Amendment of the Constitution

Let’s start with the basic definition and amendments of the Constitution.

An amendment of the Constitution is defined as either the alteration or addition of the Constitution. An amendment can be made to an already existing Constitution. Generally, an amendment is made to a bill. Such amendments of the Constitution need to be made with complete care as the amendments can modify a country’s political system as well as governing institutions. Amendments of the Constitution require a prescribed procedure before submission. 

As the environment we live in is dynamic, therefore certain changes or modifications are always required. That’s the major reason why amendments to the Constitution happen. 

71st amendment of the Constitution of India

The 71st amendment of the Constitution of India is officially known as The Constitution (Seventy-first Amendment) Act 1992. The 71st amendment of the Constitution of India was made to amend the Eighth schedule to the Constitution. The major motive of bringing the 71st amendment of the Constitution of India was to include Konkani, Meitei (Manipuri) as well as Nepali languages. The 71st amendment of the Constitution of India raised the total number of languages mentioned in the schedule to 18. The Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India speaks about the languages that require development by the Government of India. 

The Constitution (Seventy-first Amendment) Act 1992 was introduced on 20th August 1992 by the Lok Sabha. Shankarrao Chavan, then home minister of Home Affairs is known to introduce the Constitution (Seventy-first Amendment) Act 1992 to involve Konkani, Meitei, and Nepali languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India. 

The text under the 71st amendment of the Constitution of India 

1. The Act may be called the Constitution (Seventy-first Amendment) Act, 1992.

2. Amendment of Eighth Schedule In the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution—

(a) existing entry 7 shall be re-numbered as entry 8, and before entry 8 as so re-numbered, the entry “7. Konkani.” shall be inserted;

(b) existing entry 8 shall be re-numbered as entry 10, and before entry 10 as so re-numbered, the entry “9. Manipuri.” shall be inserted;

(c) existing entries 9 to 15 shall be re-numbered as entries 12 to 18 respectively, and before entry 12 as so re-numbered, the entry “11. Nepali.” shall be inserted.

Importance of the amendment provision of the Indian Constitution 

Following is the importance of the amendment provision of the Indian Constitution mentioned :

1. The Constitution of India needs to be amended at regular time intervals. A static Constitution is the biggest obstacle in the way of a Nation’s progress. 
2. We live in a dynamic environment where the social, political, and economic conditions of the country keep changing. Therefore, it becomes important to update the Constitution of India as per the requirements. 
3. The amendments of the Constitution maintain flexibility of the Constitution to acquire new institutions as well as reform the existing ones. 
4. As technology changes, amendments within the Constitution of India become necessary too. 

List of the important amendments to the Constitution to date

The Constitution of India has given special powers to the Indian Parliament to make amendments to the Constitution of India. The Constitution of India is neither flexible nor rigid but a mixture of both. 

Below are some significant amendments of the Indian Constitution given till now:

1. First amendment Act, 1951
2. Constitution (6th amendment), 1956
3. Constitutional (8th amendment) Act, 1960
4. Constitutional (10th Amendment) Act, 1961
5. Constitutional (13th Amendment) Act, 1963
6. Constitutional (15th Amendment) Act, 1963
7. Constitution (24th Amendment) Act, 1971
8. Constitution (31st Amendment) Act, 1973
9. Constitution (36th Amendment) Act, 1975
10.  Constitution (37th Amendment) Act, 1975
11.  Constitution (39th Amendment) Act, 1975
12.  Constitution (40th Amendment) Act, 1976
13.  Constitution (42nd Amendment) Act, 1976
14.  Constitution (43rd Amendment) Act, 1978
15.  Constitution (44th Amendment) Act, 1978
16.  Constitution (45th Amendment) Act, 1980
17.  Constitution (46th Amendment) Bill, 1982
18.  Constitution (52nd Amendment) Act, 1985
19.  Constitution (53rd Amendment) Act, 1986
20.  Constitution (54th Amendment) Act, 1986
21.  Constitution (55th amendment) Act, 1987

Conclusion 

An amendment of the Constitution is defined as an alteration to the Constitution. An amendment is required as the environment we live in is dynamic. 

No negligence should be paid while making amendments as the amendments did can change a country’s political system and governing bodies. The 71st amendment of the Constitution of India is officially known as The Constitution (Seventy-first Amendment) Act 1992. The amendment was brought to light by Shankkarrao Chavan. The amendment was made to introduce Konkani, Meitei, and Nepali languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India. Within an environment in which social, political, and economic conditions of the country change within less time, it is necessary to keep amending the Constitution of India as per the needs.