Schedules of Indian Constitution
The Constitution of India is a very detailed document. If all information were placed directly inside Articles, the Constitution would become bulky, repetitive, and difficult to amend.
👉 This is where Schedules come in.
Simply, think of Articles as principles and rules, and Schedules as detailed annexures that support those rules.
How Many Schedules Are There?
- Originally (1950): 8 Schedules
- Presently: 12 Schedules
As governance expanded and decentralised (Panchayats, Municipalities, Anti-defection, languages, land reforms), new Schedules were added instead of disturbing the main text of the Constitution.
➡️ This shows the flexibility and foresight of the framers.
What Exactly Are Schedules?
Schedules are lists that:
- Organise administrative, territorial, financial, and legislative details
- Provide clarity and precision to constitutional provisions
- Help in easy implementation of complex governance mechanisms
In simple terms:
Articles say what; Schedules explain how and where.
Why Are Schedules So Important?
1. Simplifying Legal Complexity
Instead of overcrowding Articles, detailed information is placed in Schedules in a systematic, readable format.
2. Acting as Ready Reference Tools
Schedules act like quick-access manuals for administrators, courts, and lawmakers.
3. Facilitating Amendments
It is easier to amend a Schedule than to rewrite core Articles—this ensures adaptability without damaging constitutional stability.
List of 12 Schedules, Subject, Related Articles
The Indian Constitution includes various schedules that organize detailed provisions on various aspects of governance. The following table provides an overview of the schedules, their subject matter, and their related articles:
| SCHEDULE | SUBJECT MATTERS | RELATED ARTICLES |
|---|---|---|
| First Schedule | It lists the states and union territories and their corresponding territories. | Articles 1 and 4 |
| Second Schedule | It outlines emoluments, allowances, and privileges for: ➡️ The President of India ➡️ State Governors ➡️ Lok Sabha Speaker and Deputy Speaker ➡️ Rajya Sabha Chairman and Deputy Chairman ➡️ Legislative Assembly Speaker and Deputy Speaker (States) ➡️ Legislative Council Chairman and Deputy Chairman (States) ➡️ Supreme Court Judges ➡️ High Court Judges ➡️ Comptroller and Auditor General of India | Articles 59(3), 65(3), 75(6), 97, 125, 148(3), 158(3), 164 (5), 186 and 221 |
| Third Schedule | It outlines oaths and affirmations for: ➡️ Union and state ministers ➡️ Candidates for Parliament and state legislature election ➡️ Members of Parliament and state legislatures ➡️ Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts ➡️ Comptroller and Auditor General of India | Articles 75(4), 99, 124(6), 148(2), 164(3), 188 and 219 |
| Fourth Schedule | Details the distribution of seats among states and union territories in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) based on population. | Articles 4(1) and 80(2) |
| Fifth Schedule | It deals with the control and administration of scheduled areas and scheduled tribes in various states. | Article 244(1) |
| Sixth Schedule | It primarily deals with the administration of tribal areas in the northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. | Articles 244(2) and 275(1) |
| Seventh Schedule | It includes three lists to help determine legislative authority over different subject matters. ➡️ Union List: National subjects like defence and foreign affairs for central government legislation. (100 subjects, originally 97) ➡️ State List: State and local topics like police and public health for state government legislation. (61 subjects, originally 66) ➡️ Concurrent List: Shared subjects like education and marriage for both federal and state legislation. (52 subjects, originally 47) | Article 246 |
| Eighth Schedule | It contains the list of recognized languages in India. ➡️ Namely: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu. | Articles 344(1) and 351 |
| Ninth Schedule | Contains laws exempted from judicial scrutiny, primarily aimed at land reforms and socio-economic justice. | Article 31B |
| Tenth Schedule | Establishes provisions towards Anti-defection, ensuring party discipline and stability in legislatures. It was added by the Constitution (Fifty-second Amendment) Act of 1985 to combat the evil of political defections. | Articles 102(2) and 191(2) |
| Eleventh Schedule | Introduced by the 73rd Amendment, it defines the functions, powers, and responsibilities of Panchayati Raj institutions. It contains 29 functional items of the panchayats, some of which are Agriculture, Land improvement, implementation of land reforms, land consolidation, soil conservation, etc. | Article 243G |
| Twelfth Schedule | Added by the 74th Amendment, it enumerates 18 functions of municipalities, focusing on urban planning, infrastructure, and governance. It contains 18 functional items of the municipalities that are Urban planning, including town planning, Regulation of land use and construction of buildings, etc. | Article 243W |
Key Amendments Impacting Schedules
Over time, several constitutional amendments have modified the Schedules of the Indian Constitution to address the dynamic needs of the nation. Below are key amendments that have significantly impacted the Schedules:
| Constitutional Amendment | Year | Key Impact on Schedules / Provisions |
|---|---|---|
| First Amendment | 1951 | Modified the Ninth Schedule to protect land reform and other socio-economic laws from judicial review. |
| Seventh Amendment | 1956 | Reorganised States and altered the First Schedule (territorial divisions) and Fourth Schedule (representation in Parliament). |
| Forty-second Amendment | 1976 | Shifted five subjects from the State List to the Concurrent List: education, forests, weights and measures, protection of wild animals and birds, and administration of justice. |
| Fifty-second Amendment | 1985 | Added the Tenth Schedule, introducing the Anti-Defection Law for disqualification of MPs and MLAs. |
| Eighty-sixth Amendment | 2002 | Inserted a new entry in the Eleventh Schedule, strengthening the role of Panchayats in education (linked with making education a fundamental obligation). |
| Ninety-first Amendment | 2003 | Strengthened the Anti-Defection Law by providing for disqualification from appointment to remunerative political posts until re-election. |
| Ninety-third Amendment | 2006 | Amended the Ninth Schedule to include laws providing reservation in educational institutions. |