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

Correct option is C

The correct answer is (C) Addition of the word secular in the Preamble.

Explanation:
The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976 introduced significant changes to the Constitution, one of the key modifications being the addition of the word "secular" in the Preamble. This amendment strengthened India's commitment to religious equality and freedom by ensuring that the state would not favor any religion.

Information Booster:

• Secularism: The insertion of the word "secular" reaffirmed that India is a country that ensures religious freedom for all its citizens, treating all religions equally.

• The 42nd Amendment also brought about other changes, such as increasing the powers of the executive and making certain Directive Principles justiciable.

• This amendment is one of the most impactful in India's constitutional history, as it marked a shift towards modernizing the Constitution in line with evolving democratic principles.

Additional Knowledge:

• Lowering the voting age from 21 to 18: This change was made by the 61st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1988, enabling 18-year-olds to vote and participate more actively in the democratic process.

• Introducing the anti-defection law: The 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1985, introduced the anti-defection law, aimed at ensuring political stability and preventing elected representatives from switching parties at will.

• Limiting the size of the Council of Ministers: The 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003 introduced provisions to cap the number of ministers, improving governance and accountability in both central and state governments.