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Indian PolityEasyAsked in: SSC MTS · 15 Jun 2023, Shift 3

Which among the following words were added to the Preamble in the 42nd amendment of the Indian constitution?

  1. A.Socialist
  2. B.Democratic
  3. C.Republic
  4. D.Sovereign

Correct answer

A. Socialist

Explanation

The correct answer is Socialist. The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 added three words to the Preamble: "Socialist" and "Secular" to the description of India, and "Integrity" to the phrase "unity and integrity of the Nation". It is the only amendment ever made to the Preamble.

Democratic, Republic and Sovereign were all in the Preamble from the start: as adopted on 26 November 1949, it described India as a "sovereign democratic republic". That is why they are wrong here. Questions on this amendment come in several forms: which word was added, which word was not added, or how many words were added. Keep all three in mind together: Socialist, Secular and Integrity, added in 1976. A related fact worth linking is the Kesavananda Bharati case of 1973, which had held three years earlier that the Preamble is part of the Constitution and can be amended without changing its basic features.

Read the full article: Preamble of the Indian Constitution: Notes, Keywords and PYQs

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Q1.Indian PolityAsked in: RRB NTPC · 14 Jun 2022, Shift 2Easy

Fill in the blank using words contained in the Preamble to the Constitution of India: We, ______, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens....

  1. A.The Supreme Court
  2. B.The Indian Parliament
  3. C.The Central Government
  4. D.The People of India
Show answer
Correct answer: D. The People of India

The Preamble opens with the words "We, the people of India", which name the people as the source from which the Constitution draws its authority.

Q2.Indian PolityAsked in: SSC CHSL · 10 Jul 2024, Shift 3Medium

Which of the following word sequences is correct as per the Preamble to the Constitution?

  1. A.Sovereign, secular, socialist, democratic, republic
  2. B.Sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic, republic
  3. C.Secular, democratic, secular, socialist, sovereign
  4. D.Socialist, secular, democratic, republic, sovereign
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic, republic

This is the order in which the Preamble describes India: "a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC". Socialist and secular were inserted between sovereign and democratic by the 42nd Amendment in 1976; before that the phrase read "sovereign democratic republic".

Q3.Indian PolityAsked in: SSC CGL · 27 Jul 2023, Shift 1Medium

Which of the following is mentioned in the Preamble of the Constitution of India?

  1. A.Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship
  2. B.Fraternity assuring human dignity
  3. C.Equality of status and employment
  4. D.Justice, social, economic and administrative
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship

These are the exact words the Preamble uses for liberty, and they appear in it just as written here. Each of the other options changes one word of the real text, which is exactly how this question catches people.