How the Constitution of India Was Amended 106 Times in 7 Decades

The Constitution of India, often called the soul of democracy, is a living document that…

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The Constitution of India, often called the soul of democracy, is a living document that has evolved over the years to adapt to changing socio-political realities. Since Independence, it has been amended 106 times, shaping the nation’s governance and ensuring constitutional flexibility.

The journey of the Constitution of India reflects the struggles, sacrifices, and aspirations of the people, built on the vision of leaders like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

This article explores the history, types of amendments, and major changes in the Indian Constitution over the past seven decades.

A Living Document: Evolution of the Constitution of India

indian constitution
Image Source: The Economic Times

Adopted on November 26, 1949, and came into effect on January 26, 1950.
✔ The longest-written Constitution in the world, drafted over four years.
✔ Includes many chapters and provisions added over time.
First amendment (1951) focused on protecting socially and educationally backward classes and securing zamindari abolition laws.
Latest amendment (2023) introduced one-third reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.

Types of Constitutional Amendments

Under Article 368, amendments to the Constitution are classified into three categories:

Simple Majority Amendment

✔ Passed by a simple majority in both houses of Parliament.
✔ Used for changes that do not affect federal structure (e.g., reorganization of states).

Special Majority Amendment

✔ Requires a two-thirds majority in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
✔ Used for fundamental rights, directive principles, and structural changes.

Special Majority with State Ratification

✔ Needs ratification by at least half of the state legislatures.
✔ Used for federal provisions like the distribution of powers between Union and States.

Major Amendments in the Constitution of India

🔹 First Amendment (1951) – Modified Articles 15, 19, introduced Articles 31A & 31B to protect land reform laws from judicial review.
🔹 7th Amendment (1956)Reorganized states on linguistic lines and introduced Union Territories.
🔹 24th Amendment (1971) – Allowed Parliament to dilute fundamental rights.
🔹 42nd Amendment (1976) – Introduced fundamental duties, redefined constitutional structure, and curbed judicial review during the Emergency.
🔹 61st Amendment (1989) – Reduced voting age from 21 to 18 years.
🔹 73rd & 74th Amendments (1993) – Introduced Panchayati Raj and Urban Local Bodies, strengthening grassroots democracy.
🔹 101st Amendment (2016)Introduced Goods and Services Tax (GST).
🔹 103rd Amendment (2019) – Provided 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).
🔹 106th Amendment (2023) – Reserved one-third of seats in Lok Sabha and Assemblies for women.

The Dark Period: Constitutional Amendments During Emergency (1975-77)

During the Emergency (1975-77), several amendments restricted fundamental rights and enhanced executive power:

38th Amendment (1975) – Increased the power of the President and Governors.
39th Amendment (1975) – Prevented judicial review of PM Indira Gandhi’s election.
42nd Amendment (1976)Limited judicial review, introduced fundamental duties, and redefined the Constitution’s structure.

List of important Constitutional Amendments

Here is the complete table of constitutional amendments, now including the years of enactment:

Number Amendments Objective Year
1st Amend articles 15, 19, 85, 87, 174, 176, 341, 342, 372, 376. Insert articles 31A, 31B. Insert schedule 9 Added special provisions for socially and educationally backward classes and SC/ST. Secured validity of zamindari abolition laws. Introduced Schedule 9 to protect laws from judicial review on fundamental rights 1951
7th Amend articles 1, 3, 49, 80, 81, 82, 131, 153, 158, 168, 170, 171, 216, 217, 220, 222, 224, 230, 231, 232. Insert articles 258A, 290A, 298, 350A, 350B, 371, 372A, 378A. Amend part 8, schedules 1, 2, 4, 7 Reorganised states on linguistic lines, abolished Class A, B, C, D states, introduced Union territories 1956
8th Amend article 334 Extended reservation of seats for SCs/STs and Anglo-Indians in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies till 1970 1960
11th Amend articles 66, 71 Changed Vice President election procedure. Indemnified election process from vacancy-related challenges 1961
23rd Amend articles 330, 332, 333, 334 Discontinued ST reservation in Nagaland, extended reservation for SC/ST and Anglo-Indians till 1980 1969
24th Amend articles 13, 368 Allowed Parliament to dilute fundamental rights. Made President’s consent to constitutional amendment bills mandatory 1971
31st Amend articles 81, 330, 332 Increased Lok Sabha seats from 525 to 545, adjusted for new North East states and 1971 delimitation 1973
36th Amend articles 80, 81. Insert article 371F. Remove article 2A, schedule 10. Amend schedules 1, 4 Made Sikkim a state within the Indian Union 1975
38th Amend articles 123, 213, 239B, 352, 356, 359, 360 Enhanced powers of the President and Governors for passing ordinances 1975
39th Amend articles 71, 329. Insert article 329A. Amend schedule 9 Protected PM Indira Gandhi’s election from judicial scrutiny. Restrictions on judicial review of top offices 1975
42nd Amend multiple articles and schedules. Insert articles 31D, 32A, 39A, 43A, 48A, 131A, etc. Restricted fundamental rights, introduced fundamental duties, redefined constitutional structure during Emergency 1976
48th Amend article 356 Allowed President’s Rule in Punjab for two years 1984
51st Amend articles 330, 332 Reserved Lok Sabha and assembly seats for Scheduled Tribes in North Eastern states 1984
52nd Amend articles 101, 102, 190, 191. Insert schedule 10 Anti-defection law for disqualification of MPs/MLAs 1985
58th Insert article 394A. Amend part 22 Authorised official Hindi translation of the Constitution and amendments 1987
59th Amend articles 356, 359. Insert article 359A Allowed President’s Rule in Punjab for three years, permitted emergency in Punjab districts 1988
61st Amend article 326 Reduced voting age from 21 to 18 years 1989
65th Amend article 338 Formed National Commission for SC/ST with statutory powers 1990
69th Insert articles 239AA, 239AB Created legislative assembly and council of ministers for Delhi 1991
71st Amend schedule 8 Added Konkani, Manipuri, Nepali as official languages 1992
73rd Insert part 9, schedule 11 Introduced Panchayati Raj for village-level administration 1993
86th Amend articles 45, 51A. Insert article 21A Made education a fundamental right for children aged 6-14 years 2002
92nd Amend schedule 8 Added Bodo, Dogri, Santali, Maithili as official languages 2003
93rd Amend article 15 Allowed 27% OBC reservation in educational institutions 2005
96th Amend schedule 8 Changed “Oriya” to “Odia” as the official language 2011
100th Amend schedule 1 Land boundary agreement with Bangladesh for territorial exchange 2015
101st Add articles 246A, 269A, 279A. Delete article 268A. Amend various articles Introduced Goods and Services Tax (GST) 2016
103rd Amend articles 15, 16 Provided 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections 2019
106th Amend articles 239AA, 330A, 332A, 334A Reserved one-third of Lok Sabha and assembly seats for women 2023

Indian Constitution: The Most Amended National Document

✔ With 106 amendments, the Constitution of India is one of the most amended constitutions in the world.
✔ These changes reflect India’s evolving democracy, adapting to new challenges while preserving the core values of justice, equality, and liberty.

Conclusion

Over seven decades, the Constitution of India has undergone significant transformations, balancing the needs of governance with people’s rights.

Amendments have strengthened democracy, introduced economic reforms, and protected fundamental rights.
✔ However, the Emergency-era amendments serve as a reminder of the need to safeguard constitutional integrity.
✔ As India continues to evolve, the Constitution remains a guiding force, ensuring justice, liberty, and equality for all citizens.

The Constitution is not just a legal document; it is the foundation of India’s democracy and a testament to the vision of its makers.

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