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The Preamble's promise of 'justice, social, economic and political' has guided the Supreme Court in upholding affirmative action policies like reservation for SC/ST/OBC, recognizing that substantive ______ requires addressing historical disadvantages through reasonable classification.
- uniformity
- equality
- liberty
- fraternity
Answer: equality
Justice and affirmative action from Preamble: (a) Preamble's justice promise: Not just formal equality (treating likes alike) but substantive equality (addressing structural inequalities to achieve real equality of opportunity), (b) Substantive equality rationale: Historical disadvantage (caste discrimination, gender inequality, economic deprivation) requires differential treatment (affirmative action) to achieve real equality, (c) Constitutional operationalization: (i) Articles 15(4), 16(4): Enable reservation for SC/ST/OBC in education, employment, (ii) Indra Sawhney (1992): Upheld OBC reservation with creamy layer exclusion as substantive equality, (iii) Davinder Singh (2024): Permitted sub-classification within SCs to ensure benefits reach most marginalized, (d) Preamble's guidance: (i) Justice (social): Removing caste-based discrimination through reservation, (ii) Justice (economic): Reducing wealth disparities through affirmative action in employment, education, (iii) Justice (political): Ensuring political representation of marginalized groups through reservation in legislatures, local bodies, (e) Illustrates transformative justice: Preamble's justice promise operationalized through affirmative action; balance between formal equality and substantive measures essential for realizing constitutional vision of inclusive development.