In which case did the Supreme Court reverse its earlier view and hold that the Preamble is a part of the Constitution?
- A.Berubari Union case (1960)
- B.Golaknath case (1967)
- C.LIC of India case (1995)
- D.Kesavananda Bharati case (1973)
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973). In the Berubari Union case of 1960 the Supreme Court had said that the Preamble is not a part of the Constitution, though it is a key to the minds of its makers. In Kesavananda Bharati the Court rejected that view and held that the Preamble is a part of the Constitution and can be amended, provided its basic features are not changed.
The Berubari Union case is the earlier decision that was reversed, so it cannot be the answer. The LIC of India case of 1995 came later and only reaffirmed that the Preamble is an integral part of the Constitution; it did not reverse anything. The Golaknath case of 1967 concerned Parliament's power to amend Fundamental Rights, not the status of the Preamble. The word "reverse" in the question is the clue: it points to the case that overturned Berubari, which is Kesavananda Bharati.
Read the full article: Preamble of the Indian Constitution: Notes, Keywords and PYQs
Practice Questions
View allFill in the blank using words contained in the Preamble to the Constitution of India: We, ______, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens....
- A.The Supreme Court
- B.The Indian Parliament
- C.The Central Government
- D.The People of India
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The Preamble opens with the words "We, the people of India", which name the people as the source from which the Constitution draws its authority.
Read the full explanation →Which of the following word sequences is correct as per the Preamble to the Constitution?
- A.Sovereign, secular, socialist, democratic, republic
- B.Sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic, republic
- C.Secular, democratic, secular, socialist, sovereign
- D.Socialist, secular, democratic, republic, sovereign
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This is the order in which the Preamble describes India: "a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC". Socialist and secular were inserted between sovereign and democratic by the 42nd Amendment in 1976; before that the phrase read "sovereign democratic republic".
Read the full explanation →Which among the following words were added to the Preamble in the 42nd amendment of the Indian constitution?
- A.Socialist
- B.Democratic
- C.Republic
- D.Sovereign
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The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 added three words to the Preamble: "Socialist" and "Secular" to the description of India, and "Integrity" to the phrase "unity and integrity of the Nation".
Read the full explanation →Which of the following is mentioned in the Preamble of the Constitution of India?
- A.Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship
- B.Fraternity assuring human dignity
- C.Equality of status and employment
- D.Justice, social, economic and administrative
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These are the exact words the Preamble uses for liberty, and they appear in it just as written here. Each of the other options changes one word of the real text, which is exactly how this question catches people.
Read the full explanation →The idea of the Preamble of the Indian Constitution is borrowed from the Constitution of _______.
- A.USSR (Present Russia)
- B.Canada
- C.Britain
- D.United States of America
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The idea of beginning a constitution with a preamble was borrowed from the Constitution of the USA, whose own text opens with the words "We the People".
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