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the preamble

to the constitution of india · adopted 26 november 1949
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;

IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949,
do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.
The Preamble is often called the "soul" of the Constitution. It is not enforceable in court, but it declares the intent — the vision statement that the rest of the document tries to realize.

It was drafted by the Constituent Assembly over nearly 3 years of debate. Jawaharlal Nehru's Objectives Resolution (13 Dec 1946) became its philosophical seed. B.R. Ambedkar led the Drafting Committee.

Two words were added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976, during the Emergency: "SOCIALIST" and "SECULAR". The original line read: "SOVEREIGN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC". "Integrity" was also added then, beside "unity".

The Constitution was adopted 26 November 1949 and came into effect 26 January 1950 — now celebrated as Republic Day.