The Indian Constitution currently has 12 Schedules. Originally, it contained 8 Schedules, but through various amendments, the number has increased to 12. These Schedules cover a wide range of topics including the list of states and union territories, salaries and privileges of officials, forms of oaths, allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha, administration of scheduled areas and tribes, division of powers between Union and States, official languages, land reforms, anti-defection laws, and the powers and responsibilities of Panchayats and Municipalities
. Here is a brief overview of the 12 Schedules:
- First Schedule: Names of States and Union Territories and their territorial jurisdiction.
- Second Schedule: Salaries, allowances, and privileges of President, Governors, Judges, etc.
- Third Schedule: Forms of oaths and affirmations.
- Fourth Schedule: Allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha.
- Fifth Schedule: Administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes.
- Sixth Schedule: Administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
- Seventh Schedule: Division of powers between Union and States (Union List, State List, Concurrent List).
- Eighth Schedule: List of 22 official languages recognized by the Constitution.
- Ninth Schedule: Protection of certain laws from judicial review, mainly related to land reforms.
- Tenth Schedule: Provisions regarding disqualification of members on grounds of defection (Anti-defection law).
- Eleventh Schedule: Powers, authority, and responsibilities of Panchayats.
- Twelfth Schedule: Powers, authority, and responsibilities of Municipalities
This structure helps in organizing the Constitution’s provisions for clarity and ease of amendment.
