Important Amendments Flashcards
(23 cards)
1st Amendment (1951)
Key Provisions:
* Land Reforms Protected: Added Articles 31A and 31B to protect land reforms from judicial scrutiny.
* Reasonable Restrictions on Free Speech: Amended Article 19(2) to restrict freedom of speech in cases of public order or morality.
* Introduction of Ninth Schedule: Shielded certain laws from judicial review, primarily to protect land reform laws.
* Strengthened Reservation Policy: Amended Article 15(4) to allow special provisions for the advancement of socially and educationally backward classes.
📚 Significance:
* Laid the foundation for affirmative action (reservations) in India.
* Limited judicial intervention in land redistribution reforms.
7th Amendment (1956)
Key Provisions:
* Reorganization of States: Merged states and reorganized them based on linguistic lines.
* Creation of Union Territories: Introduced Delhi, Chandigarh, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands as Union Territories.
* Abolition of Part B States: Converted Rajpramukhs (heads of princely states) into governors, making all states uniform.
* Changes in High Courts: One High Court could serve multiple states (e.g., Punjab & Haryana).
📚 Significance:
* Streamlined governance and reduced administrative inefficiencies.
* Strengthened federalism by establishing linguistic states.
* Created a clear distinction between states and union territories.
21st Amendment (1967)
Key Provisions:
* Sindhi Language Added: Included Sindhi in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
* Promotion of Cultural Identity: Recognized Sindhi speakers and promoted linguistic diversity.
* Significance: Ensured representation of Sindhi language in national governance and policies.
24th Amendment (1971)
Key Provisions:
* Strengthened Amendment Powers: Affirmed Parliament’s power to amend any part of the Constitution, including Fundamental Rights.
* New Article 368: Inserted a clause stating that amendments cannot be questioned in court.
* Response to Golak Nath Case (1967): Reversed the Supreme Court ruling that Fundamental Rights were beyond amendment.
* Significance: Reaffirmed Parliament’s supremacy in constitutional matters and clarified the scope of its powers.
31st Amendment (1973)
Key Provisions:
* Increased Lok Sabha Seats: Raised the number of Lok Sabha seats from 525 to 545 due to population growth.
* Proportional Representation: Ensured larger states had adequate representation.
* Balance of Regional Power: Strengthened equitable representation across regions.
* Significance: Addressed the need for a representative democracy reflecting India’s population dynamics.
39th Amendment (1975)
Key Provisions:
* Judicial Immunity for Elections: Placed elections of the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Speaker beyond judicial review.
* Amendment to Article 71: Made election disputes the exclusive domain of Parliament.
* Passed During Emergency: Enacted to protect Indira Gandhi after a legal challenge to her election.
* Significance: Criticized for undermining judicial independence; later revoked by the 44th Amendment.
41st Amendment (1976)
Key Provisions:
* Extended Retirement Age: Increased the retirement age of State Public Service Commission members from 60 to 62 years.
* Amended Article 316: Extended the retirement age limit in the Constitution.
* Key Change: Ensured continuity in State Public Service Commissions by retaining experienced leadership.
* Significance: Strengthened the recruitment process for state civil services.
42nd Amendment (1976) (“Mini-Constitution”)
Key Provisions:
* Socialist and Secular Added: Inserted ‘Socialist’ and ‘Secular’ into the Preamble.
* Expansion of Directive Principles: Made Directive Principles enforceable by prioritizing socio-economic justice.
* Curb on Judiciary Powers: Restricted judicial review to prevent challenges to parliamentary laws.
* Increased Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Terms: Extended the tenure of Lok Sabha and State Assemblies from 5 to 6 years.
* Centralized Power: Weakened federalism by reducing state autonomy.
* Significance: Dubbed the ‘Mini-Constitution’, as it shifted the balance of power in favor of the legislature.
44th Amendment (1978)
Key Provisions:
* Revoked Emergency Provisions: Removed the ability to suspend Fundamental Rights like life and liberty during an Emergency.
* Restored Balance of Power: Strengthened judicial review over Emergency powers.
* Reduced Presidential Authority: Required that Emergency declarations must be approved by the Cabinet in writing.
📚 Significance:
* Safeguarded democratic values post-Emergency.
* Restored citizens’ rights and prevented misuse of Emergency provisions.
52nd Amendment (1985) (Anti-Defection Law)
Key Provisions:
* Added the Tenth Schedule: Prevented political defections among elected representatives.
* Disqualification Criteria: Legislators could be disqualified for defecting, voting against their party, or voluntarily giving up membership.
* Speaker’s Authority: Empowered the Speaker/Chairperson to decide disqualification cases.
📚 Significance:
* Ensured political stability by reducing unethical political defections.
* Prevented opportunistic party-switching.
61st Amendment (1989)
Key Provisions:
* Voting Age Reduced: Lowered the minimum voting age for Lok Sabha & State Assembly elections from 21 to 18 years.
* Empowering Youth: Recognized the importance of young voters in India’s democracy.
📚 Significance:
* Increased electoral participation, making democracy more inclusive.
* Encouraged youth engagement in governance.
69th Amendment (1991)
Key Provisions:
* Delhi Becomes a Union Territory: Granted Delhi the status of a National Capital Territory (NCT) with a Legislative Assembly.
* Legislative Powers: Allowed Delhi Assembly to make laws on all subjects except land, police, and public order.
* Lieutenant Governor’s Role: Introduced the Lieutenant Governor as the administrative head of Delhi.
📚 Significance:
* Balanced local governance with central oversight in the national capital.
71st Amendment (1992)
Key Provisions:
* Languages Added to the Eighth Schedule: Included Konkani, Manipuri, and Nepali as official languages.
* Promotion of Linguistic Diversity: Recognized and preserved regional linguistic heritage.
📚 Significance:
* Strengthened regional identity and inclusivity in governance.
73rd Amendment (1992) (Panchayati Raj System)
Key Provisions:
* Established Panchayati Raj Institutions: Strengthened rural self-governance.
* Three-Tier Structure: Introduced Village, Intermediate, and District Panchayats.
* Mandatory Reservations: Reserved seats for SCs, STs, and women in Panchayati Raj institutions.
📚 Significance:
* Strengthened grassroots democracy and decentralized governance.
74th Amendment (1992) (Urban Local Governance)
Key Provisions:
* Municipalities Constitutionalized: Created a structured framework for urban governance.
* Three Types of Municipalities: Nagar Panchayats, Municipal Councils, and Municipal Corporations.
* Mandatory Elections: Ensured regular elections and empowered municipalities.
📚 Significance:
* Strengthened urban self-governance.
86th Amendment (2002) (Right to Education)
Key Provisions:
* Right to Education (Article 21A): Made elementary education a Fundamental Right for children aged 6 to 14.
* Duties for Parents (Article 51A): Made it mandatory for parents to ensure their children receive education.
* Free and Compulsory Education: Mandated the state to provide free education at the elementary level.
📚 Significance:
* Landmark step in promoting education & socio-economic equality.
92nd Amendment (2003)
Key Provisions:
* Languages Added to Eighth Schedule: Included Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santhali.
* Recognition of Cultural Diversity: Strengthened representation of linguistic communities.
📚 Significance:
* Enhanced India’s cultural and linguistic diversity.
97th Amendment (2011) (Cooperative Societies)
Key Provisions:
* Promotion of Cooperative Societies: Added Article 43B to promote voluntary formation and management of cooperatives.
* Right to Form Cooperatives: Granted as a constitutional right.
📚 Significance:
* Empowered grassroots organizations and economic participation.
100th Amendment (2015) (India-Bangladesh Land Agreement)
Key Provisions:
* Facilitated Land Exchange: Exchanged 111 Indian enclaves in Bangladesh and 51 Bangladeshi enclaves in India.
* Resolved Border Disputes: Formalized borders ending a decades-old dispute.
* Citizenship for Enclave Residents: Granted Indian or Bangladeshi citizenship to affected residents.
📚 Significance:
* Strengthened bilateral ties and ensured legal clarity.
101st Amendment (2016) (GST Implementation)
Key Provisions:
* Introduction of GST: Created a unified indirect tax system.
* Concurrent Jurisdiction: Allowed both Parliament & State Legislatures to legislate on GST.
* GST Council: Established a GST Council to decide tax rates and exemptions.
📚 Significance:
* Simplified taxation and enhanced ease of business.
102nd Amendment (2018) (NCBC)
Key Provisions:
* Established National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC): Granted constitutional status to NCBC under Article 338B.
* Centralized OBC Lists: Allowed only the President to notify OBC lists.
📚 Significance:
* Strengthened institutional support for social justice.
103rd Amendment (2019) (EWS Reservation)
Key Provisions:
* 10% Reservation for EWS: Extended to education and public employment.
* Eligibility Criteria: Based on family income & economic indicators.
📚 Significance:
* Expanded affirmative action beyond caste.
106th Amendment (2023) (Women’s Reservation Act)
Key Provisions:
* One-Third Seat Reservation: Reserved 1/3rd of Lok Sabha & State Assembly seats for women.
* Rotation of Reserved Seats: Parliament will decide rotation post-delimitation.
* Reservation Tenure: Effective for 15 years.
📚 Significance:
* Enhanced women’s participation in politics.
