Prelims 2025 · Q58
MediumConsider the following subjects under the Constitution of India:
- I.List I–Union List, in the Seventh Schedule
- II.Extent of the executive power of a State
- III.Conditions of the Governor's office
For a constitutional amendment with respect to which of the above, ratification by the Legislatures of not less than one-half of the States is required before presenting the bill to the President of India for assent?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (a) I and II only
The proviso to Article 368(2) lists what needs ratification by at least half the States, and the list includes Article 162 (extent of a State's executive power) and any of the Lists in the Seventh Schedule. The conditions of the Governor's office (Article 158) are not in that list, so Parliament's special majority is enough for them.
- ✓ I Clause (c) of the proviso covers 'any of the Lists in the Seventh Schedule', so a change to the Union List needs State ratification.
- ✓ II Article 162, which fixes the extent of a State's executive power, is named in clause (a) of the proviso.
- ✗ III Article 158, 'Conditions of Governor's office', is not among the articles or Chapters the proviso lists, so no State ratification is needed.
Remember · Ratification by half the States: Arts 54, 55, 73, 162, 241, 279A; Union and State judiciary chapters; Seventh Schedule Lists; States' representation in Parliament; Article 368 itself.
Sources
- Constitution of India (Government of India, Legislative Department), Article 368(2), proviso: matters needing ratification by the States ↗ “article 162, article 241 or article 279A]; or (b) Chapter IV of Part V, Chapter V of Part VI, or Chapter I of Part XI; or (c) any of the Lists in the Seventh Schedule; or (d) the representation of States in Parliament; or (e) the provisions of this article, … the amendment shall also require to be ratified by the Legislatures of not less than one-half of the States”
Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper I (2025, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). Permalink ·