Amending the Constitution: the procedure and the numbered amendments
Parliament changes the Constitution by numbered Amendment Acts; the number gives the order, and the order gives the era.
What the paper can ask
- Three routes: some changes by simple majority, outside the amendment procedure itself (such as new states and Legislative Councils); most by a special majority (a majority of total membership plus two-thirds of those present and voting); matters of the federal balance by special majority plus ratification by at least half the state legislatures.
- An amendment bill can start in either House, there is no joint sitting if the Houses disagree, and the President must give assent once it is passed.
- The First Amendment came in 1951, within 18 months of the Constitution starting; the Seventh (1956) reorganised the states on linguistic lines.
- The 42nd Amendment was passed during the Emergency of 1975 to 1977.
Latest
106 amendments so far; the latest, the 106th (2023), reserves one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies after the next delimitation. The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill on delimitation and the women's quota was defeated in the Lok Sabha on 17 April 2026 (298 for, 230 against, short of a special majority).
Why exams ask
Setters pair an amendment number with what it did, ask which Article gives the procedure, and which kinds of change need ratification by the states.
The full story
The Constitution gives Parliament the power to add to, change or repeal any part of it. Each change is a 'Constitution (Nth Amendment) Act', numbered in the order it became law: a low number means the 1950s, and 100 or more means 2015 or later. Most need a special majority in both Houses; changes that touch the Centre-state balance also need half the states. The Supreme Court can strike down an amendment that damages the basic structure.
In the news
Test yourself
1.Which of the following words were inserted in the Preamble by the Constitution (Forty-second Amendment) Act, 1976?
Correct. The 42nd Amendment (1976) substituted 'Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic' for 'Sovereign Democratic Republic' and 'unity and integrity' for 'unity'.
Not quite. The 42nd Amendment (1976) substituted 'Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic' for 'Sovereign Democratic Republic' and 'unity and integrity' for 'unity'. It goes into your error book.
2.Fundamental Duties were added to the Constitution by which amendment?
Correct. Part IVA with Article 51A was inserted by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 on the Swaran Singh Committee's recommendation; the 86th Amendment of 2002 added the eleventh duty.
Not quite. Part IVA with Article 51A was inserted by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 on the Swaran Singh Committee's recommendation; the 86th Amendment of 2002 added the eleventh duty. It goes into your error book.
3.Article 21A, which makes free and compulsory education a fundamental right for children aged six to fourteen, was inserted by which amendment?
Correct. The 86th Amendment Act, 2002 inserted Article 21A, substituted Article 45 and added duty (k) in Article 51A; it came into force on 1 April 2010 with the RTE Act.
Not quite. The 86th Amendment Act, 2002 inserted Article 21A, substituted Article 45 and added duty (k) in Article 51A; it came into force on 1 April 2010 with the RTE Act. It goes into your error book.