The correct answer is (a).
The word âSecularismâ was inserted in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution by the 25th Amendment. The 25th Amendment was passed by the Indian Parliament in 1971. The amendment was passed to give effect to the Supreme Court’s judgment in the Kesavananda Bharati case. The judgment held that the basic structure of the Constitution could not be amended. The 25th Amendment also inserted the word âsecularâ in the Preamble of the Constitution. The word âsecularâ means that the state does not favor any particular religion. The state is neutral in matters of religion.
The other options are incorrect.
(b) The 42nd Amendment was passed by the Indian Parliament in 1976. The amendment was passed during the Emergency. The amendment was controversial and was later repealed. The 42nd Amendment did not insert the word âsecularâ in the Preamble of the Constitution.
(c) The 44th Amendment was passed by the Indian Parliament in 1978. The amendment was passed after the Emergency. The amendment was intended to restore the basic structure of the Constitution. The 44th Amendment did not insert the word âsecularâ in the Preamble of the Constitution.
(d) The 52nd Amendment was passed by the Indian Parliament in 1985. The amendment was passed to provide for the reservation of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The 52nd Amendment did not insert the word âsecularâ in the Preamble of the Constitution.