Consider the following statements regarding the amendment of the Indian Constitution's federal provisions: 1. The Parliament has the unilateral power to change the federal power-sharing arrangement. 2. Any change to the federal provisions requires ratification by at least half of the State Legislatures. 3. The Rajya Sabha is excluded from the process of constitutional amendment. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is 2 only. Explanation Article 368 of the Indian Constitution lays down the procedure for amending the Constitution. While some provisions can be amended by a simple majority, the core federal provisions are protected by a rigid amendment process to ensure that the federal balance of power is not altered unilaterally by the Centre. These provisions require a "Special Majority" in Parliament followed by ratification by State Legislatures. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Incorrect. The Parliament does not have the unilateral power to change the fundamental federal power-sharing arrangements. The Constitution ensures that provisions affecting the federal structure (such as the distribution of legislative powers in the Seventh Schedule) cannot be amended by Parliament alone. Such amendments require the participation of the States. - Statement 2 is Correct. According to the proviso to Article 368(2), any amendment that seeks to change federal provisions requires: 1. A Special Majority in both Houses of Parliament (majority of total membership and two-thirds of members present and voting). 2. Ratification by the legislatures of not less than one-half of the States by a simple majority. Examples of such provisions include the election of the President, the extent of executive power of the Union and States, the Supreme Court and High Courts, the distribution of legislative powers, and Article 368 itself. - Statement 3 is Incorrect. The Rajya Sabha is fully involved in the process of constitutional amendment. A Constitution Amendment Bill can be introduced in either House of Parliament. It must be passed by each House separately with a special majority. There is no provision for a joint sitting in case of disagreement on a constitutional amendment; therefore, the Rajya Sabha has equal powers with the Lok Sabha in this regard. Key Takeaway: The federal features of the Indian Constitution are entrenched and protected under Article 368. They can only be amended through a double-check mechanism involving both a Special Majority in Parliament and ratification by at least 50% of the State Legislatures.

NCERT Class 10 Political Science — Chapter 1: Federalism

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Consider the following statements regarding the amendment of the Indian Constitution's federal provisions:

The Parliament has the unilateral power to change the federal power-sharing arrangement.
Any change to the federal provisions requires ratification by at least half of the State Legislatures.
The Rajya Sabha is excluded from the process of constitutional amendment.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 and 3 only
B1 only
C2 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is 2 only.

Explanation

Article 368 of the Indian Constitution lays down the procedure for amending the Constitution. While some provisions can be amended by a simple majority, the core federal provisions are protected by a rigid amendment process to ensure that the federal balance of power is not altered unilaterally by the Centre. These provisions require a "Special Majority" in Parliament followed by ratification by State Legislatures.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Incorrect. The Parliament does not have the unilateral power to change the fundamental federal power-sharing arrangements. The Constitution ensures that provisions affecting the federal structure (such as the distribution of legislative powers in the Seventh Schedule) cannot be amended by Parliament alone. Such amendments require the participation of the States.
Statement 2 is Correct. According to the proviso to Article 368(2), any amendment that seeks to change federal provisions requires:
1. A Special Majority in both Houses of Parliament (majority of total membership and two-thirds of members present and voting).
2. Ratification by the legislatures of not less than one-half of the States by a simple majority.
Examples of such provisions include the election of the President, the extent of executive power of the Union and States, the Supreme Court and High Courts, the distribution of legislative powers, and Article 368 itself.
Statement 3 is Incorrect. The Rajya Sabha is fully involved in the process of constitutional amendment. A Constitution Amendment Bill can be introduced in either House of Parliament. It must be passed by each House separately with a special majority. There is no provision for a joint sitting in case of disagreement on a constitutional amendment; therefore, the Rajya Sabha has equal powers with the Lok Sabha in this regard.

Key Takeaway: The federal features of the Indian Constitution are entrenched and protected under Article 368. They can only be amended through a double-check mechanism involving both a Special Majority in Parliament and ratification by at least 50% of the State Legislatures.

Your note

More from Chapter 1: Federalism

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Consider the following statements regarding the creation of Linguistic States in India: 1. The original Constitution of India explicitly prohibited the formation of states on a linguistic basis. 2. The Central Government initially resisted the idea, fearing national disintegration. 3. Experience has shown that linguistic states have actually made the country more united. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Which of the following sets of States was created primarily to recognize differences based on culture, ethnicity, or geography rather than language?

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With regard to India's Language Policy, consider the following statements: 1. The Constitution of India declares Hindi as the National Language. 2. Besides Hindi, there are 21 other languages recognized as Scheduled Languages. 3. States are not permitted to have their own official languages. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Consider the following statements regarding the "Concurrent List": 1. It includes subjects of purely local importance such as public health and sanitation. 2. Both the Parliament and the State Legislatures can frame laws on the subjects mentioned in this list. 3. It includes matters such as marriage, adoption, and succession. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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The correct option is 2 only.

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Incorrect. The Parliament does not have the unilateral power to change the fundamental federal power-sharing arrangements. The Constitution ensures that provisions affecting the federal structure (such as the distribution of legislative powers in the Seventh Schedule) cannot be amended by Parliament alone. Such amendments require the participation of the States.
Statement 2 is Correct. According to the proviso to Article 368(2), any amendment that seeks to change federal provisions requires:
1. A Special Majority in both Houses of Parliament (majority of total membership and two-thirds of members present and voting).
2. Ratification by the legislatures of not less than one-half of the States by a simple majority.
Examples of such provisions include the election of the President, the extent of executive power of the Union and States, the Supreme Court and High Courts, the distribution of legislative powers, and Article 368 itself.
Statement 3 is Incorrect. The Rajya Sabha is fully involved in the process of constitutional amendment. A Constitution Amendment Bill can be introduced in either House of Parliament. It must be passed by each House separately with a special majority. There is no provision for a joint sitting in case of disagreement on a constitutional amendment; therefore, the Rajya Sabha has equal powers with the Lok Sabha in this regard.