UPSC Key: Preamble of the Constitution, Financial conditions index and Mazagon Dock's Lanka deal

Indian Express

10 hours ago

Important topics and their relevance in UPSC CSE exam for June 29, 2025. If you missed the June 28, 2025, UPSC CSE exam key from the Indian Express, read it here.
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
Mains Examination: General Studies II: Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
What's the ongoing story: The political debate on the Emergency-era inclusion of the expressions 'secular' and 'socialist' to the Preamble of the Constitution is once again heating up, but court rulings and parliamentary debates in the past have always upheld the 42nd Constitutional amendment.
Key Points to Ponder:
• Read about the Preamble of the Indian Constitution. How did the words 'socialist' and 'secular' come in the Preamble?
• Under what circumstances was the preamble amended?
• What were the key amendments introduced in the Constitution of India through the Constitution (Forty-second Amendment) Act?
• What are the provisions with regard to amendments in the Constitution?
• Know about the Citizens' Duties Awareness Programme.
• What were the amendments done by the 44th Constitutional amendment in 1978?
• Were 'secular' and 'socialist' debated before Independence?
• How is western concept of secularism different from the Indian concept?
• Read about the fundamental duties and Directive Principles of State Policy provided in the Indian Constitution.
• What is the doctrine of basic structure?
• What were Kesavananda Bharati (1973) and Minerva Mills v Union of India (1980) ruling?
Key Takeaways:
• In 1976, the Preamble was amended by the Constitution (Forty-second Amendment) Act to add the expressions. The chapter on Fundamental Duties was also introduced in the same amendment.
• In 2019, the Narendra Modi-led NDA government launched the Citizens' Duties Awareness Programme aimed at increasing awareness of the Constitution with a focus on Fundamental Duties.
• The Janata Party-led government that came to power in 1977 reversed several Emergency-era constitutional amendments with the 44th Constitutional amendment in 1978, thereby restoring civil liberties, reinstating judicial review powers, and protecting press freedom. It, however, retained the changes to the Preamble and inclusion of fundamental duties.
• Just six months ago, in November 2024, a two-judge bench led by then Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna dismissed writ petitions challenging the amendment. The bench said that the 'terms have achieved widespread acceptance, with their meanings understood by 'We, the people of India' without any semblance of doubt.'
• 'The additions to the Preamble have not restricted or impeded legislation or policies pursued by elected governments, provided such actions did not infringe upon fundamental and constitutional rights or the basic structure of the Constitution. Therefore, we do not find any legitimate cause or justification for challenging this constitutional amendment after nearly 44 years,' the ruling said.
• Even before the 42nd amendment introduced 'socialist' and 'secular' in the Preamble, a 13-judge bench in the landmark 1973 Kesavananda Bharati ruling held that secularism is a basic feature of the Constitution that cannot be done away with.
• 'The secular character of the state, according to which the state shall not discriminate against any citizen on the ground of religion only, cannot likewise be done away with,' the ruling states.
• In another landmark ruling in 1980, Minerva Mills v Union of India, which also debated more constitutional amendments made during the Emergency, the Court recognised 'socialism' was a constitutional ideal for the framers. It cited Part IV of the Constitution, which deals with Directive Principles of State Policy, a non-enforceable policy outline for the state that has several socialist ideas.
• 'We resolved to constitute ourselves into a Socialist State which carried with it the obligation to secure to our people justice —social, economic and political. We, therefore, put part IV into our Constitution containing directive principles of State policy which specify the socialistic goal to be achieved,' the ruling said.
Do You Know:
• The words 'socialist' and 'secular' from the preamble of the Indian Constitution. The two terms were inserted into the preamble as part of the 42nd Amendment of the Constitution in 1976 during the Emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
• When the Indian Constitution was being drafted, the ideals behind the preamble were first laid down in the Objectives Resolution, adopted by the Constituent Assembly in 1947. These ideals emerged out of the numerous debates that took place during the drafting of the Constitution.
• During the debates in the Constituent Assembly, members such as K T Shah and Brajeshwar Prasad had raised the demand to add these words to the preamble. However, Dr B R Ambedkar argued: 'What should be the policy of the State, how the Society should be organised in its social and economic side are matters which must be decided by the people themselves according to time and circumstances. It cannot be laid down in the Constitution itself because that is destroying democracy altogether.'
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
📍UPSC Issue at a Glance | 50 Years of Emergency: From causes to constitutional implications
📍'You don't want India to be secular?': SC asks petitioners challenging inclusion of 'secularism', 'socialism' in Preamble
📍The history and debates about 'socialist' and 'secular' in the preamble of the Constitution
Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:
(1) The Preamble to the Constitution of India is (UPSC CSE 2020)
(a) a part of the Constitution but has no legal effect
(b) not a part of the Constitution and has no legal effect either
(c) part of the Constitution and has the same legal effect as any other part
(d) a part of the Constitution but has no legal effect independently of other parts
(2) What was the exact constitutional status of India on 26th January, 1950? (UPSC CSE 2021)
(a) A Democratic Republic
(b) A Sovereign Democratic Republic
(c) A Sovereign Secular Democratic Republic
(d) A Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic
Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:
How is the Indian concept of secularism different from the western model of secularism? Discuss. (UPSC CSE 2016)
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
Mains Examination: General Studies II: Salient features of the Representation of People's Act
What's the ongoing story: The Election Commission (EC), which began its 'special intensive revision' of Bihar's electoral rolls this week, said on Saturday that out of the total 7.89 crore electors in the state, 4.96 crore, who were on the rolls as on January 1, 2003, only have to fill and submit the new enumeration form.
Key Points to Ponder:
• Read about the Election Commission of India (ECI)
• What are the constitutional provisions related to the Elections in India?
• How does the Election Commission of India manage the election process?
• Under which provision does the ECI conduct a 'Special Intensive Revision' of electoral rolls?
• What are the constitutional and legal mandates empowering the ECI to carry out Special Intensive Revision.
• What is the primary objective of the 'Special Intensive Revision' (SIR) of electoral rolls?
• Compare the SIR measures in Bihar with Assam NRC exercise.
• What can be the potential impact of SIR on electoral integrity?
• What are the challenges and implications of requiring birth date/place proof for different age cohorts during roll revision?
• How digital integration via ECINET can enhance transparency and accountability in electoral roll management.
• Election is at the core of democratic governments. Discuss factors responsible for making elections democratic in India.
Key Takeaways:
• This means that the remaining 2.93 crore or about 37 per cent of the electors will have to submit documents establishing citizenship, in addition to the form, to remain on the rolls, as per the EC order issued on June 24.
• Unlike the usual revision of the electoral roll through additions and deletions, this time, the EC is preparing the document afresh. All existing electors will have to submit the forms by July 25 in order to be included in the draft roll.
• For those who were not on the rolls in 2003 — the last time that an intensive revision was done in Bihar — and for new applicants, the EC has asked for proof of date and/or place of birth proof of self if they are born before July 1, 1987; proof of date and/or place of birth of self and one parent if born between July 1, 1987 to December 2, 2004; and proof of date and/or place of birth of self and both parents if born after December 2, 2004.
• Commenting on the start of the process, with booth-level officers (BLOs) going house-to-house to distribute forms to electors, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said: 'History begins. Proud moment for all Indians. Election Commission was, is and will always be with the voters.'
• After the EC announced the revision on June 24, Opposition parties, including the RJD, Congress, CPI (M), CPI (ML) and TMC, had raised concerns over the exercise potentially disenfranchising electors, particularly the poor, rural and minorities.
• While the EC has started the process in Bihar, where elections are due in November, it has issued the order for the whole country.
• In its statement announcing the move on June 24, the EC had cited migration and inclusion of foreigners onto the rolls as among the reasons behind the move.
• In its statement on Saturday, the EC underlined: 'The Constitution of India is supreme. All citizens, political parties and the Election Commission of India follow the Constitution. Article 326 specifies eligibility to become an elector. Only Indian citizens, above 18 years and ordinary resident in that constituency, are eligible.'
Do You Know:
• The ECI is a permanent, independent, and constitutional authority responsible for conducting free and fair elections in the Union and the States of India.
• The ECI is empowered to supervise, oversee, and manage elections to Parliament, state legislatures, and the offices of President and Vice-President of India. Since the ECI does not oversee elections to state-level urban bodies like municipalities and panchayats, there is a separate State Election Commission.
• The Constitution has the following articles (Articles 324–329) to empower the Election Commission and provide insight into the potential roles and functions of the commission.
• Article 324: The superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of the electoral rolls for, and the conduct of, all elections to Parliament and the Legislature of every state and of elections to the offices of President and Vice-President.
• Article 325: No individual to be excluded from electoral rolls on the basis of religion, race, caste, sex or any of them.
• Article 326: Adult suffrage shall be the basis for elections to the House of the People and to the Legislative Assemblies of States.
• Article 327: Parliament may, according to the provisions of this Constitution, from time to time enact laws with respect to all matters relating to elections to Parliament and Legislative Assemblies of States.
• Article 328: A state's Legislature may from time to time by law make provision with respect to all matters relating to, or in connection with, the elections to the House or either House of the Legislature.
• Article 329: The article prohibits the courts from becoming involved in electoral matters.
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
📍Starting with Bihar, fresh electoral rolls: Proof of birth date for those not in 2003 list
📍Revision of Bihar electoral rolls: Why, how
Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:
(3) Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2017)
1. The Election Commission of India is a five-member body.
2. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedule for the conduct of both general elections and bye-elections.
3. Election Commission resolves the disputes relating to splits/mergers of recognised political parties.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 3 only
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Current events of national importance and Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System.
Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Constitution of India —historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure, Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
What's the ongoing story: Chief Justice of India B R Gavai on Saturday said the Supreme Court (SC) upheld the abrogation of Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, 'so that the country is governed by only one Constitution', as envisioned by Dr B R Ambedkar. The CJI was in Nagpur for the inauguration of a 'Constitution Preamble Park' and unveiling of Ambedkar's statue at a law college.
Key Points to Ponder:
• What was article 370?
• What is the significance of the removal of Article 370?
• What was the SC judgement on Article 370?
• What are the constitutional provisions related to the formation and alteration of states?
• What are the federal and unitary features of the Indian Constitution?
• Why is Article 32 called the heart and soul of the Constitution?
• Compare the Indian model of federalism with the United States model of federalism.
• How India's federal structure balances centralisation and decentralisation.
• What are the constitutional provisions for special status to states in India? Discuss the rationale and implications of such provisions with examples.
Key Takeaways:
• The CJI was part of the five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court, led by then CJI D Y Chandrachud, that, in December 2023, upheld the Centre's decision to abrogate Article 370.
• 'When Parliament abrogated Article 370 and the challenge against it came before us, during the hearing I had referred to Dr Ambedkar's speech. He had said that in the United States of America, there is a Constitution of the federal government which governs very limited subjects and every state also has its Constitution which has more scope,' CJI Gavai said.
• 'That is why Dr Ambedkar had said that this country needs only one Constitution to keep it united. Before abrogation of Article 370, a separate Constitution for just one state was not as per Ambedkar's vision or thinking and, therefore, we unanimously upheld Parliament's decision so that the country will be governed by only one Constitution,' he said.
• 'Even though our Constitution is federal, it is not like that of America. It is federal as well as unitary at the same time. Many had alleged that the Constitution provides for excessive centralisation and that the country may not remain united during times of war. To them, Babasaheb had responded firmly, he said that the Constitution is neither overly centralised nor excessively federal. It is well-suited to meet all challenges. And he assured the nation that the Constitution will keep the country united in times of both war and peace,' the CJI said.
• Reflecting on Ambedkar's critical role in the making of the Constitution, the CJI recalled his emphasis on enforceable rights, citing Article 32 as the heart and soul of the Constitution.
• 'Babasaheb said rights mean little if there are no remedies to enforce them,' he said. 'That is why today we see Article 32 in the Constitution which we call the right to remedy in case of violation of fundamental rights, which can be directly raised before the Supreme Court. Its root lies in Ambedkar's speech on December 17, 1946,' he said, adding that Ambedkar also insisted on ensuring social and economic equality alongside political rights.
Do You Know:
• On August 5, 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the abrogation of Article 370 and end of 'special status' for the state of Jammu and Kashmir, and subsequently, Parliament used its powers under Article 3 of the Constitution, for the first time, to withdraw statehood and create two Union Territories.
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
📍Explained: Key aspects of Supreme Court's Article 370 verdict
📍Article 370 abrogation upheld: How SC answered three key questions in the government's favour
UPSC Prelims Practice Question Covering similar theme:
(4) Consider the following statements regarding Article 370 and its abrogation:
1. Article 370 granted special status to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
2. The Supreme Court upheld the abrogation of Article 370 in 2023 by a Constitution Bench decision.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:
Winning of Hearts and Minds' in terrorism-affected areas is an essential step in restoring the trust of the population. Discuss the measures adopted by the Government in this respect as part of the conflict resolution in Jammu and Kashmir. (UPSC CSE 2023)
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
Mains Examination: General Studies-II: India and its neighbourhood- relations
What's the ongoing story: A strategic move to contain China's expanding footprint in the region, a Sri Lankan SOS for bailout, and a failing Japanese firm — these were among the factors that led to the Indian government-run Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited's decision to acquire a controlling stake in Sri Lanka's Colombo Dockyard PLC under a US$ 52.96 million deal, officials have told The Indian Express.
Key Points to Ponder:
• Read about the status of India-Sri Lanka bilateral relations.
(Thought Process: The historical evolution of the India-Sri Lanka relationship, trade cooperation, challenges, and new areas of cooperation.)
• What is the neighbourhood-first policy?
• How does India's acquisition of Colombo Dockyard PLC in Sri Lanka as a strategic response to China's expanding influence in the Indian Ocean Region reflect India's maritime diplomacy?
• Read about the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision?
• Examine critically how China's control over Hambantota Port can impact India's security and foreign policy in South Asia.
• How is China's port diplomacy in Sri Lanka a challenge to India's strategic autonomy in its immediate neighbourhood?
• How can India's investment-led strategic partnerships with neighbouring countries serve as a soft power tool to counterbalance China's economic diplomacy?
• What initiatives have been taken by the government to promote the neighbourhood first policy?
• What are the recent challenges in the India-Sri Lanka relationship?
Key Takeaways:
• Announcing its decision on Friday, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) had said: 'Located in the Port of Colombo, Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC) gives MDL a strategic foothold in the Indian Ocean Region — a key maritime corridor.'
• CDPLC, listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange, is the flagship of Sri Lanka's maritime industry and serves a wide spectrum of commercial and governmental clients across Asia, Middle East and Africa. Officials from both the Sri Lankan and Indian governments worked overtime to conclude this strategic deal on Sri Lanka's largest shipyard, said sources.
• At the end of November 2024, Onomichi Dockyard exited from CDPLC. At this point, officials said, the Sri Lankan government requested the Indian government to encourage Indian investors to look at Colombo Dockyard.
• 'A few companies, with strong credentials, expressed an interest in CDPLC. As per the due process followed for a listed company, MDL was shortlisted in view of its prowess in shipbuilding as well as its financial strength. Both these aspects are key for the turnover of Colombo Dockyard,' the official said.
• MDL's decision is expected to significantly change the shipbuilding and ship repair landscape in the region. With CDPLC its first international venture, it is seen as a major milestone in the company's transformation from a purely domestic shipbuilder into a regional maritime player with global aspirations.
• The move is expected to boost the existing revenue stream from the Indian sub-continent's ship repairs. A number of orders for which potential clients are approaching MDL can be diverted to CDPLC, the official said.
• The move comes amid concerns in New Delhi over Beijing's persistent attempts to expand its strategic influence in the island nation.
• China Merchants Port Holdings holds an 85% stake in Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) and secured a 99-year lease on the Hambantota International Port (HIP) in Sri Lanka in 2017. In July 2024, CDPLC and HIPG signed an agreement to set up a full-fledged workshop at HIP.
Do You Know:
• Neighbourhood First policy guides India's relations with countries in its immediate neighbourhood. It focuses on creating mutually beneficial, people-oriented, regional frameworks for stability and prosperity through the building of physical, digital and people-to-people connectivity.
• India and Sri Lanka share a multifaceted relationship characterized by deep historical ties, economic cooperation, and strategic collaboration. The both nation continues to build upon their historical connections, focusing on economic development, defense cooperation, and cultural exchanges to foster a robust and mutually beneficial partnership.
Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:
(5) Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE, 2020)
1. The value of Indo-Sri Lanka trade has consistently increased in the last decade.
2. 'Textile and textile articles' constitute an important item of trade between India and Bangladesh.
3. In the last five years, Nepal has been the largest trading partner of India in South Asia.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:
India is an age-old friend of Sri Lanka.' Discuss India's role in the recent crisis in Sri Lanka in the light of the preceding statement. (UPSC CSE 2022)
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilisation, of resources, growth, development and employment.
What's the ongoing story: In a bid to enhance real-time monitoring of the country's financial health, a recent study by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed the construction of a Financial Conditions Index (FCI) for India with daily frequency.
Key Points to Ponder:
• What is a Financial Conditions Index (FCI)?
• How will FCI improve real-time monitoring of financial stability?
• How do financial market indicators such as G-Secs, corporate bonds, and forex influence India's financial conditions?
• What are the advantages of using a standardised Financial Conditions Index in economic analysis?
• How can FCI complement other macroeconomic indicators like inflation, interest rate trends, and growth forecasts?
• Read about the RBI and its role in the Indian economy.
Key Takeaways:
• The proposed FCI would serve as a composite indicator, designed to capture and reflect the prevailing conditions across key segments of the financial system — including the money market, government securities (G-sec), corporate bonds, equities, and the foreign exchange market.
• According to the RBI research study, the index aims to provide a high-frequency gauge of how tight or easy financial market conditions are, relative to their historical average since 2012.
• By aggregating signals from various market-based indicators, the FCI is expected to offer valuable insights into the broader financial environment, potentially aiding policymakers, analysts, and market participants in decision-making. The proposed construction marks a significant step towards improving the assessment of macro-financial dynamics in India's rapidly evolving financial landscape.
• Financial conditions continued to remain relatively easy since mid-2023 before firming up from November 2024. In the current financial year, however, it has remained congenial riding on a buoyant equity market and a money market suffused with liquidity, the study said.'The newly constructed FCI for India assesses the degree of relatively tight or easy financial market conditions with reference to its historical average since 2012.
• The FCI is based on twenty financial market indicators at daily frequency for a long period and closely tracks the turning points in financial conditions, as observed across major episodes in the sample period,' it said.
• The study said a higher positive value of the FCI is indicative of tighter financial conditions. To present our results, we use the standardised FCI. Standardisation helps in interpreting the changes in financial condition in terms of standard deviation units.
Do You Know:
• The Reserve Bank of India was established on April 1, 1935 in accordance with the provisions of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. The Central Office of the Reserve Bank was initially established in Kolkata but was permanently moved to Mumbai in 1937. Though originally privately owned, since nationalisation in 1949, the Reserve Bank is fully owned by the Government of India.
• The Preamble of the Reserve Bank of India describes the basic functions of the Reserve Bank as: 'to regulate the issue of Bank notes and keeping of reserves with a view to securing monetary stability in India and generally to operate the currency and credit system of the country to its advantage; to have a modern monetary policy framework to meet the challenge of an increasingly complex economy, to maintain price stability while keeping in mind the objective of growth.'
Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:
(6) Which of the following are the sources of income for the Reserve Bank of India? (UPSC CSE 2025)
I. Buying and selling Government bonds
II. Buying and selling foreign currency
III. Pension fund management
IV. Lending to private companies
V. Printing and distributing currency notes
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) I and II only
(b) II, III and IV
(c) I, III, IV and V
(d) I , II and V
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Roshni Yadav is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She is an alumna of the University of Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University, where she pursued her graduation and post-graduation in Political Science. She has over five years of work experience in ed-tech and media. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. Her interests lie in national and international affairs, governance, economy, and social issues. You can contact her via email: [e-mail] ... Read More