As per Article 368 of the Constitution of India, the Parliament may amend any provision of the Constitution by way of : 1. Addition 3. Variation 3. Repeal Select the correct answer using the code given below :
Contents10
- A1 and 2 only
- B2 and 3 only
- C2 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (D) 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3.
Article 368 clearly states that Parliament may amend any provision of the Constitution by way of:
- Addition (adding new provisions),
- Variation (changing existing provisions),
- or Repeal (removing provisions).
All three methods are explicitly mentioned in the text of Article 368 itself.
Any option that leaves out even one of these is incomplete.
This is a straightforward factual question — just remember:
Amendment = Addition + Variation + Repeal.
Article 368 gives Parliament three specific methods to amend the Constitution: addition of new provisions, variation of existing ones, and repeal of unwanted provisions.
UPSC is testing whether students know the exact constitutional language rather than making assumptions about what amendment powers might include.
Article 368: Amendment Procedure
Indian Polity Article 368 Parliament amend Constitution
Article 368: Constitutional Amendment Procedure & Methods
Article 368 empowers Parliament to amend the Constitution by Addition, Variation, or Repeal
Amendment requires simple majority or special majority depending on the provision
Some amendments need ratification by half the states
Basic Structure cannot be destroyed even through amendments
What Article 368 Says
Article 368 is the constitutional provision that gives Parliament the power to amend the Constitution. It explicitly mentions three methods of amendment that students must memorize for UPSC.
Three Methods of Amendment
Method | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
Addition | Adding new provisions to the Constitution | Adding Article 51A (Fundamental Duties) in 1976 |
Variation | Changing or modifying existing provisions | Changing voting age from 21 to 18 years |
Repeal | Removing or deleting existing provisions | Removing Right to Property as a Fundamental Right |
Types of Amendment Procedures
Type | Majority Required | State Ratification | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
Simple Majority | More than 50% of present & voting | Not required | Creation of new states, Citizenship |
Special Majority | 2/3rd of present & voting + majority of total strength | Not required | Fundamental Rights, DPSP |
Special + State Ratification | Special majority + approval by half the states | Required | Election of President, Article 368 itself |
Key Constitutional Safeguards
Basic Structure Doctrine: Supreme Court ruled that Parliament cannot destroy the basic structure through amendments
Judicial Review: Courts can strike down amendments that violate basic structure (since Kesavananda Bharati case, 1973)
No amendment during Emergency: Article 368 cannot be amended during a National Emergency
Constitutional Assembly's Intent: Amendment power was kept flexible but with sufficient checks
Question Connection
This question tests direct recall of Article 368's text. The trap was thinking that only some methods are allowed, but the Constitution explicitly permits all three: Addition, Variation, and Repeal. Option D was correct because all three methods are constitutionally valid.
Trap: Thinking only Variation (changing) and Repeal (removing) are allowed — but Addition is equally valid
Common Error: Confusing amendment methods with amendment procedures (simple vs special majority)
UPSC Trick: Questions may ask about specific amendments to test if you know which method was used
Memory Aid: AVR = Addition, Variation, Repeal — all three are in Article 368
Types of Constitutional Amendments
Indian Polity
Constitutional Amendments: Classification & Examples
Constitution has 3 types of amendment procedures based on importance of provisions
Article 368 itself requires special majority + state ratification to amend
104 amendments passed so far, with 42nd Amendment being the most extensive
Some provisions like federal structure need both Parliament and state approval
Amendment Categories
# Constitutional Amendments
## Simple Majority
- Admission of new states
- Formation of new states
- Abolition of states
- Citizenship provisions
- Elections to Parliament & state legislatures
## Special Majority Only
- Fundamental Rights
- Directive Principles
- Supreme Court & High Courts
- Union-State relations
- Emergency provisions
## Special + State Ratification
- Election of President
- Extent of executive power
- Article 368 itself
- Representation in Parliament
- Judiciary provisions affecting federal balanceMajor Constitutional Amendments
Amendment | Year | Key Changes | Method Used |
|---|---|---|---|
1st Amendment | 1951 | Added 9th Schedule, restricted property rights | Addition + Variation |
42nd Amendment | 1976 | Added Fundamental Duties, extended Emergency powers | Addition + Variation |
44th Amendment | 1978 | Removed Right to Property from Fundamental Rights | Variation + Repeal |
61st Amendment | 1989 | Reduced voting age from 21 to 18 years | Variation |
86th Amendment | 2002 | Made education a Fundamental Right (Article 21A) | Addition |
Amendment Limitations
Basic Structure cannot be amended: Democracy, federalism, secularism, separation of powers are untouchable
Kesavananda Bharati case (1973): Supreme Court set the basic structure doctrine
Minerva Mills case (1980): Even Article 368 cannot be used to destroy basic structure
Judicial Review: Courts can strike down amendments that violate constitutional principles
Trap: Thinking Article 368 can be amended by simple majority — it needs special majority + state ratification
Common Error: Confusing which amendments need state ratification vs only Parliament approval
UPSC Favorite: Questions on 42nd and 44th amendments often test Addition/Variation/Repeal concepts
Trick: Constitutional amendments vs statutory amendments — only constitutional ones follow Article 368