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Constitution as a Living Document, Part 1: Amending the Constitution

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Lesson

Amending the Constitution

Part 1: why a constitution changes, how it is amended, and the kinds of amendments.

In this lesson you will

Explain why a constitution needs an amendment procedure and what rigid and flexible mean
Describe the three ways of changing the Constitution under Article 368 and elsewhere
Define a special majority and apply it to an imagined vote
Explain which matters need ratification by the states
State the other rules of the procedure and the kinds of amendments made

Part 1 at a glance

Concept

Why a constitution must be able to change

Table on why constitutions change: society and needs change so a constitution must adapt; a rigid constitution is difficult to change; a flexible constitution can be changed easily like an ordinary law; the Indian Constitution strikes a balance, with some parts changed easily, most needing a special majority, and some also needing the states
Idea	Meaning
Why a constitution changes	Society, needs and knowledge change, so a constitution must be able to adapt
Rigid constitution	One that is difficult to change, because change needs a demanding procedure
Flexible constitution	One that can be changed easily, in the way an ordinary law is changed
The Indian balance	Some parts can be changed easily, most need a special majority, and some also need the states