Constitution (Sixty-Fifth Amendment) Act 1990

The Constitution (Sixty-fifth Amendment) Act, 1990 is an important piece of legislation in India that made amendments to the Constitution. Here are the key provisions of this amendment:

1. Extension of Reservation: The primary objective of this amendment was to extend the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of the Indian Parliament) and the Legislative Assemblies of states. It extended the period of reservation for SCs and STs in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies for another ten years, up to the year 2000.
2. Continuation of Reservation in Certain States: The amendment also provided for the continuation of reservation of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies of certain states beyond the year 2000. This provision was made for those states where the representation of SCs and STs in these bodies was considered inadequate.
3. Evaluation of Reservation: Additionally, the President of India was empowered by this amendment to appoint a commission to review the working of the reservation provisions and to make recommendations for their continuation or modification. This commission would evaluate the effectiveness of the existing reservation system and suggest any necessary changes.

The Constitution (Sixty-fifth Amendment) Act, 1990 was passed by both houses of the Indian Parliament and received presidential assent on January 19, 1991. It played a crucial role in ensuring continued political representation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in India's democratic institutions, thereby addressing historical injustices and promoting social inclusion and equality.