Reviewed case brief

In Re: The Berubari Union and Exchange of Enclaves

AIR 1960 SC 845

AIR 1960 SC 845 · Supreme Court of India (Presidential Reference under Article 143)

preamblearticle-143cession-of-territoryarticle-368presidential-reference
Court
Supreme Court of India (Presidential Reference under Article 143)
Year
1960
Subjects
Constitutional Law I
Reviewed
2026-08-02

Rule established

The Preamble is not a part of the Constitution and is not enforceable in a court of law, though it can be used as an aid to interpretation when the language of a provision is ambiguous; cession of Indian territory to a foreign state requires a constitutional amendment under Article 368, not merely ordinary legislation.

Facts

    Issues

      Held

        Ratio decidendi

        How to use it in an exam

        Editorial source

        AIR 1960 SC 845; standard casebook authority on Preamble's legal status

        Educational summary only. Read the reported judgment or an authorised law report before relying on the case professionally.