UPSC PREP | APRIL 2026
Complete UPSC Polity notes on Constitutional Amendments — Article 368 procedure, types of amendments, all major amendments from 42nd to 105th with year and key provisions for IAS Prelims 2027.
UPSC Prelims typically has 2-4 questions from constitutional amendments every year. The 103rd Amendment (EWS reservation), 105th Amendment (OBC list), and classic amendments (42nd, 44th, 52nd) are asked repeatedly. A focused study of 15-20 major amendments can secure these marks.
Last Updated: April 2026
Article 368 — Constitutional Amendment Procedure
• Part XX of the Constitution (Articles 368 alone)
• Heading: “Power of Parliament to amend the Constitution and procedure therefor”
• Amendment bill can be introduced in EITHER House of Parliament
• No special session required
• No provision for joint sitting for amendment bills
• President CANNOT withhold assent — must give assent (after Kesavananda Bharati case, 1973)
• Basic Structure Doctrine: Parliament cannot amend the basic structure of the Constitution
Three Types of Constitutional Amendments
The Indian Constitution provides for three methods of amendment depending on the nature of the provision being amended:
| Type | Procedure | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Majority | More than 50% of members present and voting | Admission of new states, creation of new states, language in 8th Schedule |
| Special Majority | 2/3 majority of members present + voting AND majority of total membership of each House | Most fundamental rights, Directive Principles, most constitutional provisions |
| Special Majority + State Ratification | Special majority in Parliament + ratification by at least half the state legislatures | Election of President, extent of executive power, SC/HC provisions, 7th Schedule |
Major Constitutional Amendments — UPSC Prelims Focus List
The following amendments appear most commonly in UPSC Prelims questions based on analysis of past 10 years of papers.
| Amendment | Year | Key Provision | Nickname/Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42nd | 1976 | Added Socialist, Secular, Integrity to Preamble; Fundamental Duties; Primacy of DPSP; Emergency provisions changed | Mini Constitution |
| 44th | 1978 | Restored fundamental rights; Right to Property made legal right (not FR); Emergency provisions tightened | Restored FR after Emergency |
| 52nd | 1985 | Anti-defection law — added 10th Schedule to Constitution | Anti-defection law |
| 61st | 1988 | Lowered voting age from 21 to 18 (Article 326) | Voting age reduction |
| 73rd | 1992 | Panchayati Raj institutions — added Part IX and 11th Schedule | Panchayati Raj Act |
| 74th | 1992 | Municipalities — added Part IXA and 12th Schedule | Nagarpalika Act |
| 86th | 2002 | Article 21A — Right to free and compulsory education for 6-14 year olds | Right to Education |
| 100th | 2015 | Land Boundary Agreement with Bangladesh — exchange of enclaves | India-Bangladesh LBA |
| 103rd | 2019 | 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in education and jobs | EWS Reservation |
| 105th | 2021 | Restored power of states/UTs to identify and notify OBC communities for their respective lists | OBC list restoration |
42nd (Mini-Constitution) → 44th (Restores rights) → 52nd (Anti-defection) → 61st (Voting 18) → 73rd-74th (Panchayat+Municipality) → 86th (RTE) → 100th (Bangladesh land) → 103rd (EWS) → 105th (OBC states)
Story: “The Mini (42) Restores (44) Anti-defectors (52) to Vote at 18 (61). Panchayat (73) and Cities (74) get Rights to Education (86), Land (100), Economic Reservation (103) and OBC Power (105).”
Practice MCQs — Constitutional Amendments
Practice Quiz — 10 UPSC-Style Questions
Click an option to reveal the answer and explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions — Constitutional Amendments for UPSC
Q: How many constitutional amendments have been made so far?
A: As of 2026, there have been 106 constitutional amendments. The 106th Amendment (2023) related to Women’s Reservation in Parliament and state legislatures (one-third seats).
Q: Can the Preamble be amended?
A: Yes. The 42nd Amendment added the words “Socialist”, “Secular”, and “Integrity” to the Preamble. The Supreme Court in Kesavananda Bharati (1973) held that the Preamble is part of the Constitution and can be amended, subject to the basic structure doctrine.
Q: What is the Basic Structure Doctrine relevant to amendments?
A: The Supreme Court in Kesavananda Bharati case (1973) held that Parliament cannot amend the “basic structure” of the Constitution. Basic structure includes: supremacy of Constitution, republican and democratic form of government, secular character, separation of powers, federalism, judicial review.
Q: How many amendments require state ratification?
A: Approximately 14 specified provisions (listed in the proviso to Article 368) require ratification by at least half the state legislatures in addition to special majority in Parliament.
Sources: The Constitution of India (Ministry of Law and Justice), UPSC CSE Syllabus, Laxmikant’s Indian Polity (6th Edition). Content accurate as of April 2026.
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