123rd Constitutional Amendment Bill

The 123rd Constitutional Amendment Bill, also known as the Constitution Amendment Act of 2018, was a bill passed by the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha to grant constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes or NCBC.

The Constitution Bill 123rd Amendment 2017 deals with the National Commission on Backward Classes (NCBC) and aims to grant them a constitutional status, at par with the NCSC or the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and the NCST or the National Commission for the Scheduled Tribes. It is needless to say that the topic is very important for the IAS Exam. 

123rd Constitutional Amendment Bill [UPSC Notes]:-Download PDF Here

History of the Constitution 123rd Amendment Bill

If you are preparing for UPSC 2022 or any other civil service examination, make a note of the below facts:

Introduction of the Bill to the Lok Sabha

The 123rd Amendment bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on the 5th of April 2017, by the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Mr. Thaawarchand Gehlot. Five days later, on the 10th of April, the Lok Sabha passed the bill, and it was introduced in the Rajya Sabha a day later. 

Introduction of the Bill to the Rajya Sabha

After the bill was introduced to the Rajya Sabha, the House decided to form a Standing Committee with Bhupender Yadav as its Chairman with 25 other members to look at the bill thoroughly. The selected members of the committee presented the Rajya Sabha with a detailed report on the 19th of July 2017.

Finally, the Rajya Sabha decided to amend the bill and passed the same on the 31st of July 2017. The bill was returned to the Lok Sabha for the new amendment. However, the members of the House did not agree to adopt the change proposed by the Rajya Sabha. Instead, they decided to adopt a few alternatives and cleared the bill on the 2nd of August 2018.

The 123rd Amendment Bill as passed by the Lok Sabha was unanimously agreed upon by the members of the Rajya Sabha. Finally, on the 11th of August 2018, it received its approval from President Ram Nath Kovind.

The details regarding the history of the 123rd Amendment bill are very crucial in clearing the UPSC Prelims, and thus must be studied very thoroughly. 

Candidates can get answers to various questions based on the Constitution of India by referring to the links given below:

Composition of the NCBC under the 123rd Constitutional Amendment Bill

The NCBC is a government body that looks into matters regarding the backward classes and works towards the upliftment of the same.

This constitutional bill act of 2017 grants the President of India the full power to run and manage the National Commission for Backward Classes or the NCBC. The President holds the power to appoint all the five members to constitute the NCBC. The President will also decide the tenure of these members and their terms of service via an extensive set of rules.

The Functions of the 123rd Constitutional Amendment Bill

The 123rd Constitutional Amendment Bill is related to the empowerment of the people from the backward classes. Under this amendment act, the National Commission for Backward Classes will have to perform several duties. 

1. Firstly, the NCBC will need to properly monitor and investigate the level of safeguards provided to the people of the backward classes. They would also need to monitor the proper implementation of laws as written in the Indian Constitution.
2. Secondly, the need to provide the people of the backward classes with an active complaint receiving service, such that specific complaints regarding the violation of their right can be properly inquired. 
3. Thirdly, the NCBC must collect data from these people and suggest ways to develop the social and economic condition of the backward classes. 
4. Additionally, the NCBC must be consulted by the state and the Central Government when dealing with major policy-making issues that are highly related to the backward classes.
5. Finally, annual reports on the measure of safeguards provided to the people of the backward classes must be made by the NCBC and presented to the President. These reports will be discussed in the Parliament and in the state legislative assemblies depending on the respective areas.  

These functions are an important part of the 123rd Constitutional Amendment Bill UPSC.

123rd Constitutional Amendment Bill [UPSC Notes]:-Download PDF Here

Candidates can also download the UPSC Notes on Polity at the linked article.