Constitutional Amendments

• The Constitution of India is a living document that can be amended to meet the changing needs of society.
• Article 368 provides the procedure for Constitutional Amendments.
• Amendments can be made by Parliament with special procedures, and some require ratification by states.

📝 PYQ (BPSC 65th): Which Article deals with Constitutional Amendment? → Article 368

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Types of Amendments Under Article 368

1. By Simple Majority of Parliament

• For matters like:
  • Formation of new states (e.g., Telangana, 2014)
  • Changes in Second Schedule (salaries)
  • Admission or renaming of states
• Outside the scope of Article 368

2. By Special Majority of Parliament

• More than 50% of total members
• Two-thirds of members present and voting
• For amending most parts of the Constitution:
  • Fundamental Rights
  • Directive Principles of State Policy
  • Powers of President, Parliament, etc.

3. By Special Majority + Ratification by Half of the States

• Required for federal provisions:
  • Election of President
  • Supreme Court and High Courts
  • Distribution of legislative powers between Centre and States
  • Representation of States in Parliament

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Important Constitutional Amendments

1st Amendment (1951)

• Restrictions on freedom of speech
• Added 9th Schedule to protect land reforms

7th Amendment (1956)

• Reorganized states on linguistic basis

42nd Amendment (1976)

• Known as Mini Constitution
• Added: Socialist, Secular, Integrity in Preamble
• Introduced Fundamental Duties
• Strengthened DPSPs over Fundamental Rights

44th Amendment (1978)

• Reversed many 42nd Amendment provisions
• Restored Fundamental Rights and judicial review
• Made Right to Property a legal right (Article 300A)

61st Amendment (1989)

• Reduced voting age from 21 to 18 years

📝 PYQ (BPSC 68th): Which amendment reduced the voting age? → 61st Amendment

73rd Amendment (1992)

• Gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj
• Added Part IX, 11th Schedule

74th Amendment (1992)

• Gave constitutional status to Urban Local Bodies
• Added Part IXA, 12th Schedule

86th Amendment (2002)

• Made Right to Education a Fundamental Right (Article 21A)

101st Amendment (2016)

• Introduced Goods and Services Tax (GST)
• Added Article 246A, 279A

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Notable Facts

• First Amendment: 1951
• Latest Amendment: As of 2024, 105 Amendments have been made
• Amendment Bill can be introduced in either House
• No need for President’s prior permission
• Cannot amend basic structure (as per Kesavananda Bharati Case, 1973)

📝 PYQ (BPSC 64th): Basic Structure Doctrine was established in which case? → Kesavananda Bharati Case, 1973

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Quick Revision Points

• Article 368 – Procedure for amendments
• 3 types – Simple, Special, Special + State Ratification
• 42nd – Mini Constitution
• 44th – Restored Fundamental Rights
• 73rd & 74th – Local Governance
• 86th – Right to Education
• 101st – GST

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Sources Used

• NCERT Class 11 – Indian Constitution at Work
• Laxmikanth – Indian Polity (6th Edition)
• Lucent GK – Polity Section
• Ghatna Chakra BPSC PYQs
• Official Constitution of India – Ministry of Law & Justice