Consider the following statements regarding the "Special Majority" required for constitutional amendments under Article 368: 1. It requires the support of more than 50% of the total strength of the House. 2. It requires the support of two-thirds of those present and voting. 3. Both Houses of Parliament must pass the bill separately; there is no provision for a joint session. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Option The correct option is 1, 2 and 3. Explanation Article 368 of the Indian Constitution lays down the procedure for amending the Constitution. Most provisions require a "Special Majority" in both Houses of Parliament. This majority is rigorous to ensure that the Constitution is not amended arbitrarily or by a transient majority. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Correct: The first condition for the Special Majority under Article 368 is that the bill must be supported by a majority of the total membership of the House. This means more than 50% of the total strength of the House, irrespective of vacancies or absentees. - Statement 2 is Correct: The second condition is that the bill must be supported by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of that House present and voting. Both the conditions (Statement 1 and Statement 2) must be fulfilled simultaneously for the bill to pass. - Statement 3 is Correct: A Constitution Amendment Bill must be passed by each House of Parliament separately. In case of a disagreement between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, there is no provision for a joint sitting (Article 108) for the purpose of passing a Constitution Amendment Bill. Key Takeaway Key Takeaway: Passing a Constitutional Amendment Bill under Article 368 requires a "Double Majority" (Absolute Majority of total strength + 2/3rds of present and voting) in each House separately, with no provision for a joint sitting to resolve deadlocks.

NCERT Class 11 Political Science — Chapter 9: Constitution as a Living document

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Consider the following statements regarding the "Special Majority" required for constitutional amendments under Article 368:

It requires the support of more than 50% of the total strength of the House.
It requires the support of two-thirds of those present and voting.
Both Houses of Parliament must pass the bill separately; there is no provision for a joint session.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

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

Did you get this right?

Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is 1, 2 and 3.

Explanation

Article 368 of the Indian Constitution lays down the procedure for amending the Constitution. Most provisions require a "Special Majority" in both Houses of Parliament. This majority is rigorous to ensure that the Constitution is not amended arbitrarily or by a transient majority.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: The first condition for the Special Majority under Article 368 is that the bill must be supported by a majority of the total membership of the House. This means more than 50% of the total strength of the House, irrespective of vacancies or absentees.
Statement 2 is Correct: The second condition is that the bill must be supported by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of that House present and voting. Both the conditions (Statement 1 and Statement 2) must be fulfilled simultaneously for the bill to pass.
Statement 3 is Correct: A Constitution Amendment Bill must be passed by each House of Parliament separately. In case of a disagreement between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, there is no provision for a joint sitting (Article 108) for the purpose of passing a Constitution Amendment Bill.

Key Takeaway

Key Takeaway: Passing a Constitutional Amendment Bill under Article 368 requires a "Double Majority" (Absolute Majority of total strength + 2/3rds of present and voting) in each House separately, with no provision for a joint sitting to resolve deadlocks.

Your note

More from Chapter 9: Constitution as a Living document

What is the origin of the "Basic Structure" doctrine in Indian Constitutional law?

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The 91st Amendment Act is cited as an example of an amendment resulting from:

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The description of the Indian Constitution as "not a static document" implies that:

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Consider the following statements regarding the amendment of the Constitution: 1. The Constitution provides for a "Constitution Commission" to oversee amendments. 2. All amendments must be initiated in the Parliament. 3. State legislatures cannot initiate any amendment to the Constitution. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Which scenario correctly satisfies the "Special Majority" requirement in the Lok Sabha?

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Correct Option

The correct option is 1, 2 and 3.

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: The first condition for the Special Majority under Article 368 is that the bill must be supported by a majority of the total membership of the House. This means more than 50% of the total strength of the House, irrespective of vacancies or absentees.
Statement 2 is Correct: The second condition is that the bill must be supported by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of that House present and voting. Both the conditions (Statement 1 and Statement 2) must be fulfilled simultaneously for the bill to pass.
Statement 3 is Correct: A Constitution Amendment Bill must be passed by each House of Parliament separately. In case of a disagreement between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, there is no provision for a joint sitting (Article 108) for the purpose of passing a Constitution Amendment Bill.