1st Constitutional Amendment Act, Features, Importance

The 1st Constitutional Amendment Act also known as the Constitutional (First Amendment) Act, was enacted in 1951, making many changes to the fundamental rights provisions of the Indian Constitution. This amendment brought in a meaning to restrict freedom of speech and expression, validation of zamindari abolition laws and provided a clarification for right to equality and a special consideration for weaker sections of society. In this article, we are going to cover all about the 1st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1951. 

First Constitutional Amendment Act 1951

The Constitution (First Amendment) Act, 1951 was introduced by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on 10 May and passed by Parliament on 18 June as the first major constitutional change in India. This amendment set a precedent for amending the Constitution of India to override judicial rulings that hindered the government’s policy objectives especially in land reform and freedom of speech.

Important highlights of the amendment include:

• Amendment to Fundamental Rights: It imposed reasonable restrictions on freedom of speech and expression on new grounds like public order, friendly relations with foreign states, and incitement to an offence.
• Support for Land Reforms: Allowed abolition of zamindari and protected agrarian laws from being struck down by courts.
• Explained Article 15: Allowed special provisions for weaker sections without violating the right to equality.
• Article Additions: Introduced Articles 31A and 31B, and created the Ninth Schedule to shield specific laws from judicial review.
• Trade and Business: Stated that nationalization or state trading cannot be challenged as violating the right to trade or business.

It amended Articles 15, 19, 85, 87, 174, 176, 341, 342, 372, and 376, reshaping India’s legal and political landscape.

Also Check: 103rd Constitutional Amendment Act

1st Constitutional Amendment Act Features

The First Amendment to the Indian Constitution was enacted to tackle legal and constitutional challenges faced by the nascent Republic. Its purpose was to adapt key constitutional provisions in line with the emerging socio-political realities and the State’s policy goals, particularly around land reforms and social justice.

• Land Reform and Right to Property
  • Amended Articles 19(1)(f) and 31 to empower the State to impose reasonable restrictions on the right to property.
  • Enabled land reform and acquisition for public welfare, essential to dismantle the zamindari system.
• Freedom of Speech and Expression
  • Revised Article 19(2) to expand the grounds for restrictions on free speech.
  • Included public order, security of the state, and foreign relations as valid reasons for imposing limitations.
• Social Justice for SCs and STs
  • Inserted Articles 15(4) and 16(4) to allow reservations in education and employment for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other socially and educationally backward classes.
• Validation of Land Reform Laws
  • Added Article 31A to protect agrarian reform laws from being struck down for violating property rights.
  • Inserted Article 31B and the Ninth Schedule to insulate such laws from judicial review.
• Directive for Upliftment of Weaker Sections
  • Strengthened Article 46, directing the State to promote the educational and economic interests of SCs, STs, and other weaker sections with special care.

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