All questions of Amendment of the Constitution for UPSC CSE Exam

Explanation:

The Constitution (Twenty-fourth Amendment) Act, 1971
The Twenty-fourth Amendment Act of 1971 abolished the right to property as a Fundamental Right under Article 19(1)(f) of the Indian Constitution. This amendment made it a legal right under Article 300A. Below are some key points to explain the impact and significance of this amendment:

Abolishment of Fundamental Right:
- The amendment removed the right to property as a Fundamental Right, which was originally guaranteed under Article 19(1)(f).
- This change was made to prevent the misuse of the right to property to obstruct social welfare and economic development programs.

Introduction of Legal Right:
- The amendment introduced Article 300A, which states that no person shall be deprived of his property except by authority of law.
- This shift from a Fundamental Right to a legal right allowed the government to enact laws for the acquisition and requisition of property for public purposes.

Impact on Property Rights:
- By making the right to property a legal right, the government gained more flexibility in enacting laws related to land acquisition, redistribution, and other property-related matters.
- This change aimed to strike a balance between individual property rights and the larger public interest.

Legacy of the Amendment:
- The Twenty-fourth Amendment Act is considered a significant milestone in the evolution of property rights in India.
- It paved the way for subsequent amendments and legislation aimed at land reform, urban planning, and infrastructure development.
In conclusion, the Twenty-fourth Amendment Act of 1971 played a crucial role in redefining the status of the right to property in India, marking a shift from a Fundamental Right to a legal right under the Constitution.

Explanation:

The Constitution (Twenty-fourth Amendment) Act, 1971
The Twenty-fourth Amendment Act of 1971 abolished the special privileges of former rulers of Indian states. This amendment was passed by the Indian Parliament to eliminate the special rights and privileges enjoyed by the rulers of Indian princely states after India gained independence in 1947.

Reason for Abolishment
The special privileges provided to the former rulers of Indian states were seen as a remnant of the colonial era and were considered inconsistent with the principles of equality and democracy enshrined in the Indian Constitution. The abolition of these privileges was aimed at creating a more egalitarian society and ensuring equal treatment for all citizens of India.

Impact of the Amendment
The Twenty-fourth Amendment Act played a crucial role in ensuring that all citizens of India are treated equally under the law, regardless of their social or political background. It helped in removing any vestiges of feudalism and ushering in a more democratic and egalitarian society.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the Constitution (Twenty-fourth Amendment) Act, 1971 was a significant step towards ensuring equality and justice for all citizens of India by abolishing the special privileges of former rulers of Indian states. This amendment was a key milestone in the journey towards building a more inclusive and democratic society.

The correct answer is Option B. The Constitution (Eleventh Amendment) Act, 1961 amended Article 3 to empower the President to specify a time limit for state legislatures to convey their views on proposed Central laws affecting areas, boundaries, etc.

The correct answer is Option A. The Constitution (Forty-fourth Amendment) Act, 1978 introduced the concept of Fundamental Duties of citizens in the Constitution.

The Constitution (Sixty-first Amendment) Act, 1989 aimed to reduce the voting age from 21 to 18 years. This amendment was made to provide the unrepresented youth of the country an opportunity to participate in the political process by voting. This change in the voting age aimed to involve younger citizens in the democratic process and allow them to express their views and opinions through voting.

The correct answer is option 'A', which is the Constitution (Fortieth Amendment) Act, 1976. This amendment provided for the inclusion of certain land Reforms Acts in the Ninth Schedule to the Constitution.

Ninth Schedule of the Indian Constitution:
The Ninth Schedule of the Indian Constitution was added by the First Amendment Act, 1951. It was created to protect laws that were included in it from judicial scrutiny on the grounds of violating the fundamental rights of citizens. The objective was to protect land reform legislations and other social welfare laws from any legal challenge.

Inclusion of Land Reforms Acts:
The Constitution (Fortieth Amendment) Act, 1976, added the land reforms acts to the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution. This amendment was introduced during the period of the Emergency in India (1975-1977) and brought significant changes to the Constitution.

Background:
The land reforms acts were introduced by various state governments to address the issue of agrarian inequality and land concentration. These acts aimed to redistribute land to the landless and marginalized sections of society and to regulate the transfer of agricultural land. However, some of these acts faced legal challenges in courts, leading to delays in their implementation.

Objective of the Amendment:
The Constitution (Fortieth Amendment) Act, 1976, sought to protect the land reforms acts from judicial challenges and expedite their implementation. By including these acts in the Ninth Schedule, they were shielded from judicial review based on the violation of fundamental rights.

Impact and Significance:
The inclusion of land reforms acts in the Ninth Schedule provided protection and legal immunity to these laws. It ensured that the intended beneficiaries of these acts could avail the benefits without any legal hurdles. By preventing judicial interference, the amendment aimed to expedite land redistribution and bring about social justice in rural areas.

Conclusion:
The Constitution (Fortieth Amendment) Act, 1976, played a crucial role in protecting land reforms acts from legal challenges and expediting their implementation. By including these acts in the Ninth Schedule, the amendment aimed to bring about social justice and reduce agrarian inequality in the country.

The Constitution (First Amendment) Act, 1950
The Constitution (First Amendment) Act, 1950 was a significant milestone in Indian constitutional law, particularly concerning the limitations placed on the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
New Grounds for Restrictions
- This amendment introduced several new grounds on which the right to freedom of speech and expression could be restricted.
- It specifically added the words "in the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality" to Article 19(2).
Impact on Freedom of Speech
- The amendment aimed to balance individual rights with societal interests, reflecting the necessity of curbing certain types of speech that could harm public order or national security.
- For example, it allowed restrictions on speech that could incite violence or disrupt public peace.
Right to Practice Any Profession
- The amendment also imposed restrictions on the right to practice any profession or trade under Article 19(1)(g).
- It allowed the government to regulate professions and trades in the interest of public health, morality, or the protection of the rights of others.
Conclusion
- The First Amendment is crucial for understanding the evolution of free speech in India, as it illustrates the delicate balance between individual freedoms and the collective good.
- It reflects the Constitution's adaptive nature in addressing the complexities of governance and civil liberties in a diverse nation like India.

The correct answer is Option A. The Constitution (Twenty-second Amendment) Act, 1969 was enacted to facilitate the formation of a new autonomous state of Meghalaya within the state of Assam.

The Constitution (Eightieth Amendment) Act, 2000 ratified the Central Legislation for the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act. This amendment aimed to reform the tax structure and provide for a new scheme of sharing taxes between the Union and the States.

The correct answer is Option A. The Constitution (Thirty-first Amendment) Act, 1973 raised the upper limit for the representation of states in the Lok Sabha from 500 to 525 and reduced the upper limit for the representation of union territories from 25 members to 20.

The Constitution (Ninety-ninth Amendment) Act, 2015 provided for the formation of a National Judicial Appointments Commission. This amendment aimed to establish a new mechanism for the appointment and transfer of judges in the higher judiciary in India, with the involvement of both the judiciary and the executive.

The Constitution (Ninety-fourth Amendment) Act, 2006 empowered the Governor of Karnataka to develop the Hyderabad-Karnataka region. This amendment aimed to address regional disparities and promote the development of the specified region within the state of Karnataka.

The Constitution (Eighty-sixth Amendment) Act, 2002 added a new Article 21A after Article 21, which focused on providing free and compulsory education to all children between the ages of six and fourteen years. This amendment aimed to ensure that education becomes accessible to all children within a specific age group.

The Constitution (Ninety-fifth Amendment) Act, 2010 extended the reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies from sixty years to seventy years. This amendment aimed to continue providing representation to these marginalized communities in the political sphere for an extended period of time.

The Constitution (Ninetieth Amendment) Act, 2003 allowed the exchange of enclave territories with Bangladesh and conferred citizenship rights to residents of enclaves. This amendment was a result of the signing of the Land Boundary Agreement Treaty between India and Bangladesh.

The Constitution (Sixty-third Amendment) Act, 1989 extended the reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and the representation of the Anglo-Indian community in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies for a further period of ten years. This amendment recognized that the reasons for providing such reservations and representation had not ceased to exist, even though some progress had been made over the preceding forty years.

The correct answer is Option B. The Constitution (Fifty-seventh Amendment) Act, 1987 vested special responsibility on the Governor of the new State of Arunachal Pradesh with respect to law and order due to the sensitive location of the state.

The correct answer is Option C. The Constitution (Fifty-sixth Amendment) Act, 1987 increased the salaries of Supreme Court and High Court judges.Cabinet Secretariat Functions:The Cabinet Secretariat is responsible for assisting the Cabinet in its functioning. Its main functions include:Convening Meetings: The Cabinet Secretariat helps in convening meetings of the Council of Ministers and Cabinet Committees.Agenda Preparation: It prepares the agenda for Cabinet meetings and distributes relevant documents to ministers.Record Keeping: The Secretariat maintains records of Cabinet decisions, discussions, and minutes of meetings.Coordination: It coordinates between various ministries and departments to ensure coherence in government policies.Policy Analysis: The Cabinet Secretariat provides analytical support to the Cabinet by reviewing policies, proposals, and reports.Monitoring Implementation: It monitors the implementation of Cabinet decisions and assesses their impact.Inter-Ministerial Communication: The Secretariat facilitates communication and coordination among different ministries.Support to Prime Minister: The Cabinet Secretariat assists the Prime Minister in various administrative matters.Crisis Management: It plays a role in crisis management and national security-related issues.Parliamentary Affairs: The Secretariat assists in preparing the government's legislative agenda and responses to parliamentary questions.Foreign Affairs: It deals with matters related to international conferences, visits of foreign dignitaries, and treaties.Personnel Appointments: The Cabinet Secretariat assists in appointments to top bureaucratic positions and other important posts.Cabinet Committees: It provides secretarial support to various Cabinet Committees, which aid in decision-making on specific subjects.The Cabinet Secretariat plays a crucial role in the functioning of the government by facilitating smooth coordination, decision-making, and implementation of policies and programs.