Chapter - 32 General Information

• 12 Nov 2024

Table of Precedence  

Serving Personalities  

 

Bharat Ratna Award 

• Highest civilian award in India. 
• Conferred in recognition of exceptional service/performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavour. 
• Since its inception in 1954, 48 individuals have been honoured with the Bharat Ratna. Recent recipients include Nanaji Deshmukh, Dr. Bhupendra Hazarika, Pranab Mukherjee, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya (posthumous) and Atal Behari Vajpayee. 

Padma Awards 

• Among the highest civilian awards in India, they are categorised into Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. 
• Conferred for distinguished service in various fields including art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, sports, medicine, literature, and education. 
• Announced on the eve of Republic Day every year. 

Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards 

• Given for displaying courage and promptitude in saving lives under circumstances of great danger. 
• Categories include Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak, Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak, and Jeevan Raksha Padak. 

Sardar Patel National Unity Award 

• Instituted in 2019 as the highest civilian award for contributions to the unity and integrity of India. 
• Consists of a medal and a citation, with no monetary grant or cash award attached. 
• Normally limited to three awards per year and not conferred posthumously except in rare and highly deserving cases.  

Nobel Laureates from India

Chief of Defence Staff  

• To bring in reform in higher defence management in the country, the post of CDS was created in the rank of a four-star General with salary and prerequisites equivalent to a Service Chief. 
  • The CDS also heads the Department of Military Affairs (DMA), to be created within the Ministry of Defence and function as its Secretary.  
• Gen. Bipin Rawat assumed the office as the first CDS of the country from January 1, 2020 for a three-year tenure till his death on December 8, 2021 in a helicopter crash. 
  • General Anil Chauhan PVSM is the current CDS of India.

Amendments to the Indian Constitution

• Constitution (First Amendment) Act, 1951: 
  • Introduced new restrictions on freedom of speech and expression and the right to practice any profession or trade. 
  • Inserted the Ninth Schedule along with Articles 31A and 31B to protect laws like land reforms from judicial challenges. 
  • Made changes to several articles including 5, 85, 87, 174, 176, 341, 342, 372, and 376. 
• Constitution (Second Amendment) Act, 1952: 
  • Readjusted the scale of representation for Lok Sabha elections. 
• Constitution (Third Amendment) Act, 1954:  
  • Altered entry 33 of List III (Concurrent List) to correspond with Article 369. 
• Constitution (Fourth Amendment) Act, 1955: 
  • Amended Article 31(2) to clarify the state's power of compulsory acquisition of private property. 
  • Extended the scope of Article 31A to cover essential welfare legislation. 
  • Added six Acts to the Ninth Schedule. 
  • Amended Article 305 to save certain laws providing for State Monopolies. 
• Constitution (Fifth Amendment) Act, 1955: 
  • Empowered the President to specify a time limit for state legislatures to convey their views on proposed central laws affecting their areas or boundaries. 
• Constitution (Sixth Amendment) Act, 1956: 
  • Made changes to Articles 269 and 286 regarding taxes on inter-state trade. 
  • Added a new entry, 92A, to the Union List of the Seventh Schedule. 
• Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956: 
  • Implemented recommendations of the State Reorganisation Commission. 
  • Classified existing states and territories into two categories: states and union territories. 
  • Provided for composition of the House of the People, re-adjustment after every census, and establishment of new High Courts. 
• Constitution (Eighth Amendment) Act, 1959: 
  • Extended the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and the Anglo-Indian community in Parliament and State Legislatures by ten years until 1970. 
• Constitution (Ninth Amendment) Act, 1960: 
  • Implemented the transfer of certain territories to Pakistan according to the agreement between the Governments of India and Pakistan. 
  • Addressed the Supreme Court's judgement in In Re: Berubari Union, which required a constitutional amendment for ceding territory to another country. 
• Constitution (Tenth Amendment) Act, 1961: 
  • Added areas of Dadra and Nagar Haveli as a Union Territory. 
  • Empowered the President to make regulations for the peace, progress, and good governance of the territory. 
• Constitution (Eleventh Amendment) Act, 1961: 
  • Amended Articles 66 and 71 to prevent challenges to the election of the President or Vice President due to vacancies in the electoral college. 
• Constitution (Twelfth Amendment) Act, 1962: 
  • Included Goa, Daman, and Diu as a Union Territory. 
  • Amended Article 240 accordingly. 
• Constitution (Thirteenth Amendment) Act, 1962: 
  • Added Article 371A to make special provisions for the state of Nagaland based on an agreement between the Government of India and the Naga People’s Convention. 
• Constitution (Fourteenth Amendment) Act, 1962: 
  • Included Pondicherry in the First Schedule as a Union Territory. 
  • Enabled the creation of legislatures by parliamentary law for Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura, Goa, Daman and Diu, and Pondicherry. 
• Constitution (Fifteenth Amendment) Act, 1963: 
  • Increased the retirement age of High Court Judges and provided compensatory allowances for transferred judges. 
  • Widened the scope of Article 226 to allow High Courts to issue directions against any government, authority, or person within their jurisdiction. 
  • Enabled retired judges to act as High Court judges. 
  • Clarified the exercise of powers of Chairman of Service Commissions. 
• Constitution (Sixteenth Amendment) Act, 1963: 
  • Imposed further restrictions on freedom of speech and expression, assembly, and association in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India. 
  • Amended the oath or affirmation for candidates seeking election to Parliament and State Legislatures to include upholding "the sovereignty and integrity of India." 
• Constitution (Seventeenth Amendment) Act, 1964: 
  • Amended Article 31A to prohibit the acquisition of land under personal cultivation without paying the market value as compensation. 
  • Expanded the definition of "estate" to include lands covered by land reform enactments. 
  • Added 44 more acts to the Ninth Schedule. 
• Constitution (Eighteenth Amendment) Act, 1966: 
  • Amended Article 3 to clarify that the term "State" includes a Union Territory. 
  • Stipulated that the power to form a new state under Article 3 also includes the power to unite a part of a state or a Union Territory with another state or Union Territory. 
• Constitution (Nineteenth Amendment) Act, 1966: 
  • Amended Article 324 to abolish Election Tribunals and transfer the jurisdiction of hearing election petitions to High Courts. 
• Constitution (Twentieth Amendment) Act, 1966: 
  • Addressed the Supreme Court's decision in Chandramohan vs. State of Uttar Pradesh regarding certain appointments of District Judges. 
  • Added Article 233A and validated appointments made by Governors. 
• Constitution (Twenty-first Amendment) Act, 1967: 
  • Included the Sindhi Language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. 
• Constitution (Twenty-second Amendment) Act, 1969: 
  • Facilitated the formation of the new autonomous state of Meghalaya within the state of Assam. 
• Constitution (Twenty-third Amendment) Act, 1969: 
  • Extended the reservation of seats in Parliament and State Legislatures for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Anglo-Indians for a further period of ten years until 1980. 
• Constitution (Twenty-fourth Amendment) Act, 1971: 
  • Amended Article 13 and Article 368 to clarify Parliament's power to amend the Constitution, including the Fundamental Rights. 
• Constitution (Twenty-fifth Amendment) Act, 1971: 
  • Amended Article 31 in response to the bank nationalisation case, substituting the word "amount" for "compensation" to clarify judicial interpretation. 
• Constitution (Twenty-sixth Amendment) Act, 1971: 
  • Abolished the privileges of former rulers of Indian states following the Supreme Court decision in Madhav Rao’s case. 
• Constitution (Twenty-seventh Amendment) Act, 1971: 
  • Addressed matters arising from the reorganisation of northeastern states by inserting Article 239B to enable the promulgation of Ordinances by Administrators of certain Union territories. 
• Constitution (Twenty-eighth Amendment) Act, 1972: 
  • Abolished special privileges of members of the Indian Civil Services regarding leave, pension, and disciplinary matters. 
• Constitution (Twenty-ninth Amendment) Act, 1972: 
  • Amended the Ninth Schedule to include two Kerala Acts on land reforms. 
• Constitution (Thirtieth Amendment) Act, 1972: 
  • Amended Article 133 to eliminate the valuation test and reduce the number of appeals filed in the Supreme Court based solely on valuation. 
• Constitution (Forty-first Amendment) Act, 1976: 
  • Primarily focused on amending Article 316 to raise the retirement age of Members of State Public Service Commissions and Joint Public Service Commissions from 60 to 62 years. 
• Constitution (Forty-second Amendment) Act, 1976: 
  • Introduced significant changes to the Constitution. It aimed to give effect to the recommendations of the Swaran Singh Committee 1976. Some key amendments included: 
    • Expressly spelling out the high ideals of socialism, secularism, and the integrity of the nation. 
    • Making the Directive Principles more comprehensive and giving them precedence over Fundamental Rights in certain cases where Fundamental Rights were being used to obstruct socio-economic reforms. 
    • Introducing a new chapter on the Fundamental Duties of citizens. 
    • Making special provisions for dealing with anti-national activities by individuals or associations. 
    • Amending judiciary provisions to require a minimum number of judges for determining the constitutional validity of laws and establishing a special majority requirement for declaring any law constitutionally invalid. 
    • Establishing Administrative and other tribunals to reduce arrears in High Courts and ensure the speedy disposal of service matters, revenue matters, and other important socio-economic issues. 
    • Making certain modifications to the writ jurisdiction of High Courts under Article 226. 
• Constitution (Forty-third Amendment) Act, 1977: 
  • Aimed to restore the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and High Courts that had been curtailed by the Constitution (Forty-second Amendment) Act, 1976.  
  • It omitted Articles 32A, 131A, 144A, 226A, and 228A, which were included in the Constitution by the Forty-second Amendment Act.  
  • Additionally, it provided for the omission of Article 31, which conferred special powers on Parliament to enact certain laws related to anti-national activities. 
• Constitution (Forty-fourth Amendment) Act, 1978: 
  • Removed the right to property from the list of fundamental rights and made it a legal right. It also made necessary amendments to Article 19 to ensure that the removal of property from the list of fundamental rights would not affect the right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.  
  • Additionally, it amended Article 352 to include "armed rebellion" as one of the circumstances for the declaration of emergency.  
  • Further, it strengthened the right to personal liberty by imposing restrictions on preventive detention and providing additional safeguards in the detention process. 
  • Furthermore, Articles 132 and 134 were amended, and a new Article 134A was inserted to expedite the process of granting a certificate for appeal to the Supreme Court.  
    • These amendments aimed to remove or correct distortions that arose due to amendments initiated during the period of internal emergency. 
• Constitution (Forty-fifth Amendment) Act, 1980:  
  • Extended the safeguards for reservation of seats in Parliament and State Assemblies for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, as well as for Anglo-Indians for a further period of ten years until the year 1990. 
• Constitution (Forty-sixth Amendment) Act, 1982: 
  • Made amendments to Article 269 to assign the tax levied on the consignment of goods in the course of inter-state or commerce to the states.  
    • It also empowered Parliament to formulate principles for determining when a consignment of goods takes place in the course of inter-state trade or commerce.  
  • Additionally, a new entry 92B was inserted in the Union List to enable the levy of tax on the consignment of goods where such consignment takes place in the course of inter-state trade or commerce.  
  • Furthermore, amendments were made to Clause (3) of Article 286 to allow Parliament to specify restrictions and conditions regarding the taxation of goods involved in the execution of works contracts, delivery of goods on hire-purchase, or any system of payment by instalments.  
  • Article 366 was also amended to include a definition of "tax on the sale or purchase of goods" to encompass various transactions involving the transfer of goods. 
• Constitution (Forty-seventh Amendment) Act, 1984: 
  • Aimed to include certain Land Reforms Acts in the Ninth Schedule to the Constitution to prevent litigation from hampering the implementation of those Acts. 
• Constitution (Forty-eighth Amendment) Act, 1984: 
  • Addressed the issue of the continuation of a Proclamation issued by the President under Article 356 of the Constitution concerning the State of Punjab.  
    • It stipulated that such a proclamation cannot remain in force for more than one year unless specific conditions mentioned in clause (5) of Article 356 are satisfied.  
    • This amendment made the conditions mentioned in clause (5) of Article 356 inapplicable in the case of Punjab, allowing for the continued force of the proclamation. 
• Constitution (Forty-ninth Amendment) Act, 1984: 
  • Enacted to apply the provisions of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution to tribal areas of Tripura, providing constitutional security to the autonomous District Council functioning in the state. 
• Constitution (Fiftieth Amendment) Act, 1984: 
  • Proposed to amend Article 33 of the constitution to extend its scope to include members of forces charged with protecting state property, individuals employed in intelligence organizations, and those involved with telecommunication systems for such forces or organizations.  
    • The aim was to ensure the proper discharge of duties and maintenance of discipline among these groups, aligning with the national interest. 
• Constitution (Fifty-first Amendment) Act, 1984: 
  • Amended Article 330 to provide reservation of seats for Scheduled Tribes in Parliament for Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Mizoram.  
  • Additionally, Article 332 was amended to provide similar reservation in the Legislative Assemblies of Nagaland and Meghalaya to address the aspirations of the local tribal population. 
• Constitution (Fifty-second Amendment) Act, 1985: 
  • Introduced provisions related to anti-defection, disqualifying members from Parliament and Assemblies in case of defection from one party to another.  
  • Articles 101, 102, 190, and 191 were amended, and the Tenth Schedule was inserted in the Constitution to outline the process for disqualifying legislators.  
    • The Act also addressed splits and mergers of political parties. 
• Constitution (Fifty-third Amendment) Act, 1986: 
  • Enacted to implement the Memorandum of Settlement of Mizoram signed by the Government of India and the Mizoram Government with the Mizoram National Front.  
    • It inserted a new Article 371G in the Constitution, preventing the application of certain Parliament Acts in Mizoram concerning religious or social practices, customary law, administration of civil and criminal justice, and ownership and transfer of land unless approved by the Legislative Assembly. 
• Constitution (Fifty-fourth Amendment) Act, 1986: 
  • Increased the salaries of Supreme Court and High Court judges. The Chief Justice of India's salary was set at ₹10,000 per month, Supreme Court judges at ₹9,000 per month, Chief Justices of High Courts at ₹9,000 per month, and High Court judges at ₹8,000 per month.  
    • This Act also made provisions in Articles 125 and 221 for future changes in judges' salaries by Parliament. 
• Constitution (Fifty-fifth Amendment) Act, 1986: 
  • Implemented the proposal to confer statehood on the Union Territory of Arunachal Pradesh.  
    • It provided special powers to the Governor following the formation of the new state and inserted a new Article 371H, specifying that the Legislative Assembly of Arunachal Pradesh shall consist of not less than thirty members. 
• Constitution (Fifty-sixth Amendment) Act, 1987: 
  • Facilitated the formation of the state of Goa by constituting territories from Goa District of the Union Territory of Goa, Daman and Diu as the State of Goa.  
    • It also formed a new Union Territory of Daman and Diu from the territories comprising Daman and Diu districts.  
    • Article 371I was inserted to ensure that the Legislative Assembly of Goa shall consist of not less than thirty members. 
• Constitution (Fifty-seventh Amendment) Act, 1987: 
  • Provided reservation of seats in the House of the People and legislative assemblies for Scheduled Tribes in Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh.  
    • This amendment aimed to ensure minimal representation for Scheduled Tribes in these areas, considering their predominantly tribal population. 
• Constitution (Fifty-eighth Amendment) Act, 1987: 
  • Empowered the President to publish translations of the Constitution in Hindi, ensuring conformity with the language, style, and terminology adopted in the authoritative texts of Central Acts in Hindi. 
• Constitution (Fifty-ninth Amendment) Act, 1988: 
  • Amended Article 365(5) to facilitate the extension of a Presidential Proclamation under Article 356 beyond one year, up to a period of three years, for the State of Punjab due to continued disturbances.  
    • It also amended Article 352, including internal disturbance as a ground for making a Proclamation in respect of Punjab only. 
• Constitution (Sixtieth Amendment) Act, 1988: 
  • Increased the ceiling of taxes on professions, trades, callings, and employment from ₹250 per annum to ₹2,500 per annum by amending clause (2) of Article 276, aiding state governments in raising additional resources. 
• Constitution (Sixty-first Amendment) Act, 1989: 
  • Reduced the voting age from 21 to 18 years by amending Article 326, providing unrepresented youth an opportunity to participate in the political process. 
• Constitution (Sixty-second Amendment) Act, 1989: 
  • Extended the reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and representation of Anglo-Indians in Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies for another ten years, until the year 2000, by amending Article 334 of the Constitution. 
• Constitution (Sixty-third Amendment) Act, 1989: 
  • Repealed provisions related to the proclamation of Emergency in Punjab and the duration of President's rule in the state, which were previously enacted in the Constitution (Fifty-ninth Amendment) Act, 1988. 
• Constitution (Sixty-fourth Amendment) Act, 1990: 
  • Amended Article 356 to facilitate the extension of the proclamation issued under it on May 11, 1987, for a total period of three years and six months in relation to the State of Punjab. 
• Constitution (Sixty-fifth Amendment) Act, 1990: 
  • Amended Article 338 to establish a National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, outlining its composition, duties, and powers.  
    • This amendment aimed to enhance the protection and welfare measures for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. 
• Constitution (Sixty-sixth Amendment) Act, 1990: 
  • Protected 55 State Acts related to land reforms and agricultural land holdings from legal challenges by including them in the Ninth Schedule to the Constitution. 
• Constitution (Sixty-seventh Amendment) Act, 1990: 
  • Further extended the period of President's rule in Punjab, previously extended by the Constitution (Sixty-fourth Amendment) Act, 1990, from three years and six months to a total period of four years. 
• Constitution (Sixty-eighth Amendment) Act, 1991: 
  • Extended the period of President's rule in Punjab, previously extended by the Sixty-seventh Amendment Act, 1990, to a total of five years by amending Article 356. 
• Constitution (Sixty-ninth Amendment) Act, 1991: 
  • Introduced significant changes in the governance of Delhi, providing for a Legislative Assembly and Council of Ministers for the National Capital Territory of Delhi while retaining its status as a Union Territory. 
• Constitution (Seventieth Amendment) Act, 1992: 
  • Included elected members of the legislative assemblies of Union Territories in the electoral college for the election of the President under Article 54 of the Constitution, thus enabling their participation in the Presidential election process. 
• Constitution (Seventy-first Amendment) Act, 1992: 
  • Amended the Eighth Schedule to include Konkani, Manipuri, and Nepali languages, responding to demands for their inclusion. 
• Constitution (Seventy-second Amendment) Act, 1992: 
  • Made temporary provisions for the determination of the number of seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes in the State Assembly of Tripura until re-adjustment of seats after the year 2000. 
• Constitution (Seventy-third Amendment) Act, 1992: 
  • Gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions, introducing provisions for their organization, powers, elections, and reservation of seats. 
• Constitution (Seventy-fourth Amendment) Act, 1992: 
  • Made statutory provisions for urban local bodies, introducing a new part IX-A relating to municipalities in the Constitution. 
• Constitution (Seventy-fifth Amendment) Act, 1993: 
  • Amended Article 323B to establish State-level Rent Tribunals to address issues related to rent control legislations, aiming to provide timely relief to rent litigants. 
• Constitution (Seventy-sixth Amendment) Act, 1994: 
  • Enacted to address the situation in Tamil Nadu regarding reservations in educational institutions and public services.  
    • It amended the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution to include the Tamil Nadu Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions and of Appointments or Posts in the Services under the State) Bill, 1993.  
    • This inclusion provided constitutional protection to the legislation, allowing for the continuation of 69% reservation in the state despite the Supreme Court's ruling that reservations should not exceed 50%. 
• Constitution (Seventy-seventh Amendment) Act, 1995: 
  • Introduced to protect the reservation of appointments or posts for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in promotions, following a Supreme Court judgement that limited reservation under Article 16(4) to initial appointments.  
    • This amendment amended Article 16 of the Constitution to enable the continuation of reservations in promotions for these communities. 
• Constitution (Seventy-eighth Amendment) Act, 1995: 
  • Focused on including land reform laws in the Ninth Schedule to protect them from legal challenges.  
    • It aimed to safeguard progressive legislation related to land reforms from litigation and included several state enactments from Bihar, Karnataka, Kerala, Orissa, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal in the Ninth Schedule. 
• Constitution (Seventy-ninth Amendment) Act, 2000: 
  • Extended reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Anglo-Indians in the House of the People and Legislative Assemblies of states for another ten years until 2010. 
• Constitution (Eightieth Amendment) Act, 2000: 
  • Implemented an alternative scheme for sharing taxes between the Union and the States based on the recommendations of the Tenth Finance Commission.  
    • This new scheme allocated 26% of the gross proceeds of Union taxes and duties to the States in lieu of their existing share in certain taxes and grants. 
• Constitution (Eighty-first Amendment) Act, 2000: 
  • Introduced a provision stating that unfilled vacancies reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in any given year will be considered as a separate class of vacancies to be filled in subsequent years, not to be counted towards the 50% reservation limit. 
• Constitution (Eighty-second Amendment) Act, 2000: 
  • Clarified that states can provide relaxation in qualifying marks or lower evaluation standards for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in matters of promotion to services or posts. 
• Constitution (Eighty-third Amendment) Act, 2000: 
  • Amended Article 243M to exempt Arunachal Pradesh, which is predominantly inhabited by tribal populations, from the requirement of making reservations for Scheduled Castes in Panchayats. 
• Constitution (Eighty-fourth Amendment) Act, 2001: 
  • Readjusted and rationalised territorial constituencies in states based on the 1991 census population figures, without altering the total number of seats allotted to each state in the House of People and Legislative Assemblies. 
• Constitution (Eighty-fifth Amendment) Act, 2002: 
  • Provided for consequential seniority in promotions by virtue of reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in government service, effective from June 17, 1995. 
• Constitution (Eighty-sixth Amendment) Act, 2002: 
  • Introduced the Right to Education as a fundamental right, ensuring free and compulsory education for children aged six to fourteen years.  
    • It also added provisions for early childhood care and education for children below six years. 
• Constitution (Eighty-seventh Amendment) Act, 2003: 
  • Extended the usage of the 2001 national census population figures for the distribution of parliamentary seats among states by amending various articles. 
• Constitution (Eighty-eighth Amendment) Act, 2003: 
  • Extended statutory cover for the levy and utilisation of service tax by amending Article 270 and inserting Article 268A.  
    • It also made amendments to the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution. 
• Constitution (Eighty-ninth Amendment) Act, 2003: 
  • Led to the bifurcation of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes into separate commissions for each group, defining their composition, responsibilities, and powers. 
• Constitution (Ninetieth Amendment) Act, 2003: 
  • Amended Article 332 to ensure representation of non-tribals and existing Scheduled Tribes in the Assam Legislative Assembly, particularly from the Bodoland Territorial Areas. 
• Constitution (Ninety-first Amendment) Act, 2003: 
  • Restricted the size of the Council of Ministers in the Union and State Governments to 15% of the total number of legislative members.  
    • It aimed to strengthen anti-defection laws and brought the split of political parties within the purview of disqualification based on defection. 
• Constitution (Ninety-second Amendment) Act, 2003: 
  • Included Bodo, Dogri, Santali, and Maithili as official languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. 
• Constitution (Ninety-third Amendment) Act, 2005: 
  • Aimed to provide greater access to higher education, including professional education, to students belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other backward classes by amending Article 15 to enable provision of 27% reservation in government as well as private educational institutions. 
• Constitution (Ninety-fourth Amendment) Act, 2006: 
  • Provided for a Minister of Tribal Welfare in the newly created states of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. 
• Constitution (Ninety-fifth Amendment) Act, 2009: 
  • Extended the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies from sixty years to seventy years until 2020. 
• Constitution (Ninety-Sixth Amendment) Act, 2011: 
  • Substituted the word "Odia" for "Oriya" in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. 
• Constitution (Ninety-Seventh Amendment) Act, 2011: 
  • Aimed to promote cooperative societies by adding the words "Or Co-operative Societies" after "Or Unions" in Article 19(i)(c) and inserting Article 43B and Part IXB in the Constitution. 
• Constitution (Ninety-Eighth Amendment) Act, 2012: 
  • Empowered the Governor of Karnataka to develop the Hyderabad-Karnataka region by inserting Article 371J. 
• Constitution (Ninety-Ninth Amendment) Act, 2014: 
  • Inserted new Articles 124A, 124B, and 124C to establish the National Judicial Appointments Commission. 
• Constitution (One Hundredth Amendment) Act, 2015: 
  • Amended the First Schedule of the Constitution to facilitate the acquisition and transfer of territories between India and Bangladesh, in accordance with the agreement signed in 1974 and its protocol in 2011. 
• Constitution (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act, 2016: 
  • Introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and made significant amendments to various articles of the Constitution related to taxation.  
    • It also provided for the establishment of the Goods and Services Tax Council and compensation to states for revenue loss due to the introduction of GST. 
• Constitution (One Hundred and Second Amendment) Act, 2018: 
  • Granted constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) and introduced new articles empowering the NCBC to examine complaints and welfare measures for socially and educationally backward classes. 
• Constitution (One Hundred and Third Amendment) Act, 2019: 
  • Introduced 10% reservation for economically weaker sections (EWS) from the upper castes in central government jobs and educational institutions.  
    • This reservation is in addition to existing reservations and subject to a maximum of 10% of total seats in each category. 
• Constitution (One Hundred and Fourth Amendment) Act, 2019: 
  • Ceased the reservation of seats for Anglo-Indians in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies and extended reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for up to ten years. 
• Constitution (One Hundred and Fifth Amendment) Act, 2021: 
  • Restored the power of State Governments to identify and specify Socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBCs). 
• Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, 2023: 
  • Reserved one-third of all seats for women in Lok Sabha, State legislative assemblies, and the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, including those reserved for SCs and STs.