AMENDMENT TO THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION

ARE CONSTITUTIONS STATIC?

• Usually, Constitutions keep changing. E.g. - “Very few constitutions survived for more than 18 years”
• But even after 75 years of Independence, the same constitution continues to function as the bedrock of Indian Democracy

WHY IS INDIAN CONSTITUTION SO INTACT?

• This was made possible because our Constitution kept evolving with the changing needs of the society through Amendments
  • E.g., Free and Compulsory Education to all, Creation of Local Governments, Reservations to Economically Weaker Sections. Etc were all added in due course of time
• Which is why our constitution also is called as a ‘Living Document’

WHAT IS AN AMENDMENT?

• Amendment refers to change or addition designed to improve a piece of legislation or any provision. For Example
  • GST was introduced through 101^st Constitutional Amendment
  • Voting age was reduced from 21 to 18 through 61^st Constitutional Amendment
  • Panchayats were created through 73^rd Constitutional Amendment Act

HOW TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION?

• Constitution can be amended in 3 ways

SOME OF THE MAJOR CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS