The correct answer is (a).
The 44th Amendment of the Constitution of India, enacted in 1978, inserted Article 74(2A) which gives the President of India the power to refer a matter back to the Council of Ministers for reconsideration. This power was not originally present in the Constitution, but was added by the 44th Amendment in order to strengthen the President’s position as a check on the power of the Council of Ministers.
The 42nd Amendment, enacted in 1976, was a controversial amendment that was passed during the Emergency. Among other things, it removed the President’s power to refer a matter back to the Council of Ministers for reconsideration. This power was restored by the 44th Amendment.
The 43rd Amendment, enacted in 1977, was a relatively minor amendment that did not affect the President’s power to refer a matter back to the Council of Ministers for reconsideration.
The 35th Amendment, enacted in 1974, was another controversial amendment that was passed during the Emergency. Among other things, it gave the President the power to declare an emergency in the country. However, this power was not related to the President’s power to refer a matter back to the Council of Ministers for reconsideration.