What was the exact constitutional status of India on 26th January, 1950?

Answer: (b) A Sovereign Democratic Republic

The original Preamble read “SOVEREIGN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC”. Socialist and Secular came 26 years later.

The idea

The 42nd Amendment (1976) added three words to the Preamble: Socialist, Secular and Integrity (“unity and integrity of the Nation”). It is the only time the Preamble has been amended.

26 Jan 1950: Sovereign Democratic Republic → 42nd Amendment 1976 → + Socialist, Secular, Integrity

Why the others are wrong

(a) Drops “Sovereign”, which was there from day one: India was no longer a Dominion under the Crown.

(c) “Secular” was added only by the 42nd Amendment, 1976.

(d) This is today’s text: “Socialist” and “Secular” (and “Integrity”) were inserted by the 42nd Amendment, 1976.

The trap

Option (d) is the Preamble you have memorised. The question asks for 1950, before the 1976 amendment.