After the Forty Second Constitutional Amendment, what does the Preamble to the Constitution of India state that India is?

Introduction / Context:
The Preamble to the Constitution of India expresses the basic philosophy and guiding values of the nation. Originally, it described India as a Sovereign Democratic Republic. Later, the Forty Second Constitutional Amendment modified the Preamble by adding certain key words to reflect evolving social and political commitments. This question tests whether you know the full updated description of India as it appears in the Preamble after that amendment.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The focus is on the wording of the Preamble after the Forty Second Amendment Act, 1976.
• We are asked how the Preamble describes India as a republic.
• Options present slightly different formulations involving words like sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic, and republic.
• We assume familiarity with the general importance of the Preamble and the changes made by the amendment.

Concept / Approach:
Originally, the Preamble described India as a Sovereign Democratic Republic. The Forty Second Amendment inserted the words Socialist and Secular between Sovereign and Democratic, so the description now reads Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic. This is usually written in explanatory English as a sovereign, socialist, secular and democratic republic. Therefore, the correct option is the one that includes all four adjectives in the correct relation to the word republic.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the key words added by the Forty Second Amendment were Socialist, Secular, and Integrity. Step 2: Focus on the part of the Preamble that describes the nature of the republic: Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic. Step 3: Compare the options and identify which one matches this sequence and includes all four adjectives. Step 4: Select a sovereign, socialist, secular and democratic republic as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Reading the Preamble in the current text of the Constitution shows the phrase Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic clearly. Examination guides and political science textbooks also highlight that these words were added by the Forty Second Amendment to emphasise socialistic objectives and secular character. No later amendment has removed or changed this part of the description, confirming that this wording remains valid.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
A sovereign republic with a socialist pattern of society: This wording does not match the exact Preamble text and omits the word secular as an integrated part of the definition. A socialist, secular and democratic republic: This leaves out the word sovereign, which is a crucial descriptor in the Preamble. A sovereign, socialist and democratic republic: This omits the word secular, which is essential after the Forty Second Amendment. A sovereign and secular parliamentary monarchy: India is not a monarchy and the term parliamentary monarchy does not appear anywhere in the Constitution.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes remember only some of the words and forget the exact combination or sequence. Others may confuse the descriptive language of exam notes, which talk about a socialist pattern of society, with the precise constitutional wording. For constitutional law questions, it is important to rely on the exact phrase Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic when describing India as per the Preamble after the Forty Second Amendment.

Final Answer:
A sovereign, socialist, secular and democratic republic