RAS question
The words 'fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual' in the Preamble emphasize:
Correct answer: (D) Spirit of brotherhood among all citizens and respect for individual dignity.
The Preamble's phrase "fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual" emphasises a spirit of brotherhood among all citizens along with respect for each person's dignity.
Explanation
The phrase is not about one isolated value; it links citizens' mutual fraternity with the dignity of the individual. The official text of the Preamble says India secures justice, liberty and equality, and then promotes fraternity "assuring the dignity of the individual" and the unity and integrity of the Nation. That makes option D the best answer: fraternity is a civic bond among all citizens, while dignity is the constitutional respect owed to each person. Dignity also connects with Article 21's right to life and personal liberty, understood as the right to live with dignity, and with Fundamental Duties, where citizens are asked to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Economic equality is only one part of the Preamble's wider constitutional values and does not capture fraternity or individual dignity.
- (B) Political rights do not exhaust the phrase, which speaks to civic brotherhood and respect for the dignity of every individual.
- (C) Religious harmony is related to fraternity, but the Preamble's phrase is broader because it covers all citizens and individual dignity, not only inter-religious harmony.
Concept
This tests the Preamble as a source of constitutional values, especially fraternity, dignity and national unity. RAS repeatedly asks such terms because they connect bare constitutional text with rights, duties and governance ethics.