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

mcqmedium

What is the role of the President regarding a Constitutional Amendment Bill passed by Parliament?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

AThe President can refer the amendment bill to the Supreme Court for advisory opinion before signing.
BThe President must give assent to the bill and cannot send it back for reconsideration.
CThe President can withhold assent to an amendment bill indefinitely.
DThe President can return the amendment bill to Parliament for reconsideration once.

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is The President must give assent to the bill and cannot send it back for reconsideration..

Explanation

The procedure for the amendment of the Constitution is laid down in Article 368. The powers of the President regarding Constitutional Amendment Bills differ significantly from those applicable to ordinary or money bills, specifically concerning veto powers.

Detailed Analysis:

Mandatory Assent: The 24th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1971 amended Article 368(2) to explicitly provide that when a Constitutional Amendment Bill is presented to the President after being passed by both Houses of Parliament, he "shall give his assent" to the bill.
Absence of Veto Powers: Due to this specific constitutional mandate, the President has no discretion in the matter. He cannot withhold his assent (Absolute Veto) and cannot return the bill for reconsideration (Suspensive Veto).
Comparison with Ordinary Bills: For ordinary bills, the President may return the bill for reconsideration once. However, this provision does not apply to Constitutional Amendment Bills.

Key Takeaway:
The 24th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1971 made it constitutionally obligatory for the President to give assent to a Constitutional Amendment Bill, denying the power to withhold assent or return the bill.

Your note

More from Chapter 9: Constitution as a Living document

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

easy

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

medium

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

easy

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?

medium

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

hard

Keep practising Chapter 9: Constitution as a Living document

Work through every question from this NCERT chapter.

Browse all NCERT Class 11 Political Science chapters

The correct option is The President must give assent to the bill and cannot send it back for reconsideration..

Explanation

Detailed Analysis:

Mandatory Assent: The 24th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1971 amended Article 368(2) to explicitly provide that when a Constitutional Amendment Bill is presented to the President after being passed by both Houses of Parliament, he "shall give his assent" to the bill.
Absence of Veto Powers: Due to this specific constitutional mandate, the President has no discretion in the matter. He cannot withhold his assent (Absolute Veto) and cannot return the bill for reconsideration (Suspensive Veto).
Comparison with Ordinary Bills: For ordinary bills, the President may return the bill for reconsideration once. However, this provision does not apply to Constitutional Amendment Bills.