Which constitutional amendment is known as “Mini Constitution”?

🟢 Explanation

The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 is often called the “Mini Constitution” because it brought the most extensive changes to the Constitution of India.

Key changes included:

• Increased the tenure of Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies from 5 to 6 years.

• Introduced Fundamental Duties for citizens (Part IV-A).

• Strengthened the Directive Principles of State Policy, giving them precedence over Fundamental Rights in case of conflict.

• Added words like “Socialist” and “Secular” to the Preamble.

It was enacted during the Emergency period (1975–77) under Indira Gandhi.

🟢 व्याख्या

42वें संविधान संशोधन अधिनियम, 1976 को “लघु संविधान” (Mini Constitution) कहा जाता है क्योंकि इसने भारत के संविधान में सबसे व्यापक परिवर्तन किए।

मुख्य बदलाव:

• लोकसभा और राज्य विधानसभाओं के कार्यकाल को 5 से 6 वर्ष बढ़ाया।

• नागरिकों के लिए मौलिक कर्तव्य (Fundamental Duties) पेश किए (भाग IV-A)।

• राज्य नीति के निर्देशक सिद्धांतों (Directive Principles) को प्राथमिकता दी।

• संविधान की प्रस्तावना में “सामाजिकवादी” और “धर्मनिरपेक्ष” शब्द जोड़े।

यह अधिनियम आपातकाल (1975–77) के दौरान Indira Gandhi के नेतृत्व में लागू किया गया था।

⭐ Extra Facts / अतिरिक्त तथ्य

🔹 The 42nd Amendment also restricted judicial review, giving Parliament more power.
🔹 It is considered one of the most controversial amendments in Indian constitutional history.
🔹 Later amendments like the 44th Amendment (1978) reversed some changes made by the 42nd Amendment.