{"id":8040,"date":"2026-08-27T16:43:59","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T11:13:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/?p=8040"},"modified":"2026-08-27T18:00:23","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T12:30:23","slug":"indian-constitution-amendments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/indian-constitution-amendments\/","title":{"rendered":"Indian Constitution Amendments, List, Process, Limitations"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Indian Constitution Amendments<\/strong> are formal changes made to the Constitution to adapt its provisions to evolving social, political, economic, and governance needs. Article 368 provides the principal framework for amendments, with different procedures depending on the provision being amended.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\r\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Amendments help keep the Constitution relevant and responsive, as seen in the 73rd and 74th Amendments on local governance and the 101st Amendment introducing GST. However, the process faces concerns over excessive majoritarianism, political disagreements and frequent changes, while the Basic Structure Doctrine places a constitutional limit on Parliament\u2019s amending power.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What is Constitution Amendment?<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A constitutional amendment is a formal change, addition, or correction to the constitution of a nation or organisation. It modifies existing rules or adds new provisions to keep the Basic Law relevant during social changes.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Indian Constitution follows a balanced approach that combines flexibility with rigidity, allowing amendments through different procedures depending on the provision being changed.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The amendment process is primarily governed by Article 368 in Part XX of the Constitution and draws inspiration from the Constitution of South Africa. Parliament has the power to amend the Constitution, but this power is not unlimited.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In the landmark Kesavananda Bharati case (1973), the Supreme Court established the Basic Structure Doctrine, ruling that Parliament cannot alter the basic structure of the Constitution through an amendment.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Indian Constitution Amendments Types<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Constitution provides three methods of amendment, depending on the importance and federal character of the provision being changed. Different ways in which the Constitution can be amended.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\">\r\n<p><b>Type<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\">\r\n<p><b>Majority Required<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\">\r\n<p><b>Examples<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>Simple Majority<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Simple majority of Parliament<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Formation\/alteration of States in specified circumstances<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>Special Majority<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Majority of total membership + two-thirds of members present and voting<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Most constitutional provisions<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>Special Majority + State Ratification<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Special majority of Parliament + approval by at least half of the State Legislatures<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Federal provisions affecting the constitutional distribution of powers<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Amendment by Simple Majority<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This refers to a majority of more than 50% of the members present and voting. Many articles in the Constitution mention that these articles can be amended by a simple law of the Parliament. No special procedure for amendment is required in such cases. These changes are technically outside the scope of Article 368. Examples include:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Admission or establishment of new States.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Formation of new States and alteration of State boundaries.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Creation or abolition of Legislative Councils in States.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Changes in citizenship provisions.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Delimitation of constituencies.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Salaries and privileges of MPs and legislators.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Amendment by Special Majority<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Most constitutional provisions require a special majority under Article 368. The bill must be passed separately by both Houses through: more than 50% of the total membership of the House; and at least two-thirds of members present and voting.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>No Joint Sitting: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There is no provision for a joint sitting if the two Houses disagree on a Constitution Amendment Bill.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>President\u2019s Assent: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">After Parliament passes the Bill according to the required procedure, it is presented to the President. Following the 24th Constitutional Amendment, the President is constitutionally required to give assent to a Constitution Amendment Bill duly passed by Parliament.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Examples: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policy, and most other constitutional provisions can be amended through this process, subject to the basic structure doctrine.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Special Majority and State Ratification<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Certain provisions related to India\u2019s federal structure require a special majority in both Houses of Parliament and ratification by at least half of the State Legislatures. This method applies to changes involving:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Election of the President.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Distribution of legislative powers between the Centre and States.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Supreme Court and High Courts.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Representation of States in Parliament.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Any of the Lists in the Seventh Schedule.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Article 368 itself.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Indian Constitution Amendments Process<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The amendment procedure under Article 368 of <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/indian-constitution\/\" target=\"_blank\">Indian Constitution<\/a> balances constitutional flexibility with safeguards against arbitrary changes. The procedure varies according to the type of provision being amended. The procedure to amend the Constitution is as follows:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Introduction: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Amendments can be initiated only by introducing a bill in either house of Parliament. The bill can be introduced either by a minister or by a private member and does not require the prior permission of the President.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Passing: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The bill must be passed in each house by a special majority, that is, a majority of the total membership of the house and a majority of two-thirds of the members of the house present and voting.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Each house must pass the bill separately. If there is any disagreement, there is no provision for a joint sitting of the houses.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>State Ratification: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If the bill seeks to amend the provisions of the Constitution, it must be ratified by the legislatures of half of the states by a simple majority. After the passage of the bill by both houses, it is presented to the President for his assent.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>President\u2019s Assent: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The<a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/president-of-india\/\" target=\"_blank\"> President of India<\/a> must give his assent to the bill. He can neither withhold his assent to the bill nor return the bill for reconsideration by the Parliament.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">After the President\u2019s assent, the bill becomes a constitutional amendment act.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Important Constitutional Amendments in India List<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Indian Constitution has been amended from time to time to adapt to the changing social, economic, and political needs of the country. Some important indian constitution amendments are as follows:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<table style=\"width: 100%\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\" style=\"width: 29.704%\">\r\n<p><b>Amendment Act<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\" style=\"width: 69.4503%\">\r\n<p><b>Important Provisions<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 29.704%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">First Amendment (1951)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 69.4503%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Added reasonable restrictions on freedom of speech; inserted Ninth Schedule; enabled special provisions for socially and educationally backward classes.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 29.704%\">\r\n<p><b>7th Constitutional Amendment (1956)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 69.4503%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Reorganised States and Union Territories; abolished the classification of Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D States.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 29.704%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">24th Constitutional Amendment (1971)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 69.4503%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Affirmed Parliament\u2019s power to amend any part of the Constitution, including Fundamental Rights; made Presidential assent mandatory.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 29.704%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">25th Constitutional Amendment (1971)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 69.4503%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Curtailed the Right to Property and introduced Article 31C for laws implementing certain Directive Principles.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 29.704%\">\r\n<p><b>42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 69.4503%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Added \u201cSocialist\u201d, \u201cSecular\u201d, and \u201cIntegrity\u201d to the Preamble; added Fundamental Duties; strengthened Central power.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 29.704%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/44th-constitutional-amendment-act\/\" target=\"_blank\">44th Constitutional Amendment Act<\/a> (1978)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 69.4503%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Restored safeguards weakened during the Emergency; made the Right to Property a legal right under Article 300A.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 29.704%\">\r\n<p><b>61st Constitutional Amendment (1988)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 69.4503%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Reduced the voting age from <\/span><b>21 years to 18 years<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 29.704%\">\r\n<p><b>73rd Constitutional Amendment (1992)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 69.4503%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Gave constitutional status to Panchayats; inserted Part IX and Eleventh Schedule.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 29.704%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">74th Constitutional Amendment (1992)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 69.4503%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Gave constitutional status to Municipalities; inserted Part IXA and Twelfth Schedule.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 29.704%\">\r\n<p><b>86th Constitutional Amendment (2002)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 69.4503%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Inserted Article 21A, making education a Fundamental Right for children aged 6\u201314 years.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 29.704%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">91st Constitutional Amendment (2003)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 69.4503%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Limited the size of the Union and State Councils of Ministers; strengthened anti-defection provisions.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 29.704%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/101st-constitutional-amendment-act\/\" target=\"_blank\">101st Constitutional Amendment Act<\/a> (2016)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 69.4503%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Introduced GST and established the GST Council.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 29.704%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/103rd-constitutional-amendment-act\/\" target=\"_blank\">103rd Constitutional Amendment Act<\/a> (2019)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 69.4503%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Provided 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections in education and public employment.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 29.704%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/104th-constitutional-amendment-act\/\" target=\"_blank\">104th Constitutional Amendment Act<\/a> (2020)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 69.4503%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Extended reservation for SCs and STs in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies; ended Anglo-Indian nomination provision.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 29.704%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">105th Constitutional Amendment (2021)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 69.4503%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Restored States\u2019 power to identify socially and educationally backward classes for their own purposes.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 29.704%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">106th Constitutional Amendment (2023)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 69.4503%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Provides one-third reservation for women in Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, and Delhi Assembly.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Indian Constitution Amendments SC Judgements<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/supreme-court-of-india\/\" target=\"_blank\">Supreme Court of India<\/a> has played a defining role in determining the scope and limitations of Parliament\u2019s power to amend the Constitution.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Shankari Prasad v. Union of India, 1951: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Supreme Court held that Parliament could amend Fundamental Rights under Article 368. It ruled that a Constitutional Amendment Act is not \u201claw\u201d within the meaning of Article 13.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Sajjan Singh v. State of Rajasthan, 1965: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Court reaffirmed Shankari Prasad and upheld Parliament\u2019s power to amend Fundamental Rights.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Golaknath v. State of Punjab, 1967: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Supreme Court reversed its earlier position and held that Parliament could not amend Fundamental Rights. This judgment led to the enactment of the 24th Constitutional Amendment Act.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala, 1973: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This is the most important case regarding constitutional amendments. The Supreme Court held that Parliament can amend any part of the Constitution, including Fundamental Rights, but it cannot alter, destroy, or damage the <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/basic-structure\/\" target=\"_blank\">basic structure doctrine<\/a> of the Constitution.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Indira Nehru Gandhi v. Raj Narain, 1975: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Supreme Court applied the basic structure doctrine and held that free and fair elections, judicial review, and the rule of law form part of the Constitution\u2019s basic structure.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Minerva Mills v. Union of India, 1980: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Court struck down parts of the 42nd Amendment that attempted to exclude judicial review of constitutional amendments. It held that limited amending power itself is part of the basic structure.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>I.R. Coelho v. State of Tamil Nadu, 2007: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Supreme Court held that laws placed in the Ninth Schedule after 24 April 1973 are subject to judicial review if they violate Fundamental Rights forming part of the basic structure.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Indian Constitutional Amendments Significance<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A Constitution must provide stability, but it also needs to respond to changing circumstances. Constitutional amendments in India are therefore necessary for several reasons.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Changing Social Conditions:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Constitutional provisions may need to evolve with changes in society, demographics and social priorities.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For example, amendments relating to reservation and representation have been introduced to address changing social and political requirements.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Economic Changes:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Economic reforms and changes in India's economic structure may require constitutional modifications.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The 101st Constitutional Amendment introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST), significantly changing India's indirect taxation framework.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Strengthening Democracy:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Amendments can improve democratic participation and representation. The 61st Constitution Amendment reduced the voting age from 21 to 18 years, increasing youth participation in elections.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Decentralisation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments gave constitutional recognition to Panchayats and Municipalities.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Protecting Constitutional Rights:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Amendments have also been used to strengthen rights and constitutional protections.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The 86th Constitution Amendment inserted Article 21A, making free and compulsory education a Fundamental Right for children aged 6\u201314 years.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Adapting to Judicial Interpretation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Constitutional amendments have sometimes been enacted in response to judicial decisions concerning Parliament's powers and Fundamental Rights.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Indian Constitution Amendments Limitations<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Parliament possesses extensive powers to amend the Constitution, but these powers are subject to constitutional safeguards designed to preserve democracy, federalism, and fundamental constitutional principles.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Basic Structure Doctrine: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Parliament cannot amend the Constitution in a manner that destroys or fundamentally alters its basic structure, as established by the Supreme Court.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Judicial Review: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Supreme Court can review constitutional amendments and invalidate provisions that violate the Constitution's basic structure or established constitutional principles.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Federal Restrictions:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Amendments affecting federal provisions require ratification by at least half of the State Legislatures, protecting the constitutional balance between Union and States.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Procedural Requirements: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Constitutional amendments must follow the prescribed procedure and majority requirements; Parliament cannot use ordinary legislative procedures where Article 368 applies.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>No Joint Sitting: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha disagree over a Constitution Amendment Bill, the Constitution provides no mechanism for a joint sitting.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Indian Constitution Amendments Criticisms<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Although the amendment mechanism is essential, it has attracted several criticisms. The amendment procedure of the Constitution has been criticized on the following grounds:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Excessive Parliamentary Power: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Some critics argue that Parliament\u2019s broad power to amend the Constitution can be misused by a government with a large majority.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/judicial-activism-and-overreach\/\" target=\"_blank\">Judicial Activism and Overreach<\/a>:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Others argue that the basic structure doctrine gives the judiciary substantial power to invalidate constitutional amendments, even though the phrase \u201cbasic structure\u201d does not explicitly appear in the Constitution.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Complexity of Procedure: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The three types of amendments may confuse citizens and create procedural complexity, especially in understanding when State ratification is required.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Political Use of Amendments:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> At times, constitutional amendments may be driven by short-term political interests rather than long-term constitutional principles.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Indian Constitution Amendments Recent Developments<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Recent developments show that constitutional amendment remains an active tool for addressing electoral representation and governance, while the requirement of a special majority continues to act as an important safeguard.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>131st Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2026:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Introduced in April 2026 to facilitate changes related to delimitation, Lok Sabha representation and women\u2019s reservation. It proposed increasing the maximum strength of the Lok Sabha from 550 to 850. The Bill, however, failed to secure the required special majority and was negatived.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Indian Constitution Amendments UPSC PYQs<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><b>Q1:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u201cParliament\u2019s power to amend the Constitution is a limited power, and it cannot be enlarged into absolute power.\u201d In the light of this statement, explain whether Parliament under Article 368 of the Constitution can destroy the Basic Structure of the Constitution by expanding its amending power?<\/span><b> (UPSC Mains 2019)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Q2:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Consider the following subjects under the Constitution of India:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> List I-Union List, in the Seventh Schedule<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Extent of the executive power of a State<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Conditions of the Governor's office\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For a constitutional amendment with respect to which of the above, ratification by the Legislatures of not less than one-half of the States is required before presenting the bill to the President of India for assent? <\/span><b>(UPSC Prelims 2025)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">a) 1 and 2 only<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">b) 2 and 3 only<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">c) 1 and 3 only<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">d) 1, 2 and 3<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><strong>Ans: (a)<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Q3:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The Constitution (71st Amendment) Act, 1992 amends the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution to include which of the following languages?<\/span><b> (UPSC Prelims 2024)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Konkani<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Manipuri<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Nepali<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Maithili<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Select the correct answer using the code given below:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">a) 1, 2 and 3<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">b) 1, 2 and 4<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">c) 1, 3 and 4<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">d) 2, 3 and<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">4\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Ans: (a)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Q4:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> In India, which one of the following Constitutional Amendments was widely believed to be enacted to overcome the judicial interpretations of the Fundamental Rights? <\/span><b>(UPSC Prelims 2023)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">a) 1st Amendment<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">b) 42nd Amendment<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">c) 44th Amendment<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">d) 86th Amendment\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Ans: (a)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse;width: 88.7337%;height: 187px\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\" style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center\" colspan=\"2\"><strong>Other Related posts\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/indian-constitution\/\" target=\"_blank\">Indian Constitution<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/sources-of-indian-constitution\/\" target=\"_blank\">Sources of Indian Constitution<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/constituent-assembly-making-of-the-indian-constitution\/\" target=\"_blank\">Constituent Assembly<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/comparison-of-india-uk-constitution\/\" target=\"_blank\">Comparison of India-UK Constitution<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/indian-constitution-amendments\/\" target=\"_blank\">Indian Constitution Amendments<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/constitutionalism\/\" target=\"_blank\">Constitutionalism<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/44th-constitutional-amendment-act\/\" target=\"_blank\">44th Constitutional Amendment Act<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/important-articles-of-indian-constitution\/\" target=\"_blank\">Important Articles of Indian Constitution<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/103rd-constitutional-amendment-act\/\" target=\"_blank\">103rd Constitutional Amendment Act<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/doctrine-of-checks-and-balances\/\" target=\"_blank\">Doctrine of Checks and Balances<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/basic-structure\/\" target=\"_blank\">Basic Structure Doctrine<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/separation-of-powers\/\" target=\"_blank\">Separation of Powers in India<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Article 368 grants Parliament the power to amend the Indian Constitution. Learn about  Indian Constitution Amendments, Types, Procedure, Important, Limitations here.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":12794,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"footnotes":""},"categories":[38,27],"tags":[244,40,632],"class_list":["post-8040","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-upsc-notes","category-upsc-polity-notes","tag-indian-constitution-amendments","tag-quest","tag-upsc-polity-notes"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8040","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8040"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8040\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28435,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8040\/revisions\/28435"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12794"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8040"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8040"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8040"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}