The correct answer is (b), 1977.
The 42nd Amendment to the Constitution of India, enacted in 1976, provided for the recognition of political parties. The amendment inserted a new Article 324A, which states that “the Election Commission shall, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by law, recognise political parties for the purposes of the said Act.” The 42nd Amendment was repealed in 1977, but the provision for the recognition of political parties was retained.
The Election Commission of India is responsible for recognizing political parties. To be recognized, a political party must have a minimum of one lakh members, spread over at least four states or union territories. The party must also have won at least two seats in the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha, or at least one seat in the Legislative Assembly of a state or union territory.
The recognition of political parties is important because it gives them certain privileges, such as the right to use the state symbol, the right to be allotted election symbols, and the right to receive government funding. It also makes it easier for political parties to participate in elections.
The options (a), (c), and (d) are incorrect because the political parties did not get constitutional recognition in those years.