Question map
Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Preamble of the Indian Constitution? 1. The Preamble by itself is not enforceable in a Court of Law. 2. The Preamble states the objectives which the Constitution seeks to establish and promote. 3. The Preamble indicates the source from which the Constitution derives its authority. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Explanation
The Preamble of the Indian Constitution serves as a foundational document with three primary functions. First, it indicates the source of authority, stating that the Constitution derives its power from 'the people of India' [1]. Second, it explicitly outlines the objectives the Constitution seeks to establish and promote, specifically justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity [1]. Third, regarding its legal status, the Preamble is non-justiciable, meaning its provisions are not enforceable in a court of law by themselves. While it is not an independent source of substantive rights or powers, it remains a vital tool for constitutional interpretation, acting as a 'key to the minds of the makers' when ambiguity arises in other provisions. Since all three statements correctly describe the Preamble's nature, source of authority, and legal enforceability, option 1 is the correct choice.
Sources
- [1] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 5: Preamble of the Constitution > INGREDIENTS OF THE PREAMBLE > p. 42