Constitutional Amendment Procedure in the Indian Constitution

The amendment procedure is outlined in Article 368 of the Indian Constitution and consists of three types:

1. Simple Amendments: Certain provisions can be amended by a simple majority in Parliament, such as changes to the First Schedule.
2. Special Majority Amendments: Amendments affecting fundamental rights or federal structure require a special majority (i.e., two-thirds of members present and voting in both Houses). Recent examples include the 125th Amendment regarding the OBC commission, which emphasized local governance.
3. Ratification by States: Some amendments, particularly those impacting state boundaries or powers, require ratification by at least half of the state legislatures. For instance, the 73rd and 74th Amendments necessitated state approval to enhance local governance.

This structured approach ensures a balance between stability and adaptability of the Constitution.