Question

Which Amendment added the word 'secular' in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution?
1. 41^st Amendment
2. 42^nd Amendment
3. 43^rd Amendment
4. 44^th Amendment

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : 42^nd Amendment

The ‘Preamble’ of the Constitution of India is a brief introductory statement that sets out the guiding purpose and principles of the document, and it indicates the source from which the document which derives its authority, meaning, the people.

• It was adopted on 26 November 1949 by the Constituent Assembly of India and came into effect on 26th January 1950.
• After the 42nd amendment, three new terms "Socialist, Secular, and Integrity" were added to the Preamble.
  • 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 is one of the most important amendments to the Indian Constitution.
  • It was enacted by the Indian National Congress headed by Indira Gandhi then.
  • Due to the large number of amendments this act has brought to the Indian Constitution, it is also known as the ‘Mini-Constitution.’ 
• Only one time the Preamble was amended in 1976 till date.

Thus, it is clear that through 42nd Amendment the word 'secular' is added in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution.

• 41st  amendment act- Chairman and members of the State Public Service Commission's retiring age changed from 60 to 62 years(article 316).
• 43rd Amendment act- 
  • Deprived parliament to make law for anti-nationalist.
  • Restoring judicial reviews and writs of SC and HC.
• 44th amendment act- Right to property, not a fundamental right. It has been shifted from Article 31 to 300A.