As of July 2022, the Constitution of India has been amended 105 times since its adoption in 1950. These amendments reflect the evolving needs and aspirations of the Indian society and polity, covering a wide range of issues from fundamental rights to federal relations and social justice.
Regarding the lack of recent amendments, there can be several reasons:
Stable Constitutional Framework: The Constitution is a foundational document that provides stability and continuity to governance. Sometimes, periods of stability indicate that existing provisions are deemed adequate or that consensus on new amendments hasn't emerged.
Political Consensus: Amendments require significant political consensus among various parties and stakeholders. In recent years, political dynamics might have prioritized other legislative or policy measures over constitutional amendments.
Judicial Interpretation: Often, the judiciary interprets the Constitution through landmark judgments, which can obviate the need for legislative amendments by clarifying existing provisions.
Societal Changes: Some changes in society may not require constitutional amendments but rather changes in laws, policies, or administrative practices.
Complex Proces : Amending the Constitution is a complex process involving approval by both houses of Parliament or state legislatures (depending on the nature of the amendment), followed by ratification by a majority of state legislatures. This process itself can be a deterrent if consensus is lacking.
Focus on Implementation: Governments may prioritize implementing existing laws and policies effectively rather than initiating new constitutional changes.
Overall, the infrequency of recent amendments to the Indian Constitution reflects both the stability of its core principles and the complexities involved in amending such a foundational document.
