Which among the following words were inserted in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution by the 42nd Constitution Amendment?

Question

Which among the following words were inserted in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution by the 42nd Constitution Amendment?

1. Socialist

2. Secular

3. Sovereign

4. Republic

Select the correct answer from the code given below:

1. A. 1 and 3
2. B. 3 and 4
3. C. 2 and 3
4. D. 1 and 2 (Correct answer)

Correct Answer

Option D — 1 and 2

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is 1 and 2.

Key Points

• The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 — the "Mini Constitution" — inserted three words into the Preamble: Socialist, Secular and Integrity.
• 1. Socialist ✓ and 2. Secular ✓ were inserted by it.
• 3. Sovereign ✗ and 4. Republic ✗ were part of the original Preamble adopted in 1949.
• Hence option (d).

Additional Information

• The Preamble now describes India as a "Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic" and mentions "unity and integrity of the Nation".
• The Preamble has been amended only once — by the 42nd Amendment. In Kesavananda Bharati (1973) the Supreme Court held that the Preamble is a part of the Constitution and can be amended, but not so as to destroy its basic structure — overruling Berubari Union (1960), which had held it was not a part of the Constitution.
• The Preamble is not enforceable in a court of law but is used to interpret ambiguous provisions.
• Other major changes by the 42nd Amendment: Fundamental Duties (Part IV A), addition of education, forests, wildlife and weights and measures to the Concurrent List, and creation of All India Judicial Service. Much of its excess was reversed by the 44th Amendment, 1978.