BharatNotes Amendment
noun (countable and uncountable)Usage in a UPSC answer
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment institutionalised grassroots democracy by granting constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions, yet its transformative promise remains unrealised without the genuine devolution of funds, functions and functionaries to local bodies.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
amend (v), amended (adj), amending (v pres.p), amendable (adj), unamended (adj)
Root
Latin ex- = out of + mendum = fault/error → ēmendāre = to free from faults → Old French amendement
Etymology
From Old French amendement, from Late Latin ēmendāmentum, from ēmendāre ("to free from faults"), from ex- ("out of") + mendum ("fault, error").
Memory Hook
A-MEND-ment: an amendment MENDS a law — Parliament "mends" the Constitution by patching its faults.
How This Word Works in UPSC Writing
A formal alteration of the Constitution, and the three-tier procedure is the standard question with the first tier the most often mis-stated. Amendments requiring only a simple majority, such as the formation of new States, alteration of State boundaries, creation or abolition of legislative councils, or changes to citizenship provisions, are not made under Article 368 at all and are not constitutional amendments in the technical sense. The second tier is a special majority of each House under Article 368, meaning a majority of the total membership together with two-thirds of members present and voting. The third adds ratification by half the States. Above all these sits the basic structure doctrine from Kesavananda Bharati in 1973, under which an amendment carried by any majority may still be struck down if it damages the Constitution's essential features, and provisions of several amendments including the 39th and the 42nd have been invalidated on that ground.
Don’t Confuse It With
An amendment under Article 368 requires a special majority, and where federal provisions are affected also ratification by half the States. Changes made by simple majority under other Articles, such as creating a new State, are not Article 368 amendments at all, which is the commonest confusion. The basic structure doctrine limits the amending power itself regardless of the majority obtained. An amendment Bill may be introduced in either House but not in a State legislature, and there is no provision for a joint sitting to resolve disagreement between the Houses over one.
Hindi Meaning
संशोधन (sanshodhan); मूल ढाँचा (mūl dhānchā) for the basic structure.
Common Questions
- What are the three types of constitutional amendment?
- By simple majority under Articles outside 368, by special majority under Article 368, and by special majority together with ratification by half the State legislatures.
- Can Parliament amend any part of the Constitution?
- No. Under the basic structure doctrine laid down in Kesavananda Bharati, an amendment damaging the Constitution's essential features can be struck down however large the majority passing it.
Seen in UPSC Question Papers
- Prelims 2025 — Local Government
- Prelims 2025 — Constitutional Framework
- Prelims 2025 — Internal Security
- Prelims 2025 — Internal Security
- Prelims 2024 — Constitutional Schedules
- Mains 2023 · GS2 · 15 marks — Indian Polity
- Mains 2017 · GS2 · 15 marks — Indian Polity
- Mains 2016 · GS2 · 12.5 marks — Indian Polity
- Mains 2015 · GS2 · 12.5 marks — Indian Polity
Real UPSC previous-year questions whose text uses “Amendment” — proof this word earns its place on your list.
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