Anand Classes provides detailed Amendment of the Constitution (Article 368) NDA Polity Notes for NDA GAT preparation. These notes explain the procedure of constitutional amendments, types of amendments (by simple majority, special majority, and by ratification of states), important amendments like the 42nd, 44th, 61st, and 73rd–74th, along with FAQs and exam-focused MCQs. Click the print button to download study material and notes.
Article 368 – Amendment of the Constitution
- Article 368 deals with the procedure to amend the Constitution of India.
- An amendment to the Constitution can be initiated in either House of Parliament (Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha).
- No provision of a joint session exists in case of disagreement between the two Houses.
- Once the amendment bill is passed by both Houses by the required majority (special or simple, depending on the type of amendment), it is sent to the President of India.
- The President must give his assent to the amendment bill.
- He cannot withhold his assent nor return the bill for reconsideration.
- Thus, constitutional amendments become part of the Constitution only after Presidential assent.
Types of Amendments in India
(Though not specifically mentioned in the question, NDA aspirants should know this for better understanding.)
- By Simple Majority of Parliament – For certain provisions like formation of new states.
- By Special Majority of Parliament – For most amendments (e.g., Fundamental Rights).
- By Special Majority of Parliament with Ratification by Half of the States – For federal provisions like the election of the President.
Important Constitutional Amendments
Below are some of the most significant constitutional amendments and their key provisions:
Early Amendments
- 1st Amendment (1951): Overcame difficulties related to Fundamental Rights, added the 9th Schedule, and converted the Right to Property into a legal right.
- 7th Amendment (1956): Reorganization of states on linguistic basis; changes in the 1st and 4th Schedules.
- 9th Amendment (1960): Transfer of certain territories to Pakistan following the 1958 Indo-Pak Agreement.
- 10th Amendment (1961): Incorporation of Dadra and Nagar Haveli into India.
- 12th Amendment (1962): Incorporation of Goa, Daman and Diu into India.
- 13th Amendment (1962): Creation of Nagaland as a state.
- 14th Amendment (1963): Incorporation of Pondicherry into India from France.
- 18th Amendment (1966): Reorganization of Punjab into Punjab, Haryana, and UT of Chandigarh.
Landmark Amendments in the 1970s
- 26th Amendment (1971): Abolished Privy Purses and privileges of former rulers.
- 27th Amendment (1971): Established Manipur and Tripura as States; made Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh Union Territories.
- 31st Amendment (1973): Increased Lok Sabha seats from 525 to 545.
- 42nd Amendment (1976): Known as the Mini Constitution.
- Provided supremacy of Parliament.
- Gave primacy to Directive Principles over Fundamental Rights in certain cases.
- Added 10 Fundamental Duties.
- Changed the Preamble to include the words “Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic”.
Post-Emergency Period
- 44th Amendment (1978):
- Restored the normal term of Lok Sabha and State Assemblies to 5 years.
- Deleted Right to Property from Fundamental Rights.
- Limited the government’s power to proclaim internal emergency.
Key Amendments in the 1980s & 1990s
- 52nd Amendment (1985): Added the 10th Schedule (Anti-Defection Law).
- 61st Amendment (1989): Reduced the voting age from 21 to 18 years for Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
- 62nd Amendment (1989): Extended reservation of seats for SC/STs in legislatures till 2000.
- 69th Amendment (1991): Granted special status to Delhi as the National Capital Territory (NCT).
- 73rd Amendment (1992): Introduced Panchayati Raj System.
- Provided for Gram Sabha, direct elections, reservation for SCs/STs/women, and 5-year tenure for Panchayats.
- 74th Amendment (1992): Introduced Nagar Palika (Municipalities).
- Provided for three types of urban local bodies and reservations similar to Panchayats.
Amendments in the 21st Century
- 86th Amendment (2002): Inserted Article 21-A, making primary education a Fundamental Right for children aged 6–14.
- Added 11th Fundamental Duty.
- 92nd Amendment (2003): Added Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santhali to the 8th Schedule.
- 93rd Amendment (2005): Added Clause (5) to Article 15 for special provisions for socially and educationally backward classes.
- 94th Amendment (2006): Mandated a Minister of Tribal Welfare in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha.
- 95th Amendment (2010): Extended reservation of seats for SC/STs in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies from 60 to 70 years.
- 96th Amendment (2011): Changed the spelling of Oriya to Odia.
- 97th Amendment (2012): Added provisions for the promotion of cooperative societies, introduced Part IXB, and amended Article 19(1)(C).
- 98th Amendment (2013): Empowered the Governor of Karnataka to develop the Hyderabad–Karnataka region.
- 99th Amendment (2015): Provided for a National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC)—later struck down by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional.
- 100th Amendment (2015): Enabled exchange of enclaves with Bangladesh and settlement of the land boundary agreement.
- 101st Amendment (2016): Introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST) by amending multiple Articles and deleting Article 268A.
Key Takeaways for NDA Exam Preparation
- Article 368: Procedure of constitutional amendment.
- President’s Role: He cannot withhold or return an amendment bill.
- 42nd Amendment: Called the Mini Constitution.
- 44th Amendment: Safeguarded Fundamental Rights after Emergency.
- 73rd & 74th Amendments: Strengthened local self-governance.
- 101st Amendment: Introduced GST.
These amendments are frequently tested in UPSC NDA Indian Polity questions. Candidates should memorize key numbers and their significance using concise notes such as Anand Classes UPSC NDA study material pdf, download UPSC NDA polity notes, and focused NDA polity preparation resources.
NDA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Amendments of the Indian Constitution (Article 368)
FAQ 1: What is Article 368 and why is it important?
Answer:
Article 368 of the Indian Constitution provides the procedure for amending the Constitution. An amendment can be introduced in either House of Parliament and must be passed by a special majority in both Houses.
- No joint sitting is allowed in case of disagreement.
- After Parliament passes the amendment bill, it is sent to the President, who must give assent—he cannot withhold or return the bill.
This ensures that the Constitution can be updated to meet changing needs while maintaining its sanctity.
This topic is a favourite in the UPSC NDA polity syllabus, so candidates should study Article 368 carefully using resources like Anand Classes download UPSC NDA notes, UPSC NDA study material pdf, UPSC NDA polity notes preparation.
FAQ 2: What are the different types of constitutional amendments in India?
Answer:
The Constitution can be amended in three ways under Article 368:
- By Simple Majority – e.g., formation of new states or changes in Second Schedule.
- By Special Majority of Parliament – most amendments like Fundamental Rights.
- By Special Majority plus Ratification by Half of the States – amendments affecting federal features (e.g., election of the President, distribution of powers).
For the NDA exam, understanding these categories helps in solving tricky polity questions. Aspirants can master this concept through Anand Classes download UPSC NDA notes, UPSC NDA study material pdf, UPSC NDA polity notes preparation.
FAQ 3: Which amendment is called the ‘Mini Constitution’ and why?
Answer:
The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 is known as the Mini Constitution because it made sweeping changes:
- Strengthened the power of Parliament.
- Gave Directive Principles primacy over Fundamental Rights in some cases.
- Added 10 Fundamental Duties.
- Changed the Preamble to include the words “Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic”.
This amendment is extremely significant for UPSC NDA Indian Polity preparation, and candidates should revise it thoroughly using reliable notes like Anand Classes UPSC NDA polity notes preparation.
FAQ 4: What major changes were introduced by the 44th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1978?
Answer:
The 44th Amendment reversed many provisions of the 42nd Amendment and sought to protect democratic values. Key changes included:
- Restoring the term of Lok Sabha and State Assemblies to 5 years.
- Deleting the Right to Property from Fundamental Rights (making it a legal right).
- Limiting the power of the government to proclaim internal emergency.
This amendment is frequently asked in NDA Indian Polity MCQs, and candidates can prepare it effectively with Anand Classes download UPSC NDA notes, UPSC NDA study material pdf, UPSC NDA polity notes preparation.
FAQ 5: What was the objective of the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments?
Answer:
- 73rd Amendment (1992): Established the Panchayati Raj System in rural areas, introduced Gram Sabha, direct elections, reservation of seats for SCs, STs, and women, and a five-year tenure for Panchayats.
- 74th Amendment (1992): Strengthened urban local governance by creating three types of municipalities and providing reservations for SCs, STs, women, and backward classes.
These amendments are crucial for NDA aspirants as they link to local self-government. Strong understanding can be developed using Anand Classes UPSC NDA study material pdf, UPSC NDA polity notes preparation.
FAQ 6: Which amendment lowered the voting age in India and why was it significant?
Answer:
The 61st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1989 reduced the voting age from 21 to 18 years for elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.
- This change empowered youth participation in the democratic process and strengthened India’s representative system.
The amendment is a high-value topic for the UPSC NDA polity section, so aspirants should revise it using concise resources like Anand Classes download UPSC NDA notes, UPSC NDA study material pdf, UPSC NDA polity notes preparation.
FAQ 7: What is the significance of the 101st Constitutional Amendment?
Answer:
The 101st Amendment Act, 2016 introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST) by amending multiple Articles and deleting Article 268A.
- It unified indirect taxes under a single national system, promoting economic integration across states.
For NDA aspirants, GST-related amendments are modern and relevant, making it essential to revise using Anand Classes download UPSC NDA notes, UPSC NDA study material pdf, UPSC NDA polity notes preparation.
FAQ 8: Which amendment added education as a Fundamental Right?
Answer:
The 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002 inserted Article 21-A, making free and compulsory education a Fundamental Right for children aged 6 to 14 years.
- It also added the 11th Fundamental Duty and modified Article 45 in the Directive Principles.
This is a frequently tested topic in UPSC NDA Indian Polity questions, and aspirants can strengthen their preparation using Anand Classes download UPSC NDA notes, UPSC NDA study material pdf, UPSC NDA polity notes preparation.
These FAQs cover the key constitutional amendments that frequently appear in UPSC NDA Indian Polity questions. A clear understanding of the amendment numbers, years, and their significance is critical for NDA success.
NDA MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions) on Constitutional Amendments (Article 368)
1. Under which Article of the Indian Constitution can an amendment be initiated?
A) Article 370
B) Article 368
C) Article 356
D) Article 352
Answer: B) Article 368
Explanation:
Article 368 deals with the procedure of amending the Constitution. An amendment can be initiated in either House of Parliament, but no joint session is allowed. The President cannot refuse assent once it is passed.
(For NDA polity preparation, revise Anand Classes download UPSC NDA notes, UPSC NDA study material pdf, UPSC NDA polity notes preparation.)
2. Which constitutional amendment is known as the ‘Mini Constitution’?
A) 44th Amendment
B) 42nd Amendment
C) 73rd Amendment
D) 61st Amendment
Answer: B) 42nd Amendment
Explanation:
The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 made far-reaching changes by strengthening Parliament, giving Directive Principles primacy, adding 10 Fundamental Duties, and altering the Preamble to include “Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic.”
(Important for NDA polity section—prepare with UPSC NDA polity notes preparation pdf.)
3. The 44th Amendment of 1978 is significant because it:
A) Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18
B) Gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj
C) Restored the normal term of Lok Sabha and deleted Right to Property
D) Introduced GST
Answer: C) Restored the normal term of Lok Sabha and deleted Right to Property
Explanation:
The 44th Amendment Act, 1978 restored the five-year tenure of Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, removed Right to Property from Fundamental Rights, and curtailed the power to proclaim internal emergency.
(Frequently tested in NDA polity MCQs—use Anand Classes UPSC NDA study material pdf for revision.)
4. Which amendment reduced the voting age for Lok Sabha elections to 18 years?
A) 61st Amendment
B) 73rd Amendment
C) 86th Amendment
D) 69th Amendment
Answer: A) 61st Amendment
Explanation:
The 61st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1989 reduced the voting age from 21 to 18 years, enhancing youth participation in Indian democracy.
(Very common NDA question—refer to Anand Classes download UPSC NDA notes and polity notes preparation.)
5. Which constitutional amendment introduced the Panchayati Raj system?
A) 42nd Amendment
B) 73rd Amendment
C) 74th Amendment
D) 44th Amendment
Answer: B) 73rd Amendment
Explanation:
The 73rd Amendment Act, 1992 gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions, providing for Gram Sabha, direct elections, reservation of seats for SCs, STs, and women, and a five-year tenure.
(Crucial for NDA polity preparation—study from UPSC NDA polity notes preparation pdf.)
6. Which of the following amendments added the words “Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic” to the Preamble?
A) 42nd Amendment
B) 44th Amendment
C) 61st Amendment
D) 93rd Amendment
Answer: A) 42nd Amendment
Explanation:
The 42nd Amendment, 1976 made historic changes to the Preamble by adding “Socialist” and “Secular”, reinforcing the democratic and egalitarian values of the Constitution.
(Important NDA polity fact—revise with Anand Classes UPSC NDA study material pdf.)
7. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) was introduced by which constitutional amendment?
A) 100th Amendment
B) 101st Amendment
C) 99th Amendment
D) 97th Amendment
Answer: B) 101st Amendment
Explanation:
The 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016 introduced GST by amending several Articles, including the 7th Schedule, and deleting Article 268A, creating a unified indirect tax system.
(New-age NDA polity topic—prepare with Anand Classes download UPSC NDA notes and UPSC NDA polity notes preparation.)
8. Which amendment made primary education a Fundamental Right?
A) 86th Amendment
B) 73rd Amendment
C) 44th Amendment
D) 61st Amendment
Answer: A) 86th Amendment
Explanation:
The 86th Amendment Act, 2002 inserted Article 21-A, making free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14 years a Fundamental Right. It also added the 11th Fundamental Duty and amended Article 45.
(Frequently asked in NDA polity MCQs—revise using UPSC NDA study material pdf.)
9. Which of the following amendments was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2015 for violating the basic structure?
A) 99th Amendment
B) 97th Amendment
C) 100th Amendment
D) 86th Amendment
Answer: A) 99th Amendment
Explanation:
The 99th Amendment Act, 2015, which proposed the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC), was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court as it threatened the independence of the judiciary, violating the Basic Structure Doctrine.
(Important NDA polity topic—covered in Anand Classes UPSC NDA polity notes preparation.)
10. Which constitutional amendment incorporated Goa, Daman, and Diu into India?
A) 10th Amendment
B) 12th Amendment
C) 13th Amendment
D) 18th Amendment
Answer: B) 12th Amendment
Explanation:
The 12th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1962 incorporated Goa, Daman, and Diu into the Indian Union after they were liberated from Portuguese rule.
(A historical polity question for NDA exam—prepare using UPSC NDA study material pdf and Anand Classes NDA polity notes.)
✅ NDA Polity Practice Tip:
For UPSC NDA exam, focus on:
- Amendment numbers + year + key changes.
- Amendments related to Fundamental Rights, Emergency provisions, Panchayati Raj, and GST.
- Use short revision notes like Anand Classes download UPSC NDA notes, UPSC NDA study material pdf, UPSC NDA polity notes preparation for quick last-minute practice.
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