Eight constitutional amendments in the last 12 years

Constitutional amendments since 2014: what happened?

Article 368 sets out how Parliament amends the Constitution. Some changes also need ratification by half the State Legislatures. This reply simply lists the eight Amendment Acts enacted in the last twelve years and what each one was about.

• 99th (2014): National Judicial Appointments Commission to replace the collegium for Supreme Court and High Court judges.
• 100th (2015): land boundary agreement with Bangladesh.
• 101st (2016): Goods and Services Tax.
• 102nd (2018): constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes.
• 103rd (2019): reservation for Economically Weaker Sections in government jobs and educational institutions.
• 104th (2019): SC and ST seat reservation in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies extended for another ten years, until 25 January 2030.
• 105th (2021): amendments to Article 342A and consequential changes in Articles 338B and 366.
• 106th (2023): reservation of seats for women in the House of the People and in the Legislative Assemblies of the States.

What is the NJAC amendment doing in this list?

• The 99th Amendment created the National Judicial Appointments Commission in place of the collegium for appointing judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts.
• The Supreme Court later struck the NJAC down in 2015; the collegium continues. The reply still lists the Amendment Act as enacted.
• That gap between an enacted Amendment Act and later case law is itself an exam point: always separate the statute from the judgment.

What themes run through the eight Acts?

• Taxation and federal design: the 101st Amendment (GST).
• Territory and neighbours: the 100th Amendment (India-Bangladesh land boundary).
• Social justice and representation: EWS (103rd), NCBC status (102nd), women’s reservation (106th), SC/ST seat extension (104th).
• Federal lists of communities: the 105th Amendment on Article 342A, with consequential changes in Articles 338B and 366.

How is the Constitution amended?

• Article 368: Parliament may amend by adding, varying or repealing any provision, by a Bill passed in each House by a majority of the total membership and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of members present and voting, and assented to by the President.
• Some federal provisions also need ratification by not less than one-half of the State Legislatures before the President’s assent.

Which eight amendments fall in the twelve-year window?

Why does constitutional amendments since 2014 matter?

What are the challenges in constitutional amendments since 2014?

• How often the Constitution should change is a standing debate in polity answers.
• The 99th Amendment was enacted and then struck down, so statute and practice diverged.
• Women’s reservation under the 106th Amendment awaits the steps needed to bring it into force, including delimitation.
• Students must not treat every Amendment Act as still operative law without checking later judgments.

What should be done next on constitutional amendments since 2014?

• Track when the 106th Amendment is brought into force.
• Keep Amendment Acts distinct from later court rulings, especially the NJAC case.
• Link each Amendment to the Article 368 path (special majority, and State ratification where required).

What can Prelims ask on constitutional amendments since 2014?

• Eight amendments in twelve years (Law Ministry, 25 Jul 2026).
• 99th/2014 NJAC; 100th/2015 Bangladesh boundary; 101st/2016 GST; 102nd/2018 NCBC.
• 103rd/2019 EWS; 104th/2019 SC/ST seats until 25 Jan 2030; 105th/2021 Art 342A; 106th/2023 women’s reservation.
• Amendment procedure: Article 368.

How to write about constitutional amendments since 2014 in Mains

Practice question (15 marks, 250 words): The Constitution has been amended eight times in twelve years. Does frequent amendment strengthen or weaken constitutionalism? Discuss with examples from the 99th to the 106th Amendments.

• Intro: Art 368 and the eight-Act list.
• Reform examples: GST, EWS, women’s reservation.
• NJAC: enacted then struck down.
• Federal ratification and social justice themes.
• Conclusion: amendment power with basic structure limits.