All questions of Amendment of the Constitution for BPSC (Bihar) Exam

1. A private member of the Parliament cannot introduce a constitutional amendment bill: This statement is incorrect. A private member (a Member of Parliament who is not a minister) can introduce a constitutional amendment bill.
2. The prior permission of the President is required for the introduction of every constitutional amendment bill: This statement is incorrect. The prior permission of the President is not required for the introduction of a constitutional amendment bill.
3. Special days are reserved for introducing constitutional amendment bills: This statement is incorrect. There are no special days reserved specifically for introducing constitutional amendment bills; they can be introduced on any working day of the Parliament.

Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy: The First Unanimous President of India

Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy was the sixth President of India who served from 1977 to 1982. He was born on May 19, 1913, in Andhra Pradesh. He was a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress and played a vital role in the Indian Independence Movement.

Election as President

In 1977, after the emergency period, the Congress government led by Indira Gandhi was defeated in the general elections. In the presidential election held in July 1977, Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy was nominated as the presidential candidate by the opposition parties.

The Congress Party, which was in opposition at that time, also supported Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy's nomination. Due to the overwhelming support of all major political parties, he became the first President of India to be elected unanimously.

Contribution as President

As President of India, Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy made significant contributions to the country. He was known for his simplicity and down-to-earth nature. During his tenure, he emphasized the need for education, health, and rural development. He also advocated for the upliftment of marginalized communities and the promotion of national integration.

Conclusion

Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy was a visionary leader who played a significant role in shaping India's political landscape. His election as the first unanimously elected President of India showed that he was a leader who enjoyed the trust and support of all major political parties. His contributions to the country will always be remembered and cherished.

These matters include: 

• Admission or establishment of new states.
• Formation of new states and alteration of areas, boundaries or names of existing states. 
• Abolition or creation of legislative councils in states. 
• Second Schedule - emoluments, allowances, privileges and so on of the President, the Governors, the Speakers, judges, etc. 
• Quorum in Parliament. 
• Salaries and allowances of the members of Parliament. 
• Rules of procedure in Parliament.
• Privileges of the Parliament, its members and its committees. 
• Use of English language in Parliament.
• Several puisne judges in the Supreme Court. 
• Conferment of more jurisdictions on the Supreme Court. 
• Use of official language.
• Citizenship - acquisition and termination.
• Elections to Parliament and state legislatures. 
• Delimitation of constituencies.
• Union territories. 
• Fifth Schedule - administration of scheduled areas and scheduled tribes.
• Sixth Schedule - administration of tribal areas.

The prior permission of the President is required only in the case of money bills and other bills like the one which seeks to divide a state. It can be introduced in any House.

The USA is a truly federal nation, gives power to its states to initiate amendments to the constitution. It is not the case in India, which is a quasi-federal nation.

• This is to encourage women to not underestimate them.
• As Many women politicians are in a very low minority in the respective parties and may feel marginalised.
• It is an 108th amendment bill, popularly called reservation for women and the major step taken to boost and encourage women's in the society and other areas.

• The Constitution (106^th Amendment) Act, 2023, reserves one-third of all seats for women in Lok Sabha, State legislative assemblies, and the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, including those reserved for SCs and STs.

Understanding Special Majorities and State Consent
In the context of Indian constitutional amendments, certain provisions require special majorities and the consent of states. Let's analyze each pair to determine their correctness.
1. Election of the President
- Incorrect: The election of the President does not require consent from all states. It requires a simple majority in Parliament.
2. Executive Power
- Correct: The distribution of executive power can be amended by a special majority, and the consent of half of the state legislatures is indeed required.
3. Supreme Court and High Courts
- Correct: Amendments related to the composition and jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and High Courts require a special majority and the consent of half of the state legislatures.
4. Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council
- Incorrect: The formation of the GST Council requires the consent of all states for certain provisions but not for the amendment of the Constitution regarding it.
Conclusion
- From the analysis, we find that only two pairs are correctly matched: Executive Power (2) and Supreme Court and High Courts (3). Therefore, the correct answer is option 'B' (Only two pairs).
In summary, the pairs regarding state consent reveal the complexities of constitutional amendments in India, emphasizing the balance between federal and central powers.

Explanation:

Statement-I:
- Amendment Process Similar to Legislation: The process of amending the Constitution does have similarities to passing regular bills in Parliament. Both require a proposal, discussion, and voting to make changes.
- Special Majority Requirement: However, one key difference is the special majority required for amending the Constitution, which is a higher threshold compared to regular legislation.

Statement-II:
- Balancing Flexibility and Rigidity: The amendment process indeed strikes a balance between flexibility and rigidity. It is not too flexible that it can be easily changed by ruling parties for short-term gains.
- Adapting to Changing Needs: At the same time, it is not overly rigid that it cannot adapt to changing societal needs or circumstances. The process allows for necessary changes while still maintaining the core principles of the Constitution.

Conclusion:
Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II provides a more detailed explanation of how the amendment process manages to balance flexibility and rigidity effectively without compromising the integrity of the Constitution.

Parliament as the Primary Body for Initiating Constitution Amendment in India
The primary body responsible for initiating a Constitution amendment in India is the Parliament. Here's how the process works:

Initiation of Amendment
- A Constitution amendment can be initiated in either House of Parliament by introducing a Bill.
- The Bill can be introduced by a Minister or any member of Parliament.

Passage in Parliament
- The Bill must be passed by a special majority in both Houses of Parliament, i.e., a majority of the total membership of each House and a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting.
- If the Bill is passed in both Houses, it is sent to the President for his/her assent.

President's Assent
- The President can either give his/her assent to the Bill or withhold it.
- If the President gives his/her assent, the Bill becomes a Constitution amendment and is included in the Constitution.

Importance of Parliament
- Parliament plays a crucial role in the amendment process as it represents the will of the people.
- Parliamentarians debate and deliberate on the proposed amendments, ensuring that they reflect the changing needs and aspirations of the nation.
In conclusion, the Parliament is the primary body responsible for initiating a Constitution amendment in India. Its role in the process highlights the importance of democratic deliberation and consensus-building in shaping the country's foundational document.