The Preamble is the shortest part of the Constitution and the most quoted, and the two facts are related. It is easy to learn and it sounds like a summary, so it is used as one. The Supreme Court has been more careful. It has treated the Preamble as a key to the mind of the makers, to be turned when the text is ambiguous, and it has refused to let it override the text when the text is clear.
Two positions#
In Berubari Union, 1960, the Court held that the Preamble is not a part of the Constitution and confers no substantive power. In Kesavananda Bharati, 1973, it reversed the first half: the Preamble is a part of the Constitution, and it can be amended under Article 368, though not so as to destroy the basic features it announces. The second half stands. The Preamble still confers no power and creates no right.
The 1976 additions#
The 42nd Amendment inserted “socialist”, “secular” and “integrity”. They are the only words ever added to the Preamble, and the only amendment to it. An answer that calls the Preamble “unamendable” has forgotten 1976.
This is a design specimen, not published writing; the law stated is standard and the framing is the author’s own.