Consider the following statements:
- 1.An amendment to the Constitution of India can be initiated by an introduction of a bill in the Lok Sabha only.
- 2.If such an amendment seeks to make changes in the federal character of the Constitution, the amendment also requires to be ratified by the legislature of all the States of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Under Article 368, the Bill for a constitutional amendment can be brought first in the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha, so the Lok Sabha is not the only option. Amendments touching the federal features also need ratification by at least half of the State legislatures, not every State. Both statements are wrong.
- ✗ 1. Article 368(2) allows the amending Bill to be introduced in either House of Parliament. The Rajya Sabha can take it up first as well. A Money Bill, by contrast, can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha, but an amendment Bill carries no such restriction.
- ✗ 2. The proviso to Article 368(2) covers federal matters such as the election of the President, the executive and legislative powers of the Union and States, the Seventh Schedule Lists and representation of States in Parliament. Such amendments must be ratified by resolutions of the Legislatures of not less than one-half of the States, not all States.
Remember · Article 368: an amendment Bill can start in the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. Federal-feature amendments need a special majority in Parliament plus ratification by at least half of the State legislatures.
Sources
- The Constitution of India, Article 368(2) (Part XX), legislative.gov.in ↗ “An amendment of this Constitution may be initiated only by the introduction of a Bill for the purpose in either House of Parliament … the amendment shall also require to be ratified by the Legislatures of not less than one-half of the States 1*** by resolutions to that effect passed by those Legislatures”
Question: UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) 2013, General Studies Paper I. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 25 Oct 2026 (how we verify). ·
