist
2. Secular
3. Integrity
4. Republic
How many of the words listed above were added to the Preamble of the Indian Constitution by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976?

Accepted Answer

Only three. The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976 introduced three new words into the Preamble: 'Socialist', 'Secular', and 'Integrity'. The word 'Republic' was part of the original Preamble.

Question 2

Statement I: The Preamble to the Indian Constitution is based on the 'Objectives Resolution'.
Statement II: The 'Objectives Resolution' was drafted and moved in the Constituent Assembly by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

Accepted Answer

Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II is not the correct explanation for Statement I.. Both statements are factually correct. The Preamble is indeed based on the 'Objectives Resolution', which was drafted and moved by Pandit Nehru. However, Statement II is a factual detail about the origin of the Resolution and does not explain *why* the Preamble is based on it. They are two independent, correct facts.

Question 3

Consider the following pairs:
Personality : Description of the Preamble
1. N.A. Palkhivala : Horoscope of our sovereign democratic republic
2. K.M. Munshi : Identity card of the Constitution
3. Pandit Thakur Das Bhargava : Soul of the Constitution
4. Sir Ernest Barker : Key-note to the Constitution
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

Only two pairs. The correct matches are: N.A. Palkhivala called the Preamble the 'identity card of the Constitution', and K.M. Munshi called it the 'horoscope of our sovereign democratic republic'. Therefore, pairs 1 and 2 are incorrectly matched. Pandit Thakur Das Bhargava described it as the 'soul of the Constitution', and Sir Ernest Barker called it the 'key-note to the Constitution'. Thus, pairs 3 and 4 are correctly matched. In total, only two pairs are correct.

Question 4

Consider the following statements regarding the Preamble of the Indian Constitution:
1. It secures to all citizens liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship.
2. It was amended by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, which added the words Socialist, Secular and Federal.
3. The date of adoption mentioned in the Preamble is the twenty-sixth day of November, 1949.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

2 only. Statement 2 is incorrect. The 42nd Amendment added the words 'Socialist', 'Secular', and 'Integrity', not 'Federal'. Statement 1 is correct as the Preamble explicitly mentions securing 'LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship'. Statement 3 is also correct as the Preamble states the date of adoption as 'this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949'. The question asks for the incorrect statement.

Question 5

With reference to the Preamble of the Indian Constitution, consider the following statements:
1. The practice of beginning a constitution with a preamble was first adopted by the American Constitution, a practice which India followed.
2. Former Chief Justice of India, M. Hidayatullah, observed that the Preamble to the Indian Constitution is more than a declaration and resembles the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Both 1 and 2. Both statements are correct. The convention of having a Preamble was pioneered by the American Constitution and subsequently adopted by many other nations, including India. M. Hidayatullah, a former CJI, did make the observation comparing the Indian Preamble to the US Declaration of Independence, noting that the Indian Preamble is 'more than a declaration'.

Question 6

Consider the following statements:
Statement I: In the Berubari Union case (1960), the Supreme Court opined that the Preamble is not a part of the Constitution.
Statement II: The Supreme Court, in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973), held that the Preamble can be amended under Article 368, subject to the condition that no amendment is done to the ‘basic features’ of the Constitution.

Accepted Answer

Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I.. Both statements are factually correct. Statement I reflects the Supreme Court's initial view in the Berubari Union case. Statement II reflects the Court's revised view in the Kesavananda Bharati case, where it not only held the Preamble to be part of the Constitution but also established the principle of its amendability under the 'basic structure' doctrine. However, Statement II is a subsequent legal development and not an explanation for the ruling in Statement I.

Question 7

With reference to the legal status of the Preamble of the Indian Constitution,
which of the statements given below is/are NOT correct?
1. The Preamble is a source of power to the legislature.
2. The provisions of the Preamble are enforceable in courts of law.
3. The Preamble was enacted by the Constituent Assembly after the rest of the Constitution was already enacted.

Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only. Statements 1 and 2 are incorrect. The Preamble is explicitly stated to be neither a source of power to the legislature nor a prohibition upon its powers. It is also non-justiciable, meaning its provisions are not enforceable in courts. Statement 3 is correct; the Preamble was adopted at the end to ensure it was in conformity with the already enacted Constitution.

Question 8

Consider the following words:
1. Socialist
2. Secular
3. Republic
4. Integrity
How many of the words listed above were added to the Preamble by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976?

Accepted Answer

Only three. The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976 added three new words to the Preamble: 'Socialist', 'Secular', and 'Integrity'. The word 'Republic' was part of the original Preamble and was not added by this amendment. Therefore, only three of the listed words were added.

Question 9

With reference to the role of the Preamble in constitutional interpretation by the Supreme Court, consider the following statements:
1. The Supreme Court has held that where the terms used in any article are ambiguous, assistance for interpretation may be taken from the objectives in the Preamble.
2. The Supreme Court's current opinion is that the Preamble is an integral part of the Constitution.
3. The Supreme Court has ruled that the fundamental features of the Constitution as contained in the Preamble cannot be altered by an amendment under Article 368.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 3. All three statements are correct. Statement 1 was established in the Berubari Union case and remains a valid principle of interpretation. Statement 2 reflects the final position of the Court, confirmed in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973) and the LIC of India case (1995). Statement 3 is the essence of the 'basic structure' doctrine laid down in the Kesavananda Bharati case, which limits the power to amend the Preamble.

Question 10

Consider the following pairs:
1. Source of authority of the Constitution : The People of India
2. Berubari Union case (1960) : Preamble is an integral part of the Constitution
3. Date of adoption of the Constitution : November 26, 1949
4. 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 : Added the word 'Justice' to the Preamble
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

Only two pairs. Pair 1 is correctly matched as the Preamble states the Constitution derives its authority from the people of India. Pair 3 is correctly matched as the Preamble stipulates this date. Pair 2 is incorrectly matched; the Berubari Union case opined that the Preamble was NOT a part of the Constitution. Pair 4 is incorrectly matched; the 42nd Amendment added 'Socialist', 'Secular', and 'Integrity', while 'Justice' was an original objective mentioned in the Preamble.

Question 11

Consider the following statements regarding the socialist character of the Indian State:
1. The term 'socialist' was incorporated into the Preamble through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976.
2. The Indian Constitution had no socialist content prior to the 42nd Amendment.
3. The Congress party adopted a resolution to establish a 'socialistic pattern of society' in its Avadi session of 1955.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 3 only. The term 'socialist' was indeed added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976. However, the Constitution already contained socialist principles implicitly, particularly in the Directive Principles of State Policy, making statement 2 incorrect. The Congress party's resolution at the 1955 Avadi session predates the amendment, indicating an earlier political commitment to socialist ideals.

Question 12

Consider the following statements regarding the sovereign nature of India:
1. India's membership of the Commonwealth of Nations places the British Crown as a constitutional authority above the Indian state.
2. Being a sovereign state, India has the authority to acquire foreign territory.
3. India's membership in the United Nations Organisation (UNO) is considered a limitation on its sovereignty.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 3 only. India's membership in the Commonwealth is an extra-constitutional declaration and does not compromise its sovereignty or place the British Crown in a position of authority. Similarly, its membership in the UNO does not constitute a limitation on its sovereignty. As a sovereign nation, India is free to conduct its own affairs and can acquire or cede territory.

Question 13

Statement I: The Supreme Court of India has interpreted that the Indian Constitution embodies a 'positive concept of secularism'.
Statement II: The positive concept of secularism implies that the state gives equal status and support to all religions.

Accepted Answer

Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement I.. The Supreme Court has affirmed the secular nature of the Indian state. The 'positive concept of secularism' is a key interpretation, and its meaning is precisely that all religions have the same status and receive the same support from the state. Therefore, Statement II correctly explains the concept mentioned in Statement I.

Question 14

With reference to 'democratic socialism' as adopted in India, consider the following features:
1. Nationalisation of all means of production and distribution
2. Abolition of private property
3. Co-existence of public and private sectors
4. A blend of Marxism and Gandhism
How many of the above features are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only two. Indian 'democratic socialism' is distinct from 'communistic socialism'. It does not advocate for the nationalisation of all means of production or the abolition of private property. Instead, it holds faith in a 'mixed economy' where public and private sectors coexist. It is also described as a blend of Marxism and Gandhism. Therefore, only two of the listed features (3 and 4) are correct.

Question 15

With reference to the secular character of the Indian Constitution, consider the following statements:
1. The term 'secular' was explicitly mentioned in the original Constitution as adopted in 1949.
2. The Supreme Court, even before the 42nd Amendment, held that the Constitution-makers intended to establish a secular state.
3. The inclusion of Articles 25 to 28 is considered evidence of the Constitution's secular foundation from its inception.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

2 and 3 only. The term 'secular' was added to the Preamble by the 42nd Amendment in 1976, so it was not in the original Constitution. However, the Supreme Court observed in 1974 that the framers intended to create a secular state, a fact supported by the inclusion of the fundamental right to freedom of religion in Articles 25 to 28 from the very beginning.

Question 16

Consider the following statements:
Statement I: The Preamble to the Indian Constitution indicates that India is a republic.
Statement II: In a republic, political sovereignty is vested in the people rather than in a single individual like a king, and the head of state is elected.

Accepted Answer

Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement I.. Statement I is correct as the text confirms India is a republic. Statement II is also correct as it accurately defines a republic by contrasting it with a monarchy, highlighting popular sovereignty and an elected head of state. This definition directly explains why India, having an indirectly elected President, is termed a republic. Therefore, Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement I.

Question 17

According to the provided text,
how many of the following are mentioned as manifestations of the democratic character of the Indian polity?
1. Universal adult franchise
2. Periodic elections
3. Rule of law
4. Independence of judiciary
5. Absence of discrimination on certain grounds

Accepted Answer

All five. The text explicitly lists all five items as manifestations of the democratic character of the Indian polity: '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.'

Question 18

Consider the following statements regarding the democratic framework of India as described in the text:
1. The Indian Constitution establishes a system of direct democracy.
2. In India's representative parliamentary democracy, the executive is responsible to the legislature.
3. The head of the state in India holds a hereditary position.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 3 only. Statement 1 is incorrect; the text states India has an indirect, representative democracy. Statement 3 is incorrect; India is a republic with an elected head of state (President), not a monarchy with a hereditary head. Statement 2 is correct, as the text specifies that under India's parliamentary democracy, 'the executive is responsible to the legislature for all its policies and actions'. The question asks for the incorrect statements.

Question 19

With reference to the concept of democracy as elaborated in the Preamble and by Dr. Ambedkar, consider the following statements:
1. The term 'democratic' in the Preamble is limited to political democracy only.
2. Dr. Ambedkar viewed liberty, equality, and fraternity as a 'union of trinity' where one cannot be divorced from the others.
3. It can be inferred that pursuing equality without liberty might lead to the suppression of individual initiative.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

2 and 3 only. Statement 1 is incorrect; the text explicitly states the term 'democratic' is used in a broader sense, 'embracing not only political democracy but also social and economic democracy'. Statement 2 is correct, as Dr. Ambedkar is quoted as saying these principles 'form a union of trinity'. Statement 3 is also correct, as it directly paraphrases Dr. Ambedkar's warning: 'Equality without liberty, would kill individual initiative'.

Question 20

How many of the following are direct implications of India being a 'Republic' as mentioned in the text?
1. The head of the state is elected for a fixed period.
2. Political sovereignty is vested in the people.
3. All public offices are open to every citizen without discrimination.
4. The system allows for a privileged class to hold certain offices.

Accepted Answer

Only three. The text outlines three key meanings of 'republic' in the Indian context: 1) an elected head (President) for a fixed period, 2) vesting of political sovereignty in the people, and 3) the absence of any privileged class, meaning all public offices are open to all. The fourth statement contradicts the principle of a republic, which ensures the absence of a privileged class. Therefore, the first three statements are correct implications.

Question 21

Consider the following statements:
Statement I: The concept of 'distributive justice' is implicitly embedded in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution.
Statement II: In the context of the Indian Constitution, 'distributive justice' is understood as the combination of social justice and political justice.

Accepted Answer

Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect. Statement I is correct because the Preamble's commitment to social and economic justice collectively represents distributive justice. Statement II is incorrect because distributive justice is defined as the combination of social and economic justice, not social and political justice.

Question 22

With reference to the ideal of justice enshrined in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution,
which of the following statements is correct?

Accepted Answer

The ideal of social, economic, and political justice was inspired by the Russian Revolution.. The Preamble to the Indian Constitution explicitly mentions the ideal of justice in its three forms—social, economic, and political. This comprehensive ideal was borrowed from the principles of the Russian Revolution of 1917.

Question 23

Consider the following elements:
1. Elimination of glaring inequalities in wealth
2. Equal access to all political offices
3. Absence of privileges for any particular section of society
4. Equal voice in the government
How many of the above are components of 'Political Justice' as envisioned in the Preamble?

Accepted Answer

Only two. Political justice implies that all citizens have equal political rights. This includes 'equal access to all political offices' (2) and 'equal voice in the government' (4). 'Elimination of glaring inequalities in wealth' (1) is a component of economic justice, and 'absence of privileges for any particular section of society' (3) is a component of social justice. Therefore, only two of the elements are components of political justice.

Question 24

Consider the following statements regarding 'Social Justice' as mentioned in the Preamble:
1. It denotes the equal treatment of all citizens without any social distinction based on caste, colour, or religion.
2. It implies the non-discrimination between people on the basis of economic factors.
3. It includes the improvement in the conditions of backward classes and women.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

2 only. Statement 2 is incorrect as it describes 'Economic Justice', not 'Social Justice'. Social justice, as per the Preamble, involves equal treatment without social distinctions (Statement 1) and working towards the improvement of conditions for disadvantaged groups like backward classes and women (Statement 3). The question asks for the incorrect statement.

Question 25

Consider the following pairs:
1. Economic Justice : Non-discrimination based on economic factors.
2. Political Justice : Equal treatment without social distinction.
3. Distributive Justice : Combination of social and economic justice.
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

Only two pairs. Pair 1 is correctly matched. Pair 3 is also correctly matched. Pair 2 is incorrectly matched; 'Equal treatment without social distinction' is the definition of Social Justice, whereas Political Justice relates to equal political rights and access to political office. Therefore, only two pairs are correctly matched.

Question 26

Consider the following statements:
Statement I: The ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity enshrined in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution are inspired by the French Revolution.
Statement II: The liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship secured by the Preamble is absolute and cannot be curtailed under any circumstances.

Accepted Answer

Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect.. Statement I is correct as the ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity in the Preamble were indeed taken from the French Revolution (1789–1799). Statement II is incorrect because the Constitution itself mentions that liberty is not absolute but qualified, meaning it has to be enjoyed within certain limitations.

Question 27

With reference to the concept of 'Liberty' in the Indian Constitution, consider the following statements:
1. It is defined solely as the absence of restraints on the activities of individuals.
2. The liberty guaranteed by the Preamble is enforceable in a court of law through the Fundamental Rights.
3. The Constitution grants a 'license to do what one likes' under the ambit of liberty.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 3 only. Statement 1 is incorrect because liberty also involves providing opportunities for the development of individual personalities, not just the absence of restraints. Statement 3 is incorrect as the text explicitly states that 'liberty does not mean license to do what one likes' and is qualified, not absolute. Statement 2 is correct as the Preamble's promise of liberty is secured through Fundamental Rights, which are enforceable in court.

Question 28

Consider the following constitutional provisions:
1. Abolition of untouchability
2. Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment
3. Elections to the Lok Sabha to be on the basis of adult suffrage
4. Abolition of titles
How many of the above provisions ensure 'civic equality' as part of the Fundamental Rights?

Accepted Answer

Only three. Civic equality is ensured by several provisions in the chapter on Fundamental Rights. These include the Abolition of untouchability (Article 17), Equality of opportunity in public employment (Article 16), and Abolition of titles (Article 18). Elections based on adult suffrage (Article 326) are a measure of 'political equality', not 'civic equality' under Fundamental Rights. Therefore, three of the provisions listed ensure civic equality.

Question 29

Consider the following pairs:
1. Article 325 : Political Equality
2. Article 17 : Civic Equality
3. Article 39 : Economic Equality
4. Article 14 : Political Equality
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

Only three pairs. Let's examine each pair: Pair 1 is correct as Article 325, which prohibits declaring anyone ineligible for electoral rolls on grounds of religion, race, caste, or sex, ensures political equality. Pair 2 is correct as Article 17 (Abolition of Untouchability) ensures civic equality. Pair 3 is correct as Article 39 (DPSP), which secures equal right to livelihood and equal pay, promotes economic equality. Pair 4 is incorrect as Article 14 (Equality before the law) is a provision for civic equality, not political equality. Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

Question 30

With reference to 'Equality' as enshrined in the Indian Constitution, consider the following statements:
1. The Preamble secures equality of status and opportunity, which embraces civic, political, and economic dimensions.
2. The provision for adult suffrage under Article 326 is a key instrument for achieving economic equality.
3. The Directive Principles of State Policy are the primary constitutional provisions for ensuring civic equality.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 only. Statement 1 is correct; the Preamble's promise of equality of status and opportunity covers civic, political, and economic dimensions. Statement 2 is incorrect; adult suffrage (Article 326) is a measure for achieving political equality, not economic equality. Statement 3 is incorrect; the chapter on Fundamental Rights (Articles 14-18) contains the primary provisions for ensuring civic equality, while Directive Principles (like Article 39) primarily address economic equality.

Question 31

Consider the following statements regarding the concept of 'Fraternity' in the Indian Constitution:
1. The word 'Integrity' was part of the original Preamble to emphasize the indestructible nature of the Indian Union.
2. According to K.M. Munshi, a member of the Drafting Committee, the phrase 'dignity of the individual' signifies that the Constitution recognises the sacredness of every individual's personality.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

2 only. Statement 1 is incorrect. The word 'Integrity' was added to the Preamble by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976, not in the original Preamble. Statement 2 is correct as it accurately reflects K.M. Munshi's interpretation of the phrase 'dignity of the individual' as mentioned in the Constituent Assembly debates.

Question 32

According to the Preamble and other provisions of the Constitution,
which of the following are promoted or ensured to foster the feeling of fraternity?
1. The system of single citizenship
2. The duty to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood under Article 51-A
3. The description of India as a 'Union of States' in Article 1
4. Provisions in Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles that ensure the dignity of individuals
How many of the above are correct?

Accepted Answer

All four. All four elements contribute to promoting fraternity. Single citizenship creates a common identity. The Fundamental Duty in Article 51-A explicitly calls for promoting brotherhood. Article 1, by establishing an indestructible Union, reinforces national unity. Fundamental Rights and DPSPs uphold the dignity of the individual, which the Preamble links directly to fraternity.

Question 33

Statement I: The constitutional design for promoting fraternity in India relies on a combination of legally enforceable rights and non-justiciable duties and principles.
Statement II: The Preamble's goal of fraternity, which assures individual dignity and national unity, is operationalized through Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policy, and Fundamental Duties.

Accepted Answer

Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement I.. Statement I is correct because fraternity is promoted by enforceable Fundamental Rights and non-justiciable Directive Principles and Fundamental Duties. Statement II is also correct as it specifies that these three parts of the Constitution work together to achieve the goals of fraternity mentioned in the Preamble. Statement II provides the specific constitutional parts (FRs, DPSPs, FDs) that exemplify the design mentioned in Statement I, thus serving as its correct explanation.

Question 34

Consider the following statements with reference to the Fundamental Duties (Article 51-A) and their role in promoting fraternity:
1. It is a duty of every citizen to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all people of India.
2. It is a duty of every citizen to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women.
3. It is a duty of every citizen to recognize that states have no right to secede from the Union.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

3 only. Statements 1 and 2 are explicitly mentioned as Fundamental Duties under Article 51-A, contributing to fraternity and dignity. Statement 3 is incorrect because while the indestructible nature of the Indian Union is a constitutional principle, it is an implication derived from Article 1 ('Union of States'), not a duty listed under Article 51-A. The question asks for the incorrect statement.

Question 35

With reference to the constitutional ideal of 'Fraternity', consider the following pairs:
1. Dignity of the individual : K.M. Munshi's interpretation of its sacredness
2. Indestructible nature of the Union : Implication of Article 1 of the Constitution
3. Addition of the word 'Integrity' : 42nd Constitutional Amendment
4. Promotion of common brotherhood : A provision within Fundamental Rights
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

Only three pairs. Pair 1 is correct; K.M. Munshi's view on the sacredness of individual personality is noted. Pair 2 is correct; Article 1 describing India as a 'Union of States' implies the Union is indestructible. Pair 3 is correct; the word 'Integrity' was added to the Preamble by the 42nd Amendment, 1976. Pair 4 is incorrect; the duty 'to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood' is explicitly mentioned in the Fundamental Duties (Article 51-A), not in the Fundamental Rights. Therefore, only three pairs are correctly matched.

Question 36

Consider the following statements regarding the Preamble of the Indian Constitution in light of the recent debates:

1. The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, added the words 'Socialist', 'Secular', and 'Integrity', an action that some critics argue was a 'betrayal' of the original constitutional ethos as it was done during the Emergency.
2. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar strongly advocated for the explicit inclusion of 'Secular' in the Preamble to provide a clear ideological direction to the state.
3. The Supreme Court, in the S. R. Bommai case (1994), reaffirmed that secularism is a basic feature of the Indian Constitution.
4. According to K.M. Munshi, a member of the Drafting Committee, the Preamble serves as the 'identity card of the Constitution'.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only two. Statement 1 is correct; the 42nd Amendment added these words, and critics, as mentioned in the current affairs, argue it was done during the democratic suppression of the Emergency. Statement 3 is correct; the S.R. Bommai case is a landmark judgment that declared secularism a part of the basic structure. Statement 2 is incorrect; the current affairs text clarifies that Dr. Ambedkar believed the Constitution should not impose fixed ideological commitments and that such ideals should evolve through the will of the people. Statement 4 is incorrect; N.A. Palkhivala called the Preamble the 'identity card of the Constitution', while K.M. Munshi referred to it as the 'horoscope of our sovereign democratic republic'. Therefore, only two statements are correct.

Question 37

With reference to the Preamble of the Indian Constitution, as discussed in the context of Constitution Day 2024, consider the following statements:
1. The original Preamble, as adopted on November 26, 1949, described India as a 'Sovereign Democratic Republic'.
2. The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976, added the term 'Integrity' to affirm the unity of the nation.
3. According to former CJI M. Hidayatullah, the Preamble is more than a mere declaration and its solemn resolve can only be altered by a revolution.
4. The 'Objectives Resolution' drafted by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the basis for the Preamble's text.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only three. Statement 1 is correct; the terms 'Socialist' and 'Secular' were added later. Statement 2 is correct; the 42nd Amendment added 'Socialist', 'Secular', and 'Integrity'. Statement 3 is correct, as per the quote provided in the static content. Statement 4 is incorrect; the 'Objectives Resolution' was drafted and moved by Pandit Nehru, not Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Therefore, three statements are correct.

Question 38

Considering the recent Supreme Court affirmation of 'socialist' and 'secular' as part of the Constitution's Basic Structure, evaluate the following statements:
1. The Indian brand of socialism, described as 'democratic socialism', fundamentally aligns with the principle of a 'mixed economy', which was a concept implicitly supported through Directive Principles even before the 42nd Amendment.
2. The argument that the Constituent Assembly rejected the inclusion of 'secular' and 'socialist' was dismissed by the Supreme Court, which prioritized the Constitution's nature as a 'living document' capable of evolution.
3. The Supreme Court's interpretation in the Minerva Mills case, emphasizing harmony between Fundamental Rights and DPSP, reinforces the judicial view that socialist principles were integral to the constitutional framework prior to their explicit inclusion in the Preamble.
4. The New Economic Policy of 1991, with its focus on liberalisation and privatisation, is seen by some as diluting the 'communistic socialism' credentials of the Indian State.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only three. Statement 1 is correct as the static text confirms Indian socialism is 'democratic socialism' with a 'mixed economy', and that socialist content existed in the DPSP before 1976. Statement 2 is correct as the current affairs article explicitly mentions this line of reasoning by the Supreme Court. Statement 3 is correct; the Minerva Mills case (1980) did emphasize the harmony between FRs and DPSPs to achieve social and economic justice, aligning with the judicial view of socialism's integral nature. Statement 4 is incorrect because the static text clarifies that India adopted 'democratic socialism', not 'communistic socialism'. The 1991 policy diluted the 'democratic socialist' credentials, not a non-existent 'communistic' one. Therefore, three statements are correct.

Preamble of the Constitution

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