Create a custom practice set
Pick category, difficulty, number of questions, and time limit. Start instantly with your own quiz.
Generate QuizGK Question
Under Article 368, constitutional amendments require special majority in Parliament: majority of ______ of each House and two-thirds of members present and voting, ensuring broad consensus for fundamental constitutional changes.
- members present
- total membership
- elected members
- party leaders
Answer: total membership
Article 368 special majority: (a) Text: Amendment Bill must be passed in each House by: (i) Majority of total membership of that House, AND (ii) 2/3 of members present and voting, (b) Rationale: (i) Broad consensus: High threshold ensures amendments reflect broad political agreement, not narrow majority, (ii) Constitutional gravity: Amendments alter foundational law; special majority reflects gravity of constitutional change, (iii) Democratic legitimacy: Ensures amendments have substantial democratic support, enhancing legitimacy, (c) Comparison: (i) Ordinary legislation: Simple majority suffices, (ii) Constitutional amendments: Special majority same as basic structure protection threshold, reflecting importance, (iii) Federal amendments: Additional State ratification requirement for provisions affecting federal balance, (d) Applications: (i) 101st Amendment (GST): Passed with special majority, State ratification, enabling fiscal federalism reform, (ii) 103rd Amendment (EWS): Passed with special majority, enabling economic criteria for reservation, (iii) 106th Amendment (women's reservation): Passed with special majority, enabling political representation reform, (e) Illustrates calibrated amendment power: Special majority ensures amendments reflect broad consensus; balances constitutional adaptability with stability, democratic legitimacy with constitutional supremacy.