Question

Choose the correct statement(s) regarding the 42nd Constitutional Amendment:

i. It added the words “Socialist,” “Secular,” and “Integrity” to the Preamble of the Indian Constitution.

ii. It reduced the tenure of the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies from 5 years to 4 years.

• A. Only i
• B. Only ii
• C. Both i and ii
• D. Neither i nor ii

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Only i

42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976

• Often referred to as the 'Mini-Constitution', this amendment was enacted during the Emergency period under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
• It significantly altered several provisions of the Constitution, aiming to strengthen the Parliament's power and assert the Directive Principles of State Policy over Fundamental Rights.
• Statement (i) is correct: This amendment famously inserted the words 'Socialist', 'Secular', and 'Integrity' into the Preamble of the Indian Constitution. These additions aimed to reinforce the ideals of social justice, religious tolerance, and national unity.
• Statement (ii) is incorrect: The 42nd Amendment actually increased the tenure of the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies from 5 years to 6 years, not reduced it to 4 years. This extension was temporary and was later reversed by the 44th Amendment Act, 1978, which restored the original term of 5 years.
• Other key changes introduced by the 42nd Amendment include:
  • Adding a new Part IV-A containing Fundamental Duties.
  • Empowering the Parliament to amend any part of the Constitution, including Fundamental Rights (though this was later curtailed by the Supreme Court in the Kesavananda Bharati case).
  • Making President bound by the advice of the Council of Ministers.
  • Transferring subjects from the State List to the Concurrent List.