UPSC Prelims 1999 · General Studies
Question 8: Polity and Governance
Consider the following statements: An amendment of the Constitution of India can be initiated by the I. Lok Sabha. II. Rajya Sabha. III. State Legislatures. IV. President. Which of the above statements is/are correct?
AnswerThe answer is (d).
Under Article 368, an amendment of the Constitution can begin only with a Bill introduced in either House of Parliament, the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. It must then pass with the required special majorities and, for some provisions, be ratified by half the states. State legislatures cannot initiate an amendment, and the President cannot either, though he must give assent. Remember: initiation lies only in Parliament; states ratify, they do not initiate.
- I. A constitution amendment Bill can be introduced in the Lok Sabha.
- II. It can equally be introduced in the Rajya Sabha.
- III. State legislatures can only ratify certain amendments, not initiate them.
- IV. The President only gives assent; he cannot initiate an amendment.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong. The Rajya Sabha can also initiate an amendment Bill.
- (b) Wrong. State Legislatures cannot initiate; they can only ratify certain amendments.
- (c) Wrong. It leaves out the Lok Sabha and wrongly includes State Legislatures and the President.
- (d) Right. Either House of Parliament can introduce a Bill to amend the Constitution.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1999, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.