Preamble to Indian Constitution — MCQs

All questions with answers and explanations

Read the full set here, or use the practice card above to test yourself one question at a time.

1. The Preamble to the Indian Constitution is derived from which document?

   • The Government of India Act, 1935
   • The Objectives Resolution (correct answer)
   • The Indian Independence Act, 1947
   • The Cripps Mission proposals

   Explanation. The Preamble is drawn from the Objectives Resolution moved by Jawaharlal Nehru on 13 December 1946.

2. Which words were added to the Preamble by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976?

   • "Sovereign" and "Democratic"
   • "Justice" and "Liberty"
   • "Socialist" and "Secular" (correct answer)
   • "Republic" and "Equality"

   Explanation. The 42nd Amendment inserted "Socialist" and "Secular," and changed "unity of the Nation" to "unity and integrity of the Nation."

3. According to In Re: The Berubari Union (1960), what is the legal status of the Preamble?

   • It is directly enforceable in court
   • It is not a part of the Constitution and not directly enforceable (correct answer)
   • It overrides all other constitutional provisions
   • It has no interpretive value at all

   Explanation. Berubari Union held the Preamble is not part of the Constitution and not directly enforceable, though it remains a key interpretive aid.

4. How did Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973) change the position on the Preamble?

   • It held the Preamble could never be amended
   • It held the Preamble is part of the Constitution and can be amended subject to the basic structure doctrine (correct answer)
   • It removed the Preamble from the Constitution
   • It made the Preamble directly enforceable like a Fundamental Right

   Explanation. Kesavananda Bharati overruled Berubari on this point — the Preamble IS part of the Constitution and can be amended, subject to the basic structure doctrine.

5. What are the four ideals declared in the Preamble?

   • Sovereignty, Socialism, Secularism, Democracy
   • Justice, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity (correct answer)
   • Unity, Integrity, Dignity, Republic
   • Peace, Progress, Prosperity, Freedom

   Explanation. The Preamble's four ideals are Justice, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.

6. The word "Republic" in the Preamble signifies that:

   • India has a hereditary monarch
   • The head of State is elected, not hereditary (correct answer)
   • India has no head of State
   • India follows a presidential system like the USA

   Explanation. "Republic" means the head of State is elected, directly or indirectly, for a fixed term, rather than being a hereditary monarch.