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

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  1. Limiting the size of Council of Ministers. 
  2. Lowering the voting age from 21 to 18
  3. Addition of word secular in the Preamble
  4. Introducing the anti-defection law. 

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : Addition of word secular in the Preamble
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Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is Option 3.

Key Points

  • The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 added the words "Socialist," "Secular," and "Integrity" to the Preamble of the Indian Constitution.
  • It is also referred to as the “Mini Constitution” due to the extensive changes it introduced.
  • The act aimed to strengthen the concept of India as a secular state by explicitly including the word "Secular" in the Preamble.
  • It was enacted during the tenure of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the context of the Emergency period.
  • The changes brought by the amendment emphasized the importance of secularism in ensuring equality and non-discrimination based on religion.

Additional Information

  • Secularism in India:
    • Secularism in India means that the state treats all religions equally and ensures freedom of religion.
    • It prohibits discrimination based on religion and ensures protection of minority rights.
    • The concept is enshrined under Articles 25 to 28 of the Indian Constitution.
  • 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act Highlights:
    • It introduced changes to the Seventh Schedule, enhancing the power of the central government.
    • It brought provisions related to the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), emphasizing the role of the state in promoting welfare.
    • It curtailed judicial review by limiting the scope of fundamental rights during the Emergency.
  • Voting Age Lowering:
    • The voting age in India was reduced from 21 to 18 through the 61st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1988, not the 42nd Amendment.
  • Anti-Defection Law:
    • The Anti-Defection Law was introduced by the 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1985, not the 42nd Amendment.
    • It aimed to curb political defections and ensure stability in governments.
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