Indian Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on 26 November 1949 and officially became effective on 26 January 1950. In this blog, we will see some of the most important amendments to the Indian constitution and its features. Amendments to the Indian Constitution are made according to the needs of the time but the Constitution has remained intact and its basic premises have not changed. Judiciary plays an important role in protecting the Constitution and also in interpreting the Constitution whenever required.
What Are Constitutional Amendments?
Constitutional amendments are formal changes or additions made to the Constitution of India. The Parliament passes them under Article 368 and allow the law to evolve without changing the core structure or spirit of the Constitution.
Important Amendments to the Indian Constitution – Part 1
The Indian Constitution has been amended several times to meet the changing needs of the country. This section covers key early amendments that shaped the political and legal framework of modern India.
| Amendment | Year | Features |
| 1st | 1950 | Added restrictions on freedom of speech; inserted Ninth Schedule, Articles 31A and 31B to protect land reform laws. |
| 7th | 1956 | Reorganised states; introduced union territories; established new High Courts. |
| 10th | 1961 | Included Dadra and Nagar Haveli as a Union Territory. |
| 11th | 1961 | Stated that the election of President or Vice-President cannot be challenged due to vacancies in the electoral college. |
| 12th | 1962 | Included Goa, Daman, and Diu as Union Territories; amended Article 240. |
| 13th | 1962 | Formed the state of Nagaland under an agreement with the Naga People’s Convention. |
| 14th | 1962 | Included Pondicherry as a Union Territory; legislature provision for Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura, and others. |
| 22nd | 1969 | Created the autonomous state of Meghalaya within Assam. |
| 24th | 1971 | Gave Parliament full power to amend any part of the Constitution, including Fundamental Rights. |
| 31st | 1973 | Increased Lok Sabha seats from 500 to 525; reduced UT representation from 25 to 20. |
| 35th | 1974 | Granted Sikkim the status of an associate state of India. |
| 36th | 1975 | Made Sikkim a full-fledged Indian state. |
| 42nd | 1976 | Added the terms ‘Socialist’, ‘Secular’, and ‘Integrity’; introduced Fundamental Duties; made Directive Principles stronger than Fundamental Rights. |
| 44th | 1978 | Removed Right to Property as a fundamental right; added ‘armed rebellion’ as a reason for declaring emergency. |
Important Amendments to the Indian Constitution – Part 2
As India progressed, newer amendments were introduced to address political reforms, statehood demands, reservation policies, and economic changes. This section highlights major amendments from 1985 onwards.
| Amendment | Year | Features |
| 52nd | 1985 | Introduced the anti-defection law to prevent political defections. |
| 53rd | 1986 | Granted full statehood to Mizoram with a minimum of 40 MLAs. |
| 55th | 1986 | Granted statehood to Arunachal Pradesh. |
| 56th | 1987 | Goa became a state; Daman and Diu continued as a Union Territory. |
| 61st | 1989 | Lowered the voting age from 21 years to 18 years. |
| 66th | 1990 | Added various state land reform laws to the Ninth Schedule. |
| 69th | 1991 | Changed Delhi’s name to the National Capital Territory of Delhi. |
| 70th | 1992 | Included elected MLAs of Union Territories in the Presidential election electoral college. |
| 71st | 1992 | Added Konkani, Manipuri, and Nepali to the Eighth Schedule. |
| 73rd | 1993 | Gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions. |
| 74th | 1993 | Strengthened local governance in urban areas (municipalities). |
| 86th | 2002 | Inserted Article 21A to make free and compulsory education a fundamental right for children aged 6–14. |
| 87th | 2003 | Used 2001 Census for the distribution of parliamentary seats among states. |
| 91st | 2003 | Limited the size of the Council of Ministers to 15% of the total legislature. |
| 92nd | 2003 | Added Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santali to the Eighth Schedule. |
| 94th | 2006 | Proposed a separate Tribal Welfare Minister for Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. |
| 100th | 2015 | Allowed the exchange of enclaves and territories between India and Bangladesh. |
| 101st | 2017 | Introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST); added Articles 246A, 269A, and 279A. |
| 102nd | 2018 | Gave constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes. |
| 103rd | 2019 | Provided 10% EWS reservation in education and jobs. |
| 104th | 2020 | Extended SC/ST reservation in legislatures; removed Anglo-Indian reserved seats. |
Most Frequently Asked Amendments (For Exams)
- 42nd Amendment (1976) – Mini-Constitution
- 44th Amendment (1978) – Removed Right to Property
- 61st Amendment (1989) – Reduced voting age
- 73rd & 74th Amendments – Panchayati Raj & Municipality
- 101st Amendment – GST
- 103rd Amendment – 10% EWS Quota
Key Takeaways
- The Constitution has evolved over time through amendments to meet changing national needs.
- As of 2025, there have been 104 amendments.
- Amendments like the 42nd, 73rd, 101st, and 103rd are extremely important for exams.
- Understanding the context and effect of amendments helps in solving Polity MCQs faster and more accurately.
Check out Courses for All Govt Exams
Important Constitutional Amendments of India – FAQs
Ans. Amendments are formal changes made to the Indian Constitution to meet evolving legal and social needs.
Ans. As of 2025, the Constitution of India has been amended 104 times.
Ans. They allow the Constitution to adapt to new challenges while preserving its core principles.
Ans. They gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj and urban local bodies, strengthening grassroots democracy.
Ans. The 104th Amendment (2020) extended SC/ST reservation in legislatures and removed Anglo-Indian reserved seats.
- All About Human Development Report, Its Trends & Analysis
- Forex Market Guide for LIC AAO Aspirants: Concepts, Risks & Trends
- Essay Writing for IFSCA Grade A Exam, Complete Guide & Tips
- Government Securities & Debt Market: Types, Features & Exam Notes
- How to Solve Alphabet Reasoning Questions, Step Wise Guide
- Will There Be SSC CHSL Exam in September 2025?
Hello, I’m a content writer working at Oliveboard. I focus on creating blogs, articles, and educational content that’s simple, clear, and saves time for readers. I believe in writing that adds real value without overcomplicating things. I also have strong knowledge of banking and government exams, which helps me create content that is both accurate and easy to understand. With experience and consistency, I aim to make preparation smoother for every learner.