Q. Which among the following words were inserted in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution by the 42nd Constitution Amendment ?
1. Socialist
2. Secular
3. Sovereign
4. Republic
Select the correct answer from the code given below :
a) 1 and 3
b) 3 and 4
c) 2 and 3
d) 1 and 2
Correct Answer: d) 1 and 2
Question from UPPSC Prelims 2025
Explanation:
The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 inserted the words ‘Socialist’ and ‘Secular’ into the Preamble, changing ‘Sovereign Democratic Republic’ to ‘Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic.’ It also added ‘and integrity’ to the phrase ‘unity of the Nation.’ ‘Sovereign’ and ‘Republic’ were already part of the original Preamble (1950) and were not inserted by the 42nd Amendment.
– Option 1 (1 and 3): Incorrect; ‘Sovereign’ was original, not inserted.
– Option 2 (3 and 4): Incorrect; both ‘Sovereign’ and ‘Republic’ were original.
– Option 3 (2 and 3): Incorrect; includes ‘Sovereign,’ which was original.
– Option 4 (1 and 2): Correct; ‘Socialist’ and ‘Secular’ were added by the 42nd Amendment.
