This is a classic 'Timeline Intersection' question. It tests whether you view the Constitution as a static document or a living history shaped by political leadership. It is a direct lift from standard texts (Laxmikanth/NCERT) and requires mapping the 1st Amendment (1951) to the Nehruvian era.
How this question is built
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements.
Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
Statement 1
Was the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India introduced during the prime ministership of Jawaharlal Nehru
Origin: Direct from books
Fairness: Straightforward
Book-answerable
From standard books
Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 27: Judicial Review > JUDICIAL REVIEW OF THE NINTH SCHEDULE > p. 299
Presence: 5/5
“Article 31B saves the acts and regulations included in the Ninth Schedule from being challenged and invalidated on the ground of contravention of any of the Fundamental Rights. Article 31B along with the Ninth Schedule was added by the 1st Constitutional Amendment Act of 1951. Originally (in 1951), the Ninth Schedule contained only 13 acts and regulations but at present their number is 282. Of these, the acts and regulations of the state legislature deal with land reforms and abolition of the zamindari system and that of the Parliament deal with other matters. However, in the Kesavananda Bharati case<sup>12</sup> (1973), the Supreme Court rules that the acts and regulations that are included In the Ninth Schedule are open to challenge on the grounds of being violative of the basic structure of the constitution.”
Why this source?
- Explicitly states Article 31B and the Ninth Schedule were added by the First Constitutional Amendment Act of 1951
- Identifies the Ninth Schedule's origin year (1951), providing the temporal anchor for the claim
Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 33: Challenges Before the New-born Nation > First Government After Independence > p. 591
Presence: 5/5
“The governor-general and the ministers were sworn in. Jawaharlal Nehru took charge as the first Prime Minister of India on August 15, 1947, and was assisted by 15 other members. Sardar Patel served as the deputy prime minister till his death in December 1950. Lord Mountbatten, and later C. Rajagopalachari served as Governor-General till January 26, 1950, when India became a republic and elected Rajendra Prasad as its first president. The first Council of Ministers of Independent India was as follows. • 1. Jawaharlal Nehru: Prime Minister; Minister of External Affairs and Commonwealth Relations; Minister of Scientific Research• 2. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel: Deputy Prime Minister; Minister of Home Affairs and States; Minister of Information and Broadcasting• 3.”
Why this source?
- Records Jawaharlal Nehru as Prime Minister from August 15, 1947 onward
- Confirms Nehru was in office at the time the 1951 First Amendment was enacted
Statement 2
Was the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India introduced during the prime ministership of Lal Bahadur Shastri
Origin: Weak / unclear
Fairness: Borderline / guessy
Indirect textbook clues
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 27: Judicial Review > JUDICIAL REVIEW OF THE NINTH SCHEDULE > p. 299
Strength: 5/5
“Article 31B saves the acts and regulations included in the Ninth Schedule from being challenged and invalidated on the ground of contravention of any of the Fundamental Rights. Article 31B along with the Ninth Schedule was added by the 1st Constitutional Amendment Act of 1951. Originally (in 1951), the Ninth Schedule contained only 13 acts and regulations but at present their number is 282. Of these, the acts and regulations of the state legislature deal with land reforms and abolition of the zamindari system and that of the Parliament deal with other matters. However, in the Kesavananda Bharati case<sup>12</sup> (1973), the Supreme Court rules that the acts and regulations that are included In the Ninth Schedule are open to challenge on the grounds of being violative of the basic structure of the constitution.”
Why relevant
States that Article 31B and the Ninth Schedule were added by the 1st Constitutional Amendment Act of 1951.
How to extend
A student can compare the year 1951 (when the Ninth Schedule was added) with the years of Shastri's prime ministership to judge the statement's plausibility.
Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 27: Judicial Review > JUDICIAL REVIEW OF THE NINTH SCHEDULE > p. 299
Strength: 4/5
“Article 31B saves the acts and regulations included in the Ninth Schedule from being challenged and invalidated on the ground of contravention of any of the Fundamental Rights. Article 31B along with the Ninth Schedule was added by the 1st Constitutional Amendment Act of 1951. Originally (in 1951), the Ninth Schedule contained only 13 acts and regulations but at present their number is 282. Of these, the acts and regulations of the state legislature deal with land reforms and abolition of the zamindari system and that of the Parliament deal with other matters. However, in the Kesavananda Bharati case<sup>12</sup> (1973), the Supreme Court rules that the acts and regulations that are included In the Ninth Schedule are open to challenge on the grounds of being violative of the basic structure of the constitution.”
Why relevant
Reiterates that Article 31B and the Ninth Schedule were added in 1951 and originally contained 13 acts.
How to extend
Use the 1951 date as a fixed point to check which prime minister was in office then using basic historical timelines.
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 8: Fundamental Rights > F Validation of Certain Acts and Regulations > p. 103
Strength: 4/5
“Again, in the I.R. Coelho case (2007), the Supreme Court reaffirmed the above view. In this case, the court ruled that there could not be any blanket immunity from judicial review of the laws included in the Ninth Schedule. It held that judicial review is a 'basic feature' of the constitution and it could not be taken away by putting a law under the Ninth Schedule. Originally (in 1951), the Ninth Schedule contained only 13 acts and regulations but at present, their number is 282. 20 Of these, the acts and regulations of the state legislature deal with land reforms and abolition of the zamindari system and that of the Parliament deal with other matters.”
Why relevant
Notes again that the Ninth Schedule originally (in 1951) contained only 13 acts and links it to Article 31B.
How to extend
Combine this 1951 origin with knowledge of successive prime ministers to see whether Shastri (1964–66) could have introduced it.
Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > Prime Minister: Continuing Nehru's Legacy but with Change > p. 655
Strength: 5/5
“Lal Bahadur Shastri was sworn in as the second prime minister of India on June 9, 1964. He kept with himself the portfolios of external affairs and atomic energy, though he later transferred the external affairs ministry to Swaran Singh. In his first broadcast to the nation as prime minister, Shastri said: "There comes a time in the life of every nation when it stands at the cross-roads of history and must choose which way to go. But for us there need be no difficulty or hesitation, no looking to right or left.”
Why relevant
Specifies that Lal Bahadur Shastri was sworn in as prime minister on June 9, 1964, establishing his period in office.
How to extend
Compare Shastri's 1964 start date with the 1951 date for the Ninth Schedule to assess temporal overlap.
Politics in India since Independence, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Challenges to and Restoration of the Congress System > From Nehru to Shastri > p. 74
Strength: 5/5
“He was known for his simplicity and his commitment to principles. Earlier he had resigned from the position of Railway Minister accepting moral responsibility for a major railway accident. Shastri was the country's Prime Minister from 1964 to 1966. During Shastri's brief Prime Ministership, the country faced two major challenges. While India was still recovering from the economic implications of the war with China, failed monsoons, drought and serious food crisis presented a grave challenge. As discussed in the previous chapter, the country also faced a war with Pakistan in 1965. Shastri's famous slogan 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan', symbolised the country's resolve to face both these challenges.”
Why relevant
States that Shastri was Prime Minister from 1964 to 1966, giving the exact span of his tenure.
How to extend
Use this precise 1964–1966 tenure to check against the 1951 amendment date to test the statement.
Statement 3
Was the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India introduced during the prime ministership of Indira Gandhi
Origin: Weak / unclear
Fairness: Borderline / guessy
Indirect textbook clues
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 27: Judicial Review > JUDICIAL REVIEW OF THE NINTH SCHEDULE > p. 299
Strength: 5/5
“Article 31B saves the acts and regulations included in the Ninth Schedule from being challenged and invalidated on the ground of contravention of any of the Fundamental Rights. Article 31B along with the Ninth Schedule was added by the 1st Constitutional Amendment Act of 1951. Originally (in 1951), the Ninth Schedule contained only 13 acts and regulations but at present their number is 282. Of these, the acts and regulations of the state legislature deal with land reforms and abolition of the zamindari system and that of the Parliament deal with other matters. However, in the Kesavananda Bharati case<sup>12</sup> (1973), the Supreme Court rules that the acts and regulations that are included In the Ninth Schedule are open to challenge on the grounds of being violative of the basic structure of the constitution.”
Why relevant
States that Article 31B and the Ninth Schedule were added by the 1st Constitutional Amendment Act of 1951.
How to extend
A student can compare the year 1951 (when the Ninth Schedule was added) with the years Indira Gandhi served as Prime Minister to assess whether it was introduced during her tenure.
Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 27: Judicial Review > JUDICIAL REVIEW OF THE NINTH SCHEDULE > p. 299
Strength: 5/5
“Article 31B saves the acts and regulations included in the Ninth Schedule from being challenged and invalidated on the ground of contravention of any of the Fundamental Rights. Article 31B along with the Ninth Schedule was added by the 1st Constitutional Amendment Act of 1951. Originally (in 1951), the Ninth Schedule contained only 13 acts and regulations but at present their number is 282. Of these, the acts and regulations of the state legislature deal with land reforms and abolition of the zamindari system and that of the Parliament deal with other matters. However, in the Kesavananda Bharati case<sup>12</sup> (1973), the Supreme Court rules that the acts and regulations that are included In the Ninth Schedule are open to challenge on the grounds of being violative of the basic structure of the constitution.”
Why relevant
Repeats that the Ninth Schedule and Article 31B were added by the 1st Amendment in 1951 and notes the original contents (13 acts).
How to extend
Use the 1951 amendment date as a concrete anchor and check against Indira Gandhi's term(s) as PM to judge the statement.
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 10: Fundamental Duties > SIGNIFICANCE OF FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES > p. 122
Strength: 3/5
“Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister, justified the inclusion of fundamental duties in the Constitution and argued that their inclusion would help to strengthen democracy. She said, 'the legal value of fundamental duties would be not to smooth rights but to establish a democratic balance by making the people conscious of their duties equally as they are conscious of their rights'. The Opposition in the Parliament strongly opposed the inclusion of fundamental duties in the Constitution by the Congress government. However, the new Janata Government headed by Morarji Desai in the post-emergency period did not annul the Fundamental Duties. Notably, the new government sought to undo many changes introduced in the Constitution by the 42nd Amendment Act (1976) through the 43rd Amendment Act (1977) and the 44th Amendment Act (1978).”
Why relevant
Shows Indira Gandhi was responsible for later constitutional changes (e.g., inclusion of Fundamental Duties via later amendments) indicating she was PM during other amendment activity.
How to extend
A student can contrast the specific amendment activities linked to Indira (1970s changes) with the 1951 date for the Ninth Schedule to infer whether she introduced the Ninth Schedule.
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 90: Landmark Judgements and Their Impact > INDIRA NEHRU GANDHI CASE (1975) > p. 627
Strength: 3/5
“j INDIRA NEHRU GANDHI CASE (1975) | Name of the Case: Year of Judgement; Indira Nehru Gandhi: vs. Raj Narain 1975 | Name of the Case: Popular Name; Indira Nehru Gandhi: Election case | Name of the Case: Related Thpic/; Indira Nehru Gandhi: Basic structure of the | Name of the Case: Issue; Indira Nehru Gandhi: constitution | Name of the Case: Related Article/; Indira Nehru Gandhi: 329A (Repealed) | Name of the Case: Schedule; Indira Nehru Gandhi: Supreme Court Judgement: It reaffirmed the applicability of the doctrine of basic structure of the constitution. Accordingly, it struck down clause (4) of Article 329A that was inserted by the 39th Amendment Act (1975).”
Why relevant
References major constitutional amendments and cases (e.g., Indira Nehru Gandhi case and the 39th Amendment), illustrating that Indira Gandhi's period saw amendment-making.
How to extend
A student could note that Indira was associated with amendments in the 1970s and then compare those amendment dates with 1951 to evaluate the statement.
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 92: World Constitutions > 2019TEST PAPER > p. 756
Strength: 2/5
“Which of the statements given above is/ are correct? (a) 1 only , . (b) 2 only .. (e) Both 1 and 2 (b) Neither 1 nor 2 • The Ninth Schedule was introduced in the Constitution of India during the prime ministership of • (a) Jawaharlal Nehru • (b) Lal Bahadur Shastri • (c) Indira Gandhi • (d) Morarji Desai • 6. With reference to the Constitution of India, consider the following statements: • 1. No High Court shall have the jurisdiction to declare any central law to be constitutionally invalid. • 2.”
Why relevant
Contains a practice question asking which Prime Minister introduced the Ninth Schedule and lists Indira Gandhi as an option, implying the question is historically situated and testable.
How to extend
A student can treat this as a prompt to look up the amendment/date behind the Ninth Schedule and compare it with the tenure of the listed PMs.
Statement 4
Was the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India introduced during the prime ministership of Morarji Desai
Origin: Direct from books
Fairness: Straightforward
Book-answerable
From standard books
Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 27: Judicial Review > JUDICIAL REVIEW OF THE NINTH SCHEDULE > p. 299
Presence: 5/5
“Article 31B saves the acts and regulations included in the Ninth Schedule from being challenged and invalidated on the ground of contravention of any of the Fundamental Rights. Article 31B along with the Ninth Schedule was added by the 1st Constitutional Amendment Act of 1951. Originally (in 1951), the Ninth Schedule contained only 13 acts and regulations but at present their number is 282. Of these, the acts and regulations of the state legislature deal with land reforms and abolition of the zamindari system and that of the Parliament deal with other matters. However, in the Kesavananda Bharati case<sup>12</sup> (1973), the Supreme Court rules that the acts and regulations that are included In the Ninth Schedule are open to challenge on the grounds of being violative of the basic structure of the constitution.”
Why this source?
- Explicitly states Article 31B and the Ninth Schedule were added by the 1st Constitutional Amendment Act of 1951.
- Specifies the Ninth Schedule originated in 1951 (contains original count of acts), placing its introduction long before 1977.
Politics in India since Independence, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: The Crisis of Democratic Order > Lok Sabha Elections, 1977 > p. 103
Presence: 5/5
“Morarji Desai (1896-1995): Freedom fighter; a Gandhian leader; Proponenet of Khadi, naturopathy and prohibition; Chief Minister of Bombay State; Deputy Prime Minister (1967- 1969); joined Congress (O) after the split in the party; Prime Minister from 1977 to 1979—first Prime Minister belonging to a non-Congress party.”
Why this source?
- Records Morarji Desai's prime ministership as 1977–1979.
- Provides the PM tenure needed to compare against the Ninth Schedule's 1951 origin, showing non-overlap.
Pattern takeaway:
UPSC is moving from static polity ('What is 9th Schedule?') to political history ('Who introduced it?'). They test the context of the law, not just the text of the law. Chronology is the hidden syllabus.
How you should have studied
- [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Direct hit from Laxmikanth (Chapter: Amendments or Judicial Review) and NCERT 'Politics in India since Independence'.
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: The Evolution of the Constitution & Land Reforms. The conflict between Fundamental Rights (Right to Property) and DPSP necessitated the 1st Amendment.
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Map PMs to major Amendments: 1st (1951, Nehru, 9th Schedule); 24th/25th (1971, Indira, Privy Purses/Banks); 42nd (1976, Indira, Mini-Constitution); 44th (1978, Morarji, Restoration); 52nd (1985, Rajiv, Anti-Defection); 73rd/74th (1992, PV Narasimha Rao, Local Govt).
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Do not memorize Amendment numbers in isolation. Always tag them with: Year + Prime Minister + Trigger Event (e.g., SC Judgment or Political Crisis). This creates a 3-point associative memory hook.
Concept hooks from this question
👉 First Constitutional Amendment (1951) created Article 31B and the Ninth Schedule
💡 The insight
The Ninth Schedule and Article 31B were instituted by the First Amendment in 1951, which is the factual basis for timing questions about the Schedule.
High-yield for constitutional history questions: knowing which amendment introduced key provisions (Article 31B/Ninth Schedule) helps answer date/period questions and links to topics on Fundamental Rights and amendment power. It connects to study of other amendments and legal protection for legislative measures.
📚 Reading List :
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 27: Judicial Review > JUDICIAL REVIEW OF THE NINTH SCHEDULE > p. 299
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 8: Fundamental Rights > F Validation of Certain Acts and Regulations > p. 103
🔗 Anchor: "Was the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India introduced during the prime ..."
👉 Jawaharlal Nehru's prime ministership timeframe
💡 The insight
Nehru served as Prime Minister beginning in 1947, covering the period when the Ninth Schedule was added in 1951.
Useful for matching legislative/constitutional changes to administrations; helps solve questions asking which PM was in office when specific amendments or laws were enacted. Connects political history with constitutional law timelines.
📚 Reading List :
- Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 33: Challenges Before the New-born Nation > First Government After Independence > p. 591
🔗 Anchor: "Was the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India introduced during the prime ..."
👉 Original purpose of the Ninth Schedule — protection of land reform laws
💡 The insight
The Ninth Schedule originally sheltered acts/regulations dealing with land reforms and abolition of zamindari from Fundamental Rights challenges.
Explains the substantive reason behind the Schedule's creation, linking land reform history, Directive Principles, and judicial review debates; prepares candidates for questions on intersection of socio-economic reforms and constitutional safeguards.
📚 Reading List :
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 27: Judicial Review > JUDICIAL REVIEW OF THE NINTH SCHEDULE > p. 299
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 8: Fundamental Rights > F Validation of Certain Acts and Regulations > p. 103
🔗 Anchor: "Was the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India introduced during the prime ..."
👉 Origin of the Ninth Schedule (Article 31B) — 1st Constitutional Amendment, 1951
💡 The insight
The Ninth Schedule and Article 31B were created by the 1st Constitutional Amendment in 1951.
High-yield for constitutional history questions: knowing which amendment introduced a major schedule helps answer timeline and intent questions. Links to study of land reform legislation and early post‑Independence constitutional changes; useful in questions asking about the provenance and purpose of constitutional provisions.
📚 Reading List :
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 27: Judicial Review > JUDICIAL REVIEW OF THE NINTH SCHEDULE > p. 299
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 8: Fundamental Rights > F Validation of Certain Acts and Regulations > p. 103
🔗 Anchor: "Was the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India introduced during the prime ..."
👉 Judicial review limits on Ninth Schedule entries — basic structure doctrine
💡 The insight
Laws placed in the Ninth Schedule have been subject to judicial review where they violate the Constitution's basic structure (Kesavananda Bharati, Waman Rao, I.R. Coelho jurisprudence).
Crucial for questions on the interaction between constitutional amendments, schedules, and the judiciary; connects to landmark cases and the basic structure doctrine which is frequently tested in polity papers and interviews.
📚 Reading List :
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 27: Judicial Review > JUDICIAL REVIEW OF THE NINTH SCHEDULE > p. 299
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 90: Landmark Judgements and Their Impact > WAMAN RAO CASE (1980) > p. 629
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 90: Landmark Judgements and Their Impact > I.R. COELHO CASE (2007) > p. 637
🔗 Anchor: "Was the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India introduced during the prime ..."
👉 Prime ministerial timeline relevance for constitutional events
💡 The insight
Identifying which prime minister was in office at the time of a constitutional amendment is necessary to place amendments in historical context.
Helps eliminate incorrect timeline-based options in MCQs and mains questions; links constitutional amendments to political leadership and contemporary events, enabling synthesis-type answers comparing policy context and constitutional change.
📚 Reading List :
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 27: Judicial Review > JUDICIAL REVIEW OF THE NINTH SCHEDULE > p. 299
- Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > Prime Minister: Continuing Nehru's Legacy but with Change > p. 655
- Politics in India since Independence, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Challenges to and Restoration of the Congress System > From Nehru to Shastri > p. 74
🔗 Anchor: "Was the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India introduced during the prime ..."
👉 Origin of the Ninth Schedule (1st Constitutional Amendment, 1951)
💡 The insight
The Ninth Schedule and Article 31B were added by the 1st Constitutional Amendment Act of 1951.
High-yield for questions on constitutional amendment chronology and the legislative response to early post‑independence reform needs. Helps answer timeline questions (which amendment added what) and links to Prime Ministerial tenures and policy priorities.
📚 Reading List :
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 27: Judicial Review > JUDICIAL REVIEW OF THE NINTH SCHEDULE > p. 299
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 27: Judicial Review > JUDICIAL REVIEW OF THE NINTH SCHEDULE > p. 299
🔗 Anchor: "Was the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India introduced during the prime ..."
The 1st Amendment (1951) didn't just add the 9th Schedule; it also added three specific grounds of restriction to Article 19(2): 'Public order', 'Friendly relations with foreign states', and 'Incitement to an offence'. This was a reaction to the Romesh Thappar case.
Think 'Purpose'. The 9th Schedule was created primarily to protect Zamindari Abolition laws from judicial scrutiny. Zamindari abolition was the *immediate* priority of the newly independent state (1950s). Who was the PM in the 1950s? Only Nehru fits the timeline of 'immediate post-independence agrarian reform'.
Mains GS-2 (Separation of Powers): The 9th Schedule marks the beginning of the Judiciary-Executive tussle. It was the Executive's tool to bypass Judicial Review (Champakam Dorairajan case), eventually leading to the Basic Structure Doctrine in 1973.