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Topics / Polity

Amendment Procedures

Asked 16 times in UPSC Prelims · first asked 1995 · last asked 2025

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Consider the following subjects under the Constitution of India: I. List I-Union List, in the Seventh Schedule II. Extent of the executive power of a State III. Conditions of the Governor's office. For a constitutional amendment with respect to which of the above, ratification by the Legislatures of not less than one-half of the States is required before presenting the bill to the President of India for assent?

2025Polity
AI and II only
BII and III only
CI and III only
DI, II and III

Explanation

For a constitutional amendment related to subjects listed in the Union List and the extent of the executive power of a State, ratification by the Legislatures of not less than one-half of the States is required before presenting the bill to the President of India for assent. This is in accordance with the provisions of Article 368 of the Indian Constitution.

As per Article 368 of the Constitution of India, the Parliament may amend any provision of the Constitution by way of: 1. Addition 2. Variation 3. Repeal. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

2024Polity
A1 and 2 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Explanation

According to Article 368 of the Constitution of India, the Parliament has the power to amend any provision of the Constitution by way of addition, variation, or repeal. This means that the Parliament can make changes to the Constitution by adding new provisions, altering existing ones, or removing them altogether.

The Constitution (71st Amendment) Act, 1992 amends the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution to include which of the following languages? 1. Konkani 2. Manipuri 3. Nepali 4. Maithili. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

2024Polity
A1, 2 and 3
B1, 2 and 4
C1, 3 and 4
D2, 3 and 4

Explanation

The Constitution (71st Amendment) Act, 1992 amended the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution to include Konkani, Manipuri, and Nepali languages. This amendment aimed to recognize the significance of these languages and promote linguistic diversity in India.

Consider the following statements: 1. A bill amending the Constitution requires a prior recommendation of the President of India. 2. When a Constitution Amendment Bill is presented to the President of India it is obligatory for the President of India to give his/her assent. 3. A Constitution Amendment Bill must be passed by both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha by a special majority and there is no provision for joint sitting. Which of the statements given above are correct?

2022Polity
A1 and 2 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Explanation

A Constitution Amendment Bill must be passed by both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha by a special majority, which means a majority of the total membership of each house and a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting. There is no provision for a joint sitting in the case of a Constitution Amendment Bill. Once passed by both houses, the President of India is not obliged to give his/her assent to the bill; the President can either give assent or withhold assent.

Which one of the following Schedules of the Constitution of India contains provisions regarding anti-defection?

2014Polity
ASecond Schedule
BFifth Schedule
CEighth Schedule
DTenth Schedule

Explanation

The 52nd Amendment Act of 1985 introduced the Tenth Schedule to the Indian Constitution, which is commonly known as the anti-defection law.

Consider the following statements: 1. An amendment to the Constitution of India can be initiated by an introduction of a bill in the Lok Sabha only. 2. If such an amendment seeks to make changes in the federal character of the Constitution, the amendment also requires to be ratified by the legislature of all the States of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

2013Polity
A1 only
B2 only
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2

Explanation

In India, the process of amending the Constitution can start with a bill introduced in either house of Parliament. If the proposed amendment affects the federal structure of the Constitution, it must be approved by at least half of the state legislatures.

Which one of the following Constitutional Amendments states that the total number of Ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Council of Minister shall not exceed fifteen percent of the total number of members of the House of the People?

2009Polity
A90th
B91st
C92nd
D93rd

Explanation

The Constitutional Amendment that specifies the maximum number of Ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Council of Ministers should not surpass fifteen percent of the total members of the House of the People is the 91st Amendment Act of 2003.

Which of the following Constitution Amendment Acts seeks that the size of the Councils of Ministers at the Centre and in a State must not exceed 15 per cent of the total number of members in the Lok Sabha and the total number of members of the Legislative Assembly of that State, respectively?

2007Polity
A91st
B93rd
C95th
D97th

Explanation

Which Constitution Amendment Act limits the size of the Councils of Ministers at the Centre and in a State to not exceed 15% of the total number of members in the Lok Sabha and the Legislative Assembly of that State, respectively? (a) 91st (b) 93rd (c) 95th (d) 97th. The correct answer is (a) - the provision was introduced by the 91st Constitutional Amendment Act in 2003.

The Constitution (98th Amendment) Act is related to:

2005Polity
Aempowering the centre to levy and appropriate service tax
Bthe Constitution of the National Judicial Commission
Creadjustment of electoral constituencies on the basis of the population census 2001
Dthe demarcation of new boundaries between States

Explanation

The Constitution (98th Amendment) Act is focused on establishing a National Judicial Commission (NJC) within the Constitution by adding Chapter IV-A to Part V.

Which of the following Constitutional Amendments are related to raising the number of Members of Lok Sabha to be elected from the States?

2003Polity
A6th and 22nd
B13th and 38th
C7th and 31st
D11th and 42nd

Explanation

The 7th Amendment Act of 1956 deals with the composition of the Lok Sabha and its adjustment after each census. The 31st Amendment Act of 1973 specifically focuses on increasing the maximum number of state representatives in the Lok Sabha from 500 to 525.

Which one of the following Bills must be passed by each House of the Indian Parliamentary separately by special majority?

2003Polity
AOrdinary Bill
BMoney Bill
CFinance Bill
DConstitution Amendment Bill

Explanation

In the Indian Parliamentary system, a Constitution Amendment Bill must be approved separately by each House with a special majority, as stated in Article 368. This means that the Bill needs to be passed in each House by a majority of the total members present and voting.

Which one of the following amendments to the Indian Constitution empowers the President to send back any matter for reconsideration by the Council of Ministers?

2002Polity
A39th
B40th
C42nd
D44th

Explanation

The 44th Amendment to the Indian Constitution, passed in 1978, granted the President the authority to return any advice from the Council of Ministers for reconsideration once. However, if the Council of Ministers re-submits the same advice to the President, the President is obligated to accept it.

Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: List-I (Amendments to the Constitution): A. The Constitution (Sixty-ninth Amendment) Act, 1991 B. The Constitution (Seventy-fifth Amendment) Act. 1994 C. The Constitution (Eighteenth Amendment) Act, 2000 D. The Constitution (Eighty-third Amendment) Act, 2000 List-II: 1. Establishment of state level Rent Tribunals 2. No reservations for Scheduled Castes in Panchayats in Arunachal Pradesh 3. Constitution of Panchayats in Villages or at other local level 4. Accepting the recommendations of the Tenth Finance Commission 5. According the status of National Capital Territory to Delhi Codes:

2001Polity
AA-5, B-1, C-4, D-2
BA-1, B-5, C-3, D-4
CA-5, B-1, C-3, D-4
DA-1, B-5, C-4, D-2

Explanation

In this question, you are asked to match Amendments to the Constitution in List-I with their corresponding outcomes in List-II and choose the correct combination. The correct match is A-5 (The Constitution (Sixty-ninth Amendment) Act, 1991 - Delhi as National Capital Territory), B-1 (The Constitution (Seventy-fifth Amendment) Act, 1994 - Establishment of state level Rent Tribunals), C-4 (The Constitution (Eighteenth Amendment) Act, 2000 - Accepting the recommendations of the Tenth Finance Commission), D-2 (The Constitution (Eighty-third Amendment) Act, 2000 - No reservations for Scheduled Castes in Panchayats in Arunachal Pradesh). Therefore, the correct answer is option (a).

Consider the following statements: An amendment to the Constitution of India can be initiated by the: 1. Lok Sabha 2. Rajya Sabha 3. State Legislature 4. President Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1999Polity
AOnly 1
B1, 2 and 3
C2, 3 and 4
D1 and 2

Explanation

In India, the Constitution can be changed through an amendment initiated by the Parliament, as outlined in Article 368. The President's recommendation is not necessary for this process.

Which of the following are matters on which a constitutional amendment is possible only with the ratification of the legislature of not less than one-half of the states? 1. Election of the President 2. Representation of states in the Parliament 3. Lists in the 7th Schedule 4. Abolition of the Legislature Council in a State Codes:

1995Polity
A1, 2 and 3
B1, 2 and 4
C1, 3 and 4
D2, 3 and 4

Explanation

In the Indian Constitution, certain matters can only be amended with the approval of at least half of the states' legislatures. These matters include the election of the President, the representation of states in Parliament, and the lists in the 7th Schedule. The correct option in this case is (a). Regarding the abolition of Legislative Councils in states, Parliament has the authority to pass a law for their removal or creation based on a resolution passed by the state's Legislative Assembly. This resolution must be approved by a majority of the total Assembly membership and by at least two-thirds of the members present and voting.

Which of the following are matters on which a constitutional amendment is possible only with the ratification of the legislature of not less than one-half of the states? 1. Election of the President 2. Representation of states in Parliament 3. Any of the Lists in the 7th Schedule 4. Abolition of the Legislature Council of a State Codes:

1995Polity
A1, 2 and 3
B1, 2 and 4
C1, 3, and 4
D2, 3 and 4

Explanation

A constitutional amendment requiring ratification by at least half of the states is necessary for matters related to the election of the President, representation of states in Parliament, and any of the Lists in the 7th Schedule. The abolition of the Legislative Council of a state does not fall under this requirement as per Article 169, which allows Parliament to create or abolish the council if each state passes a resolution with a special majority. Therefore, option (a) - 1, 2 and 3 - is the correct answer as option 4 can be eliminated.