Important Amendments in Indian Constitution
Amendments are implemented to make changes in the articles of the Constitution according to the times. This can be done only with the majority support of the Parliament. So far, 106 constitutional amendments have been implemented.
First Constitutional Amendment (1951)
The First Constitutional Amendment was implemented in 1951 when Jawaharlal Nehru was the Prime Minister and Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the President. Articles 15, 19, 31, 85, 87, 174, 176, 341, 342, 372, and 376 were changed. A Ninth Schedule was also added to the Constitution (Land Reforms Act). Provision was made to restrict freedom of expression during the state of emergency. Articles 31A and 31B were added. The First Constitutional Amendment allows for reasonable restrictions on freedom of expression, taking into account the public interest and friendly relations with other countries. The purpose of the amendment was to remove the obstacles in the exercise of the fundamental rights of equality before the law, right to property and freedom of expression.
Second Constitutional Amendment (1952)
A constitutional amendment to adjust the representation of constituencies in the Lok Sabha as per the 1951 census.
7th Constitutional Amendment (1956)
The 7th Constitutional Amendment was implemented in 1956 when Jawaharlal Nehru was the Prime Minister and Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the President. According to the 7th Constitutional Amendment, the states were reorganized on the basis of language. Measures were also included to protect linguistic minorities. The formation of Union Territories was allowed. It was provided that the same person can be appointed as Governor of two or more states. Articles 258A, 290A, 298, 350A, 350B, 371, 372A and 378A were added.
8th Constitutional Amendment (1959)
Extended special provisions for reservations of seats for SCs, STs and Anglo - Indians in Lok Sabha and Legislative. Assemblies for a period of 10 years from 1960 to 1970.
9th Constitutional Amendment (1960)
The Ninth Constitutional Amendment was implemented in 1960 when Jawaharlal Nehru was the Prime Minister and Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the President. Gave effect to transfer certain territories to Pakistan following the 1958 Indo-Pak Agreement. As per the agreement following the resolution of the Indo-Pak border dispute of 1958, India had to give some areas (West Bengal) to Pakistan.
10th Constitutional Amendment (1961)
The Tenth Constitutional Amendment was implemented in 1961 when Jawaharlal Nehru was the Prime Minister and Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the President. According to this amendment, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, which was a Portuguese-occupied territory, was annexed to the Indian Union as a Union Territory.
11th Constitutional Amendment (1961)
The Eleventh Constitutional Amendment was implemented in 1961 when Jawaharlal Nehru was the Prime Minister and Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the President. This amendment replaced the method of electing the Vice President by a joint session of Parliament and introduced the Electoral College.
12th Constitutional Amendment (1961)
The Portuguese-occupied Goa and Daman & Diu (as Union Territories) were incorporated into the Indian Union.
13th Constitutional Amendment (1962)
The state of Nagaland was created under Article 371A.
14th Constitutional Amendment (1962)
Pondicherry was incorporated into the Indian Union under Article 239A. Also Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam, the former French territories were included in the schedule as UT of Pondicherry.
15th Constitutional Amendment (1963)
The retirement age of High Court Judges was raised from 60 to 62. Provision was made for the appointment of retired judges to the sittings of High Courts (Article 224A).
16th Constitutional Amendment (1963)
Authorizes the State to impose reasonable restrictions on the rights of citizens to protect the sovereignty and integrity of the country.
18th Constitutional Amendment (1966)
Reorganizes Punjab into Punjabi-speaking Punjab, Hindi-speaking Haryana and UT of Chandigarh. The term State in Article 3, which deals with the formation of new states, etc., clarifies that the term State includes Union Territory and that the power of Parliament includes the power to form a new State or Union Territory by merging any part of any State or Union Territory with any other State or Union Territory.
19th Constitutional Amendment (1966)
Provides that the Election Commission shall be entrusted with the investigation of elections. Article 324 also omits the provision for the appointment of tribunals for the adjudication of disputes in elections to Parliament and Legislative Assemblies.
21st Constitutional Amendment (1967)
Included Sindhi as the fifteenth regional language in the Eighth Schedule.
22nd Constitutional Amendment (1969)
Created a sub-state of Meghalaya within Assam.
23rd Constitutional Amendment (1969)
Extended the reservation of seats for SC/ST and nomination of Anglo-Indians for a further period of 10 years (till 1980).
24th Constitutional Amendment (1971)
Established the power of Parliament to amend any part of the Constitution, including the Fundamental Rights. Made it mandatory for the President to assent to a Constitutional Amendment Bill.
25th Constitutional Amendment (1971)
26th Constitutional Amendment (1971)
Abolished the privilege granted to former princes. Abolished the titles and special privileges of former rulers of princely states.
27th Constitutional Amendment (1971)
Established Manipur and Tripura as States and Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh as Union Territories.
29th Constitutional Amendment (1972)
Gives protection to the Kerala Land Reforms Acts. The Kerala Land Reforms Acts are included in the Ninth Schedule.
31st Constitutional Amendment (1973)
The strength of the Lok Sabha was increased from 525 to 545. The number of members from Union Territories in Parliament was reduced from 25 to 20. The upper limit of representatives of States went up from 500 to 525.
32nd Constitutional Amendment (1974)
Protected the rights of Telangana and Andhra regions of Andhra Pradesh. Added Articles 371 D and 371 E.
33rd Constitutional Amendment (1974)
Included provisions to prevent resignation of MPs and MLAs under pressure.
35th Constitutional Amendment (1974)
Given the status of an associate state to Sikkim.
36th Constitutional Amendment (1975)
Given the status of a state to Sikkim, which was an associate state. Sikkim is the twenty-second state of India.
37th Constitutional Amendment (1975)
Allows Arunachal Pradesh to form a legislature and a cabinet.
38th Constitutional Amendment (1975)
Provided that the President can make a declaration of emergency, and the promulgation of ordinances by the President, Governors or Administrative Heads of Union Territories would be final and cannot be questioned in any court. It also authorized the President to declare different kinds of emergencies.
39th Constitutional Amendment (1975)
Placed beyond challenge in courts, the election to Parliament of a person holding the office of PM or Speaker and election of the President and Prime Minister.
40th Constitutional Amendment (1976)
Amendment to vest the minerals and valuables within the maritime zone of the country and elsewhere in the Centre.
42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976)
The 42nd Constitutional Amendment is a constitutional amendment known as the mini-Constitution. The 42nd Amendment came into effect during the period when the then prime minister, indira gandhi declared a state of internal emergency. Provided supremacy of Parliament and gave primacy to Directive Principles over Fundamental Rights. It also added 10 Fundamental Duties. The 42nd Constitutional Amendment is the only constitutional amendment to amend the Preamble of the Constitution. The preamble of the Constitution was amended to add three words: socialist, secular and unity and integrity of the nation.
44th Constitutional Amendment (1978)
Declares the right to property a non-fundamental right. The Right to Property was deleted from Part III. Emergency cannot be declared due to internal disturbances. It is only permissible in case of armed rebellion. Article 352 was amended to provide 'Armed Rebellion' as one of the circumstances for declaration of emergency.
45th Constitutional Amendment (1985)
52nd Constitutional Amendment (1985)
Added the Tenth Schedule. It is also known as the Anti-Defection Act. It deals with the disqualification of members of Parliament and members of state legislatures.
53rd Constitutional Amendment (1986)
A new article (371G) was added to grant statehood to Mizoram.
55th Constitutional Amendment (1986)
Amendment to grant statehood to Arunachal Pradesh.
56th Constitutional Amendment (1987)
Goa became the twenty-fifth state of India. Article 371I was added. Hindi version of the Constitution of India was accepted for all purposes. The UT of Goa, Daman and Diu was divided and Goa was made a State. Daman and Diu remained as a UT.
61st Constitutional Amendment (1988)
Reduced the voting age from 21 to 18 years for the Lok Sabha as well as Assemblies. The amendment was made in Article 326 of the Constitution.
62nd Constitutional Amendment (1989)
65th Constitutional Amendment (1990)
Provided for the constitution of a National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Accordingly, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes came into existence in 1992.
69th Constitutional Amendment (1991)
Declared Delhi as a National Capital Territory. Articles 239AA and 239AB were added.
71st Constitutional Amendment (1992)
Included Konkani, Manipuri and Nepali languages in the Eighth Schedule.
72nd Constitutional Amendment (1992)
Amendment providing for direct election to all seats in Panchayats, reservation for Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes and reservation of one-third of the total seats for women.
73rd Constitutional Amendment (1992)
It is known as the Panchayati Raj Act. It gave constitutional validity to Panchayati Raj. The Eleventh Schedule was added to the Constitution. Articles 243 to 243-O were added to Part IX of the Constitution. Provided among other things Gram Sabha in Villages, constitution of panchayats at the village and other levels, direct elections to all seats in panchayats and reservation of seats for the SC and ST and fixing of tenure of 5 years for panchayats.
74th Constitutional Amendment (1992)
It is known as the Municipalities Act. Part IX-A was added to the Constitution (Articles 243 P to 243 ZG). The Twelfth Schedule was added to the Constitution. Provides for, among other things, constitution of three types of municipalities, reservation of seats in every municipality for the SC and ST, women and the backward classes.
82nd Constitutional Amendment (2000)
84th Constitutional Amendment (2001)
Three new states, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand and Jharkhand, came into existence. The number of Lok Sabha and state assembly seats were extended till 2026.
86th Constitutional Amendment (2002)
Education was made a fundamental right. Article 21A was added to the Constitution. Makes education a fundamental right for children in the age group of 6-14 years.
87th Constitutional Amendment (2003)
To extend statutory cover for levy and utilisation of Service Tax.
89th Constitutional Amendment (2003)
The National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was bifurcated and two separate commissions were formed, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (Article 338) and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (Article 338A).
90th Constitutional Amendment (2003)
Reservation in Assam Assembly relating to Bodoland Territory Area.
91st Constitutional Amendment (2003)
It was stipulated that the number of ministers at the Centre and in the states should not exceed fifteen percent of the number of members of the lower house and state assemblies. Amended the Anti-Defection Law. It was stipulated that an MP or MLA who is disqualified under the Anti-Defection Act should not be appointed as a minister until the period of disqualification has expired.
92nd Constitutional Amendment (2003)
Four languages, namely Bodo, Dogri, Maithili and Santhali, were included in the Eighth Schedule.
93rd Constitutional Amendment (2005)
Provided reservation in educational institutions (including private) for socially and educationally backward classes and for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
94th Constitutional Amendment (2006)
Provided for appointment of Minister of Tribal Welfare each in the newly formed states of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. It is also provided for Madhya Pradesh and Odisha. It became effect from 12th June 2006.
95th Constitutional Amendment (2009)
Extended reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and representations of Anglo-Indians in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies for another ten years, till 26 January, 2020. This Act came into force on 25th January 2010.
96th Constitutional Amendment (2011)
In the First Schedule of the Constitution, the word 'Orissa' was replaced by 'Odisha'. In the Eighth Schedule, the word 'Oriya' was replaced by 'Odia'.
97th Constitutional Amendment (2011)
Added the words "or Co-operative Societies" after the word "or Unions" in Article 19 (1)(C) . Part IX-B was added to the Constitution with the title 'Co-operative Societies'. On 20 July 2021, the Supreme Court ruled that Part IX-B was unconstitutional. Article 43 B was added. ie, Promotion of Co-operative Societies. Dated on which the Act came into force, 12th January 2012.
98th Constitutional Amendment (2012)
Article 371J was added to the Constitution. To empower the Governor of Karnataka to take steps to develop the Hyderabad-Karnataka region. Special provisions were added for the State of Karnataka. The Governor of Karnataka was tasked with constituting a Special Development Board for the Hyderabad-Karnataka region. Date on which the Act came into force, 1st January 2013.
99th Constitutional Amendment (2014)
Comes into force on 31 December 2014. The Supreme Court struck down the amendment act on 16 October 2015, stating that the National Judicial Appointments Commission was an infringement on the independence of the judiciary.
100th Constitutional Amendment (2015)
Received the assent of the President on 28 May 2015. This was to implement the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) between India and Bangladesh. As per the agreement, India got 51 Bangladesh occupied territories and India ceded 111 territories to Bangladesh.
101st Constitutional Amendment (2016)
The GST Act came into force. Articles 246 A and 279 A were added.
102nd Constitutional Amendment (2018)
The National Commission for Backward Classes was given constitutional status. Article 338 B is a new article inserted by the 102nd Amendment to refer to the National Commission for Backward Classes.
103rd Constitutional Amendment (2019)
Provided 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in educational institutions and government jobs to address economic disparities in Indian society.
104th Constitutional Amendment (2020)
The 104th Amendment to the Constitution amended the provisions relating to reservation for SC/ST and Anglo-Indian categories in the legislative assemblies. This amendment extended the reservation for SC/ST categories in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies till January 25, 2030 and abolished the nomination of Anglo-Indians.
105th Constitutional Amendment (2021)
Restored the power of states to prepare their own OBC lists, overturning the Supreme Court judgment of May 11, 2021. Articles 338B, 342A, and 366 have been amended.
106th Constitutional Amendment (2023)
It provided reservation of one-third of all seats for women in Lok Sabha, State assemblies, and the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, including those reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
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