Major Amendments
Constitution Special · प्रमुख संशोधन
📋Quick Overview
The Indian Constitution can be amended under Article 368. Since its adoption in 1950, over 105 amendments have been made. Amendments fall into three categories: by simple majority (e.g., new states), by special majority (2/3rd of members present + absolute majority of total membership), and by special majority + ratification by at least half the state legislatures. The 42nd Amendment (1976) is called the 'Mini-Constitution' as it made the most sweeping changes. Parliament's power to amend the Constitution is limited by the 'Basic Structure Doctrine' laid down in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973).
42nd Amendment (1976) = 'Mini Constitution'. 44th Amendment (1978) = Restored democratic rights after Emergency. 101st Amendment (2017) = GST. 103rd Amendment (2019) = 10% EWS reservation.
📖Key Constitutional Amendments — Detailed Table
| Amendment No. | Year | Key Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1951 | Added 9th Schedule (to protect land reform laws from judicial review); reasonable restrictions on FRs |
| 7th | 1956 | States reorganisation on linguistic basis; abolished Part A, B, C, D states classification |
| 10th | 1961 | Integrated Dadra & Nagar Haveli into India |
| 13th | 1962 | Created Nagaland as a state |
| 24th | 1971 | Parliament can amend any provision including FRs; made it mandatory for President to give assent to constitutional amendment bills |
| 25th | 1971 | Right to property restricted; state can acquire property for public purpose |
| 26th | 1971 | Abolished privy purses and privileges of former rulers of princely states |
| 42nd | 1976 | MINI-CONSTITUTION: Added 'Socialist', 'Secular', 'Integrity' to Preamble; added 10 FDs; DPSP given precedence over FRs; Judiciary weakened; 5-year term extended to 6 years |
| 44th | 1978 | Restored rights after Emergency: Right to Property removed from FRs (→Art 300A); 'Armed rebellion' replaced 'internal disturbance' in Art 352; Cabinet's written recommendation needed for National Emergency |
| 52nd | 1985 | Anti-Defection Law added (10th Schedule); disqualification for defection |
| 61st | 1988 | Voting age reduced from 21 to 18 years |
| 73rd | 1992 | Panchayati Raj constitutional status; Part IX + 11th Schedule (29 subjects) added; effective April 24, 1993 |
| 74th | 1992 | Municipalities constitutional status; Part IXA + 12th Schedule (18 subjects) added |
| 86th | 2002 | Art 21A: Right to Education (6–14 years) as FR; Art 45 amended; Art 51A(k) — FD of parents to provide education |
| 91st | 2003 | Cabinet size limited to 15% of Lower House; anti-defection amended |
| 97th | 2011 | Right to form cooperative societies added as FR; Part IXB added for cooperatives |
| 101st | 2016 | Goods & Services Tax (GST) — Art 246A, 269A added; IGST, SGST, CGST framework; GST Council established |
| 102nd | 2018 | Constitutional status to National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) — Art 338B added |
| 103rd | 2019 | 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) — Art 15(6) and 16(6) added |
| 104th | 2020 | Reserved seats for SC/ST in Lok Sabha & state assemblies extended by 10 more years (till 2030); removed Anglo-Indian nominated seats |
| 105th | 2021 | States/UTs empowered to identify OBCs for reservation purposes; restored after 102nd amendment confusion |