Key words of the Preamble
REPUBLIC - The head of the state, the president of India is an elected person and not a hereditary position.
JUSTICE - Citizens cannot be discriminated on the grounds of caste, religion and gender.
Government should work for the welfare of all, especially of the disadvantaged groups.
LIBERTY - There is no restrictions on the citizens in what they think, express their thoughts and follow up their thoughts in action.
EQUALITY - All is equal before the law. The government should ensure equal opportunity for all.
FRATERNITY - All of us should behave as if we are members of the same family. No one should treat a fellow citizen as inferior.
WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA - The constitution has been drawn up and enacted by the people through their representatives not handed over by a king or outside powers.
SOVEREIGN - People have supreme right to make decisions on internal as well as external matters. No external power can dictate the government of India.
SOCIALIST - Wealth is generated socially and should be shared equally by society. Government should reduce socio-economic inequalities.
SECULAR - Citizens have complete freedom to follow any religion. Government treats all religious beliefs and practices with equal respect.
DEMOCRATIC - A form of government where people enjoy equal political rights, elect their rulers and hold them accountable.
Institutional design
A constitution is not merely a statement of values and philosophy it is mainly about embodying these values into institutional arrangements such as Office of the Prime Minister, President, Judiciary etc. Much of the Constitutional rules are about these arrangements.
Constitutional amendments
Indian Constitution felt that it has to be in accordance with people’s aspirations and changes in society. Constitution makers made provisions to incorporate changes in the constitution from time to time. These changes are called constitutional amendments.
Apartheid: The official policy of racial separation and ill treatment of blacks followed by the government of South Africa between 1948 and 1989.
Clause: A distinct section of a document.
Constituent Assembly: An assembly of people’s representatives that writes a constitution for a country.
Constitution: Supreme law of a country, containing fundamental rules governing the politics and society in a country.
Constitutional amendment: A change in the constitution made by the supreme legislative body in a country.
Draft: A preliminary version of a legal document.
Philosophy: The most fundamental principles underlying one’s thought and actions.
Preamble: An introductory statement in a constitution which states the reasons and guiding values of the constitution.
Treason: The offence of attempting to overthrow the government of the state to which the offender owes allegiance.
Tryst: A meeting or meeting place that has been agreed upon.
The head of the state, the president of India is an elected person and not a hereditary position.
JUSTICE - Citizens cannot be discriminated on the grounds of caste, religion and gender.
Government should work for the welfare of all, especially of the disadvantaged groups.
LIBERTY - There is no restrictions on the citizens in what they think, express their thoughts and follow up their thoughts in action.
EQUALITY - All is equal before the law. The government should ensure equal opportunity for all.
FRATERNITY - All of us should behave as if we are members of the same family. No one should treat a fellow citizen as inferior.
WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA - The constitution has been drawn up and enacted by the people through their representatives not handed over by a king or outside powers.
SOVEREIGN - People have supreme right to make decisions on internal as well as external matters. No external power can dictate the government of India.
SOCIALIST - Wealth is generated socially and should be shared equally by society. Government should reduce socio-economic inequalities.
SECULAR - Citizens have complete freedom to follow any religion. Government treats all religious beliefs and practices with equal respect.
DEMOCRATIC- A form of government where people enjoy equal political rights, elect their rulers and hold them accountable.
Institutional design
A constitution is not merely a statement of values and philosophy it is mainly about embodying these values into institutional arrangements such as Office of the Prime Minister, President, Judiciary etc. Much of the Constitutional rules are about these arrangements.
Constitutional amendments
Indian Constitution felt that it has to be in accordance with people’s aspirations and changes in society. Constitution makers made provisions to incorporate changes in the constitution from time to time. These changes are called constitutional amendments.
Apartheid: The official policy of racial separation and ill treatment of blacks followed by the government of South Africa between 1948 and 1989.
Clause: A distinct section of a document.
Constituent Assembly: An assembly of people’s representatives that writes a constitution for a country.
Constitution: Supreme law of a country, containing fundamental rules governing the politics and society in a country.
Constitutional amendment: A change in the constitution made by the supreme legislative body in a country.
Draft: A preliminary version of a legal document.
Philosophy: The most fundamental principles underlying one’s thought and actions.
Preamble: An introductory statement in a constitution which states the reasons and guiding values of the constitution.
Treason: The offence of attempting to overthrow the government of the state to which the offender owes allegiance.
Tryst: A meeting or meeting place that has been agreed upon.