Which of the following words was included in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution under the 42nd Amendment Act?

Appeared in: CGHS SSC - 2018

Explanation

The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, introduced significant changes to the Indian Constitution, including updating the Preamble.
This amendment added three new words to the Preamble: 'Socialist,' 'Secular,' and 'Integrity.'.
Among the given options, 'Secular' is the word that was incorporated into the Preamble through this specific amendment.
The amendment changed the description of India from a 'Sovereign Democratic Republic' to a 'Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic'.

Option A: The term 'Republic' was part of the original Preamble adopted on 26 November 1949. It was not added by the 42nd Amendment.
Option C: The term 'Democratic' was a foundational word in the original Preamble. It was not added by the 42nd Amendment.
Option D: The term 'Sovereign' was also part of the original Preamble, establishing India's status as an independent nation. It was not an addition from the 42nd Amendment.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Preamble of the Indian Constitution and the 42nd Amendment as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
While not a clinical topic, understanding the foundational principles of the nation, such as secularism, is part of being an informed and responsible citizen, which is a professional expectation for nurses.
The principle of a secular state ensures that all citizens, including patients and healthcare workers, are treated equally regardless of their religion. This aligns with the core nursing ethic of providing non-discriminatory care.
Knowledge of civic rights and duties helps nurses advocate for their patients, especially those from vulnerable or minority communities, ensuring they receive equitable care.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core subject of the question: the Preamble of the Indian Constitution.
Next, pinpoint the specific detail required: a word added by the 42nd Amendment Act.
This is a factual recall question. Access your knowledge about the contents of the Preamble and its historical amendments.
Recall or deduce that the original Preamble described India as a 'Sovereign Democratic Republic'.
Recall that the 42nd Amendment of 1976 added 'Socialist' and 'Secular' to this description, and 'Integrity' elsewhere in the Preamble.
Compare this knowledge with the options provided. 'Secular' is present in the options and was added by the amendment, making it the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart B (pp 233-449 of 464) p. 3-5

E6 Handbook of Forensic Nursing Suresh Sharma p. 49-51

Practise the full CGHS SSC - 2018

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.