Indian Polity & Governance·Amendments
Right to Freedom — Amendments
Constitution VerifiedUPSC Verified
Version 1Updated 5 Mar 2026
| Amendment | Year | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 44th Amendment | 1978 | Removed the right to property from the list of fundamental rights under Article 19(1)(f), making it only a constitutional right under Article 300A. This amendment was part of the post-Emergency reforms to restore the balance between individual rights and state power. | Enabled the state to acquire private property for public purposes without the stringent fundamental rights protection, facilitating land reforms and development projects while ensuring compensation under Article 300A. |
| 44th Amendment | 1978 | Strengthened Article 21 and 20 by making them non-suspendable even during national emergency, and changed the grounds for emergency from 'internal disturbance' to 'armed rebellion' to prevent future misuse. | Provided absolute protection to life, personal liberty, and protection against arbitrary criminal prosecution, ensuring that core human rights remain inviolable even in the gravest national crises. |