Question

The expression "Socialist” was introduced in the Preamble of Indian Constitution by which amendment ?
1. 42nd amendment
2. 44th Amendment
3. 46th Amendment
4. 74th Amendment
5. None of the above/More than one of the above

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : 42nd amendment

The correct answer is the 42nd amendment.

• The expression "Socialist” was introduced in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution by the 42nd amendment.
• 42nd amendment:
  • The Amendment was meant to enhance enormously the strength of the Government.
  • The major Amendments made in the Constitution by the 42nd Amendment Act are Preamble The characterization of India as ‘Sovereign Democratic Republic’ has been changed to ‘Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic.
  • The words ‘Unity of the nation’ has been changed to ‘Unity and integrity of the nation’.
  • Parliament and State Legislatures: The life of the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies was extended from 5 to 6 years.
  • Executive: It amended Article 74 to State explicitly that the President shall act in accordance with the advice of the Council of Ministers in the discharge of his functions.

• 44th Amendment:
  • Amendment to negate judicial pronouncements on scope and applicability on Sales Tax.
  • Amend articles 269, 286 and 366.
  • Amend the seventh schedule.
• 46th Amendment:
  • Provided for disqualification of members of Parliament and state legislatures on the ground of defection and added a new Tenth Schedulecontaining the details in this regard.
  • To stop defection and the politics of ‘Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram’.
  • The 46th Amendment of the Constitution made it possible for the State to levy sales Sales Tax on the price of the goods and materials used in works contracts as if there was a sale of such goods and materials.
  • By the 46th Amendment a new clause, namely clause (29A) was introduced in Art. 366 of the Constitution.
• 74th Amendment:
  • Granted constitutional status and protection to the urban local bodies.
  • For this purpose, the Amendment has added a new Part IX-A entitled ‘the municipalities’.
  • A new Twelfth Schedule containing 18 functional items of the municipalities.
  • The constitution 74th Amendment Act 1992, relating to Municipalities (Urban local Government) was passed by the parliament in 1992.
  • The Act seeks to provide a common framework for the structure and mandate of urban local bodies to enable them to function as effective democratic units of Local Self Government.