Amendment of the Constitution (Article 368) Definition, Types, Examples & Uses

Amendment of the Constitution (Article 368)

Subject: Polity

Book: Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth

Details the formal process to modify constitutional provisions. Amendments can be passed by a special majority of Parliament alone or in conjunction with state legislatures. This mechanism balances constitutional stability with flexibility, letting India adapt to emerging needs without undermining its core structure. Over 100 amendments have shaped issues like reservations, Panchayati Raj, and economic liberalization. However, the “basic structure doctrine” restricts amendments that alter the Constitution’s fundamental identity. Students must note key amendments like the 42nd (giving broad powers to Parliament), 44th (restoring checks), and 73rd/74th (strengthening local governance), revealing how the Constitution remains a living document.