Maharashtra Board Class 7 Civics Chapter 2 Preamble to the Constitution PDF Download

Preamble To The Constitution

Our Constitution is the fundamental and the highest law of the land. There are definite aims or purposes in making any law. Basic provisions in the law are made after clarifying these objectives. A systematic arrangement of all the aims and objectives of a law is the Preface to the law. The Preface to the Indian Constitution is called the Preamble. The Preamble sets out the objectives of our Constitution.

India into a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic. We shall now understand the meaning of each of these terms.

Sovereign State

India was ruled by Britain for a long period. The British rule ended on 15th August 1947. Our country became independent. India became sovereign. We are now free to take decisions as we think fit in our own country. The word sovereign means that a State is not under the control of a foreign power.

The most important goal of our freedom struggle was to acquire sovereignty. Sovereignty means the ultimate authority to govern yourself. In a democracy, sovereignty rests with the people. The people elect their representatives and grant them the permission to exercise sovereign authority on their behalf. Thus the Constitution reflects the principle of popular sovereignty and the government elected by the people makes laws on behalf of the people.

Teacher's Note

India was ruled by British people for 200 years. On 15th August 1947, we became free and sovereign. Now India makes its own decisions like Aadhaar card is made by Indians only.

Exam Trick

Sovereign means the country is free. Remember: Free bird = Sovereign nation. India is like a free bird after 1947.

Points To Remember

Sovereign means free from foreign control.
India became sovereign on 15th August 1947.
In democracy, sovereignty rests with the people.
People elect representatives to make laws.

Socialist State

A Socialist State is such a State where the gap between the rich and the poor is minimum. All have a right over the wealth of the country. It is ensured that wealth is not concentrated in the hands of a few people.

Teacher's Note

In a socialist state, rich people should help poor people. Like in your family, if one brother has more money, he shares with other brothers.

Exam Trick

Socialist = less gap between rich and poor. Think of it like sharing toys equally with all friends in class.

Points To Remember

Socialist state has less gap between rich and poor.
All people have right over country's wealth.
Wealth should not go to only few people.
Government helps poor people get jobs.

Secular State

The Preamble states secularism as one of our goals. In a secular State, all religions are considered as equal.

No one religion is considered to be the State religion. The citizens are free to follow their own religion. State cannot discriminate among citizens on the basis of religion.

Teacher's Note

In India, we have Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh temples and mosques. All are equal. Government does not say one religion is better than other.

Exam Trick

Secular = all religions equal. Remember: Secular India = Many religions, One respect for all.

Points To Remember

In secular state, all religions are equal.
No religion is state religion in India.
People are free to follow any religion.
Government cannot discriminate based on religion.
We respect all faiths in secular state.

Democratic State

In a democracy, the sovereign power is in the hands of the people. Government makes decisions and draws up policies in keeping with the people's wishes. Government has to take important financial, social and other decisions to promote common welfare. All the people are not able to come together and take such decisions on a day-to-day basis. Therefore, elections are conducted after a fixed period when voters elect their representatives. These representatives sit in the institutions created by the Constitution like the Parliament or Legislature and the Executive. They take decisions for the entire population as per the procedure laid down by the Constitution.

Teacher's Note

In democracy, common people choose their leaders through voting. Like in your class, students vote to choose a class monitor who represents them.

Exam Trick

Democracy = power in people's hands. Remember: Democracy = People choose their leaders through voting, not kings or queens rule.

Points To Remember

Democracy means power with the people.
People elect representatives through voting.
Government makes decisions for welfare.
Elections are held after fixed period.
Representatives sit in Parliament or Legislature.

Republic

Along with being a democracy, we are a Republic. All public positions in a Republic are elected by the people. No public position is occupied on the basis of hereditary succession.

The positions like the President, the Prime Minister, the Governor, the Chief Minister, the Mayor, the Sarpanch, etc. are public positions. Any Indian citizen fulfilling the prescribed age criterion can get himself/herself elected to any of these positions. In a monarchy, these positions may be occupied by members of a single family following the principle of heredity.

Teacher's Note

In India, anyone can become President if they are qualified. In monarchy, only king's son becomes king. India is a republic, not a monarchy.

Exam Trick

Republic = elected leaders, no kings. Remember: Republic = Anyone can become leader through voting, not through birth in royal family.

Points To Remember

In republic, all positions are elected by people.
No position goes by birth or family rule.
Any qualified citizen can become President.
Republic is different from monarchy.
Leaders are chosen, not born into power.

Justice, Liberty And Equality

The Preamble has guaranteed the Indian citizens the three values of Justice, Liberty and Equality. It has enjoined upon the Indian citizens to practise these values and make laws in keeping with these values. Let us understand these values:

Justice

Justice implies removal of injustice and ensuring that everybody has the opportunity for progress. Establishing justice is adopting such policies that will promote public good. Three types of justice are talked of in the Preamble. They are as follows:

Social Justice

There should be no discrimination among individuals on the basis of caste, creed, race, language, region, place of birth or sex. As human beings, all have the right to the same dignity and respect, the same status.

Economic Justice

Poverty leads to the evils of hunger, hunger-deaths or malnourishment. If poverty is to be eradicated, everyone should have the right to a source of livelihood so as to look after oneself and one's family. Our Constitution has given this right to every citizen without any discrimination.

Political Justice

We have adopted universal adult franchise to enable equal participation in the running of the country. Accordingly, all citizens completing 18 years of age have the right to vote in elections.

Teacher's Note

Justice means treating everyone fairly. Like in your school, all students get same uniform and education, no discrimination.

Exam Trick

Justice = fair treatment for all. Remember three types: Social justice = no caste discrimination, Economic justice = right to earn, Political justice = right to vote after 18 years.

Points To Remember

Social justice means no discrimination based on caste or sex.
Economic justice gives people right to earn livelihood.
Political justice gives voting rights at age 18.
All should have equal opportunity for progress.
Justice removes unfair treatment from society.

Liberty

Liberty implies that there should be no coercive, unfair restrictions upon us and that there should be an atmosphere conducive to the development of our inherent capacities. In a democracy, citizens enjoy liberty. In fact, democracy becomes mature only if citizens enjoy freedom.

Freedom of thought and expression is the most fundamental freedom for an individual. Everyone is free to express their own views and opinions. A give and take of ideas enhances the spirit of cooperation and unity amongst us. Similarly, it also enables us to understand the various dimensions of any problem. The liberty of belief, faith and worship implies religious freedom. Every Indian citizen is free to act as per the teachings of their religion or the religion of their choice. It implies the freedom of celebrating the festivals and the freedom of faith and worship.

Teacher's Note

Liberty means freedom to do things. You can speak your thoughts in school, celebrate your festival at home. Government will not stop you.

Exam Trick

Liberty = freedom. Remember: Liberty = freedom to speak, freedom to worship, freedom to celebrate festivals. But freedom with responsibility only.

Points To Remember

Liberty means freedom without unfair restrictions.
Everyone is free to express views and opinions.
Religious freedom is a fundamental liberty.
People can celebrate their festivals freely.
Freedom helps develop our abilities.

Equality

The Preamble guarantees the Indian citizens an equality of status and of opportunity.

It means that all have equal human status and there will be no discrimination based on caste, creed, race, sex, place of birth, etc. The guarantee of equal status means not to discriminate between people in terms of high-low, superior-inferior. The Preamble has given great importance to equality of opportunity as well. All will get the opportunities for development without any discrimination.

Teacher's Note

Equality means treating everyone same. A rich child and poor child should get same education and respect in school. No one is superior or inferior.

Exam Trick

Equality = same treatment for all. Remember: Equality of status = no high-low feelings, Equality of opportunity = same chances to grow for all.

Points To Remember

Equality means all have same human status.
No discrimination based on caste, race or sex.
Equality of opportunity means same chances for all.
Rich and poor should get equal respect.
All can develop themselves equally.

Fraternity

The Preamble to our Constitution refers to a unique ideal or principle. It is the goal of promoting fraternity among the citizens and to assure the dignity of the individual. The makers of the Constitution believed that merely guaranteeing justice, freedom and equality would not lead to establishing equality in Indian society. No amount of laws would help us achieve these goals if fraternity is lacking among Indians. Hence the promotion of fraternity has been included in the Preamble as a goal. Fraternity implies a we-feeling towards one another. It creates a feeling of empathy. People become more understanding towards each others' problems and needs.

Fraternity is closely related to human dignity. Human dignity implies equal respect to each individual as a human being. It does not depend upon the criteria of caste, creed, race, sex, language, etc. Just as we would like to be treated with dignity and respect by others, we should also treat others with the same dignity and respect.

When every individual respects another and honours their freedom and rights, dignity of the individual will get established. In such an atmosphere, fraternity will grow automatically. The task of bringing about a new society based on the values of justice and equality will be facilitated. The Preamble to the Constitution of India guides us to this very goal.

Teacher's Note

Fraternity means brotherhood and sisterhood. When all people feel like one family and care for each other, that is fraternity. Like students in school care for each other.

Exam Trick

Fraternity = we-feeling and empathy. Remember: Fraternity = feeling like one big family where everyone cares and respects everyone else.

Points To Remember

Fraternity means we-feeling towards one another.
It creates empathy and understanding among people.
Fraternity is linked to human dignity.
When people respect each other, fraternity grows.
Justice, equality and fraternity together build good society.

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