Correct Option (d):
The 44th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1978, inserted a proviso to Article 74(1), empowering the President to require the Council of Ministers to reconsider any advice tendered to him. However, if the Council of Ministers reiterates the same advice after such reconsideration, the President must act in accordance with that advice.
Prior to this, the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976, had made the advice of the Council of Ministers binding on the President, removing any discretion. The 44th Amendment thus restored a limited power to the President to seek reconsideration.
Incorrect Options:
The 39th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1975, placed the disputes relating to the election of the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, and Speaker of the Lok Sabha beyond the jurisdiction of the ordinary courts. It specified that such disputes would be decided by an authority determined by Parliament.
The 40th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976, primarily dealt with the expansion of the Union government's power to acquire land for public purposes and included several Central and State Acts, particularly those relating to land reforms and land ceilings, into the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.
The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976, amended Article 74(1) to explicitly state that the President shall act in accordance with the advice of the Council of Ministers. This made the advice binding on the President, removing any scope for reconsideration. It was the 44th Amendment that subsequently introduced the provision for the President to send back advice for reconsideration.