Amendments Of Indian Constitution

Amendments of the Indian Constitution is the set of laws announced by the government to add or alter the constitution, status or legislative bill or resolution. Initially, the original text of the Indian constitution has 395 articles, after including the 104 amendments it contains  448 articles with 25 parts and 12 schedules. These amendments can be made in the existing constitutions and statutes. As of 2020, the government of India has made 104 amendments to the constitution. To make an amendment, the government will pass the bills in the course of their passage through a legislature. This article gives the complete details about Indian Constitution important Amendments

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Till now, the Indian government has made about 104 amendments to the constitution for the betterment of the nation. 

Indian Constitution Important Amendments At A Glace. 

According to the Part-xx of Indian constitution Article 368, it grants the power to make formal amendments and empowers Parliament to amend the Constitution. The list of important amendments in the Indian constitution is explained in detail below. 

1st Amendment Act 1951 

The 01st Amendment Act 1951 created the changes in articles 15, 19, 85, 87, 174, 176, 341, 342, 372 and 376. Using this 01st Amendment Act 1951, they inserted Articles 31A, 31B and schedule 9 into the Indian constitution. The main aim of this amendment act is to remove difficulties in the enforcement of Zamindari related laws.

7th Amendment Act 1951 

The main aim of creating the 07th Amendment Act 1951 is for providing reorganization of states and introduction of Union Territories. It also made provisions related to centre-state relations such as high courts, legislative councils etc.

Important Changes Made Through 07th Amendment Act

1. The revised Article 1 and schedule 1 and abolished the A, B and C categories in Indian states 

2. Using this amendment act, they abolished the group C states and established the Union territories. 

3. According to the 7th Amendment Act, one person can take charge as the governor for one or more states at the same time. 

4. As per the 7th Amendment Act, President can appoint many judges in the high court. 

24th Amendment Act 1971

This amendment was created changes in article 13 and article 368.  Article 368 facilitated the parliament to make changes in the constitution including fundamental rights. This amendment also changed the language of article 368. This amendment also made it compulsory for the president to approve the constitutional amendment bills.

25th Amendment Act 1972

The 25th Amendment Act of 1972 made changes in article 31 by inserting article 31C. According to this amendment, there is no compulsion to acquire any public property except for public uses. The amendment of Article 31C also has the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) under articles 39(b) and (c). It is also made sure that it was not violated the fundamental rights under articles 14, 19 and 31.

42nd Amendment Act 1976

The 42nd Amendment Act 1976 was brought during the national emergency so, this amendment was called Mini constitutional of India. 

Important Changes Made Through 42nd Amendment Act

1. By this amendment act, they inserted the words Socialist, Secular and Integrity in the preamble. 

2. The term of Lok Sabha and state assemblies were extended from 5 years to 6 years. 

3. According to the 42nd Amendment Act,  they made some changes in Article 74. As per that, the president of India can act in accordance with advice by the council of ministers.

4. According to the 42nd Amendment Act, the Directive Principles of State Policy were given authority for the fundamental rights under articles 14, 19 and 31.

5. They also added new directives in part IV. 

6.  As per 42nd Amendment Act, they added Part IVA to the Indian constitution of article 51A. This also contains the Fundamental Duties of the citizens.

43rd Amendment Act 1977

Some changes in the Indian constitution was brought after ending the National emergency.  

44th Amendment Act 1978

Under the 44th Amendment Act of 1978, they destroyed most of the distortions made in the 42nd Amendment of the Constitution.

Important Changes Made Through 44th Amendment Act

1. Through this amendment, they again reduced the term of Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. 

2. This amendment cancelled the changes made in 39th Amendment. Though which, they denied the Supreme Court from its jurisdiction. Also, decide arguments concerning the election of the President and the Vice-President.

3. They omitted Article 257A 

4. Through this amendment, they added new provisions to Article 74(1). Through Article 74(1), the president must consider the advice of the council of ministers and it is important for the president of India to act according to their advice. 

5. This amendment also created limitations for proclaiming an Emergency, that is the national emergency can be proclaimed only through the written advice of the President by the cabinet. 

6. According to the 44th Amendment Act, the Right to property was taken out from the list of Fundamental Rights and made them a legal right. 

52nd Amendment Act 1985

This amendment act provided the right to disqualify the parliamentary members and members of the state legislatures if another party member proved any illegal activities of the member. 

61st Amendment Act 1989

The 61st Amendment Act 1989 was made to have changes in article 326 and through that, they reduced the voting age of citizens of India from 21 to 18 years. 

73rd Amendment Act 1993

Through the 73rd Amendment Act 1993, they inserted Part IX into the Indian constitution.  So, they included articles 243 to 243 O under part IX. This amendment also created changes in the Panchayati raj Institutions and also included schedule eleven to the constitution. 

74th Amendment Act 1977

Through the 74th Amendment Act 1993, they made changes for Urban local government. Through this amendment, they also added part IXA containing articles 243 P to 243 ZG to the Indian constitution, so they kept it in the 12th schedule. 

86th Amendment Act 2002

Under the 86th Amendment Act 2002, the government has made changes in the Indian constitution to provide free and compulsory education to children between the ages of 6 to 14 years. Later, they were included in Article 21A of fundamental rights. This amendment act also made few changes in article 45 and article 51A. 

91st Amendment Act 2004

Through the 91st Amendment Act 2004, they limited the size of the house by restricting the number of the council of ministers to 15%. 

As of 2020, the Indian government has made 104 amendments to the constitution. This article gave you the list of important amendments in Indian constitution, which created the greatest impact on the government of India. Also, this article explained the list of changes made through the amendments in detail.