Indian Polity : Amendment Of The Constitution

Q 8 / 21

UPSC CSE Prelims 2013

Consider the following statements:
  1. An amendment to the Constitution of India can be initiated by an introduction of a bill in the Lok Sabha only.
  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?

EXPLANATION

Correct Option (d):

Statement 1 is incorrect. As per Article 368 of the Constitution of India, a Bill for the amendment of the Constitution can be initiated by the introduction of a bill in either House of Parliament, i.e., the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. It does not require prior recommendation of the President.

Statement 2 is incorrect. If an amendment seeks to make changes in the federal character of the Constitution, it requires ratification by the legislatures of not less than one-half of the States. The Constitution does not mandate ratification by the legislatures of all the States of India.

Incorrect Options:

Option (a) is incorrect because an amendment bill can be introduced in either House of Parliament, not exclusively in the Lok Sabha.

Option (b) is incorrect because amendments affecting the federal structure require ratification by at least half of the state legislatures, not all states.

Option (c) is incorrect as both statements 1 and 2 are factually incorrect.

SOURCEIndian Polity by M. Laxmikanth, Chapter 10: Amendment of the Constitution