Special Majorities in Indian Parliament

Special majorities in the Indian Parliament are used for passing certain crucial bills and constitutional amendments. These majorities go beyond the simple majority required for ordinary legislation, ensuring broader consensus for significant decisions.

Absolute Majority: More than 50% of the total membership of the House. This is used for votes of confidence, no-confidence motions, and certain financial bills.

Effective Majority: More than 50% of the effective strength of the House, excluding vacancies. This is used for the removal of the Vice-President and some other specific circumstances.

Special Majority: Different types of special majorities are required for various constitutional amendments:

Article 368: Requires a majority of two-thirds of members present and voting, plus a majority of the total membership of the House.
Ratification by States: Some amendments also require ratification by at least half of the state legislatures.
These special majorities ensure that significant changes to the Constitution or critical decisions reflect a wide consensus, maintaining the democratic fabric and stability of the nation.

Keywords: Special majorities, Indian Parliament, absolute majority, effective majority, constitutional amendments, Article 368, democratic process, legislative procedure.

свернуть