Preamble: Words, Meaning & Significance

Elaboration (word by word)

"We, the People of India": Source of authority; reflects sovereignty of people.
Justice: Social (end discrimination), Economic (reduce inequality; non-discrimination in wealth), Political (equal political rights, Arts 325, 326). Ideal borrowed from the Russian Revolution.
Liberty: Of thought, expression, belief, faith, worship ( Arts 19 and 25-28). Ideal from the French Revolution.
Equality: Of status and opportunity ( Arts 14-18, 16). Includes legal, social, economic equality.
Fraternity: Assuring dignity of the individual and unity and integrity of the nation ( "integrity" added by 42nd Amendment). Reflected in Art 51A(e) and Art 17.
Dignity of the individual: Placed before nation, showing individual's primacy.
"Unity and integrity of the Nation": Protects against secession; Article 1, Article 3.
Significance: Declares the nature of the state (SSSDR), sets objectives (JLEF), and states the date of adoption (26 Nov 1949).
Dr Ambedkar: Liberty, equality, fraternity form a "union of trinity", and cannot be divorced from each other.

Key points to remember

"Integrity" was added to Fraternity by the 42nd Amendment.
Justice, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity = objectives; SSSDR = nature of state.
Order of Preamble ideals: Justice → Liberty → Equality → Fraternity.
"Adopt, enact and give to ourselves" shows the Constitution is self-given, not imposed.

PYQ / MCQ

1. The ideal of 'Justice' (social, economic, political) in the Preamble is taken from:

(a) French Revolution

(b) Russian Revolution

(d) Irish Constitution

Answer: (b)

2. Which word was added to the Preamble by the 42nd Amendment, in the clause on fraternity?

(a) Dignity

(b) Integrity

(d) Equality

Answer: (b)

3. Which of the following is NOT an objective stated in the Preamble?

(a) Liberty of thought

(b) Equality of status

(d) Fraternity

Answer: (c)