Amendment of the Constitution

Amendment of the Constitution

The term amendment denotes change, improvement and modification. Article 368 of the Constitution in Part XX, deals with the powers of Parliament to amend the Constitution and its procedure.

Procedure of Amendment

An amendment of this Constitution may be initiated only by the introduction of a Bill for the purpose in either House of Parliament, and when the Bill is passed in each House by a majority of the total membership of that House and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of that House present and voting, it shall be presented to the President who shall give his assent to the Bill and thereupon the Constitution shall stand amended in accordance with the terms of the Bill. The constitution amendment can be brought about only by the Parliament. State legislatures cannot initiate for any amendment to the Constitution.

Types of Amendments

Article 368 provides for three ways of amendments.

1. Amendment by simple majority of the Parliament

2. Amendment by special majority of the Parliament

3. Amendment by special majority of the Parliament and the ratification of half of the state legislatures.

42^nd amendmen of the Constitution is known as the mini Constitution.