8th Amendment of the Indian Constitution

India’s Constitution has undergone several amendments since it came into force on 26th January 1950, reflecting the evolving needs and priorities of t

8th Amendment of the Indian Constitution

India’s Constitution has undergone several amendments since it came into force on 26th January 1950, reflecting the evolving needs and priorities of the nation. One such early and significant change was the 8th Amendment Act of 1959, which primarily focused on Article 334 of the Constitution.

In this blog post, we will delve into the historical background, key provisions, objectives, debates, and implications of the 8th Constitutional Amendment, and understand its continued relevance in India’s democratic setup.

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📜 Background: Representation of SCs, STs, and Anglo-Indians

Historical Context

The framers of the Indian Constitution were committed to ensuring social justice and political representation for historically disadvantaged communities, especially:

• Scheduled Castes (SCs)

• Scheduled Tribes (STs)

• Anglo-Indians

To ensure their fair participation in the democratic process, Article 334 of the Constitution provided for:

• Reservation of seats in the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and State Legislative Assemblies for SCs and STs.

• Nomination of Anglo-Indians to the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies if they were not adequately represented.

However, the Constitution originally specified that this arrangement would cease after 10 years from the commencement of the Constitution, i.e., by 26th January 1960.

Why the Need for an Amendment?

As the deadline approached in 1960, it became evident that:

• Social inequalities and under-representation of SCs, STs, and Anglo-Indians still persisted.

• These communities continued to face barriers in accessing education, employment, and political power.

• A premature end to reservations could severely affect their democratic participation.

Hence, to extend the period of reservation and nomination, the Parliament introduced and passed the 8th Amendment Act in 1959.

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📘 The 8th Constitutional Amendment – Key Provisions

Short Title:

The Constitution (Eighth Amendment) Act, 1959

Date of Enactment:

5th January 1960

Objective:

To amend Article 334 and extend the period of:

• Reservation of seats for SCs and STs in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.

• Nomination of Anglo-Indians in Parliament and State Assemblies.

Key Change:

The original text of Article 334 allowed reservation for a period of 10 years, i.e., up to 1960.

The 8th Amendment changed this to 20 years, thereby extending it till 26th January 1970.

Amended Provision:

The new provision stated:

“Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing provisions of this Part, the provisions of this Constitution relating to the reservation of seats for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in the House of the People and in the Legislative Assemblies of the States and the representation of the Anglo-Indian community in the House of the People and in the Legislative Assemblies of the States by nomination shall cease to have effect on the expiration of a period of twenty years from the commencement of this Constitution.”

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🏛️ Objective and Rationale Behind the Amendment

The primary objectives of the 8th Amendment were:

1. Ensure Continued Representation

The SCs, STs, and Anglo-Indians still lacked adequate representation in legislative bodies. Extending the reservation period helped maintain their voice in the democratic process.

2. Address Persistent Inequalities

Social and educational backwardness among these communities persisted. Political reservation was seen as a tool to empower them.

3. Gradual Integration into Mainstream Politics

The goal was not permanent reservation, but a phased approach to achieving social equality and then integrating these groups into the political mainstream.

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🗣️ Debates in Parliament

The 8th Amendment generated considerable discussion in Parliament:

In Favor:

• Members argued that one decade was not enough to reverse centuries of discrimination.

• The amendment was seen as a progressive measure to strengthen Indian democracy.

• Many MPs from backward communities supported the extension, citing the ground realities of poverty, illiteracy, and social exclusion.

Opposing Views:

• A few members expressed concerns about perpetual reservation and questioned when the reservation system would end.

• They cautioned that repeated extensions might make reservations a permanent feature, which was not the original intent.

However, the majority consensus was in favor of the amendment, recognizing the need for social justice.

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⚖️ Constitutional and Legal Implications

1. Precedent for Future Amendments

The 8th Amendment set a precedent for future extensions of Article 334. Later amendments like the 23rd, 45th, 62nd, 79th, 95th, and 104th Amendments followed the same path, each extending the deadline by another ten years.

2. Strengthening Affirmative Action

It reaffirmed India’s commitment to social justice and ensured that constitutional safeguards remained in place for vulnerable groups.

3. Evolution of Reservation Policy

This amendment highlighted the evolving nature of affirmative action in India. Though initially considered temporary, it reflected the realistic need for a longer timeframe for marginalized communities to gain parity.

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📊 Timeline of Article 334 Amendments

Amendment	Year	Extension Till
Original Constitution	1950	1960
8th Amendment	1959	1970
23rd Amendment	1969	1980
45th Amendment	1980	1990
62nd Amendment	1989	2000
79th Amendment	1999	2010
95th Amendment	2009	2020
104th Amendment	2019	Ended Anglo-Indian nomination, extended SC/ST reservation till 2030

📌 Relevance in Contemporary India

The 8th Amendment may have been passed more than six decades ago, but its principle and purpose remain relevant:

• Marginalized communities continue to face social and economic challenges.

• Political reservation ensures representation, visibility, and voice in policy-making.

• While the reservation system is often debated, most agree that such temporary measures are necessary until social justice is achieved in true form.

The removal of Anglo-Indian nomination via the 104th Amendment (2019) shows that the system is evolving, with periodic reassessments of necessity and relevance.

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✅ Conclusion

The 8th Constitutional Amendment of 1959 played a crucial role in shaping India's approach to social justice and inclusive governance. By extending the reservation period for SCs, STs, and Anglo-Indians, it reaffirmed the Constitution's commitment to equity and empowerment.

Though designed as a temporary measure, the realities on the ground called for continued legislative support. This amendment laid the foundation for future policy extensions, making it a milestone in India’s constitutional history.

As India continues its journey toward equality and inclusion, the legacy of the 8th Amendment reminds us that democracy is not just about elections—but about ensuring that every voice, especially the weakest, is heard.

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