The Indian Constitution, as a living document, embodies adaptability and responsiveness to meet evolving social, economic and political realities. Elaborate.

Adaptability & responsiveness of constitution: Political needs: • 7th CAA 1958: for reorganization of states to satisfy demand for linguistic states. • 44th CAA: stringent provisions to formulate emergency (misuse in 1975) => preserving federalism • 73rd & 74th CAA: political decentralisation Economic needs: • 25th CAA: Article 39b & c for equitable distribution of wealth. • 101st CAA: GST to establish common market for taxation. Social needs: • 106th CAA: 1/3rd reservation for women in lok sabha & state assemblies to overcome poor ratio (14%) in 19th lok sabha • 1st CAA: Reservation in education • 163rd CAA: Reservation for EWS

At the same time constitution is also rigid enough to preserve its ether essence and prevent authoritarianism by judiciary. → SC struck down 99th CAA NJAC → SC struck down 99th CAA: against federalism provision Thus constitution is a blend of rigidity and flexibility.

— Ritu Goyal · AIR 223