UPSC Mains 2016 · GS II · Q5 · 12.5 marks · 200 words

Discuss each adjective attached to the word ‘Republic’ in the ‘Preamble’. Are they defendable in the present circumstances ?

हिन्दी में

‘उद्देशिका (प्रस्तावना)’ में शब्द ‘गणराज्य’ के साथ जुड़े प्रत्येक विशेषण पर चर्चा कीजिए । क्या वर्तमान परिस्थितियों में वे प्रतिरक्षणीय हैं ?

Constitution and Basic Structure

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “To what extent, in your opinion, have the ideals of the Preamble been realised in the country's 75-year constitutional journey?”

Ujjwal PriyankAIR 10 · CSE 2025 · 107 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a quotation

According to N. Palkhiwala, the Preamble is the political horoscope of India.

In the 75-year of journey when constitution was adopted and enforced, the preamble has played significant role: However there have been challenges too in realising the ideals of preamble.

Body · points and prose

te due to socialist inclusive growth model. -> 2. Promoting secularism "Sarv dharm Sambhav" -> 3. Justice through affirmative action -> 4. Ensuring equality of opportunities through Standup India, PM JANMAN etc.

However there have been challenges too in realising the ideals of preamble.

  1. Issues of communalism and ethnic violence -> threaten fraternity and integrity.

  2. Marginalisation of underprivileged due to differential access to opportunity Eg: 67000 cases registered under SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in 2024.

  3. Lack of political justice.

Close · a summary

Eg: only 13.6% women MP in 18th lok Sabha

The Preamble is an intrinsic part of constitution that provides the access to the mind of constitution makers.

3 more toppers’ answers to this question, part by part, and how they all approached it: open the question.

Toppers’ answers to other close questions

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2016, General Studies Paper II, Q5. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.