Correct option is D
- The Forty-second Amendment Act of 1976 brought significant changes to the Preamble of the Indian Constitution. It inserted the words 'Socialist' and 'Secular', making India a Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic.
- The amendment aimed to reflect the social and economic justice sought by the Constitution, and emphasized the secular nature of the Indian state, meaning that the state does not favor any religion.
Additional Information:
- Prior to the Forty-second Amendment, the Preamble read:
"We, the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a Sovereign Democratic Republic..."
After the amendment, the Preamble included:
"We, the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic..." - This change was a response to the socio-political climate of the time and reflected the goals of the Indian government in promoting a more inclusive and egalitarian society.
Other Options:
- Justice, social: Justice, social, was already present in the Preamble before the Forty-second Amendment.
- Fraternity assuring dignity: This phrase exists in the Preamble as part of the commitment to "Fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity of the nation", but it was not introduced by the Forty-second Amendment.
- Liberty of thought: Liberty of thought, though a key concept in the Constitution, was not specifically added by the Forty-second Amendment.
