No Plan to Remove ‘Socialist’ and ‘Secular’ from Preamble, Says Union Law Minister

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal told Parliament that the government has no plan to remove the words "socialist" and "secular" from the Constitution's Preamble.

Addressing concerns about social groups pushing for their removal, Meghwal clarified such debates do not reflect official policy.

He referred to the Supreme Court’s 2024 judgment in Dr. Balram Singh v. Union of India, which upheld the 42nd Amendment that added these terms in 1976.

The Court affirmed that they form part of the Constitution’s basic structure, symbolising equality and social justice. No legal or constitutional process has been initiated to amend or drop these words.