Adaptive form || field pre populate

I have a queries adaptive forms. have created a drop down list. I used the process described here to pre-populate the list. : https://docs.adobe.com/docs/en/aem/6-1/develop/components/developing-forms.html#Preloading%20Form%20Fields%20with%20Multiple%20Values

This works fine in edit mode, but in preview mode, the list is shown empty. I tried a couple of things to test it... First, I tried it in geometrix, there too I see the same behavior. Second, I tried by   moving the actual list under /content/.... but still same behavior. 

Any pointers on what could be going on ?

/KS