In constitutional democracies like India, the amendment process involves both the Parliament (at the central level) and the state legislatures (at the state level). Let’s discuss their roles and the majority thresholds required for passing constitutional amendments:

Role of Parliament and State Legislatures
Parliament (Central Level):

Initiation of Amendments: Amendments to the Indian Constitution can be initiated in either house of Parliament (Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha).
Passage in Parliament: The amendment bill must be passed by a majority of the total membership of each house (i.e., a simple majority of members present and voting, assuming quorum is met).
Special Majority Requirement: Some amendments require a special majority, which means it must be supported by:
A majority of the total membership of each house (simple majority), and
At least two-thirds of the members present and voting.
State Legislatures:

Ratification: After passing in Parliament, certain types of amendments (like those affecting federalism or states’ powers) require ratification by at least half of the state legislatures. Each state legislature considers the amendment and votes on it.
Required Majority Thresholds
Simple Majority: A simple majority means more than 50% of members present and voting. This is the standard requirement for most constitutional amendments initiated in Parliament. It ensures that amendments are supported by a majority of the legislators present to vote on the bill.

Special Majority: A special majority is a higher threshold intended to ensure broader support for amendments that are considered more significant or affect fundamental aspects of the constitution. It requires:

A majority of the total membership of each house (simple majority).
At least two-thirds of the members present and voting.
Rationale for Choosing the Thresholds
Balancing Flexibility and Stability: The simple majority threshold allows for flexibility in amending the constitution to adapt to changing circumstances or societal needs. It ensures that amendments can be passed with strong support from the legislators present at the time of voting.

Protecting Core Principles: The special majority requirement (two-thirds majority of members present and voting) for certain amendments ensures that changes to fundamental aspects of the constitution are supported by a significant consensus across political parties and ideologies. This protects core principles and values enshrined in the constitution.

Federal Considerations: Requiring ratification by state legislatures for certain amendments involving federalism ensures that states have a say in changes that affect their powers and autonomy. This mechanism promotes cooperative federalism and ensures that amendments do not undermine the federal structure.

Historical Context: The thresholds were chosen based on the experiences of other democracies and India’s own historical context. They aim to strike a balance between democratic responsiveness and stability, avoiding frequent and arbitrary changes while allowing for necessary adaptations over time.

In conclusion, the amendment process in India involves careful consideration of majority thresholds in Parliament and ratification by state legislatures. These thresholds reflect a deliberate effort to ensure that constitutional amendments are supported by sufficient consensus and consideration of both national and state-level perspectives. They are designed to uphold the integrity of the constitution while allowing for necessary updates and reforms in response to evolving challenges and aspirations.