Important Amendments for CLAT 2026

Important Amendments for CLAT 2026

Ongoing Event

CLAT Application Date:01 Aug' 25 - 31 Oct' 25

Ritika JonwalUpdated on 18 Aug 2025, 02:36 PM IST

The Constitution of India provides for the amendment of its provisions through a specific process laid out in Article 368. An amendment in the Indian Constitution refers to any change or modification made to the original document. So through this article, let's understand some important amendments for the CLAT exam.

This Story also Contains

  1. Process of amending the Indian Constitution
  2. List of important amendments for CLAT
  3. Some other Amendments for CLAT
  4. 103rd constitutional amendment overview
  5. The Mini Constitution 42nd Amendment
Important Amendments for CLAT 2026
Important Amendments for CLAT 2026

Process of amending the Indian Constitution

The process of amending the Indian Constitution involves the following steps:

1. Proposal: An amendment can be proposed by either the Parliament or the state legislatures. If it is proposed in the Parliament, it can be initiated by either house (Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha). In the case of a state legislature, the amendment can be initiated in either house of that particular state's legislature.

2. Approval: Both houses of Parliament must vote in favour of the proposed amendment with a special majority. A special majority requires a two-thirds majority of the members who are present and voting, as well as a majority of at least two-thirds of the members who are present and voting, to pass a measure in each chamber.

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3. Ratification: Once the amendment is passed by Parliament, it must be ratified by the states. This ratification is done by the state legislatures, with a simple majority (a majority of the members present and voting). However, if the amendment seeks to make changes in certain specific areas known as "federal provisions," it requires ratification by at least half of the state legislatures.

4. Presidential Assent: Finally, after being passed by Parliament and ratified by the states (if required), the amendment needs to receive the assent of the President of India. The President's assent is mandatory, and without it, the amendment cannot become a part of the Constitution.

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Once these steps are completed, the amendment becomes part of the Indian Constitution.

List of important amendments for CLAT

When preparing for the CLAT 2026 exam, there have been several important amendments made to the Indian Constitution since its adoption in 1950. These amendments have played a critical role in shaping the structure, powers, and functions of the government, as well as in protecting the rights and liberties of the citizens of India. Here are some of the important amendments of CLAT in detail, along with case studies and a brief history of each:

1. First Amendment (1951)

The First Amendment was made to address certain judicial interpretations that challenged the scope of the powers of the state to regulate freedom of speech and expression. It introduced restrictions on free speech to ensure public order, decency, and morality. It also added new grounds for restricting freedom of expression, such as defamation, incitement to an offence, and contempt of court. The amendment was introduced in response to the Court's decision in the Romesh Thappar vs. State of Madras case (1950), where the Court struck down state legislation that curtailed freedom of speech.

2. Fourth Amendment (1955)

The Fourth Amendment sought to rectify the provisions related to property rights that were struck down in the state acquisition laws by the Supreme Court in the case of State of West Bengal vs. Bela Banerjee (1954). The amendment allowed the state to acquire private properties for public purposes but with payment of just and adequate compensation.

3. Twenty-Fourth Amendment (1971)

The Twenty-Fourth Amendment was introduced to counter the Supreme Court's decision in the Golaknath vs. State of Punjab case (1967), where the Court held that Parliament cannot amend fundamental rights provisions. This amendment clarified that Parliament has the power to amend any provision of the Constitution, including fundamental rights, and such amendments would not be subject to judicial review.

4. Forty-Second Amendment (1976)

The Forty-Second Amendment, also known as the "Mini-Constitution," made several significant changes to the Constitution. It introduced the terms "socialist" and "secular" in the preamble, increased the power of the government to make laws in the interest of public order, security, and sovereignty, and restricted the scope of judicial review. The amendment was a response to the Emergency imposed by the government from 1975 to 1977. It was heavily criticised for its authoritarian nature and was substantially amended after the emergency was lifted.

5. Seventy-Third Amendment (1992)

The Seventy-Third Amendment aimed to decentralise power and strengthen local self-government in rural areas by adding a new Part IX to the Constitution, which contains provisions for the Panchayati Raj system. This amendment provided constitutional status to Panchayats, ensuring their democratic functioning and decentralised decision-making. It sought to empower rural communities and promote grassroots democracy.

6. Ninety-Fifth Amendment (2010)

The Ninety-Fifth Amendment aimed to protect the rights of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes by introducing a new provision, Article 338B, which established a National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST). The amendment enhanced the powers of the NCST and provided for its composition, functions, and responsibilities. This amendment was in response to the need for better protection and welfare of scheduled tribes in India.

These are just a few examples of the important amendments in the Indian Constitution. Each amendment has its historical context, case studies, and impacts on the legal and political landscape of India. CLAT aspirants need to study these amendments in detail to have a comprehensive understanding of the Indian Constitution and its evolution.

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Some other Amendments for CLAT

  • The 44th Amendment (1978) reversed several elements of the 42nd Amendment, notably the restoration of some fundamental rights and prohibitions against the abuse of emergency measures.

  • The 52nd Amendment (1985) established the Anti-Defection Law, which disqualified members of Parliament and state legislatures.

  • The 61st Amendment (1989) reduced the voting age from 21 to 18 years for Lok Sabha and state legislative assembly elections.

  • The 86th Amendment (2002) established education as a fundamental right for children aged 6 to 14 years (Article 21A) and imposed an obligation on parents to offer educational opportunities (Article 51A).

  • The 91st Amendment (2003) limited the size of the Council of Ministers to 15% of the entire strength of the legislative house and tightened the Anti-Defection Law.

  • The 99th Amendment (2014) established the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) for judicial appointments, which was eventually found illegal.

  • The 100th Amendment (2015) implements the land border agreement between India and Bangladesh, trading enclaves between the two nations.

  • The 101st Amendment (2016) introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST), a significant modification to India's tax structure.

  • The 103rd Amendment (2019) provided for a 10% reservation in government positions and educational institutions for economically vulnerable sectors.

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103rd constitutional amendment overview

The Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) of Society (EWS) Reservist Act, 2019, also known as the 103rd Constitutional Amendment, was passed to provide an EWS reservation in public employment and higher education institutions. The amendment is described in detail below:

1. Background: Prior to the 103rd Amendment, the Constitution guaranteed reservations for OBCs, Scheduled Tribes, and Scheduled Castes in public employment and education. In the famous Indra Sawhney v. Union of India case (1992), the Supreme Court set a limit of 50% on the total number of reservations. The 103rd Amendment aimed to provide reservation benefits to economically weaker sections, who did not fall under the existing reservation categories.

2. The 103rd Amendment added new provisions to Article 15 and Article 16 of the Constitution, introducing a reservation for EWS. Any economically underprivileged group of individuals may be given special consideration for admission to educational institutions, including private colleges that are aided or unaided and are not minority educational institutions, according to Article 15(6). The economically disadvantaged sectors were to be given preference in initial appointments or promotions in public work, according to Article 16(6).

3. Determination of EWS: The amendment designated the economically weaker sections as individuals who are not included in any other reservations and have an annual income that is lower than a certain amount, which was later decided by the state governments. The relevant state administrations and union territories were left to determine the precise requirements for income and assets.

4. Reservation Amount: The amendment does not state the precise quota or reservation percentage for EWS. The amount of reservations and the type of benefits were left up to the discretion of the state and union territory governments. There was a clause in it, too, that said reservations made following the modification couldn't account for more than 10% of available seats or open positions.

5. Issues and Validity: Detractors claim that the 103rd Amendment violates the Constitution's fundamental principles and goes above the 50% limit on reservations imposed by the Supreme Court in the Indra Sawhney case. In the case of Jarnail Singh v. Lachhmi Narain Gupta (2020), a Supreme Court Constitution Bench supported the amendment, ruling that the 50% cap on reservations can be breached in exceptional cases and to attain social justice and equality.

6. Application: Different states and union territories applied the reserve differently to the economically disadvantaged groups. Each state and union territory has established its own standards for calculating EWS assets and income, as well as the proportion of reservations in public jobs and educational institutions.

With the inclusion of reservations based on economic criteria to the already-existing reservations based on social categories, the 103rd Amendment has broadened the definition of reservation in India. The challenges of underrepresentation and lack of opportunities for economically disadvantaged groups have been addressed. However, there is still observation and discussion surrounding the efficacy and impact of this reservation scheme.

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The Mini Constitution 42nd Amendment

The 42nd Constitutional Amendment, also known as the Mini Constitution, was a significant amendment to the Indian Constitution and can be considered one of the important amendments for CLAT. It was enacted in 1976 during the emergency period. It introduced several changes that had a far-reaching impact on various aspects of governance and the balance of power between the executive and the judiciary. Here is an insight into the key provisions and consequences of the 42nd Amendment:

1. Background

The amendment was brought during the tenure of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, when the country was under a state of emergency. The government had a strong majority in the Parliament and used this opportunity to implement several changes to consolidate power in the executive branch.

2. Strengthening the Center

One of the prominent features of the 42nd Amendment was the strengthening of the central government's authority. It enhanced the power and immunities of the Prime Minister's office and made it difficult to challenge government actions during the emergency period. It curtailed the jurisdiction of the judiciary and limited the power of the judiciary to review the executive's actions.

3. Fundamental Rights

The amendment substantially altered the provisions related to fundamental rights. It introduced the concept of "reasonable restrictions" on the exercise of fundamental rights, giving the government broader control over individual freedoms. The amendment also amended Article 31 to curtail or eliminate the right to private property.

4. Directive Principles of State Policy

The directive principles of state policy, which are non-justiciable in nature, were given precedence over fundamental rights. This meant that in case of any conflict between the two, the directive principles would prevail. It aimed to prioritise social welfare and state control over individual rights.

5. Preamble

The amendment changed the Preamble of the Constitution, which reflects the ideals and aspirations of the people of India. It emphasised the values that the state should uphold and promoted a socialist and secular worldview by adding the words "Socialist" and "Secular" to the Preamble.

6. Election Commission

The amendment altered the appointment and removal procedures for the Election Commission. It made the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners removable by the President based on the advice of the Council of Ministers, thereby reducing their independence.

7. Other Changes

The amendment also made several other changes, including the abolition of the right to property as a fundamental right, restriction on the power of the judiciary to review constitutional amendments, restriction on the power of the President to refer bills for Supreme Court's consideration, and changes to the tenure and appointment procedures of state governors.

8. Criticism and Repeal

The 42nd Amendment was widely criticised for undermining the principles of democracy, curbing individual rights, and increasing the central government's powers. The 44th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1978 removed the 42nd Amendment after the state of emergency ended and a new administration came into power. The repeal aimed to restore the balance of powers between different organs of the state and restore the original intent of the Constitution.

While the 42nd Amendment brought significant changes to the Indian Constitution, it has been largely seen as a period of authoritarian rule, where fundamental rights and democratic principles were compromised. The repeal of the amendment highlights the importance of maintaining a balance of power and upholding the principles of democracy and individual rights.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What are the 5 most important amendments?
A:
  1. 42nd Amendment (1976)

  2. 44th Amendment (1978)

  3. 73rd Amendment (1992)

  4. 74th Amendment (1992)

  5. 102nd Amendment (2018)

Q: What is the 102 amendment?
A:

The 102nd Amendment Act of 2018 to the Indian Constitution, gave the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) constitutional stature. Furthermore,it empowered the President to identify the socially and educationally underprivileged people in various states and union territories after conferring with the governor of that state.However, if the list of underprivileged classes is to be changed, a bill of Parliament will be needed.The change was approved by the Indian Parliament on December 19 and went into effect on January 1 of 2019. Following the 101st Amendment in 2016, it was the first constitutional amendment ratified in India.

Q: What is the 105th amendment?
A:

The 105th Amendment of the Constitution of India, officially known as the Constitution (One Hundred and Fifth Amendment) Act, 2021, restored the power of State governments to identify socially and educationally backward classes (SEBCs). In India, the State can make "special provisions" or use affirmative action for populations that fall under the SEBC category, which includes the categories often referred to as Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

Here are some of the 105th Amendment's main clauses:

  • It reinstates State governments' authority to designate SEBCs.

  • It specifies that the President may only notify the list of SEBCs for Central Government reasons.

  • Every State and Union Territory is given the option to create its own list of SEBCs, which may differ from the Central List.

  • It claims that the distinct State lists are exempt from the authority and duties of the National Commission for Backward Classes, including its mandate to be consulted on all questions of policy and its obligation to recognise SEBCs.

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Questions related to CLAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CLAT ?

Hello,

While NLUs are costly, you can still pursue government-funded law education through state-funded universities and their affiliated colleges that accept CLAT scores, such as institutes like Banaras Hindu University and Aligarh Muslim University.

I hope it will clear your query!!

It is always better to take the CLAT exam right after Class 12 if your goal is to build a career in law, because CLAT UG is specifically designed for admission into integrated five-year law programs like BA LLB, BCom LLB, or BBA LLB. Appearing after Class 12 saves you time, as you complete both graduation and law together in a single course. On the other hand, if you first complete graduation and then plan for law, you will not be eligible for CLAT UG but instead for CLAT PG, which is meant for admission into LLM programs. This path takes longer, because you first spend three or four years on graduation and then add another three years in an LLB program if you choose not to go for an integrated course. So, if you are already sure about pursuing law as your career, writing CLAT right after Class 12 is the smarter and time-saving option, while writing it after graduation makes sense only if you are considering higher studies in law or a shift in career later.

For CLAT, the most important topics are from  Legal Reasoning, Current Affairs & GK, the Indian Constitution, English Language, Quantitative Techniques and Logical Reasoning. For a brief detail you can go through the following link: https://law.careers360.com/articles/clat-important-topics

Thank You.

Hi dear candidate,

Both the colleges Maharaja Agrasen (MAIMS) or Gitarattan (GIBS) are affiliated to IP University and allows admission either by CLAT or IPU CET Law. Without either of these exams, your admission is NOT accepted there. You can try looking for management quota seats in these colleges if you have got good marks in 12th class.

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Hi dear candidate,

You can easily register yourself for CLAT exam by visiting the Consortium of NLUs official website and follow these steps:

  • Register yourself with your EMail ID, phone number and password.
  • Log in using OTP
  • Complete application form by entering details, selecting program (UG/PG) and uploading required documents mentioned there.
  • Then at last, review the application and pay the registration fees.
  • Download your confirmation slip.

Know the complete process at:

CLAT Registration 2026 (Started): Documents Required, Application Fee, Link, Steps to Apply

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