Which of the following Amendment Acts amended the Preamble of the Constitution for the words ’unity of the Nation’ to the words ’unity and integrity of the Nation’?
42nd Amendment Act
Understanding the Preamble and Constitutional Amendments
The Preamble is the introductory statement of the Constitution, which sets out the guiding purpose and principles and philosophical basis of the Constitution. It is considered a key to the mind of the makers of the Constitution.
Over the years, the Constitution of India has been amended several times to adapt to the changing needs and aspirations of the nation. One significant amendment that impacted the Preamble was the 42nd Amendment Act.
The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act Explained
The 42nd Amendment Act, enacted in 1976, is one of the most comprehensive amendments to the Constitution of India. It is often referred to as the 'Mini-Constitution' due to the large number of changes it introduced. This amendment was enacted during the period of the National Emergency.
One of the notable changes brought about by the 42nd Amendment Act was the amendment to the Preamble. Before this amendment, the Preamble described India as a 'sovereign democratic republic'. The 42nd Amendment added the words 'Socialist' and 'Secular' before 'democratic republic' and changed 'unity of the Nation' to 'unity and integrity of the Nation'.
Impact on the Preamble: Unity and Integrity of the Nation
Specifically addressing the question, the phrase 'unity of the Nation' was modified by the 42nd Amendment Act. The Act substituted the words 'unity of the Nation' with 'unity and integrity of the Nation'.
This change aimed to emphasize not just the unity of the country but also its territorial and social integrity, reinforcing the idea of India as an indivisible whole.
Analyzing the Options
Let's look at why the 42nd Amendment Act is the correct answer and why the other options are incorrect:
- 105th Amendment Act: This amendment deals with restoring the power of state governments to identify and specify socially and educationally backward classes (SEBCs). It did not amend the Preamble.
- 81st Amendment Act: This amendment relates to the reservation in promotion for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. It did not amend the Preamble.
- 42nd Amendment Act: As discussed, this significant amendment, enacted in 1976, added the words 'Socialist', 'Secular', and 'integrity' to the Preamble. It specifically changed 'unity of the Nation' to 'unity and integrity of the Nation'.
- 35th Amendment Act: This amendment related to the status of Sikkim, making it an 'associate state' of the Indian Union. It did not amend the Preamble.
Therefore, the amendment act responsible for changing 'unity of the Nation' to 'unity and integrity of the Nation' in the Preamble is the 42nd Amendment Act.
Revision Table: Key Preamble Amendments by 42nd Act
| Original Preamble Wording | Amended Preamble Wording (42nd Amendment, 1976) | Changes Made |
|---|---|---|
| Sovereign Democratic Republic | Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic | Added 'Socialist', 'Secular' |
| unity of the Nation | unity and integrity of the Nation | Added 'integrity' |
Additional Information on 42nd Amendment and Preamble
The 42nd Amendment Act introduced numerous changes across various parts of the Constitution, including fundamental rights, directive principles, the judiciary, and the parliamentary system. The changes to the Preamble were intended to clearly spell out the core characteristics of the Indian state.
While the Preamble is not enforceable in courts, it holds immense significance as it embodies the basic philosophy and fundamental values on which the Constitution is based. It provides a standard to examine and evaluate any law and action of the government to determine whether it is valid or not.
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