Union Government — Policy Changes

Entry	Year	Description	Impact
42nd Amendment	1976	Known as the 'Mini Constitution,' this amendment made sweeping changes during the Emergency period. It added 'Socialist' and 'Secular' to the Preamble, made the President bound by ministerial advice, extended Lok Sabha and Assembly terms to 6 years, curtailed judicial review powers, and added Fundamental Duties. It also shifted several subjects from State to Concurrent List, strengthening Union powers.	Significantly altered the balance of power by reducing judicial oversight, strengthening executive authority, and centralizing governance. Many provisions were later reversed by the 44th Amendment, but the ideological additions to the Preamble and Fundamental Duties remain, shaping India's constitutional identity.
44th Amendment	1978	This amendment reversed many controversial provisions of the 42nd Amendment following the Emergency period. It restored the original 5-year term for Lok Sabha and Assemblies, strengthened judicial review, made 'internal disturbance' as grounds for Emergency more stringent by requiring 'armed rebellion,' and restored some presidential discretionary powers while maintaining the binding nature of ministerial advice.	Restored democratic balance by strengthening judicial independence, limiting emergency powers, and ensuring that the Emergency experience could not be easily repeated. It reinforced the principle that constitutional amendments should strengthen rather than weaken democratic institutions.
61st Amendment	1988	This amendment reduced the voting age from 21 to 18 years for both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. It amended Articles 326 (right to vote) to expand democratic participation by including younger citizens in the electoral process, recognizing their political maturity and stake in governance.	Expanded the electorate significantly, bringing millions of young voters into the democratic process. This change has had profound political implications, making youth concerns more central to electoral politics and policy-making, while strengthening democratic legitimacy through broader participation.
73rd Amendment	1992	This landmark amendment constitutionalized Panchayati Raj institutions, adding Part IX to the Constitution. It mandated three-tier local governance (village, intermediate, district levels), reserved seats for SCs/STs and women, provided constitutional status to State Election Commissions, and established State Finance Commissions for fund devolution.	Revolutionized grassroots democracy by creating constitutional local governance, empowering rural communities, and ensuring women's political participation. It strengthened federal structure by adding a third tier of government, though implementation varies across states, affecting the overall governance framework.
74th Amendment	1992	Parallel to the 73rd Amendment, this amendment constitutionalized urban local bodies by adding Part IXA. It provided constitutional status to municipalities, mandated regular elections, reserved seats for SCs/STs and women, and established institutional mechanisms for urban governance including Metropolitan Planning Committees and District Planning Committees.	Strengthened urban governance by providing constitutional foundation to municipal institutions, ensuring democratic participation in city administration, and creating frameworks for urban planning. However, state government reluctance to devolve powers has limited its effectiveness in many areas.

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