Which of the following words were added in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act?

The correct answer is Socialist and Secular.

Key Points

• The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, enacted in 1976, added the words "Socialist" and "Secular" to the Preamble of the Indian Constitution.
• These additions emphasized the commitment of the Indian state to uphold social equality and religious neutrality.
• The word "Socialist" reflects the aim of achieving social and economic justice through equitable distribution of wealth and resources.
• The word "Secular" signifies that India has no official state religion and guarantees freedom of religion to all its citizens.
• The amendment was introduced during the tenure of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as part of a series of changes made to strengthen the Constitution's objectives.

Additional Information

• Preamble of the Indian Constitution:
  • The Preamble outlines the guiding principles and philosophy of the Indian Constitution.
  • It declares India to be a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, and Republic.
  • The Preamble is non-justiciable, meaning it cannot be enforced in a court of law.
• 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act (1976):
  • Known as the “Mini Constitution” due to the extensive changes it brought to the Constitution.
  • It also added the words "Integrity" to the Preamble, reinforcing the unity of the nation.
  • Part IV-A (Fundamental Duties) was introduced under this amendment.
• Socialist Ideology:
  • It seeks to reduce income inequality and ensure equitable access to resources for all citizens.
  • In the Indian context, it does not imply state ownership of all means of production but a mixed economy model.
• Secularism in India:
  • Indian secularism ensures equal treatment of all religions by the state without favoring or discriminating against any religion.
  • This principle is enshrined under Articles 25 to 28 of the Indian Constitution.