Important Constitutional Amendments of India – Year-wise
The Constitution of India has been amended several times to meet changing social, political, economic, and administrative requirements. While there are more than 100 Constitutional Amendments, only some are particularly important for CLAT, AILET, and other law entrance examinations.
1st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1951
The First Constitutional Amendment was made in 1951, only a few years after the Constitution came into force.
One of its most important purposes was to place certain restrictions on the Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression under Article 19. It introduced the concept of reasonable restrictions in the interest of public order, security of the State, etc.
The amendment also inserted Articles 31A and 31B.
Most importantly, it created the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution. Laws placed in the Ninth Schedule were originally intended to be protected from judicial review, particularly laws relating to land reforms.
CLAT Point:
Remember 1st Amendment = 1951 = Ninth Schedule + Articles 31A & 31B + reasonable restrictions on Fundamental Rights.
7th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1956
The Seventh Amendment is closely associated with the reorganisation of States.
The amendment followed the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, which reorganised states largely on linguistic and administrative considerations.
It abolished the earlier classification of States into Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D, and introduced a more uniform classification of States and Union Territories.
It also made several changes relating to the jurisdiction of High Courts.
CLAT Point:
7th Amendment, 1956 = Reorganisation of States.
9th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1960
The Ninth Amendment was related to the implementation of an agreement between India and Pakistan concerning the transfer of certain territories.
It facilitated the transfer of certain territories between the two countries.
CLAT Point:
9th Amendment = India-Pakistan territorial adjustment.
12th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1962
The Twelfth Amendment incorporated Goa, Daman and Diu into the territory of India.
Following the end of Portuguese rule in these territories in 1961, the Constitution was amended to formally incorporate them as part of India.
CLAT Point:
12th Amendment, 1962 = Goa, Daman and Diu incorporated into India.
13th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1962
The Thirteenth Amendment dealt with Nagaland.
It inserted Article 371A, providing special constitutional protection to Nagaland.
Under Article 371A, Parliament's laws relating to certain matters, particularly religious or social practices of the Nagas, Naga customary law and procedure, administration of civil and criminal justice involving Naga customary law, and ownership and transfer of land and its resources, would not automatically apply to Nagaland unless the State Legislative Assembly decided otherwise.
CLAT Point:
13th Amendment, 1962 = Nagaland + Article 371A.
14th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1962
The Fourteenth Amendment incorporated Pondicherry (now Puducherry) into the Indian constitutional framework.
It also made provisions for legislatures and councils of ministers in certain Union Territories.
CLAT Point:
14th Amendment = Puducherry + representation/governance of certain Union Territories.
16th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1963
The Sixteenth Amendment is important in relation to the sovereignty and integrity of India.
It added "sovereignty and integrity of India" as one of the grounds on which reasonable restrictions could be imposed on certain Fundamental Rights.
It also introduced a requirement that elected representatives take an oath or affirmation to uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India.
CLAT Point:
16th Amendment = Sovereignty and Integrity of India.
24th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1971
The Twenty-Fourth Amendment is extremely important because it dealt with the power of Parliament to amend the Constitution.
The amendment was introduced against the background of the Supreme Court's decision in Golaknath v. State of Punjab (1967), where the Court had held that Parliament could not amend Fundamental Rights.
The 24th Amendment expressly affirmed Parliament's power to amend any part of the Constitution, including Fundamental Rights, through the procedure under Article 368.
It also made it mandatory for the President to give assent to a Constitutional Amendment Bill duly passed by Parliament.
However, Parliament's amending power is not unlimited. The later Kesavananda Bharati case (1973) established the Basic Structure Doctrine, according to which Parliament cannot destroy the basic structure of the Constitution.
CLAT Point:
24th Amendment = Parliament's power to amend the Constitution + President must give assent.
25th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1971
The Twenty-Fifth Amendment attempted to give greater importance to certain Directive Principles of State Policy over certain Fundamental Rights.
It introduced Article 31C, which originally provided protection to laws made to implement certain Directive Principles from challenge under Articles 14, 19 and 31.
However, the Supreme Court later examined the constitutional validity of Article 31C in the Kesavananda Bharati case.
The amendment is therefore important for understanding the relationship between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy.
CLAT Point:
25th Amendment = Article 31C + relationship between Fundamental Rights and DPSPs.
26th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1971
The Twenty-Sixth Amendment abolished the system of Privy Purses.
After Independence, former rulers of princely states were given certain privileges and annual payments known as Privy Purses as part of the arrangements associated with the integration of princely states.
The 26th Amendment abolished these payments and ended the official recognition of former rulers.
CLAT Point:
26th Amendment, 1971 = Abolition of Privy Purses.
42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976
The 42nd Amendment is one of the most important Constitutional Amendments in Indian constitutional history.
It was enacted during the Emergency period (1975–1977) and is popularly known as the "Mini-Constitution" because it made extensive changes to the Constitution.
The amendment made important changes to the Preamble. The words "Socialist", "Secular" and "Integrity" were added to the Preamble.
It also added Fundamental Duties through Article 51A.
The amendment attempted to strengthen the Directive Principles of State Policy and made several changes affecting the relationship between Parliament and the judiciary.
It also increased the term of the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies from five years to six years, although this was later reversed by the 44th Amendment.
CLAT Point:
42nd Amendment = Mini-Constitution + Socialist + Secular + Integrity + Fundamental Duties.
44th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1978
The 44th Amendment was enacted after the Emergency and was intended to reverse several controversial provisions introduced during the Emergency period.
One of its most important changes was regarding the Right to Property.
The Right to Property was removed from the list of Fundamental Rights. It was instead made a constitutional/legal right under Article 300A.
The amendment also introduced safeguards relating to the declaration of a National Emergency.
Importantly, the words "internal disturbance" in Article 352 were replaced by "armed rebellion" as a ground for declaring a National Emergency.
The amendment also restored the term of the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies from six years back to five years.
CLAT Point:
44th Amendment = Right to Property removed as Fundamental Right + Emergency safeguards + "armed rebellion".
52nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1985
The Fifty-Second Amendment introduced the famous Anti-Defection Law.
It added the Tenth Schedule to the Constitution.
The purpose was to prevent elected representatives from changing political parties merely for political gain and thereby causing instability in governments.
Under the anti-defection provisions, an MP or MLA can be disqualified in certain circumstances if they voluntarily give up membership of their political party or vote/abstain contrary to the directions of the party, subject to the constitutional provisions and exceptions.
CLAT Point:
52nd Amendment, 1985 = Anti-Defection Law + Tenth Schedule.
61st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1988
The 61st Amendment reduced the minimum voting age in India from 21 years to 18 years.
This change allowed a much larger number of young citizens to participate in the electoral process.
The amendment changed Article 326.
CLAT Point:
61st Amendment = Voting age reduced from 21 to 18 years.
69th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1991
The 69th Amendment is important because it provided a special constitutional framework for Delhi.
It inserted Article 239AA and Article 239AB.
Delhi was given the special status of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, and a Legislative Assembly was created.
However, Delhi continues to be a Union Territory, and certain important subjects such as public order, police and land remain outside the legislative powers of the Delhi Legislative Assembly.
CLAT Point:
69th Amendment = National Capital Territory of Delhi + Article 239AA.
71st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992
The 71st Amendment added three languages to the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution:
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Konkani
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Manipuri
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Nepali
This increased the number of languages in the Eighth Schedule.
CLAT Point:
71st Amendment = Konkani + Manipuri + Nepali.
73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992
The 73rd Amendment gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions.
It inserted Part IX of the Constitution dealing with Panchayats.
It also added the Eleventh Schedule, containing 29 subjects that may be devolved to Panchayats.
The amendment provided for a three-tier Panchayati Raj system in general:
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Gram Panchayat at the village level
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Panchayat Samiti at the intermediate level
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Zila Parishad at the district level
It also provided for reservation for SCs and STs and at least one-third reservation for women in Panchayats.
CLAT Point:
73rd Amendment = Panchayats + Part IX + 11th Schedule.
74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992
The 74th Amendment gave constitutional recognition to Urban Local Bodies/Municipalities.
It inserted Part IX-A of the Constitution.
It also added the Twelfth Schedule, containing 18 subjects relating to municipalities.
The amendment provided for different types of municipalities depending on the size and nature of urban areas.
CLAT Point:
74th Amendment = Municipalities + Part IX-A + 12th Schedule.
Easy way to remember:
73rd → Rural Local Government → Panchayats → 11th Schedule
74th → Urban Local Government → Municipalities → 12th Schedule
86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002
The 86th Amendment made the Right to Education a Fundamental Right.
It inserted Article 21A, which provides for free and compulsory education for children between 6 and 14 years of age, subject to the constitutional framework.
The amendment also modified Article 45 and added a duty of parents/guardians under Article 51A(k) regarding providing opportunities for education to children in the specified age group.
CLAT Point:
86th Amendment = Article 21A = Right to Education for children aged 6–14 years.
91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003
The 91st Amendment was aimed at preventing excessively large Councils of Ministers and strengthening the anti-defection framework.
It provided that the total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister/Chief Minister, in the Union Council of Ministers and in a State Council of Ministers should not exceed 15% of the total strength of the respective House.
It also provided that the number of ministers in a State, including the Chief Minister, should not be less than 12.
CLAT Point:
91st Amendment = 15% limit on Council of Ministers.
93rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2005
The 93rd Amendment inserted Article 15(5).
It enabled the State to make special provisions for the advancement of socially and educationally backward classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in relation to admission to educational institutions, including private educational institutions, whether aided or unaided, subject to the constitutional framework.
However, minority educational institutions under Article 30(1) were excluded from the scope of Article 15(5).
CLAT Point:
93rd Amendment = Article 15(5) + reservation/special provisions in educational institutions.
97th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2011
The 97th Amendment dealt with co-operative societies.
It gave constitutional recognition and protection to the formation and functioning of co-operative societies.
It inserted Article 43B and added Part IXB dealing with co-operative societies.
However, the Supreme Court later held that the amendment was invalid to the extent it dealt with State co-operative societies, because the required ratification by the States had not been obtained. The provisions concerning multi-State co-operative societies were not affected in the same manner.
CLAT Point:
97th Amendment = Co-operative Societies.
99th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2014
The 99th Amendment sought to establish the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC).
The NJAC was intended to replace the existing collegium system for the appointment of judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts.
However, in 2015, the Supreme Court struck down the 99th Amendment and the NJAC Act, holding that the new system violated the basic structure of the Constitution, particularly judicial independence.
Therefore, the existing collegium system continued.
CLAT Point:
99th Amendment = NJAC → struck down by the Supreme Court in 2015.
100th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2015
The 100th Amendment was related to the implementation of the India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement.
It facilitated the exchange of certain territories/enclaves between India and Bangladesh.
The amendment was necessary because the transfer of territory required constitutional changes.
CLAT Point:
100th Amendment = India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement.
101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016
The 101st Amendment is one of the most important amendments for contemporary CLAT preparation.
It introduced the constitutional framework for the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
The amendment introduced important provisions including:
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Article 246A – Special provision for GST.
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Article 269A – Levy and collection of GST on inter-State supplies.
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Article 279A – Establishment of the GST Council.
GST replaced several indirect taxes imposed by the Union and States and was intended to create a more integrated indirect tax system.
The GST Council is a constitutional body that plays a major role in recommending GST rates, exemptions and other important matters.
CLAT Point:
101st Amendment, 2016 = GST + Article 246A + Article 269A + Article 279A + GST Council.
102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018
The 102nd Amendment gave constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC).
It inserted Article 338B, which deals with the National Commission for Backward Classes.
It also introduced Article 342A, dealing with the specification of socially and educationally backward classes.
This amendment subsequently became important in the context of the debate over whether States continued to have the power to identify their own OBC/SEBC lists.
CLAT Point:
102nd Amendment = Constitutional status to NCBC.
103rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019
The 103rd Amendment introduced the provision for 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).
It inserted Articles 15(6) and 16(6).
The amendment enabled special provisions for EWS in educational institutions and reservation in public employment.
The EWS reservation is distinct from reservations based on SC, ST, and OBC status, as it is based primarily on economic criteria prescribed by law.
The Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the 103rd Amendment in Janhit Abhiyan v. Union of India (2022).
CLAT Point:
103rd Amendment, 2019 = 10% EWS Reservation + Articles 15(6) & 16(6).
104th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2020
The 104th Amendment extended the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies for another 10 years.
At the same time, it ended the provision for the nomination of Anglo-Indian members to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.
Therefore, remember the amendment as having two major effects:
SC/ST reservation → extended
Anglo-Indian nomination → ended
CLAT Point:
104th Amendment = SC/ST reservation extended + Anglo-Indian nomination discontinued.
105th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2021
The 105th Amendment became important because of the constitutional dispute concerning the power to identify Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBCs/OBCs).
It restored/clarified the power of State Governments and Union Territories to prepare and maintain their own lists of socially and educationally backward classes for their own purposes.
This amendment came after the Supreme Court's interpretation of the 102nd Amendment in the Maratha reservation case.
CLAT Point:
105th Amendment = States' power to identify their own OBC/SEBC lists restored/clarified.
106th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2023
The 106th Amendment is the latest major Constitutional Amendment and is extremely important for current CLAT preparation.
It is popularly known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.
The amendment provides for one-third reservation for women in:
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Lok Sabha
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State Legislative Assemblies
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Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi
The reservation will also include women belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes within their respective reserved seats.
However, an important point for CLAT is that the reservation is not immediately operational merely because the amendment has been enacted. Its implementation is linked to delimitation following the publication of the relevant census figures.
CLAT Point:
106th Amendment, 2023 = 33% Women's Reservation + Lok Sabha/State Assemblies/Delhi Assembly + implementation linked to delimitation.
Amendments You Should Definitely Memorise for CLAT
If you are revising these at the last moment, make sure these are absolutely clear:
1st Amendment, 1951 → Ninth Schedule + reasonable restrictions
7th Amendment, 1956 → Reorganisation of States
13th Amendment, 1962 → Nagaland + Article 371A
24th Amendment, 1971 → Parliament's power to amend Constitution
25th Amendment, 1971 → Article 31C
26th Amendment, 1971 → Privy Purses abolished
42nd Amendment, 1976 → Mini-Constitution + Socialist + Secular + Integrity + Fundamental Duties
44th Amendment, 1978 → Right to Property removed from Fundamental Rights + Emergency safeguards
52nd Amendment, 1985 → Anti-Defection Law + 10th Schedule
61st Amendment, 1988 → Voting age 21 → 18
69th Amendment, 1991 → NCT Delhi + Article 239AA
73rd Amendment, 1992 → Panchayats + 11th Schedule
74th Amendment, 1992 → Municipalities + 12th Schedule
86th Amendment, 2002 → Right to Education + Article 21A
91st Amendment, 2003 → 15% limit on Council of Ministers
99th Amendment, 2014 → NJAC → struck down by Supreme Court
101st Amendment, 2016 → GST + GST Council
102nd Amendment, 2018 → NCBC
103rd Amendment, 2019 → 10% EWS Reservation
104th Amendment, 2020 → SC/ST reservation extended + Anglo-Indian nomination ended
105th Amendment, 2021 → States' power regarding OBC/SEBC lists
106th Amendment, 2023 → 33% Women's Reservation
This approach makes the amendments much easier to retain for CLAT Legal Reasoning and Current Affairs, especially when questions combine an amendment with an Article, Schedule, Supreme Court judgment, or constitutional principle.
