Which of the following was done by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act?

📘 Explanation / व्याख्या:

The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 added the words “Socialist” and “Secular” to the Preamble of the Indian Constitution. It also changed the phrase “unity of the nation” to “unity and integrity of the nation.”

This amendment was passed during the Emergency period (1975–77) under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and is often called the “Mini-Constitution” because it made extensive changes to the Constitution.

42वें संविधान संशोधन अधिनियम, 1976 द्वारा संविधान की प्रस्तावना (Preamble) में “समाजवादी” और “धर्मनिरपेक्ष” शब्द जोड़े गए। साथ ही “राष्ट्र की एकता” को बदलकर “राष्ट्र की एकता और अखंडता” किया गया।

यह संशोधन आपातकाल (1975–77) के दौरान प्रधानमंत्री इंदिरा गांधी के कार्यकाल में पारित किया गया था। इसे “लघु संविधान (Mini-Constitution)” भी कहा जाता है।

🌟 Extra Facts / अतिरिक्त तथ्य:

1️⃣ Other Important Changes by 42nd Amendment

• Added Fundamental Duties (Part IVA, Article 51A)

• Curtailed the powers of the Judiciary

• Extended the term of Lok Sabha and State Assemblies from 5 to 6 years (later reversed by 44th Amendment)

• Strengthened the Directive Principles over Fundamental Rights

2️⃣ Why Called Mini-Constitution?

Because it made far-reaching amendments to many parts of the Constitution including:

• Preamble

• Fundamental Rights

• Directive Principles

• Parliament and Judiciary powers

❌ Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

• ❌ Reduced voting age from 21 to 18 years → Done by 61st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1988

• ❌ Anti-defection law → Introduced by 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1985

• ❌ Fixed size of Council of Ministers → Done by 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003

🧠 Memory Trick:

• 42 = “Socialist + Secular + Duties”