The Constitution of India, which was adopted on 26th January 1950, has been amended numerous times over the years to meet the changing needs of society. As of September 2021, there have been 104 amendments to the Indian Constitution. In this article, we will discuss the 101 amendments to the Indian Constitution in chronological order and the major changes that they brought about.
First Amendment (1951)
The First Amendment was introduced in 1951 to address certain issues that arose after the adoption of the Constitution. One of the key changes made by this amendment was the addition of Article 15(4) which allowed for reservations in educational institutions for socially and educationally backward classes of citizens.
Second Amendment (1952)
The Second Amendment was introduced in 1952 to provide greater autonomy to the state governments in India. This amendment transferred certain subjects from the Union List to the State List.
Third Amendment (1954)
The Third Amendment was introduced in 1954 to allow for the acquisition of property by the state for public purposes. This amendment added Article 31A and Article 31B to the Constitution.
Fourth Amendment (1955)
The Fourth Amendment was introduced in 1955 to address certain issues related to the freedom of speech and expression in India. This amendment added the words “reasonable restrictions” to Article 19(2) of the Constitution.
Fifth Amendment (1955)
The Fifth Amendment was introduced in 1955 to provide greater powers to the states in India. This amendment transferred certain subjects from the Concurrent List to the State List.
Sixth Amendment (1956)
The Sixth Amendment was introduced in 1956 to address certain issues related to the reorganization of states in India. This amendment added a new Part XIV to the Constitution which deals with the reorganization of states.
Seventh Amendment (1956)
The Seventh Amendment was introduced in 1956 to reorganize the state of Assam. This amendment added a new Article 371B to the Constitution which provides for a special status for the state of Assam.
Eighth Amendment (1960)
The Eighth Amendment was introduced in 1960 to provide greater powers to the state of Punjab in India. This amendment transferred certain subjects from the Union List to the State List for the state of Punjab.
Ninth Amendment (1960)
The Ninth Amendment was introduced in 1960 to address certain issues related to the reorganization of states in India. This amendment added a new Article 371C to the Constitution which provides for a special status for the state of Manipur.
Tenth Amendment (1961)
The Tenth Amendment was introduced in 1961 to address certain issues related to the reorganization of states in India. This amendment added a new Article 371D to the Constitution which provides for a special status for the state of Andhra Pradesh.
Eleventh Amendment (1961)
The Eleventh Amendment was introduced in 1961 to provide greater powers to the state of Gujarat in India. This amendment transferred certain subjects from the Union List to the State List for the state of Gujarat.
Twelfth Amendment (1962)
The Twelfth Amendment was introduced in 1962 to provide greater powers to the state of Nagaland in India. This amendment added a new Article 371A to the Constitution which provides for a special status for the state of Nagaland.
Thirteenth Amendment (1962)
The Thirteenth Amendment was introduced in 1962 to address certain issues related to the reorganization of states in India. This amendment added a new Article 371E to the Constitution which provides for a special status for the state of Sikkim.
Fourteenth Amendment (1962)
The Fourteenth Amendment was introduced in 1962 to address certain issues related to the reorganization of states in India.
Fifteenth Amendment (1963)
The Fifteenth Amendment was introduced in 1963 to address certain issues related to the right to property in India. This amendment removed the right to property as a fundamental right and made it a legal right under Article 300A.
Sixteenth Amendment (1963)
The Sixteenth Amendment was introduced in 1963 to address certain issues related to the appointment of judges in India. This amendment made changes to Article 124 of the Constitution which deals with the appointment of judges to the Supreme Court.
Seventeenth Amendment (1964)
The Seventeenth Amendment was introduced in 1964 to provide greater powers to the state of Maharashtra in India. This amendment transferred certain subjects from the Union List to the State List for the state of Maharashtra.
Eighteenth Amendment (1966)
The Eighteenth Amendment was introduced in 1966 to provide greater powers to the state of Punjab in India. This amendment transferred certain subjects from the Union List to the State List for the state of Punjab.
Nineteenth Amendment (1966)
The Nineteenth Amendment was introduced in 1966 to provide greater powers to the state of Tamil Nadu in India. This amendment transferred certain subjects from the Union List to the State List for the state of Tamil Nadu.
Twentieth Amendment (1966)
The Twentieth Amendment was introduced in 1966 to provide greater powers to the state of Kerala in India. This amendment transferred certain subjects from the Union List to the State List for the state of Kerala.
Twenty-First Amendment (1967)
The Twenty-First Amendment was introduced in 1967 to address certain issues related to the citizenship of India. This amendment added a new Article 5B to the Constitution which deals with the acquisition of citizenship by persons who have migrated to India from Pakistan.
Twenty-Second Amendment (1969)
The Twenty-Second Amendment was introduced in 1969 to address certain issues related to the right to property in India. This amendment made changes to Article 31C of the Constitution which deals with laws giving effect to certain Directive Principles.
Twenty-Third Amendment (1969)
The Twenty-Third Amendment was introduced in 1969 to provide greater powers to the state of Gujarat in India. This amendment transferred certain subjects from the Union List to the State List for the state of Gujarat.
Twenty-Fourth Amendment (1971)
The Twenty-Fourth Amendment was introduced in 1971 to address certain issues related to the right to property in India. This amendment restored the right to property as a fundamental right but with certain restrictions.
Twenty-Fifth Amendment (1971)
The Twenty-Fifth Amendment was introduced in 1971 to address certain issues related to the appointment of judges in India. This amendment made changes to Article 124 of the Constitution which deals with the appointment of judges to the Supreme Court.
Twenty-Sixth Amendment (1971)
The Twenty-Sixth Amendment was introduced in 1971 to lower the voting age from 21 to 18 years. This amendment added a new clause to Article 326 of the Constitution which deals with the right to vote.
Twenty-Seventh Amendment (1971)
The Twenty-Seventh Amendment was introduced in 1971 to address certain issues related to the reorganization of states in India. This amendment made changes to Article 240 of the Constitution which deals with the administration of Union Territories.
Twenty-Eighth Amendment (1972)
The Twenty-Eighth Amendment was introduced in 1972 to provide greater powers to the state of West Bengal in India. This amendment transferred certain subjects from the Union List to the State List for the state of West.
Read Other Useful Content:
Final Words:
