Constitutional Amendments of India – Key Acts & Features
Delhi Police Exams – GK Section
Introduction
The Constitution of India is a living document — it can be amended (changed/updated) to meet evolving needs.
Article 368 (Part XX): Procedure for amendment of Constitution.
Memory Trick: Constitution = Flexible for change,
strong for stability.
Procedure for Amendment (Article 368)
| Type | How it’s Passed | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| By Simple Majority | Ordinary law; simple majority in Parliament | Admission of new states, citizenship etc. |
| By Special Majority | 2/3 of present & voting, plus majority of total members in both Houses | Fundamental Rights, DPSPs etc. |
| By Special Majority + State Ratification | Special majority + approval by half of State Legislatures | GST, Lok Sabha–Rajya Sabha relations etc. |
Memory Trick: Simple → Easy, Special → Serious, State →
Shared Power.
Steps in the Amendment Process
- Bill introduced in either House of Parliament (no need for President’s prior permission)
- Passed by required majority (Simple/Special/State Ratification)
- Sent to President for assent (President must give assent)
- Amendment becomes part of Constitution
Propose – Pass – Presidential Assent – Permanent
Law.
Important Constitutional Amendments
A. 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 – “Mini Constitution”
| Year | 1976 |
| Government | Indira Gandhi |
| Nickname | Mini Constitution |
- Added Socialist, Secular, Integrity to Preamble
- Fundamental Duties added (Art. 51A)
- DPSPs precedence over FRs (Art. 31C)
- Reduced Judicial Review
- Extended Lok Sabha/Assemblies tenure to 6 years (later reversed)
42 = Power to Centre, Duties for Citizens
B. 44th Amendment Act, 1978 – Restored Balance
| Year | 1978 |
| Objective | Undo Emergency-era changes |
- Restored FRs and Judicial Review
- Right to Property made legal (Art. 300A)
- Emergency only on written advice of Cabinet
- Freedom of press and liberty restored
44 = Freedom Restored, Emergency Restrained
C. 52nd Amendment Act, 1985 – Anti-Defection Law
| Year | 1985 |
| Added | Tenth Schedule |
- Disqualification if voluntary give up party/member votes against party whip
- Speaker/Chairman decides
52 = Stop Political Flip-Flops
D. 73rd Amendment Act, 1992 – Panchayati Raj
| In Force | 24 April 1993 |
| Added | Part IX (243–243O), 11th Schedule |
- 3-tier: Gram, Block, District Panchayats
- Reservation, tenure, election and finance commissions
73 = Rural Roots of Democracy
E. 74th Amendment Act, 1992 – Urban Local Bodies
| In Force | 1 June 1993 |
| Added | Part IX-A (243P–243ZG), 12th Schedule |
- Municipal Corporation, Municipality, Nagar Panchayat
- Reservation, urban planning, sanitation, water supply
74 = Smart Cities Begin
F. 86th Amendment Act, 2002 – Right to Education
| Added | Article 21A (Part III) |
| Objective | Education a Fundamental Right (6–14 yrs) |
- Article 21A + amendments to Articles 45, 51A
- Free and compulsory education for 6–14 yrs
86 = Every Child Learns
G. 101st Amendment Act, 2016 – Goods and Services Tax (GST)
| Year | 2016 |
| Implemented | 1 July 2017 |
- Articles 246A, 269A, 279A; GST Council
- One Nation, One Tax
101 = One Nation, One Tax
Summary of Important Amendments
| Amendment | Year | Purpose / Nickname |
|---|---|---|
| 42nd | 1976 | Mini Constitution; Socialist, Secular, Duties |
| 44th | 1978 | Restored FRs, Property Legal Right |
| 52nd | 1985 | Anti-Defection Law (Tenth Schedule) |
| 73rd | 1992 | Panchayati Raj (Part IX, 11th Sch) |
| 74th | 1992 | Urban Bodies (Part IX-A, 12th Sch) |
| 86th | 2002 | Right to Education (Art. 21A) |
| 101st | 2016 | GST (Art. 246A, 279A) |
Quick Trick: 42 Power, 44 Freedom, 52 Party, 73–74
Local, 86 School, 101 Tax
PYQs (Delhi Police, SSC & State Exams)
Q1. Which Article provides the procedure for amending the Constitution?
A) Article 356 B) Article 368 C) Article 352 D) Article 370
Answer
B) Article 368
Q2. Which Amendment is known as the ‘Mini Constitution’?
A) 44th B) 42nd C) 52nd D) 73rd
Answer
B) 42nd
Q3. Which Amendment restored Fundamental Rights curtailed during the Emergency?
A) 42nd B) 44th C) 52nd D) 86th
Answer
B) 44th
Q4. The Anti-Defection Law was introduced by which Amendment?
A) 42nd B) 44th C) 52nd D) 73rd
Answer
C) 52nd
Q5. The 73rd and 74th Amendments relate to —
A) Judiciary B) Local Self-Government C) Fundamental Rights D) Directive Principles
Answer
B) Local Self-Government
Q6. The Right to Education was made Fundamental by which Amendment?
A) 42nd B) 86th C) 44th D) 101st
Answer
B) 86th
Q7. GST was introduced through which Constitutional Amendment?
A) 100th B) 101st C) 102nd D) 104th
Answer
B) 101st
Q8. The 42nd Amendment added which words to the Preamble?
A) Socialist and Secular B) Democratic and Republic C) Equality and Justice D) None of the above
Answer
A) Socialist and Secular
Q9. Under which Amendment were Fundamental Duties added?
A) 42nd B) 44th C) 52nd D) 73rd
Answer
A) 42nd
Q10. The 44th Amendment made the Right to Property —
A) Fundamental Right B) Directive Principle C) Legal Right D) None
Answer
C) Legal Right
Summary Table – Key Articles and Features
| Article / Schedule | Feature | Amendment |
|---|---|---|
| Article 368 | Procedure for Amendment | — |
| Article 51A | Fundamental Duties | 42nd |
| Article 300A | Property as Legal Right | 44th |
| Tenth Schedule | Anti-Defection Law | 52nd |
| Part IX, 11th Sch | Panchayati Raj | 73rd |
| Part IX-A, 12th Sch | Municipalities | 74th |
| Article 21A | Right to Education | 86th |
| Article 279A | GST Council | 101st |
Final Concept Recap
- Article 368 → Amendment process
- 42nd Amendment → Mini Constitution, Fundamental Duties
- 44th Amendment → Liberty restored, property removed as FR
- 52nd Amendment → Anti-Defection Law
- 73rd & 74th Amendments → Local Self-Govt
- 86th Amendment → Right to Education (21A)
- 101st Amendment → GST & GST Council
One-Line Memory: Amendments evolve the Constitution —
from duties to democracy, rights to reforms.
Developed By Jan Mohammad
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