The correct answer is (b). The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, was the most controversial amendment to the Indian Constitution. It was passed by the Indira Gandhi government at a time when it was facing widespread opposition from the opposition parties and the people. The amendment made a number of changes to the Constitution, including the addition of the words “secular” and “socialist” to the Preamble. It also gave the President of India the power to rule by decree, which was widely seen as an attempt by Indira Gandhi to consolidate her power. The 42nd Amendment Act was eventually repealed by the 44th Amendment Act, 1978.
The other options are incorrect. The 44th Amendment Act, 1978, repealed the 42nd Amendment Act and restored the original Preamble of the Constitution. The 56th Amendment Act, 1988, made a number of changes to the Constitution, including the addition of a new Article 35A, which grants special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The 73rd Amendment Act, 1992, introduced Panchayati Raj institutions at the village, intermediate and district levels.