Question

‘India is a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic.’ Explain.

Answer 1

Hint: Following are the words and phrases mentioned in the Preamble to the Indian Constitution which sets out the basic philosophy and values that our founding fathers believed to be the spirit of the nation. The Preamble begins by stating the source of the Constitution as “We, the people of India” and ends with enactment and adoption of the Constitution on November 26, 1949.

Complete answer: To break it down:
-“Sovereign” means that India is a free country having complete right to govern over itself without any interference from any external source. It signifies India’s departure from the status of dominion in the British Commonwealth as set up by the Indian Independence Act, 1947, to a free nation when the Constitution of India came into effect on Jan 26, 1950.
-Although the term “socialist” is nowhere defined in the Constitution, the Directive Principles of State Policy contained in Part IV have a socialist character embodying the philosophy that the welfare of the larger society shall precede the interest of the individual.
-The term “secular” implies that India is not a theocratic state and thus does not have an official religion. It also implies that religious activities or beliefs should not interfere with civic or state affairs.
-The term “democratic” conveys that the government is of the people, by the people and for the people. A democratic form of government will be responsible and representative under which those who would administer the affairs of the state would be chosen by the electorate and be accountable to them.
-The term “republic” signifies that the State shall be headed by an elected official and not a hereditary ruler. All the powers that the head of the executive enjoys are derived from the constitution and there are no ‘inherent powers’ or ‘prerogatives’.

Note: After expressing the nature of the state, the preamble declares the aims and objectives which has to be secured for every citizen in India— Justice, social, economic and political; Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; Equality of status and opportunity; and Fraternity among all assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the nation.