What is the correct sequence of the words mentioned in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution?

Question

What is the correct sequence of the words mentioned in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution?

1. A. Secular, Justice, Liberty, Unity and Integrity of Nation (Correct answer)
2. B. Justice, Secular, Liberty, Unity and Integrity of Nation
3. C. Liberty, Justice, Secular, Unity and Integrity of Nation
4. D. Secular, Liberty, Justice, Unity and Integrity of Nation

Correct Answer

Option A — Secular, Justice, Liberty, Unity and Integrity of Nation

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Secular, Justice, Liberty, Unity and Integrity of Nation.

Key Points

• The Preamble reads, in order: *"WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens: JUSTICE, social, economic and political; LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; EQUALITY of status and of opportunity; and to promote among them all FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation..."*
• Taking only the four words asked about, the sequence is therefore Secular → Justice → Liberty → Unity and Integrity of the Nation.
• The trap in the other options is placing Justice before Secular, or Liberty before Justice. The description of the state comes first; the objectives secured to citizens follow.

Additional Information

• **The words *Socialist*, *Secular* and *Integrity* were inserted by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976** — the only amendment ever made to the Preamble. "Unity of the Nation" became "unity and integrity of the Nation".
• The date of adoption is 26 November 1949, stated at the end of the Preamble. The Constitution came into force on 26 January 1950, chosen to commemorate the Purna Swaraj declaration of 1930.
• The Preamble is based on the Objectives Resolution, moved by Jawaharlal Nehru on 13 December 1946 and adopted on 22 January 1947.
• **In *Berubari Union* (1960) the Supreme Court held the Preamble was not part of the Constitution; in *Kesavananda Bharati* (1973) it reversed that position, holding the Preamble is part of the Constitution** and can be amended without damaging the basic structure. *LIC of India* (1995) reaffirmed this.
• The Preamble is non-justiciable — it cannot be enforced in a court of law — but it is the key to the Constitution's interpretation, and has been called its "identity card" (N.A. Palkhivala) and "the horoscope of our sovereign democratic republic" (K.M. Munshi).

Exam Tip

• Memorise the Preamble in its three blocks: source of authority (We, the People), nature of the state (Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic), and objectives (Justice, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity), closing with the date. Sequence questions are answered from that structure alone.