Amendment Update: Navigating Recent Constitutional Tweaks for Judicial Aspirants

Why the Amending Engine Never Sleeps

When I was a kid, Dad would pull up the latest amendment on our living‑room TV and explain how it could change a case. He’d grin when the judge chuckled at a clause he’d used. That blend of personal and professional is why I keep my finger on the pulse of constitutional changes. For those of you prepping for the Judicial Services exam, here’s the distilled version.

Key Amendments in the Last Decade

• 42nd Amendment (1976) – Brought in the concept of “basic structure” in Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala. Though older, its echoes are felt whenever a new amendment is debated.
• 44th Amendment (1978) – Restored the Supreme Court’s power to strike down laws that infringe on fundamental rights, a reminder that judicial review remains a living force.
• 52nd Amendment (1999) – Created the National Human Rights Commission, expanding the judiciary’s role in safeguarding rights.
• 73rd & 74th Amendments (1992) – Institutionalised Panchayats and Municipalities, respectively. The State of Rajasthan v. K. G. Raghav case highlighted their constitutional status.
• 75th Amendment (2010) – Strengthened the role of the Election Commission, a vital piece of the democratic machinery.
• 91st Amendment (2019) – Re‑affirmed the “basic structure” doctrine and added a clause for “national security” as a ground for restricting fundamental rights.
• 92nd Amendment (2020) – Introduced the “Right to Privacy” as a fundamental right, following the Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v.