42nd Amendment Act, 1976 is one of the most important amendments to the Indian Constitution. It was enacted by the Indian National Congress headed by Indira Gandhi then. Due to the large number of amendments this act has brought to the Indian Constitution, it is also known as ‘Mini-Constitution.’ The topic ‘42nd Amendment Act’ also called The Constitution Act, 1976 is significant for IAS Exam as it is an essential part of UPSC Political Science for Prelims, Mains GS-II, and also Political Science optional papers.
This article will answer a few questions related to the forty-second amendment of the Constitution of India that can help IAS aspirants in understanding various sections of Polity for civil services examination. It will also define the relationship between the 42nd Amendment Act 1976 and the 44th Amendment Act 1978.
42nd Amendment of Indian Constitution-Indian Polity Notes:- Download PDF Here
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What is the 42nd Amendment Act?
The Constitution of India is unique for its content and spirit. The Constitution of India decides the rule of the land and is taken as the supreme law of the land. The constituent assembly that was behind formulating our Constitution has also given scope for amendments in it with time. Hence, the Indian Constitution of what it is today has undergone substantive changes on account of several amendments. The act also called The Constitution Act, 1976 is termed as one of the most controversial acts in the history of amendments to the Indian Constitution. It amended/ introduced various provisions given below:
- Attempted to reduce the power of the Supreme Court and the High Courts
- Laid down Fundamental Duties for citizens
- Terms- Socialist, Secular and Integrity added to the Preamble
Similar to the 42nd amendment act, there are several other important amendments in the Indian Constitution for UPSC that you may like to read from the linked article for civil services exam preparation.
Important exam related topics:
| UPSC Books | UPSC 2024 | UPSC Admit Card |
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Why is the 42nd Amendment called ‘Mini Constitution’?
The 42nd amendment attempted to alter the basic structure of the Indian Constitution. Check the table below to read what all amendments were brought by the Constitution Act, 1976 because of which it was called the mini-constitution:
| Changes in Provisions by the 42nd Amendment Act | Details of the Amendment |
| Preamble |
|
| 7th Schedule | Transferred five subjects from the state list to the concurrent list:
|
| Article 51A | 10 Fundamental Duties added for the citizens. (The Fundamental Duties of citizens were addedupon the recommendations of theSwaran SinghCommitteethat was constituted by the government in 1976) |
| Parliament |
|
| Judicial Powers of HC | Curtailed the judicial review power of the High Courts |
| Articles 323A and 323B, Part XIV-A | Part XIV-A added entitled as ‘Tribunals dealing with Administrative matters’ and ‘Tribunals for other matters’ |
| DPSPs | Three new DPSPs (Directive Principles of State Policy) were added to the existing list of DPSPs and one was amended:
|
The 42nd amendment to the Indian Constitution is an important topic for UPSC 2023 as understanding this amendment makes a foundation for aspirants to understand the subsequent amendments brought in the Indian Constitution. Thus, it will help candidates prepare easily for UPSC Political Science.
How is the 44th Amendment Act related to the 42nd Amendment Act?
44th Amendment Act was introduced in the year 1978 by the government. The act was brought to nullify the amendments made by the 42nd Amendment Act 1976:
- It reversed the provision made by the 42nd amendment act that allowed the government to amend the constitution on its wish by Article 368. 44th Amendment Act nullified this unjustified power to the government.
- 44th Amendment Act removed Right to Property from the list of fundamental rights and made it a legal right.
- Previously, the grounds for the declaration of national emergency were external aggression and internal disturbances but the 44th amendment replaced the word ‘internal disturbances’ with the word ‘armed rebellion’.
- Article 226 was amended to restore to the High Courts their power to issue writs for any other purpose besides the enforcement of fundamental rights.
- 44th Amendment Act modified the Constitutional emergency provisions and prevented them from being misused in the future. It restored the Supreme Court and High Courts’ jurisdiction and power which they enjoyed before the 42nd amendment act was passed. It restored the secular and democratic ideals present in the Constitution.
- The 44th Amendment Act of 1978 added one more Directive Principle, which requires the State to minimize inequalities in income, status, facilities, and opportunities (Article 38).
- The 42nd and 44th Amendment Acts of 1976 and 1978 respectively have made the ministerial advice binding on the President
- The 44th Amendment Act of 1978 introduced a new provision to put a restraint on the power of Parliament to extend a proclamation of President’s Rule beyond one year. Thus, it provided that, beyond one year, the President’s Rule can be extended by six months at a time only when the following two conditions are fulfilled
(To read more about the 44th Amendment Act, 1978, check the linked article.)
42nd Amendment of Indian Constitution – Indian Polity Notes:- Download PDF Here
You may like to read articles relevant to UPSC IAS exam preparation and Political Science subject given in the table below:
| Relevant Articles: | |
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| Important Articles in Indian Constitution | UPSC Political Science Books |
| Criticism of the Amendment Procedure | Types of Amendments in the Indian Constitution |
Frequently Asked Questions Related to 42nd Amendment Act of Indian Constitution
Q1
What are the three terms added in preamble through 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act?
The 42ndConstitutional Amendment Act of 1976 added: “Socialist”, “Integrity” and “Secular” to the Preamble.
Q2
When was the 42nd amendment of Indian Constitution enacted and who was behind it?
The 42nd Amendment Act of the Indian Constitution was enacted in1976by the Indian National Congress, led by Indira Gandhi.
Q3
Why is 42nd amendment act called the mini Constitution?
The 42nd amendment act is also known as the “Mini-Constitution”because of the enormous number of amendments it has made to the Indian Constitution. It attempted to alter the basic structure of the Indian Constitution.
Q4
What are the aims of 42nd constitutional amendment?
Two aims of 42nd amendment act are – to reduce the power of the Supreme Court and the High Courts for the validity of constitutional laws.To lay down the fundamental duties for the citizens of the nation.
Q5
In which case was the 42nd amendment Act declared as null and void by the Supreme Court?
InMinerva Mills Case (1980)the supreme court declared two changes made in the constitution by the 42 Amendment Act 1976 to be null and void. These changes were made in article 368 of the Indian constitution. This judgement strengthened the ‘Doctrine of Basic Structure’.
Q6
Which subject was transferred from the state list to the concurrent list by the 42nd amendment to the Constitution?
The 42nd Amendment Act was enacted in 1976, reorganizing the Seventh Amendment to ensure that the subjects of the State list such aseducation, forestry, wildlife and bird protection, the administration of justice, and weights and measureswere transferred to the Concurrent List.
