Fact Sheet: Important Constitutional Amendments

Fact Sheet: Important Constitutional Amendments

1st Amendment (1951)

• Added reasonable restrictions on freedom of speech (Public order, Friendly relations with foreign states, Incitement to offence).
• Inserted Ninth Schedule – Land Reform Acts.
• Inserted Article 31A – Acquisition of private property by Govt.

7th Amendment (1956)

• Reorganization of States: Abolished A, B, C, D categories – created 14 States & 6 UTs.
• Allowed common High Courts for two or more States.
• Safeguards for linguistic minorities after reorganization.

24th & 25th Amendments (1971)

• Gave Parliament power to amend any part of Constitution including Fundamental Rights.
• Inserted 31C: Laws implementing DPSP (39b & 39c) exempt from judicial review.
• Background: Golaknath Case (1967) & response of Indira Gandhi govt.
• Led to Kesavananda Bharati Case (1973) & emergence of Basic Structure Doctrine.

42nd Amendment (1976) – “Mini Constitution”

• Passed during Emergency (1975-77).
• Inserted Fundamental Duties (Article 51A).
• Added words in Preamble: Socialist, Secular, Integrity.
• Curtailed power of judiciary & Fundamental Rights.

44th Amendment (1978)

• Reversed most of 42nd Amendment provisions.
• Made Emergency provisions stricter.
• Removed Right to Property from Fundamental Rights – made it a Constitutional Right (Art. 300A).

73rd & 74th Amendments (1992)

• 73rd: Introduced Panchayati Raj System – Articles 243 to 243-O.
• 74th: Introduced Municipalities – Articles 243-P to 243-ZG.
• Gave constitutional status to local governance.

86th Amendment (2002)

• Made Right to Education a Fundamental Right (Art. 21A).
• For children 6–14 years.
• Added 11th Fundamental Duty – parents’ duty towards children’s education.

101st Amendment (2017)

• Introduced Goods and Services Tax (GST).

103rd Amendment (2019)

• Provided 10% reservation to Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).

106th Amendment (2023)

• Nārī Śakti Vandan Adhiniyam – 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies & Delhi Assembly.
• Effective after next delimitation post-2026 census.