Preamble & History — Set 13

Correct Answer: B. State where sovereignty belongs to all people and government derives power from popular election

'DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC' in the Preamble of India means that India is a state where sovereignty belongs to all the people of India, government derives its authority from the consent of the governed through free elections, the head of state (President) is elected (not hereditary), and all citizens enjoy equal political rights. This combines the principles of democracy (rule of the people) and republic (no hereditary rule). India uses the Westminster model of parliamentary democracy.

Correct Answer: B. Equal distribution of resources and welfare state through democratic means

'SOCIALISM' in the Preamble (added by the 42nd Amendment, 1976) reflects India's commitment to democratic socialism — ensuring equal distribution of resources, reducing inequalities, providing welfare services, and protecting workers' rights through democratic means. India's socialism is different from Soviet-style communism — India allows private enterprise and follows a mixed economy. The Supreme Court has clarified that Indian socialism is a middle path between communism and capitalism, allowing private enterprise.

Correct Answer: B. India does not have any official state religion

'SECULAR' in the Preamble (added by the 42nd Amendment, 1976) means that India does not have an official state religion. The state treats all religions equally and with respect. Indian secularism is different from Western secularism — in India, the state can intervene in religious matters to protect social welfare (e.g., temple entry, prohibition of sati). The Supreme Court has held that secularism is a basic feature of the Constitution. Citizens have the freedom to practice any religion.

Correct Answer: B. B.N. Rau

B.N. Rau (Benegal Narsing Rau) was the Constitutional Advisor to the Constituent Assembly who played an important role in drafting the Indian Constitution. He traveled to various countries including the USA, UK, Ireland, and Canada to study their constitutions. He prepared the initial draft of the Constitution and served as India's first Representative to the United Nations. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee who finalized and polished the draft.

Correct Answer: C. 299

The Constituent Assembly of India had 299 members (originally 389, reduced to 299 after partition). The Assembly was divided into Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and other communities with seats allocated based on population. The Muslim League boycotted the Assembly initially, and later members from Pakistan-controlled territory left. The Assembly met for 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days, holding 166 days of actual deliberations over 11 sessions.

Correct Answer: C. Russian Revolution of 1917

The concept of 'Justice — social, economic, and political' in the Indian Preamble was primarily inspired by the ideals of the Russian Revolution of 1917, which emphasized social and economic justice. These three dimensions of justice are different: Social justice refers to equal treatment of all citizens; Economic justice refers to elimination of economic inequalities; Political justice means equal rights to participate in the political process. This comprehensive vision of justice distinguishes the Indian Constitution from mere political charters.

Correct Answer: C. Faizpur Session 1936

The Faizpur Session of the Indian National Congress in 1936 first demanded the convening of a Constituent Assembly based on adult franchise for framing a constitution for independent India. J.B. Kripalani was the president of this session. Later, the Nehru Report (1928) had earlier outlined a constitutional framework, but it was the Faizpur demand for a Constituent Assembly that became the formal demand. This demand was finally conceded with the Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946.

Correct Answer: C. Nandalal Bose

The original copy of the Indian Constitution was hand-written in calligraphy by Prem Behari Narain Raizada. The pages of the Constitution were artistically decorated/illuminated by Nandalal Bose (a distinguished artist) and his team at Shantiniketan. Beohar Rammanohar Sinha designed and decorated certain pages. The Constitution is preserved in helium-filled cases in the Parliament Library of India. This artistic craftsmanship made the Constitution a unique document of art and governance.

Correct Answer: B. Article 19 and 25

The 'Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship' mentioned in the Preamble is primarily given effect through: Article 19(1)(a) — freedom of speech and expression (liberty of thought and expression); Article 25 — freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice and propagate religion (liberty of belief, faith and worship). Together these two articles provide the constitutional framework for the liberal freedoms mentioned in the Preamble. Understanding this constitutional provision is essential for competitive examinations and civic awareness.

Correct Answer: D. Article 32

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar called Article 32 (the right to constitutional remedies — the right to approach the Supreme Court for enforcement of Fundamental Rights) the 'heart and soul of the Constitution'. He said this because without Article 32, the Fundamental Rights would be meaningless paper guarantees. Article 32 makes Fundamental Rights enforceable through the Supreme Court by issuing writs (habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, certiorari, and quo warranto). This remark by Ambedkar has been quoted in hundreds of Supreme Court judgments.