Constitution as a Living Document Test - 3

Some other features were so central to the spirit of the Constitution that the Constitution makers were anxious to protect these from change. These provisions had to be made rigid. These considerations led to different ways of amending the Constitution.

In the Lok Sabha, there are 545 members. Therefore, any amendment must be supported by a minimum of 273 members. Even if only 300 members are present at the time of voting, the amendment bill must get the support of 273 out of them. But imagine that 400 members of Lok Sabha have voted on an amendment bill.

We have described our Constitution as a living document.

Ordinarily, all business of the legislature requires that a motion or resolution or bill should get the support of a simple majority of the members voting at that time.

The Indian constitution guaranteed civil liberties that curtail the misuse of power by the State and its agents.

According to the Indian Constitution, money bills can be introduced in the Lok Sabha only.

Amendment to the Constitution requires two different kinds of special majorities: in the first place, those voting in favour of the amendment bill should constitute at least half of the total strength of that House. Secondly, the supporters of the amendment bill must also constitute two-thirds of those who actually take part in voting.

Article 368 of the Indian constitution provides that an amendment bill can be introduced in either house of parliament.

Finally, in 1958, the fifth French republic came into being with yet another constitution.

Apart from the provisions related to the federal structure, provisions about fundamental rights are also protected in this way. We can say that for some parts of the Constitution, greater or wider consensus in the polity is expected.