Question

The words socialist and secular were added to the Preamble of the Constitution of India by the

• A. 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976
• B. 14th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1962
• C. 18th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1966
• D. 36th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1975

Hint:

The 42nd Amendment Act (1976) enriched the Constitution by adding "socialist" and "secular" to the Preamble, reflecting India's socio-political values.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Preamble
The Preamble of the Constitution declares the objectives and guiding principles of the Indian Republic, such as justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.
Step 2: Addition of "Socialist" and "Secular"
In 1976, during the Emergency period, the 42nd Amendment was enacted. It added the terms "socialist" and "secular" to the Preamble to emphasize India's commitment to social and economic equality and religious neutrality.
Step 3: Significance of the Amendment
- Socialist indicates the state's responsibility to reduce inequality.
- Secular highlights that India has no official religion and respects all religions equally.
Step 4: Broader Impact
This amendment reinforced the constitutional vision to build a just society where citizens enjoy equal rights and freedoms irrespective of caste, creed, or religion.