Consider the following statements regarding the amendment procedure under Article 368 of the Constitution of India : 1. Constitutional amendment bills can be introduced in either House of the Parliament. 2. Constitutional amendment bills should be passed in each House by a majority of the total membership of that House and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of that House present and voting. 3. All Constitutional amendment bills must be ratified by the Legislature of not less than one-half of the States. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

The amendment procedure is governed by Article 368 of the Constitution. Statement 1 is correct because a Constitutional Amendment Bill can be initiated in either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha, but not in state legislatures.

Statement 2 is correct as it accurately describes the special majority required: a majority of the total membership of the House and a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting. Each House must pass the bill separately; there is no provision for a joint sitting.

Statement 3 is incorrect because not all bills require state ratification. Only those seeking to change the federal provisions (like the election of the President, distribution of legislative powers, or the Seventh Schedule) must be ratified by the legislatures of at least half of the states. Simple amendments do not require this step.