The 42nd Amendment Act, of 1976, was often called a mini-constitution. It was a significant development of the Indian Constitution. This amendment was enacted on January 3, 1977. The aim of the 42nd Amendment was to strengthen the federal structure of the country and reduce the powers of the Judiciary. The key provisions of the amendment included:

1. It added the words ‘Socialist,’ ‘Secular,’ and ‘Integrity’ to the Preamble of the Indian Constitution.
2. The amendment expanded the list of Fundamental Duties for Indian citizens.
3. Insertion of Article 31-C: This provision prohibited the courts from entertaining any petition challenging the constitutional validity of any law made by Parliament.
4. Amendments to Article 368: The amendment altered the procedure for amending the Constitution, making it more difficult for the courts to interfere with parliamentary decisions.
5. Changes to Article 352: The amendment expanded the circumstances under which the President could declare a national emergency.

6. The amendment was controversial due to its perceived attempt to undermine judicial review and limit civil liberties. Critics argued that it was an undemocratic move by the Indira Gandhi government to consolidate its power and suppress opposition. The amendment was passed through a joint session of Parliament, with support from the ruling party and some opposition parties. The 42nd Amendment had a profound impact on India’s federal structure. It significantly increased the power of the central government, reducing the autonomy of state governments. This shift emphasized a more unitary system, which some argued was against the federal nature of the nation.