Question

By which Constitutional Amendment Act was Delhi designated as the National Capital Territory (NCT)?

• A. 76th Constitutional Amendment Act
• B. 72nd Constitutional Amendment Act
• C. 69th Constitutional Amendment Act
• D. 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act

Hint:

Remember: \[ 69^{th}\ \text{Constitutional Amendment} \] \[ \Downarrow \] Article 239AA \[ \Downarrow \] National Capital Territory of Delhi A very important constitutional amendment for law entrance examinations.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: Delhi occupies a unique constitutional position in India. Being the national capital, it cannot be governed exactly like an ordinary state. At the same time, democratic governance requires representation through an elected legislative body. To balance these considerations, a special constitutional framework was created for Delhi.

Step 1: Understand Delhi's constitutional evolution. After independence, Delhi underwent several administrative changes. It functioned at different times as a Part-C State and later as a Union Territory administered directly by the Union Government. However, increasing population, urban expansion, and democratic demands led to the need for greater self-governance.

Step 2: Identify the constitutional amendment. The

69th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1991 introduced a special constitutional arrangement for Delhi. This amendment inserted:

• Article 239AA

• Article 239AB
into the Constitution of India.

Step 3: Examine the changes introduced. The amendment:

• Renamed the Union Territory of Delhi as the

National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi.

• Created a Legislative Assembly.

• Established a Council of Ministers headed by a Chief Minister.

• Defined the distribution of powers between the Union Government and the elected government of Delhi.

Step 4: Eliminate the incorrect options.

• 72nd Amendment dealt with representation of Tripura tribes.

• 73rd Amendment introduced Panchayati Raj Institutions.

• 76th Amendment concerned reservation matters in Tamil Nadu.
Thus, none of these amendments relate to Delhi's status as NCT.

Conclusion: Delhi was designated as the National Capital Territory through the

69th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1991. Therefore, Option (C) is correct.