2021 GS Paper I, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2021 · GS Paper I
Question 93: Polity and Governance
What was the exact constitutional status of India on 26th January, 1950?
aA Democratic Republic
bA Sovereign Democratic Republic
cA Sovereign Secular Democratic Republic
dA Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
On 26 January 1950 India was a Sovereign Democratic Republic, which is the wording of the Preamble as adopted in 1949. The words Socialist and Secular were added to the Preamble only by the 42nd Amendment in 1976. So the exact status on that date was a Sovereign Democratic Republic. Remember: Socialist and Secular came in 1976.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong: it omits sovereign, which the Preamble includes.
- (b) Right: this was the original Preamble wording.
- (c) Wrong: Secular was added in 1976.
- (d) Wrong: Socialist and Secular were added in 1976.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2021, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.