Social Justice & Welfare·Amendments

Climate Change Adaptation — Amendments

Updated 9 Mar 2026
AmendmentYearDescriptionImpact
42nd Amendment Act1976Inserted Article 48A (Protection and improvement of environment and safeguarding of forests and wild life) and Article 51A(g) (Fundamental duty to protect and improve the natural environment) into the Constitution.These amendments provided the foundational constitutional mandate for environmental protection in India. While not directly mentioning climate change, they laid the groundwork for all subsequent environmental legislation and policy, including those related to climate change adaptation, by establishing the state's obligation and citizens' duty towards environmental stewardship.