⚡ Topic 05 of 5 · Chapter 04 · Quick Revision
Constitutional Amendments & Key Facts Revision
Important amendments, Article 368, types of amendments, and complete quick revision with all key numbers.
📋 Amendment Procedure — Article 368
The Constitution can be amended under Article 368. There are three types of amendment procedures:
| Type | Procedure | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Majority | More than 50% of members present and voting in each House | Admission of new states, creation of new states, abolition of Legislative Councils |
| Special Majority | 2/3 majority of members present and voting + majority of total membership of each House | Most constitutional amendments — Fundamental Rights, DPSP, etc. |
| Special Majority + State Ratification | Special majority in Parliament + ratification by at least half of State Legislatures | Federal provisions — election of President, distribution of powers, representation of States in Parliament |
⭐ Basic Structure Doctrine: Parliament can amend the Constitution but cannot destroy its basic structure. Established in Kesavananda Bharati case (1973). Basic structure includes: Supremacy of Constitution, Republican and Democratic form of government, Secular character, Separation of powers, Federal character, Judicial review, Free and fair elections.
📋 Most Important Constitutional Amendments
| Amendment | Year | Key Changes |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Amendment | 1951 | Added 9th Schedule; restricted Right to Property; added reasonable restrictions to freedom of speech |
| 7th Amendment | 1956 | Reorganisation of states on linguistic basis; abolished Part B states |
| 24th Amendment | 1971 | Parliament has power to amend any part of Constitution including Fundamental Rights |
| 25th Amendment | 1971 | Right to property — compensation for acquisition not justiciable |
| 42nd Amendment | 1976 | “Mini Constitution” — added Socialist, Secular, Integrity to Preamble; added Fundamental Duties; moved Education and Forests to Concurrent List |
| 44th Amendment | 1978 | Removed Right to Property from FR; restored some provisions changed by 42nd Amendment; Articles 20 and 21 cannot be suspended during Emergency |
| 52nd Amendment | 1985 | Added 10th Schedule — Anti-defection law |
| 61st Amendment | 1988 | Reduced voting age from 21 to 18 years |
| 73rd Amendment | 1992 | Added Part IX and 11th Schedule — Panchayati Raj |
| 74th Amendment | 1992 | Added Part IXA and 12th Schedule — Municipalities |
| 86th Amendment | 2002 | Added 11th Fundamental Duty; Right to Education (Article 21A) for children 6–14 years |
| 101st Amendment | 2016 | Goods and Services Tax (GST) |
| 103rd Amendment | 2019 | 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) |
⚡ Complete Chapter Revision Checklist
✅ Largest source of Constitution: Government of India Act, 1935
✅ Parliamentary system from UK; FR from USA; DPSP from Ireland
✅ Federal with strong Centre from Canada; Concurrent List from Australia
✅ Emergency suspension of FR from Germany; FD from USSR; Procedure from Japan
✅ Originally 22 Parts → Currently 25 Parts
✅ Originally 395 Articles → Currently 470+ Articles
✅ Originally 8 Schedules → Currently 12 Schedules
✅ 7th Schedule: Union List (97), State List (66), Concurrent List (47)
✅ 8th Schedule: 22 Official Languages
✅ 9th Schedule: Laws protected from judicial review (1st Amendment, 1951)
✅ 10th Schedule: Anti-defection (52nd Amendment, 1985)
✅ 11th Schedule: 29 subjects for Panchayats (73rd Amendment, 1992)
✅ 12th Schedule: 18 subjects for Municipalities (74th Amendment, 1992)
✅ Amendment procedure: Article 368
✅ Basic Structure Doctrine: Kesavananda Bharati case (1973)
✅ 42nd Amendment (1976) = “Mini Constitution”
✅ Voting age reduced to 18 by 61st Amendment (1988)
✅ Parliamentary system from UK; FR from USA; DPSP from Ireland
✅ Federal with strong Centre from Canada; Concurrent List from Australia
✅ Emergency suspension of FR from Germany; FD from USSR; Procedure from Japan
✅ Originally 22 Parts → Currently 25 Parts
✅ Originally 395 Articles → Currently 470+ Articles
✅ Originally 8 Schedules → Currently 12 Schedules
✅ 7th Schedule: Union List (97), State List (66), Concurrent List (47)
✅ 8th Schedule: 22 Official Languages
✅ 9th Schedule: Laws protected from judicial review (1st Amendment, 1951)
✅ 10th Schedule: Anti-defection (52nd Amendment, 1985)
✅ 11th Schedule: 29 subjects for Panchayats (73rd Amendment, 1992)
✅ 12th Schedule: 18 subjects for Municipalities (74th Amendment, 1992)
✅ Amendment procedure: Article 368
✅ Basic Structure Doctrine: Kesavananda Bharati case (1973)
✅ 42nd Amendment (1976) = “Mini Constitution”
✅ Voting age reduced to 18 by 61st Amendment (1988)