UPSC Express

Q6. When a constitutional amendment aims to modify an article related to the distribution of powers between the States and the Union government, then which of the following type of majority is required to amend the Constitution?
A. Simple majority in the Parliament with ratification by not less than half of the States.
B. Special majority in the Parliament with ratification by not less than half of the States.
C. Simple majority in the Parliament.
D. Special majority in the Parliament.

Answer: B

Exp: There are three different ways of amending the Indian Constitution. There are many articles in the Constitution which mention that these articles can be amended by a simple law of the Parliament. No special procedure for amendment (under Article 368) is required in such cases and there is no difference at all between an amendment and an ordinary law. For amending the remaining parts of the Constitution, provision has been made in Article 368 of the Constitution. One method is that amendment can be made by special majority of the two Houses of the Parliament. Amendment to the Constitution requires two different kinds of special majorities: in the first place, those voting in favour of the Amendment Bill should constitute at least half of the total strength of that House. Secondly, the supporters of the Amendment Bill must also constitute two-thirds of those who actually take part in voting. The other method requires special majority of the Parliament and consent of half of the State legislatures. Apart from the provisions related to federal structure, provisions about fundamental rights are also protected in this way.