Important Constitutional Amendments

Most Important Amendments at a Glance

• 1st (1951) — 9th Schedule, reasonable restrictions on speech
• 7th (1956) — Linguistic reorganisation of states
• 42nd (1976) — "Mini Constitution," Socialist + Secular + Integrity added to Preamble
• 44th (1978) — Right to property removed from FRs (Art 300A)
• 52nd (1985) — Anti-defection (10th Schedule)
• 61st (1989) — Voting age 21→18
• 73rd (1992) — Panchayati Raj (Part IX)
• 74th (1992) — Municipalities (Part IXA)
• 86th (2002) — Right to Education (Article 21A)
• 101st (2016) — GST
• 103rd (2019) — 10% EWS reservation

Preamble Words Added by 42nd Amendment (1976)

Original Preamble: "Sovereign Democratic Republic" → After 42nd Amendment: "Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic" + "unity" → "unity and integrity"

Types of Majority Needed for Amendment (Article 368)

Simple majority → Ordinary legislation. Special majority (2/3 of members present + 50% total membership) → Most constitutional changes. Special majority + ratification by 50% of state legislatures → Federal provisions (e.g., election of President, SC jurisdiction).