Simone Lawson
The Indian Constitution is the world's most frequently amended national governing document. As of July 2025, there have been 106 amendments since it was first enacted in 1950, with the Constitution amended roughly twice a year. The Indian Constitution is so detailed in spelling out governmental powers that many matters addressed by statute in other democracies must be addressed via constitutional amendment in India. Amendments are additions, variations, or repeals of any part of the Constitution by Parliament, and they play an essential role in ensuring that the Constitution remains a living document capable of meeting the changing needs of Indian society.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of amendments | 106 as of July 2025 |
| First enacted | 1950 |
| Types of amendments | 3 |
| First type of amendment | Passed by a "simple majority" in each house of Parliament |
| Second type of amendment | Passed by a prescribed "special majority" of each house of Parliament |
| Third type of amendment | Passed by a "special majority" in each house of Parliament and ratified by at least half of the state legislatures |
| Amendment procedure | A bill for amendment can only be introduced in Parliament by a minister or private member without needing the President's prior permission |
| Basic structure | Cannot be amended per the 1973 Kesavananda Bharati case |
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What You'll Learn
The Indian Constitution is the most amended in the world
The Indian Constitution, with 106 amendments as of July 2025, is the most amended national constitution in the world. Enacted in 1950, it has been amended roughly twice a year, with 104 amendments as of July 2025.
The frequency of amendments is due to the Constitution's highly detailed nature, which requires amendments to address matters that would be addressed by statute in other democracies. This level of detail also makes it the longest constitution of any sovereign nation, with over 117,000 words. Amendments are necessary to ensure the Constitution remains adaptable and flexible to changing societal needs and governance.
There are three types of amendments, with the first type requiring a "simple majority" in each house of the Parliament of India. The second type of amendment must be passed by a prescribed "special majority" of each house of Parliament. This means more than 50% of the total strength of the house and at least two-thirds of the members present and voting.
The third type of amendment must be passed by a "special majority" in each house of Parliament and ratified by at least one-half of the State Legislatures. These amendments pertain to federal provisions, such as the distribution of powers between the Centre and the states.
The process of amending the Constitution in India is carefully designed to maintain the democratic fabric of the nation. While the Parliament has the power to amend the Constitution, it cannot change its "basic structure". This limitation was established in the landmark 1973 Kesavananda Bharati case, where the Supreme Court ruled that certain elements, such as federal nature, secularism, democracy, and the separation of powers, are protected from amendment.
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Amendments are additions, variations or repeals
The Indian Constitution is the most amended national constitution in the world. As of July 2025, there have been 106 amendments since it was first enacted in 1950, reflecting the evolving needs of Indian society and governance. The Constitution is amended roughly twice a year.
Amendments are additions, variations, or repeals. They can be initiated by the introduction of a Bill in either House of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) and not in the state legislatures. A Bill for amendment can be introduced by a minister or a private member without needing the President's prior permission.
There are three types of amendments to the Constitution of India, of which the second and third types are governed by Article 368. The first type of amendment must be passed by a "simple majority" in each house of the Parliament of India. This means a majority of the members of each House present and voting (similar to the ordinary legislative process).
The second type of amendment must be passed by a prescribed "special majority" of each house of Parliament. This is more than 50% of the total membership of the House and a majority of at least two-thirds of the members of that House present and voting.
The third type of amendment must be passed by a "special majority" in each house of Parliament and ratified by at least one half of the State Legislatures. These specific amendments that affect federal provisions, such as the distribution of powers between the Centre and the states, also require the approval of at least 50% of state legislatures.
The Parliament has the power to amend the Constitution, but it cannot change the "basic structure". The Supreme Court ruled that certain elements of the Constitution, such as its federal nature, secularism, democracy, and the separation of powers, cannot be amended.
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Three types of amendments, governed by Article 368
The Indian Constitution is the most amended national constitution globally. It is amended roughly twice a year, with 106 amendments since its enactment in 1950. The Constitution is detailed, spelling out governmental powers that require amendments for changes, which are made possible by Article 368.
Article 368 of the Indian Constitution grants constituent power to make formal amendments and empowers Parliament to amend the Constitution by addition, variation, or repeal of any provision. This article has been amended twice, first by the 24th Amendment in 1971 and then by the 42nd Amendment in 1976.
There are three types of amendments to the Indian Constitution, of which the second and third types are governed by Article 368. The first type of amendment must be passed by a "simple majority" in each house of the Parliament of India. This means that more than half of the members of each house must vote in favour of the amendment for it to pass.
The second type of amendment, governed by Article 368, must be passed by a prescribed "special majority" in each house of Parliament. This means that more than 50% of the total strength of the house and at least two-thirds of the members present and voting must approve the amendment.
The third type of amendment, also governed by Article 368, must be passed by a "special majority" in each house of Parliament and ratified by at least one-half of the State Legislatures. This type of amendment is required for changes that affect federal provisions, such as the distribution of powers between the Centre and the states.
The procedure for amendments outlined in Article 368 ensures the sanctity of the Constitution and checks the arbitrary power of Parliament. It is a crucial tool for maintaining the democratic fabric of the nation and ensuring that the Constitution remains a living document capable of meeting society's evolving needs.
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Amendments require a special majority
The Indian Constitution is the most amended national constitution in the world, with 106 amendments as of 2024. It is amended roughly twice a year, with the amendments highlighting the evolving needs of Indian society and governance. The Parliament has the power to amend the Constitution, but it cannot change its "basic structure".
There are three types of amendments to the Constitution of India, of which the second and third types require a "special majority". The first type of amendment must be passed by a "'simple majority' in each house of the Parliament of India.
A "special majority" is a majority of more than 50% of the total membership of each House and a majority of two-thirds of the members of each House present and voting. The expression 'total membership' means the total number of members comprising the House, irrespective of whether there are vacancies or absentees. The special majority is typically only required for voting at the third reading stage of the bill, but the rules of the Houses provide for it at all effective stages of the bill.
The second type of amendment must be passed by a "special majority" of each house of Parliament. This type of amendment includes matters such as fundamental rights, directive principles of state policy, and all other provisions not covered by the first and third categories.
The third type of amendment must be passed by a "special majority" in each house of Parliament and ratified by at least one half of the State Legislatures. This type of amendment includes specific amendments that affect federal provisions, such as the distribution of powers between the Centre and the states.
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The Supreme Court ruled the 'Basic Structure' cannot be amended
The Indian Constitution is the most frequently amended national constitution in the world. As of 2024, there have been 106 amendments since it was first enacted in 1950. The Constitution is amended roughly twice a year, reflecting the evolving needs of Indian society and governance.
The Parliament has the power to amend the Constitution, but it cannot change the "basic structure". This doctrine was established in the landmark 1973 Kesavananda Bharati case, where the Supreme Court ruled that certain elements of the Constitution, such as its federal nature, secularism, democracy, and the separation of powers, cannot be amended. The Basic Structure doctrine upholds the principle that the Constitution is supreme and serves as the highest law of the land. It ensures that constitutional amendments adhere to the values of justice, equality, and fairness, while also acting as a safeguard against authoritarian tendencies and providing stability and consistency to the legal system.
The debate regarding the scope of Parliament's power to amend the Constitution under Article 368 began in 1951, sparking a conflict between the Legislature and the Judiciary. This dispute eventually led to the evolution of the Basic Structure doctrine. In the Golak Nath Case, the Supreme Court initially held that Parliament could take away or abridge Fundamental Rights through a Constitutional Amendment Act. However, in the subsequent Kesavananda Bharati Case, the Court reversed its earlier stand, clarifying that while Parliament can amend any part of the Constitution, including Fundamental Rights, it cannot alter the Basic Structure.
The Basic Structure doctrine was further applied in the Raj Narain case, where the Supreme Court used it to strike down a Constitutional Amendment for the first time. The Court differentiated between ordinary statutes and Constitutional Amendments, upholding the validity of the law in question. Chief Justice Chandrachud of the Supreme Court reasoned that allowing courts to invalidate legislation based on undefined concepts like democracy and secularism would introduce uncertainty into constitutional adjudication.
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Frequently asked questions
As of July 2025, there have been 106 amendments to the Indian Constitution since it was first enacted in 1950.
The Indian Constitution is amended roughly twice a year. It is the most amended national constitution in the world.
Amendments to the Indian Constitution are additions, variations, or repeals of any part of the Constitution by Parliament. An amendment bill must be passed by each house of Parliament by a two-thirds majority of its total membership when at least two-thirds are present and voting. Certain amendments pertaining to federal provisions must also be ratified by a majority of state legislatures.
