Explain the reason for requiring special …

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-third of those who actually take part in voting. Both the Houses of Parliament
must pass the amendment bill separately. This special majority is required for the reason that it would need at least
some opposition parties into confidence so that the amending procedure is based on the basic principle that it should be
based on broad support among the political parties and parliamentarians. In respect of the articles related to distribution
of powers between the Centre and States or articles related to representation, it is necessary that the States must be
consulted. The powers of the State must not be at the mercy of the Central government. The constitution has ensured
this by providing that legislatures of half of the States have to pass such an amendment bill. The articles related to
federal structure, provisions about Fundamental Rights, are also amended in this manner. Thus through wide consensus
and limited participation of the States, the Constitution of India can be amended. Only half of the States is required due
to the reason that the framers of the Constitution were most careful to keep this procedure somewhat flexible even in its
more rigid format; consent of only half the States and simple majority of the State legislature is sufficient.