Which of the following is cited as an example of a "technical" or "administrative" amendment?

The correct option is 15th Amendment - retirement age of High Court judges.

Explanation

Amendments to the Constitution can be broadly categorized based on their nature and intent. Technical or administrative amendments are those that clarify provisions, explain details, or make minor modifications to administrative aspects (such as age limits or salaries) without altering the core philosophy or structure of the Constitution. These are often routine and non-controversial.

Option Analysis:

• 15th Amendment - retirement age of High Court judges The 15th Amendment: Correct. This amendment increased the retirement age of High Court judges from 60 to 62 years. This is a classic example of a technical amendment, as it addresses a specific administrative detail regarding judicial tenure rather than a fundamental constitutional principle. Similarly, the 55th Amendment, which increased the salaries of High Court and Supreme Court judges, is also considered a technical amendment.
• 42nd Amendment - changes to the Preamble The 42nd Amendment: Incorrect. Often referred to as the "Mini-Constitution," this amendment introduced extensive changes to the Preamble, Directive Principles, and the balance of powers. It was a substantive and highly political amendment, not merely technical.
• 44th Amendment - restoration of civil liberties The 44th Amendment: Incorrect. This amendment was enacted to reverse the distortions introduced during the Emergency (via the 42nd Amendment) and to restore civil liberties. It represents a political and restorative amendment.
• 73rd Amendment - Panchayati Raj institutions The 73rd Amendment: Incorrect. This amendment granted constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions. It represents a structural change based on a political consensus regarding democratic decentralization.

Key Takeaway:
Technical or administrative amendments deal with routine clarifications or minor adjustments, such as the 15th Amendment (increasing the retirement age of High Court judges), and are distinct from amendments arising from political consensus or controversy.