Eleanor Finch
The Indian Constitution is the most amended national constitution in the world, with 105 amendments as of October 2021 and 106 as of September 2023. The last amendment of the Indian Constitution, as of July 2025, is the 122nd Amendment, which introduced a Goods and Service Tax. The Constitution is amended roughly twice a year to address evolving political, social, and economic needs, ensuring it remains dynamic and relevant. The amendment procedure varies depending on the types of changes required, with three types of amendments to the Constitution of India. The Basic Structure of the Indian Constitution refers to a set of core principles deemed essential and unable to be altered through amendments by Parliament.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Popular Name | Women's Reservation Bill |
| Year | 2023 |
| Percentage of Seats Reserved for Women | 33% |
| Assemblies Included | Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, Delhi Legislative Assembly |
| Assemblies Excluded | Puducherry and Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory Assemblies |
| Duration | 15 years with the possibility of extension |
| Voting Outcome in Lok Sabha | 454 votes in favour, 2 against |
| Voting Outcome in Rajya Sabha | 214 votes in favour, none against |
| Previous Attempts | 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2008, 2010 |
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What You'll Learn
- Simple Majority Amendments: Some provisions, like the abolition of legislative councils, can be amended by a simple majority
- Special Majority Amendments: Most provisions fall under this category, requiring a special majority of over 50% of total membership and two-thirds of members present
- Amendments with State Ratification: Certain amendments, especially those impacting federal provisions, require ratification by a simple majority of state legislatures
- Basic Structure Doctrine: Established in 1973, this doctrine protects core principles from being altered by amendments, ensuring the Constitution's fundamental ethos remains intact
- Amendment Acts: After the President's assent, a bill becomes an Act, and the Constitution is amended per the Act's changes
Simple Majority Amendments: Some provisions, like the abolition of legislative councils, can be amended by a simple majority
As of July 2025, the Indian Constitution has been amended 106 times since its enactment in 1950, making it the most frequently amended national constitution in the world. The Constitution is amended roughly twice a year due to the level of detail with which it spells out governmental powers.
There are three types of amendments to the Indian Constitution, with the second and third types being 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 type of majority is used for the ordinary legislative process, and some provisions can be amended by a simple majority outside the scope of Article 368. These provisions include the abolition or creation of legislative councils in states, the admission or establishment of new states, the formation of new states, and the alteration of areas, boundaries, or names of existing states. Other provisions that can be amended by a simple majority include the allowances and privileges of the president, governors, speakers, judges, etc., quorum in Parliament, salaries and allowances of members of Parliament, rules of procedure in Parliament, privileges of Parliament, its members, and its committees, and the use of the English language in Parliament.
If the bill seeks to amend the federal provisions of the Constitution, it must be ratified by the legislatures of half of the states by a simple majority. After being passed by both Houses of Parliament and ratified by the state legislatures, the bill is presented to the President for assent. The President must give their assent to the bill, and after their assent, the bill becomes a constitutional amendment act, and the Constitution is amended accordingly.
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Special Majority Amendments: Most provisions fall under this category, requiring a special majority of over 50% of total membership and two-thirds of members present
The Indian Constitution is the most frequently amended national constitution in the world. As of July 2025, there have been 106 amendments since it was first enacted in 1950, with the Constitution being amended roughly twice a year. The Indian Constitution does not explicitly categorise the types of majorities required for passing different bills, but interpretation of the Constitution has led to the identification of four types of majorities: absolute majority, effective majority, simple majority, and special majority.
Special majority amendments are the most common type of amendment, with most provisions falling under this category. This type of amendment is governed by Article 368 and requires a special majority of each house of Parliament and over 50% of the total membership of each house of Parliament and two-thirds of members present. This means that more than half of the members of each house must be present, and at least two-thirds of those present must vote in favour of the amendment. In Lok Sabha, the special majority as per Article 61 is 364, while in Rajya Sabha, it is 164.
Special majority amendments are required for a variety of reasons. For example, they are necessary when a constitutional amendment bill does not affect federalism, such as in the removal of judges of the Supreme Court or High Court, or the removal of the CEC or CAG. A special majority is also required for the approval of a national emergency, as per Article 368, in both houses.
In addition to the special majority in each house, some amendments may also require ratification by the state legislatures. This is the case when the amendment affects federalism, such as in the position of High Court Judges, or when it involves a change to the federal structure, such as the resolution by the state legislature for the creation or abolition of the Legislative Council (Article 169).
The process of amending the Indian Constitution can be complex, but it plays a crucial role in shaping the country's political and legal landscape.
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Amendments with State Ratification: Certain amendments, especially those impacting federal provisions, require ratification by a simple majority of state legislatures
As of July 2025, the Indian Constitution has been amended 106 times since its enactment in 1950, making it the most frequently amended national constitution in the world. The Constitution is highly detailed in outlining governmental powers, and as a result, it is amended roughly twice a year.
There are three types of amendments to the Constitution of India. The first type of amendment must be passed by a simple majority in each house of the Parliament of India. The second type of amendment requires a prescribed special majority of each house of Parliament. The third type of amendment, which includes amendments impacting federal provisions, must be passed by a special majority in each house of Parliament and ratified by a simple majority of at least half of the state legislatures.
The third type of amendment is governed by Article 368, which deals with the powers of Parliament to amend the Constitution and its procedure. This article states that Parliament may amend any provision of the Constitution in accordance with the procedure laid down for that purpose. The Supreme Court, in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973), ruled that Parliament cannot amend provisions that form the 'basic structure' of the Constitution.
The Eighty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution of India, which provided the Right to Education for six to fourteen-year-olds and Early Childhood Care until the age of six, is an example of an amendment impacting federal provisions that required state ratification. After being passed by both Houses of Parliament, the bill was ratified by the required number of state legislatures before being presented to the President for assent.
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Basic Structure Doctrine: Established in 1973, this doctrine protects core principles from being altered by amendments, ensuring the Constitution's fundamental ethos remains intact
The Indian Constitution, first enacted in 1950, is the most amended national constitution in the world, with 105-106 amendments as of 2021-2025. The last amendment introduced Goods and Service Tax.
The Basic Structure Doctrine, established in 1973, is a crucial legal principle that has shaped the interpretation of India's Constitution. It was introduced in the landmark case of Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala, also known as the Keshavananda Bharati case. The case was decided by a narrow margin of 7-6, but the Basic Structure Doctrine has since gained widespread legal and scholarly acceptance.
The doctrine asserts that there are fundamental features of the Constitution that cannot be altered by any amendments made by Parliament, even under Article 368. It safeguards the essential principles and values that reflect the vision of the framers, ensuring that the core structure of the Constitution remains intact. The specific elements of the doctrine evolve, but commonly accepted elements include the supremacy of the Constitution, the rule of law, separation of powers, judicial review, federalism, and secularism.
The Basic Structure Doctrine has been reinforced by significant judgments from the Supreme Court, which have consistently upheld its importance in protecting the Constitution's integrity. The doctrine was further clarified in Minerva Mills v. Union of India, where the constitutionality of sections 4 and 55 of the 42nd Amendment were challenged. The Court reaffirmed and applied the basic structure doctrine in Indira Nehru Gandhi v. Raj Narain, popularly known as the Election case.
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Amendment Acts: After the President's assent, a bill becomes an Act, and the Constitution is amended per the Act's changes
The Indian Constitution is the most amended national constitution in the world. As of July 2025, there have been 106 amendments to the Constitution of India since it was first enacted in 1950. The Constitution is amended roughly twice a year to address evolving political, social, and economic needs, ensuring that it remains dynamic and relevant. Amendments have played a significant role in shaping the country's governance and legal framework.
The process of law-making begins with the introduction of a Bill in either House of Parliament. A Bill is a statute in draft form, and it cannot become law unless it has received the approval of both Houses of Parliament and the assent of the President of India. A Bill may be introduced by a Minister or a member other than a Minister. If introduced by a Minister, it is called a Government Bill, and if by a member other than a Minister, it is known as a Private Member's Bill. A Money Bill cannot be introduced in the Rajya Sabha; it can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha with the prior recommendation of the President.
A Bill undergoes three readings in each House, i.e. the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, before it is submitted to the President. The First Reading refers to the motion for leave to introduce a Bill in the House or, in the case of a Bill originating in and passed by the other House, the laying on the Table of the House of the Bill. After the First Reading, the Bill is sent to a Standing Committee, which examines the Bill and may make recommendations for changes. The Second Reading is the consideration stage, where the Bill, as amended by the Standing Committee, is discussed in detail, and a vote is taken. The Third Reading is the final stage, where the Bill is voted on by the full House. If the Bill is passed by both Houses of Parliament, it is then presented to the President for assent.
The President may either assent to the Bill, in which case it becomes an Act, or law of the land; withhold their assent, in which case the Bill dies; or return the Bill to Parliament for reconsideration. If the Bill seeks to amend the federal provisions of the Constitution, it must also be ratified by the legislatures of at least half of the states by a simple majority. Once the bill is duly passed by both Houses of Parliament and ratified by the state legislatures, where necessary, it is presented to the President for assent. After the President's assent, the bill becomes an Act (i.e., a Constitutional Amendment Act), and the Constitution is amended per the Act's changes.
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Frequently asked questions
As of July 2025, there have been 106 amendments to the Indian Constitution since its enactment in 1950, making it the most amended national constitution in the world.
The amendments are made to address evolving political, social, and economic needs, ensuring the constitution remains dynamic and relevant.
The Indian Constitution provides for three types of amendments, two of which are governed by Article 368. The first type must be passed by a simple majority in each house of Parliament. The second type requires a prescribed "special majority" in each house. The third type needs a "special majority" in each house and ratification by at least half of the state legislatures.
No, the Basic Structure of the Indian Constitution, as established by the Supreme Court, is a set of core principles that cannot be altered by Parliament. This ensures the fundamental ethos, principles, and framework of the Constitution remain intact.
The 122nd Amendment introduced the Goods and Service Tax, while the 86th Amendment provided the Right to Education for children aged six to fourteen and Early Childhood Care until the age of six.
