The word 'socialist' was inserted into the Preamble to the Constitution of India through which one of the following Amendment Acts?

The word 'socialist' was inserted into the Preamble of the Indian Constitution by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 [4]. Enacted during the Emergency under the Indira Gandhi government, this amendment is often referred to as a 'mini-constitution' due to its extensive changes. Section 2 of the Act specifically amended the Preamble to change the description of India from a 'Sovereign Democratic Republic' to a 'Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic' [5]. While subsequent amendments like the 43rd and 44th Amendment Acts (1977-1978) repealed several controversial provisions introduced by the 42nd Amendment—such as those curbing judicial review—the changes to the Preamble remained intact [3]. The Supreme Court has since upheld these additions, noting that Indian socialism focuses on socio-economic reform and equal opportunity rather than state collectivism [2].

Sources

1. [2] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 92: World Constitutions > APPENDIX IV Constitutional Amendments at a Glance > p. 720
2. [3] https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/19151/1/constitution_of_india.pdf
3. [4] https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-law/socialist-secular-preamble-sc-9692683/
4. [1] Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 9: Directive Principles of State Policy > DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY > p. 178
5. [5] https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s380537a945c7aaa788ccfcdf1b99b5d8f/uploads/2023/03/2023030290.pdf