PYQ Vault · Paper 1 · Indian Constitution

The purpose of the 42nd Constitutional Amendment was to make the economic and social democracy explicitly visible.

How the answer moves

The flow snapshot — the routes in, the body, the counter-view and the routes out.

Flow snapshot — how the answer moves
Intro routes

Route 1 “mini-Constitution” → declared purpose: make social–economic democracy explicit

Route 2 42nd Amendment as constitutional form for socio-economic revolution → visibility as the stated aim

Body flow

declared purpose → substance proves it → Preamble additions (Socialist, Secular) → Fundamental Duties → Article 39A / 43A / 48A → DPSP primacy over FR

Counter-view

went past visibility → judicial review cut + Parliament supremacy sought → balance disturbed → Basu: “revision,” not amendment

Conclusion routes

Route 1 Minerva Mills restored Parts III–IV balance → purpose real but only partly legitimate

Route 2 visibility achieved, overreach corrected → genuine intent, limited legitimacy

Model answer

Handwritten, in the form it would be written in the examination hall.

Handwritten model answer — UPSC PSIR 2016, Indian Constitution