Sikkim was made an integral state of the Indian Union through which Constitutional Amendment Act?

Introduction / Context:
The political integration of India after independence involved not only the merger of princely states but also later adjustments in the status of certain territories. Sikkim presents an interesting case, as it moved from being a protectorate and associate state to becoming a full fledged state of the Indian Union. This change required a Constitutional amendment. The question tests knowledge of which specific amendment act gave Sikkim this full statehood status, which is a frequent topic in Indian Polity and modern history questions.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The focus is the constitutional status of Sikkim within the Indian Union.
• The question asks which amendment made Sikkim an integral part and a full state.
• Four numbered amendment acts are provided as options.
• The aspirant needs to identify the amendment connected with Sikkim's statehood.

Concept / Approach:
Sikkim initially had a special relationship with India, first as a protectorate and then as an associate state linked by a special provision. In 1975, after political changes and a popular referendum, Sikkim was formally admitted as the twenty second state of the Indian Union. This required amending the Constitution, and that was done through the Thirty sixth Amendment Act. The other amendments listed are associated with different constitutional changes, such as emergency powers or general structural modifications, not with Sikkim's status. The approach is to recall this specific association of the Thirty sixth Amendment with Sikkim.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Step 1: Recall that Sikkim became the twenty second state of India in 1975 after a referendum and political agreement. Step 2: Recognise that this statehood required an amendment to the Constitution to include Sikkim in the First Schedule and adjust related provisions. Step 3: Remember that this change was carried out by the Thirty sixth Amendment Act. Step 4: Note that the Thirty ninth, Fortieth, and Forty second Amendments are known for other issues like emergency related provisions and centralisation, not for statehood of Sikkim. Step 5: Select Thirty sixth Amendment as the correct option.

Verification / Alternative check:
One quick verification method is to memorise a few landmark amendments with their main subjects: Seventh Amendment for states and union territories reorganisation, Forty second Amendment for so called mini Constitution, Forty fourth Amendment for emergency related corrections, and Thirty sixth Amendment for Sikkim's admission as a state. When this mapping is clear, confusion between amendment numbers is reduced. Checking any standard Indian Polity reference confirms that the Thirty sixth Amendment is associated specifically with making Sikkim a full state of the Union of India.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Thirty ninth Amendment: Mostly associated with issues relating to election disputes and certain officeholders, not with Sikkim's status. Fortieth Amendment: Linked with matters such as the inclusion of certain laws in the Ninth Schedule and other provisions, but not with Sikkim becoming a state. Forty second Amendment: Famous for wide ranging changes during the emergency period, including additions to the Preamble and restructuring of Centre state relations, but it did not make Sikkim a state. Therefore these amendments do not match the specific subject of the question.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates often mix up amendment numbers, especially in the thirties and forties, because many of them were passed in a short span of time. There is also a tendency to guess the Forty second Amendment for any major constitutional change since it is called the mini Constitution. To avoid such pitfalls, aspirants should create a small list of ten to twelve very important amendments and link each one with a clear keyword, such as Sikkim statehood for Thirty sixth. Regular revision of this list helps in answering amendment related questions reliably.

Final Answer:
Sikkim became an integral state of the Indian Union through the Thirty sixth Amendment to the Constitution of India.