India is a secular state. It is clearly declared in ________
Preface
Understanding India as a Secular State
The question asks where the declaration that India is a secular state is clearly stated. This principle is a cornerstone of the Indian democracy, ensuring equality and freedom of religion for all citizens.
The Preamble: Declaration of Secularism
The most prominent and clear declaration that India is a secular state is found in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution. The Preamble serves as an introduction to the Constitution, outlining its objectives and philosophy. The term 'secular' was added to the Preamble by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976. Before this amendment, the Constitution already contained provisions promoting secularism, but the explicit term was added in 1976 to make the principle even clearer.
The Preamble states:
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...
This line explicitly includes 'SECULAR', confirming that India is a secular state.
Why other options are not the primary declaration:
- Fundamental Rights: While Fundamental Rights include the Right to Freedom of Religion (Articles 25-28), which is essential for secularism, these articles deal with individual religious freedom and the state's relationship with religion. They demonstrate the practical application of secularism but are not the overarching declaration of India as a secular state itself.
- Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP): The DPSP are guidelines for the state to follow while framing laws. They aim to establish a welfare state. Some principles might indirectly relate to social harmony or justice which aligns with secular ideals, but they do not contain a direct declaration that India is a secular state.
- Schedule: Schedules of the Constitution contain lists and tables that supplement the articles (e.g., list of states, languages, allocation of seats). They do not contain declarations about the nature of the state like secularism.
Therefore, the most accurate answer is the Preamble, as it explicitly declares that India is a secular state as part of its foundational description.
Understanding the Preamble of India is crucial for grasping the basic structure and guiding principles of the Indian Constitution.
Important Questions from Political Processes in India
Match List I and List II
List I
(Books)
List II
(Authors)
(A)
The success of India’s democracy (I)
C.P. Bhampbri (B)
Caste in Indian Politics (II)
Atul Kohli (C)
Political process in India, 1947-1991 (III)
Rajni Kothari (D)
The oxford companion to politics in India (IV)
Nirja Jayal and Pratap B. Mehta 73rd constitution Amendment Act, 1992 has stipulated the following major provisions regarding Panchayat
A. A Gram Sabha may exercise such powers and perform such functions at the village level as the legislature of a state may, by law, provide
B. A Finance Commission to be constituted every fifth year by the Governor of a state to review the financial position of the Panchayat and to make recommendations to the Governor.
C. The legislature of a state cannot endow the Panchayat with any more powers and authority for their functioning as institutions of self- Government.
D. An election to constitute a Panchayats shall be completed before the expiration of a period of six months from the date of its dissolution.
Find out the correct one with regard to Atul Kohli's distinction between pro-market and pro-business state intervention in India in 1980s:
A. Pro-business strategy mainly supports established producers
B. Pro-business strategy supports new entrants and consumers
C. Pro-market strategy supports established producers
D. Pro-market strategy supports new entrants and consumers
Arrange the following in a sequence that historically and conceptually presents the concepts of civil society.
A. It can be understood as a collective entity that springs from society and exists for specific and limited purposes
B. The concept was part of the economic and political liberalism that arose with John Locke and was celebrated by Scottish enlightenment.
C. Civil society is one among many spheres of the larger society along with family, economy, polities etc.
D. The concept found a significant place in the writings of Hegel and Marx in the 19th century.
E. The first articulation of the concept took place in the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe.
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