Omar Bennett
The Seventh Amendment of the Indian Constitution, officially known as The Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, was enacted in 1956 to reorganise the states in India along linguistic lines and make changes to the powers of state governors. The amendment aimed to unite people by reorganising states based on language, reducing tensions among people speaking different languages. It also addressed inefficiencies in the appointment of governors, allowing them to be assigned to more than one state and providing term periods for these positions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 1956 |
| Article Modified | Article 368 |
| Purpose | To amend the procedure for future amendments to the Constitution, specifically to introduce the distinction between "formal" and "constitutional" amendments |
| Key Changes | Introduced the requirement for a two-thirds majority in both houses of Parliament for constitutional amendments, and a simple majority for formal amendments; clarified the power of the Supreme Court to decide on the constitutional validity of any amendment |
| Impact | Enhanced the stability of the Constitution by making it more difficult to amend its fundamental provisions; strengthened the role of the judiciary in interpreting and safeguarding the Constitution |
| Related Amendments | The 24th Amendment (1971) and the 42nd Amendment (1976) further refined the amendment process, with the latter introducing the concept of "constitutionality" of amendments |
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What You'll Learn
Governors appointed for multiple states
The Seventh Amendment of the Indian Constitution, officially known as The Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, was enacted in 1956. It brought about several changes, including the reorganisation of states based on language, the introduction of Union Territories, and changes to the powers of state governors.
The Seventh Amendment modified Article 153 to allow a single governor to be appointed for more than one state. This change aimed to improve administrative efficiency and eliminate the requirement of appointing a separate governor for each state. The amendment also offered term periods for these positions.
The governor of a state holds a similar position to that of the President at the central government level. They are the constitutional head of the state and are bound by the advice of the Council of Ministers. Additionally, the governor forms a crucial link between the Union and the State Government.
The appointment of a governor for each state had led to clashes of understanding, and similar states struggled to function simultaneously. Hence, the Seventh Amendment allowed for the appointment of a single governor for two or more states, addressing issues of inefficiency and improving the coordination of similar states.
The Seventh Amendment also introduced provisions for the leadership of Union territories. Under Article 258A, the President of India entrusted Union territories to the leadership of governors. However, the governors could not transfer the leadership or functions of these territories to the central government.
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Reorganisation of states based on language
The Seventh Amendment of the Indian Constitution, officially called The Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956, reorganised Indian states based on language. This amendment was a response to long-standing demands for states to be separated along linguistic lines, which had caused protests across the country. The movement for linguistic states was initiated in 1895 and sought to unite people, irrespective of their caste, creed, or religion, through their mother tongue.
The Seventh Amendment rectified errors and addressed crucial functions, removing the four-fold classification of states (Part A, B, C, and D) that had been in place since 1950. It introduced the concept of States and Union Territories, with 14 states and 6 union territories established. The distinction between Part-A and Part-B states was removed, and Part-C and Part-D states were abolished.
The amendment also made changes to the powers and functions of state governors. Article 153 was modified to allow a single governor to be appointed for more than one state, addressing inefficiencies and clashes of understanding that arose when each state had its own governor. Governors were also given the power to assert functions or responsibilities to state officers, in consultation with the Central Government of India.
The Seventh Amendment also established High Courts in all states, with their decisions holding the highest order of authority. It provided for the addition of 20 members in the Lok Sabha as representatives of Union Territories and introduced a new scheme for allocating seats to different states and territorial constituencies, with adjustments made after each census.
Overall, the Seventh Amendment was an important step towards uniting India's diverse populations and reducing tensions between different linguistic groups. It reflected the country's unique feature of "Unity in Diversity."
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Changes to the Legislative Assembly
The 7th Amendment to the Indian Constitution, also known as The Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, was enacted in 1956. It brought about several changes to the structure of India's Legislative Assembly and the role of governors.
Firstly, the amendment addressed the issue of gubernatorial inefficiency by amending Article 153 to allow a single governor to administer more than one state. This change aimed to improve administrative efficiency and eliminate the need for a governor for each state or territory.
Secondly, the amendment introduced changes to the maximum strength of the legislative council of a state. Initially, it was proposed that the maximum strength should be around 25% of the entire Legislative Assembly of the state, applicable to larger states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. However, it was recognised that this proportion could lead to functional difficulties in smaller states. Therefore, the strength was lowered to one-third of the strength of the Legislative Assembly, as per Article 258A.
The amendment also made provisions for the representation of Union territories in the Legislative Assembly. Under Article 258A, the President of India entrusted the leadership of Union territories to governors, who could then delegate functions or responsibilities to officers within the state, provided state laws were followed. The new Article 81 provided for an additional 20 members in the Lok Sabha as representatives of these Union Territories, thus ensuring their representation in the Legislative Assembly.
Furthermore, the 7th Amendment led to the establishment of High Courts in all states, with their decisions holding the highest authority. It also provided for administrators to lead the Union territories and report directly to the President of India. These administrators were later designated as Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories.
The amendment's primary goal was to reorganise states based on language, removing the previous four-fold classification of states (Part A, B, C, and D) and introducing the concept of States and Union Territories. This reorganisation aimed to unite people across caste, creed, and religious lines by giving them a shared linguistic identity.
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High courts established in all states
The 7th Amendment to the Indian Constitution, officially known as The Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, was enacted in 1956. It brought about several changes, primarily aimed at reorganising states based on language. This amendment abolished the previous four-fold classification of states (Part A, B, C, and D) and introduced the concept of States and Union Territories.
One of the key provisions of the 7th Amendment was the establishment of High Courts in all states. This ensured that legal decisions of the highest order could be made within each state. The amendment also allowed for the appointment of governors in multiple states, addressing issues arising from clashes of understanding among single-state governors.
The 7th Amendment also made changes to the representation in the Lok Sabha and allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha. For example, Article 81 provided for an additional 20 members in the Lok Sabha to represent the Union Territories. Furthermore, amendments were made to the Seventh Schedule regarding the acquisition of property and the protection of ancient monuments, records, and archaeological sites.
The 7th Amendment was significant in rectifying errors and improving the functioning of various subjects. It reflected India's unique feature of "Unity in Diversity" by recognising the importance of language in uniting people across caste, creed, and religion. This reorganisation of states based on language reduced tensions among people speaking different languages, fostering a sense of unity within diversity.
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Special provisions for Andhra Pradesh and Punjab
The 7th Amendment to the Indian Constitution, enacted in 1956, introduced several changes, primarily aimed at reorganising states based on language. This amendment also included special provisions for the states of Andhra Pradesh and Punjab, recognising the importance of linguistic unity.
Article 371 was substituted with a new article, which empowered the President to constitute regional committees within the Legislative Assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, and Bombay. These committees were tasked with ensuring the proper functioning of the state assemblies, and the President was authorised to direct necessary modifications to the rules of business and procedures of these assemblies.
The amendment addressed the issue of appointing governors for each state, allowing for the appointment of a single governor for two or more states, improving administrative efficiency. This provision was particularly relevant for Andhra Pradesh and Punjab, which had been reorganised based on linguistic considerations.
Additionally, the 7th Amendment proposed that Punjab and Mysore (now Karnataka) would continue to have bicameral legislatures, and that the enlarged Madhya Pradesh would also be provided with one. This was due to the time required to establish a Legislative Council for Madhya Pradesh, and the relevant amendment was to be enacted through a public notification by the President.
The reorganisation of states based on language was a significant step towards uniting people across caste, creed, and religious differences. It reduced tensions among people speaking different languages by providing them with a sense of belonging and representation within their respective states.
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Frequently asked questions
The 7th Amendment, or the Constitutional (Seventh Amendment) Act, was passed in 1956 to reorganise the sections of states in India and make changes to the powers and functions of state governors.
The 7th Amendment was passed to address inefficiencies in the system of appointing governors for each state. It allowed for the allotment of more than one state to a governor and introduced the concept of states and union territories.
The 7th Amendment brought numerous changes to the Indian Constitution, including the reorganisation of states based on language, the establishment of high courts in all states, and changes to representation in the Lok Sabha and allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha.
The 7th Amendment is significant as it helped to unite people across caste, creed, and religious differences by reorganising states based on language. It also established the concept of union territories and addressed issues related to state governors.
The 7th Amendment was passed in 1956 and came into effect on 1 November 1956, along with the States Reorganisation Act.
