Why have there been so many Amendments?

Despite the complex process required for amending the Indian Constitution, it has been modified 103 times since its inception in 1950 up to early 2019. This frequency raises questions about the reasons for such frequent changes and their implications.

Historical Context of Amendments

The Indian Constitution has undergone numerous amendments over the decades, with significant activity between 1970 and 1990. Analyzing the data through graphs reveals that amendments were not only frequent during times of strong political majorities but also during periods of coalition governments, indicating that the rate of amendments is influenced by more than just the political composition of the Parliament.

Nature of Amendments

Amendments to the Indian Constitution can be grouped into several categories:

Technical Amendments: These include minor clarifications or modifications that do not substantially alter the Constitution’s original intent. Examples include the extension of reservation periods for SCs and STs in the legislature and adjustments to the salaries and retirement ages of judges.
Interpretative Amendments: Often, these amendments arise from differences between judicial interpretations and the government’s stance, necessitating legislative changes to assert a particular interpretation.
Consensus-Based Amendments: Reflecting broader political agreements, these amendments address significant policy shifts or societal values, such as lowering the voting age and introducing anti-defection laws.

Controversies and Consensus

While many amendments pass with wide support, some have sparked intense legal and political debates. Notably, the amendments during the Emergency period (1975-1977) were highly contentious, with changes perceived as attempts to centralize power and limit judicial review. The subsequent elections led to the reversal of many of these amendments, highlighting the dynamic nature of constitutional development in India.