AMENDMENT

AND BASIC
STRUCTURE
(संशोधन और मूल
संरचना)
AMENDMENT AND BASIC STRUCTURE
(संशोधन और मूल संरचना)

Constitutional forefathers(संवैधानिक पूववजों) were aware of the fact that an extremely

rigid constitution would not fulfill the aspirations of future generations.

They also believed that the constitution should be a living document which would be
shaped by the exigencies of the time.

So, the constitution makers incorporated Part-XX (Article 368) to provide for a
detailed procedure to amend the constitution.
Amendment Procedure (संशोधन प्रक्रिया)

A bill to amend the constitution

can be introduced in either of
Exclusive power of Parliament: the houses of parliament.
(संसद की विशेष शवि) State legislatures(राज्य ववधािमंडल)
Introduction of do not have the power to
a bill introduce such a bill.
(विधेयक का Such an amendment bill can be
पररचय) introduced by any member(कोई
Introduced by: भी सदस्य) of the parliament.
(पेश)
Amendment Procedure (संशोधन प्रक्रिया)

Prior recommendation or
Introduction of approval of the President is not
a bill No prior approval: required for introduction of
such a bill.
(विधेयक का (कोई पूिव स्वीकृवि नहीं)
पररचय)
Legislative procedure in Parliament (संसद में विधायी
प्रक्रिया)

The bill must be passed by a special majority(ववशेष बहुमत) in each

Majority House, which is a majority of the total membership of the House
(बहुमि) and a majority of two-thirds of the members present and voting.

The bill must be passed by each House separately. In case of

No Joint sitting
(संयुि बैठक का disagreement, there is no provision for a joint sitting(संयुि बैठक का
प्रािधान नहीं) प्रािधान नहीं) of the two Houses for the purpose of consideration and
passage of the bill.
Ratification by state legislatures (राज्य विधानमंडलों द्वारा
अनुसमर्वन)

If the bill seeks to amend the federal provisions(संघीय प्रािधान) of the Constitution, it
must also be ratified by the legislatures of half of the states(आधे राज्यों की विधानसभाएँ )
by a simple majority.
Presidential assent (राष्ट्रपवि की मंजूरी)

The bill is brought to the President for assent once it has been duly passed by both
Houses of Parliament(संसद के सदि) and ratified by state legislatures(राज्य ववधािमंडल),
wherever necessary.
The bill must be assented by the President (ववधेयक को राष्ट्रपवत की स्वीकृवि क्रमलनी चाक्रहए).

He can not withhold his assent to the bill or return it to Parliament for
reconsideration. (24th constitutional amendment made it obligatory on President to
give his assent to constitutional amendment bills)
The bill becomes an Act (i.e., a Constitutional Amendment Act) after the President's
assent, and the Constitution is amended in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
PYQ - Prelims

Q. Consider the following Statements: (2013)

1. An amendment to the Constitution of India can be initiated by an introduction
of a bill in the Lok Sabha only (केवल लोकसभा में ववधेयक पेश).
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?

A. 1 only.
B. 2 only.
C. Both 1 and 2.
D. Neither 1 nor 2.
Answer – Option (D)
PYQ - Prelims

Q. Consider the following statements: (2022)

1. A bill amending the Constitution requires a prior recommendation(पूवव ससफाररश)
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(ववशेष बहुमत) and there is no provision for joint
sitting.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1,2 and 3
Answer – Option (B)
Types of amendments (संशोधनों के प्रकार)

Amendment by special
Amendment by a special
majority of parliament
Amendment by a simple majority of the
and ratification by state
majority Parliament
(साधारण बहुमि से संशोधन) (संसद के विशेष बहुमि द्वारा legislatures (संसद के विशेष
संशोधन) बहुमि द्वारा संशोधन और राज्य
विधानसभाओ ं द्वारा अनुसमर्वन)
Amendment by a simple majority (साधारण बहुमि से संशोधन)

This category of amendments is not provided under the article 368(अिुच्छेद 368 के तहत
प्रदाि नहीं).
Required majority (आिश्यक बहुमि): Amendments under this category are done
through a bill passed by each house of the parliament with a majority of members
present and voting i.e. simple majority(साधारण बहुमि). Such amendments are like any
ordinary law(सामान्य कानून) of the parliament.
Source of amending power(संशोधन शवि का स्रोि): The constitution, in some articles,
mentions that a particular provision may be amended by a law of parliament. E.g.
Article 2 of the constitution empowers the parliament to admit new states into the
Union of India, through a law.
Amendment by a simple majority (साधारण बहुमि से
संशोधन)

Scope of amendments(संशोधनों का दायरा): Provisions of the constitution that can be

amended through simple majority are as follows:

• Creation or abolition of legislative councils in states(ववधाि पररषदों का निमावण या उन्मूलि),

• Quorum in the Parliament(संसद में गणपूवति ),
• Members of Parliament's salaries and benefits(वेति और लाभ),
• The rules of procedure of the Parliament(संसद की प्रक्रिया के नियम),
• Privileges of the parliament ,its members and its committees(संसद के ववशेषासधकार,
उसके सदस्य और उसकी सवमवतयााँ)
Amendment by a simple majority(साधारण बहुमि से संशोधन)

Scope of amendments(संशोधनों का दायरा): Provisions of the constitution that can be

amended through simple majority are as follows:

• Use of the English language in Parliament(संसद में अं ग्रेजी भाषा का प्रयोग),

• Number of puisne judges in the Supreme Court(सवोच्च न्यायालय में उप-न्यायाधीशों की
संख्या),
• Conferment of more jurisdiction(क्षेत्रासधकार) on the Supreme Court,
• Citizenship: acquisition and termination(असधग्रहण और समाक्रि),
• Elections to the Parliament and state legislatures, etc(संसद और राज्य ववधािमंडलों के
चुिाव, आक्रद)

Amendments through Two types of

this category showcase amendments(संशोधि)
the flexible nature(लचीला explained below are
स्वभाव) of our provided under article
constitution. 368 of the constitution.
Amendment by a special majority of the Parliament
(संसद के विशेष बहुमि द्वारा संशोधन)

Required majority(आिश्यक बहुमि): Amendments under this category are done

through a bill passed by each house of the parliament(संसद का सदि) with a majority of
total members of the house and majority of two-third members present(दो वतहाई
सदस्य उपस्थित) and voting i.e. special majority.

Example: Suppose there are 540 members of the Lok Sabha present in the house
and only 531 members exercise their vote. If an amendment bill is to be passed in
Lok Sabha(संशोधि ववधेयक लोकसभा में पाररत) under this category, it should satisfy
following conditions:
• Amendment bill should be supported by a majority of total members i.e. 273.
• Amendment bill should be supported by two-thirds majority of members
present and voting(उपस्थित और मतदाि करिे वाले सदस्यों के दो-वतहाई बहुमत से)
Amendment by a special majority of the Parliament
(संसद के विशेष बहुमि द्वारा संशोधन)

Scope of amendments(संशोधनों का दायरा) : Provisions that can be amended with

special majority are Fundamental rights(मौललक असधकार), Directive Principles of State
Policy(राज्य िीवत के निदेशक ससद्ांत) and those provisions not covered under other two
categories of amendment.
Amendment by special majority of parliament and
ratification by state legislatures(संसद के विशेष बहुमि
से संशोधन और राज्य विधानमंडलों द्वारा अनुसमर्वन)

Provisions of the constitution pertaining to the federal structure(संघीय ढांचा) can be

amended using this category of amendments.

Required majority(आिश्यक बहुमि): In addition to the special majority of both the

houses of parliament, an amendment bill needs to be ratified by half of state
legislatures(आधे राज्य विधानमंडलों द्वारा). Such ratification by state legislatures(राज्य
ववधािमंडल) can be done with a simple majority. There is no time limit for such a
ratification.
Amendment by special majority of parliament and
ratification by state legislatures (संसद के विशेष बहुमि
से संशोधन और राज्य विधानमंडलों द्वारा अनुसमर्वन)

Scope of amendments(संशोधनों का दायरा): Provisions that can be amended under this

category include-
• The process in which the President is elected(राष्ट्रपवत का चुिाव).
• The extent of the Union's and states' executive powers(संघ और राज्यों की कायवकारी
शसियााँ).
• Distribution of legislative functions(ववधायी कायव) between the Union and the
states.
• High courts and the Supreme Court.
• Any of the lists under the seventh schedule.
Amendment by special majority of parliament and
ratification by state legislatures (संसद के विशेष बहुमि
से संशोधन और राज्य विधानमंडलों द्वारा अनुसमर्वन)

Scope of amendments(संशोधनों का दायरा): Provisions that can be amended under this

category include-
• States' representation in Parliament(संसद में राज्यों का प्रवतनिसधत्व).
• The power of Parliament to amend the Constitution, as well as its procedure
(Article 368 itself).
• Goods and Services Tax Council (माल और सेवा कर पररषद)
This category of amendments showcase the rigid nature(कठोर प्रकृवत) of our
constitution
Criticism of Amendment Procedure (संशोधन प्रक्रिया
की आलोचना)

Limited role of states(राज्यों की सीक्रमि भूक्रमका): Under Article 368, only the Parliament
can amend the Constitution.

Excessive powers to parliament(संसद के ललए अत्यवधक शवियाँ): The Parliament can

change most of the Constitution.

Dual role of parliament(संसद की दोहरी भूक्रमका): There is no separate constituent

assembly(पृथक संववधाि सभा) like in the USA for amending the constitution.
Criticism of Amendment Procedure (संशोधन प्रक्रिया की
आलोचना)

No provision for a joint sitting(संयुि बैठक का कोई प्रािधान नहीं): There is no provision for
resolution of a deadlock over a constitutional amendment bill through joint sitting of
both houses of the parliament.

Similar to how ordinary law is made(साधारण कानून बनाने की िरह): The process of
changing the constitution is similar to the process of making ordinary laws( पररवतवि की
प्रक्रिया सामान्य कािूि बिािे की प्रक्रिया के समाि).
Content of amendments

The constitution of India has

undergone significant changes
Recently, the Constitution through 105 amendments.
(105th Amendment) Act, 2021 Content of these
came into effect. amendments can be broadly
classified into following
groups:
Amendments to implement minor modifications
(सामान्य संशोधनों को लागू करने के ललए संशोधन)

Nature of amendments(संशोधनों की प्रकृवि): Amendments under this grouping are of a

technical or administrative nature(तकिीकी या प्रशासनिक प्रकृवत).

Examples of amendments(संशोधनों के उदाहरण): The Constitution (15th amendment)

Act, 1963 raised the age of retirement of High Court judges from 60 to 62 years, The
Constitution (104th Amendment) Act, 2020 extended reservations of seats(सीटों के
आरक्षण) for SCs and STs in Lok Sabha and state assemblies, etc.
Amendments due to differing interpretations
(विक्रभन्न व्याख्याओ ं के कारण हुए संशोधन)

Nature of amendments(संशोधनों की प्रकृवि): Amendments under this grouping are the

result of different interpretations(व्याख्याएं ) of the provisions of the constitution by the
Judiciary and the government of the day.

There are examples where the government has resorted to amendment of the
constitution to overcome the ruling by the judiciary(न्यायपाललका के फैसले).

Example: The Supreme Court in Golaknath case, 1967 interpreted that the definition
of law under article 13 includes constitutional amendment. This amendment
provided that the provisions of article 13 do not apply to constitutional amendments
under article 368(अिुच्छेद 368 के तहत संवैधानिक संशोधिों पर लागू िहीं होते).
Amendments through Political consensus
(राजनीविक सहमवि के माध्यम से संशोधन)

Nature of amendments(संशोधनों की प्रकृवि): Amendments under this grouping are the

result of consensus achieved among political parties(राजिीवतक दल) on changing needs
of time and prevailing socio-economic conditions in the country(देश में मौजूदा सामासजक-
आसथि क स्थिवत).

Many of the amendments of the post-1984 period are examples of this trend.

Example: The Constitution (52nd Amendment) Act, 1985 in relation to curbing

political defections(राजिीवतक दल-बदल पर अं कुश), The Constitution (73rd Amendment)
Act, 1992 in relation to the Panchayati Raj Institutions, etc.
Doctrine of Basic
Structure
(मूल संरचना का
ससद्ांि)
What is the Basic Structure of constitution?
(संविधान की मूल संरचना क्या है?)

Origin: The doctrine of basic structure(मूल संरचिा का ससद्ांत) originated in the judgement
of the Supreme Court in the famous Kesavananda Bharati case, 1973.

The supreme court is yet to define the doctrine of basic

structure(बुनियादी ढांचे के ससद्ांत) in precise terms.
Explanation
(व्याख्या) The Chief Justice of India D. Y. Chandrachud explained it as - “The
basic structure of our constitution, like the North Star(उत्तर तारा की
तरह), guides and gives certain direction to the interpreters and
implementers of the Constitution when the path ahead is
convoluted.”
What is the Basic Structure of constitution?
(संविधान की मूल संरचना क्या है?)

The doctrine is nowhere mentioned in the constitution.

(इस ससद्ांत का संविधान में कहीं भी उल्लेख नहीं है)

Explanation
(व्याख्या)
It basically connotes that there are certain basic principles or
characteristics of the constitution which cannot be altered by the
parliament even using its amendment powers under article 368.
Evolution of basic structure doctrine (मूल संरचना
ससद्ांि का विकास)

The doctrine of basic structure evolved through a series of judgments passed by the
Supreme Court which centred around the interpretation of amendment powers
bestowed upon the parliament by the constitution.

These judgments of the supreme court are explained below-

(सवोच्च न्यायालय के इि निणवयों की व्याख्या आगे की गई है)
Evolution of basic structure doctrine
(बुननयादी संरचना ससद्ांि का विकास)
Evolution of Basic Structure Doctrine

Absolute power to
Shankari Prasad Case 1951
parliament in amending
Sajjan Singh case 1965
Constitution

Enacting of 24th
Golaknath case 1967
amendment act

Kesavananda Bharati case New Doctrines of basic

1973 structure (बुननयादी संरचना के
नए ससद्ांि)

Reaffirmation of the
Indira Gandhi case 1975 Doctrine of basic structure
(मूल संरचना के ससद्ांि की पुन:
पुक्रि)
Shankari Prasad case, 1951 (शंकरी प्रसाद केस, 1951)

Background(पृष्ठभूक्रम): The Constitution (1st Amendment) Act, 1951 inserted article 31A
and 31B in the constitution.

Overview of ruling(फैसले का अिलोकन): The Supreme Court held that the amendment
powers of the parliament(संसद की संशोधि शसियााँ) include amendment of fundamental
rights too.
Implications(ननक्रहिार्व): The judgement in this case implied that the definition of law
under article 13 includes only the ordinary laws and not the constitution
amendments. It meant that the parliament has absolute power to amend(संशोधन करने
की पूणव शवि) the constitution.
Sajjan Singh Case, 1964 (सज्जन ससिं ह केस, 1964)

Overview of ruling (फैसले का अिलोकन)

• The Supreme Court reiterated its stand in the Shankari Parsad case.
• It held that there is no limitation placed by the constitution upon the amendment
powers of the parliament(संववधाि द्वारा संसद की संशोधि शसि पर कोई सीमा नहीं).
• The constituent powers of the parliament are different from its ordinary
legislative powers(सामान्य ववधायी शसियााँ) and that the constitution amendment acts
do not form part of the definition of law under article 13 of the constitution.
Golaknath Case, 1967 (गोलकनार् केस, 1967)

Background(पृष्ठभूक्रम): The Constitution (17th Amendment) Act(संववधाि (17वााँ संशोधि)

असधनियम), 1964 added certain laws in the ninth schedule of the constitution to protect
their constitutional validity. This amendment was challenged on the ground that it
violated(मौललक असधकारों का हिि) the fundamental rights under part-III of the
constitution.

The 11-judges bench of the Supreme Court overruled its earlier

Overview of judgments in the Shankari Prasad case and Sajjan Singh case.
ruling (फैसले का
अिलोकन) The SC ruled that the fundamental rights enshrined in the
constitution were transcendental and immutable(पारलौनकक और
अपररवतविीय).
Golaknath Case, 1967 (गोलकनार् केस, 1967)

Overview of The constituent powers of the parliament were similar to the

ruling ordinary law making powers(साधारण कािूि बिािे की शसियां).
(फैसले का
अिलोकन) That's why the constitution amendment acts(संववधाि संशोधि
असधनियम) are also a part of the definition of law mentioned in the
article 13.
Implications(ननक्रहिार्व:): This judgement severely restricted the amendment powers of
the parliament(संसद की संशोधि शसियााँ).
Kesavananda Bharati Case, 1973
(केशिानंद भारिी केस, 1973)

Background(पृष्ठभूक्रम): The Constitution (24th Amendment) Act, 1971(संववधाि (24वां

संशोधि) असधनियम, 1971) was passed by the parliament to overcome the supreme court
judgement in the Golaknath case.
This amendment, along with other matters such as the 25th amendment and
restrictions on fundamental rights, was challenged in the supreme court.

Overview of The 13-judges bench of the Supreme Court overruled its

ruling judgement in the Golaknath case.
(फैसले का
अिलोकन) The SC held that the constitution amendment acts(संववधाि संशोधि
असधनियम) do not form part of the definition of law under article 13.
Kesavananda Bharati Case, 1973(केशिानंद भारिी केस, 1973)

Overview of The SC also held that the parliament can amend any part of the
ruling constitution, including fundamental rights, in pursuance of the
(फैसले का powers conferred on it by article 368. But, the parliament cannot
अिलोकन) alter the ‘basic structure’('बुननयादी संरचना') of the constitution.

Implications(ननक्रहिार्व): The SC created a boundary or limitations on amendment

powers of the parliament(संसद की संशोधि शसियााँ) under article 368.
Provisions included in the Basic Structure(केशिानंद
भारिी केस, 1973)

The supreme court in its judgement in Kesavananda Bharati case listed some
provisions that forms part of the basic structure.

The SC, in subsequent cases, included various provisions(ववक्रभन्न प्रावधाि) as a part of

the basic structure.

So, the provisions that form part of basic structure are still evolving and it is up to
the wisdom of the Supreme court to interpret a particular provision(ववशेष प्रावधाि) of
the constitution as a part of basic structure.
Provisions included in the Basic Structure
(बुननयादी ढांचे में शाक्रमल प्रािधान)

Following are some of the provisions that form part of the basic structure(बुनियादी
ढांच)े :

• Supremacy of the Constitution(संववधाि की सवोच्चता)

• Rule of law(कािूि का शासि)
• Separation of powers between the legislature(ववधासयका के बीच शसियों का पृथक्करण),
the executive and the judiciary (कायवपाललका और न्यायपाललका)
• Republic and democratic form of government(सरकार का गणतंत्र और लोकतांक्रत्रक रूप)
• Secular character of the constitution(संववधाि का धमवनिरपेक्ष चररत्र)
• Federal character of the constitution(संववधाि का संघीय चररत्र)
Provisions included in the Basic Structure(मूल संरचना में
शाक्रमल प्रािधान)
Following are some of the provisions that form part of the basic structure:

• Sovereignty and unity of India (भारत की संप्रभुता और एकता)

• Freedom and dignity of the individual (व्यसि की स्वतंत्रता और गररमा)
• Mandate to build a welfare state(कल्याणकारी राज्य बिािे का जिादेश)
• Parliamentary System (संसदीय प्रणाली)
• Independence of judiciary (न्यायपाललका की स्वतंत्रता)
• Judicial review (न्यासयक समीक्षा)
• Limited power of Parliament to amend the constitution(संववधाि में संशोधि करिे के ललए
संसद की सीवमत शसि)

The supreme court has reiterated the basic structure doctrine(बुनियादी संरचिा ससद्ांत) in
various cases such as Minerva Mills Case 1980, Waman Rao Case 1981, S. R. Bommai
Case 1994, NJAC Case 2015, etc.
Significance of the basic structure doctrine (मूल
संरचना ससद्ांि का महत्व)

Constitutionalism(संिैधाननकिा): The basic structure doctrine is a testimony (गवाही) to

the theory of Constitutionalism to prevent the damage to the essence of the
constitution by the brute majority of the ruling majority(सत्तारूढ़ बहुमत).

Sustaining democracy(लोकिंत्र को कायम रखना): The basic structure doctrine saved

Indian democracy as it acts as a limitation on the constituent power of the
parliament.

Protecting original identity(मूल पहचान की रक्षा): The basic structure doctrine has
helped us to retain the basic tenets and principles of our constitution, framed
meticulously by the founding fathers of our Constitution. E.g. democratic and
republic nature of our polity(हमारी राजिीवत की लोकतांक्रत्रक और गणतांक्रत्रक प्रकृवत).
Significance of the basic structure doctrine (मूल
संरचना ससद्ांि का महत्व)

Strengthening democracy(लोकिंत्र को मजबूि करना): It strengthens our democracy by

delineating a true separation of power where Judiciary is independent of other two
organs.
Progressive(प्रगविशील): Being dynamic in nature(प्रकृवत में गवतशील), basic structure
doctrine is more progressive and open to changes that might happen with changing
needs of the society.
Constitutional morality(संिैधाननक नैविकिा): The basic structure doctrine protects and
perpetuates the principle of constitutional(संवैधानिक ससद्ांत) morality as it helps us
follow the constitution in its letter and spirit.
Criticism of basic structure doctrine (बुननयादी संरचना ससद्ांि
की आलोचना)

Judicial absolutism(न्यावयक ननरंकुशिा): The basic structure doctrine gives the Judges
the power to decide whether a specific provision is part of the Basic Structure or
not.

Vague and ambiguous(अस्पि और संक्रदग्ध): The SC has not defined the basic structure.
The SC has not provided any list of provisions that constitutes basic structure.

Tyranny of the unelected(अननिावसचि का अत्याचार): The government of the day reflects

the will of the general populace and the judges are not elected by the people.
Criticism of basic structure doctrine (बुननयादी संरचना ससद्ांि
की आलोचना)

Different interpretations(विक्रभन्न व्याख्याएँ ): There have been instances where judges

themselves were not on the same page on whether a particular provision forms a
part of the basic structure or not.

Extra-constitutional veto(अविररि-संिैधाननक िीटो): The basic structure doctrine(बुनियादी

संरचिा ससद्ांत) has given the virtual veto powers to the supreme court in relation to
constitutional amendment acts(संवैधानिक संशोधि असधनियम).
Mains Question (मुख्य प्रश्न)

Discuss the evolution of the basic structure doctrine in India and bring out its
significance in strengthening the democracy in the country. (15 marks, 250 words)

भारि में मूल संरचना ससद्ांि के विकास पर चचाव कीसजये िर्ा इसके महत्व को उजागर कीसजये जो देश में
लोकिंत्र को मजबूि करने में मदद करिा है।
Thank you