A complete ecosystem for UPSC Civils and State PSC Preparation

Indian Polity MCQs – 16 (Amendment of Constitution)

Amendment of Constitution MCQs with answers and explanations for preparation of UPSC, BPSC, UPPSC and other State PSC Examinations

Free Mock Tests

Build Your Basics

1. Which article of the Indian Constitution deals with amendment procedure ?

(a) Article 268

(b) Article 352

(c) Article 356

(d) Article 368

Correct Answer: (d) Article 368

  • Article 368 in Part XX of the Constitution deals with the amendment procedure of Indian Constitution.
  • The Constitution confers power of amendment of constitution to Parliament.
  • However, the Parliament cannot amend those provisions which constitute the ‘Basic structure of the Constitution’. This was ruled by the Supreme Court in the Kesavananda Bharati case of 1973.

2. Consider the following statements related to Article 368 of the Constitution:

  1. A Constitutional Amendment Bill can be passed at a joint session of Parliament in case of deadlock between the two Houses.
  2. A proposal to amend the Constitution can only be introduced in the House of the People.

Which of these are correct ?

(a) 1 Only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) None of the above

Correct Answer: (d) None of the above

  • A Constitutional Amendment Bill can not be passed at a joint session of Parliament in case of deadlock between the two Houses. Each House must pass the bill separately to consider it to be passed.
  • A proposal to amend the Constitution can be introduced in either House of the Parliament.
  • The Constitutional Amendment Bill must be passed in each house by a special majority (a majority of the total membership of the House + a majority of two-thirds of the members of the House present and voting).

3. Consider the following statements related to Article 368 of the Constitution:

  1. It is obligatory for the President of India to give his assent to a Constitutional Amendment Bill passed under Article 368.
  2. To amend the 7th Schedule of the Constitution, ratification of more than half of the State legislature is essential.

Which of these are correct ?

(a) 1 Only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) None of the above

Correct Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

  • It is obligatory for the President of India to give his assent to a Constitutional Amendment Bill passed under Article 368. He can neither withhold his assent to the bill nor return the bill for reconsideration.
  • If the bill proposes to amend the federal features of the constitution, it must also be ratified by the legislatures of half of the states. State legislatures need to ratify it with a simple majority(a majority of the members of the House present and voting).
  • The 7th Schedule of the Indian Constitution divides the legislative power between the Union and State Governments using three lists:
    • Union list
    • State list
    • Concurrent list.

4. While amending the Constitution of India, which of the following subjects needs only a simple majority of the parliament?

  1. Directive principles of state policy
  2. Election of the President and its manner
  3. Creation of the Legislative Council in a State

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 only

(d) 3 only

Correct Answer: (d) 3 only

  • Some provisions of the Constitution can be amended by a simple majority of Parliament. For example :
    • Abolition or creation of legislative councils in states
    • Quorum in Parliament
    • Rules of procedure in Parliament
    • Delimitation of constituencies etc.

5. While amending the Constitution of India, which of the following subjects needs only a simple majority of the parliament?

  1. Change in name of existing state
  2. Change in the boundary of existing state
  3. Creation of new state

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) All of the above

(d) None of the above

Correct Answer: (c) All of the above

  • Following amendments need only simple majority:
    • Change in name of existing state
    • Change in the boundary of existing state
    • Creation of new state
    • Admission of new states in the Indian union

6. On which of the following are matters, a constitutional amendment is possible only with the ratification of the legislature of half of the states ?

  1. Election of the president
  2. Representation of the states in parliament
  3. Supreme Court and high courts
  4. Citizenship–acquisition and termination

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 1, 2 and 4 only

(c) 1, 3 and 4 only

(d) 2, 3 and 4 only

Correct Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only

  • Following matters can be amended only with the ratification of the legislature of half of the states:
    • Election of the President
    • Representation of states in Parliament
    • Powers of Supreme Court and high courts
    • Executive powers of the Union and the states
    • Distribution of legislative powers between the Union and the states.
    • Matters mentioned in the Seventh Schedule

7. Amendment to which among the following schedules requires ratification of more than half of the State legislature ?

(a) 5th schedule

(b) 6th schedule

(c) 7th schedule

(d) None

Correct Answer: (c) 7th schedule

  • The 7th Schedule of the Indian Constitution divides the legislative power between the Union and State Governments using three lists:
    • Union list
    • State list
    • Concurrent list.
  • Matters mentioned in the Seventh Schedule can be amended only with the ratification of the legislature of half of the states.
  • Matters of 5th and 6th schedule can be amended with a simple majority.

8. The 101st Constitution Amendment Act, 2016 created a GST Council. Any amendment in the composition and powers of the GST Council requires which among the following ?

(a) A constitution amendment with a simple majority

(b) A constitution amendment with a special majority

(c) A constitution amendment with a Special majority along with the ratification of the legislature of half of the states

(d) Does not require a constitution amendment

Correct Answer: (c) A constitution amendment with a Special majority along with the ratification of the legislature of half of the states

  • The 101st Constitution Amendment Act, 2016 created a GST Council  consisting of the Union Finance Minister and representatives from all states to implement GST.
  • Any amendment in the composition and powers of the GST Council requires a constitution amendment with a special majority along with the ratification of the legislature of half of the states

9. Any amendment to the power of Parliament to amend the Constitution and its procedure mentioned under article 368 requires ?

(a) A constitution amendment with a simple majority

(b) A constitution amendment with a special majority

(c) A constitution amendment with a Special majority along with the ratification of the legislature of half of the states

(d) Article 368 can not be amended as it forms the basic structure of the constitution

Correct Answer: (c) A constitution amendment with a Special majority along with the ratification of the legislature of half of the states

  • Power of Parliament to amend the Constitution and its procedure mentioned under article 368 can be amended with a Special majority along with the ratification of the legislature of half of the states.

10. Which one of the following Bills must be passed by each House of the Parliament separately by a special majority ?

(a) Ordinary Bill

(b) Money Bill

(c) Finance Bill

(d) Constitution Amendment Bill

Correct Answer: (d) Constitution Amendment Bill

  • The Constitutional Amendment Bill must be passed in each house by a special majority (a majority of the total membership of the House + a majority of two-thirds of the members of the House present and voting).

Also Read in Indian Polity MCQs :

Subscribe to our newsletter

Don't miss new updates on your email

Civils Cracker

Resources

Prelims Express

State PSC

Facebook Twitter Youtube Telegram Instagram