Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question is based on Constitutional Law, focusing on the provisions governing amendments to the Constitution.
We need to identify the specific Article that gives Parliament the authority and procedure to amend the Constitution.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
• To keep pace with changing times, the Constitution of India contains provisions for its own amendment.
• This amendment process is contained in Part XX of the Constitution.
- This part consists of a single article: Article 368.
• Article 368 details:
- The power of Parliament to amend the Constitution.
- The procedure to be followed for such amendments (by simple majority, special majority, or special majority with ratification by states).
- However, as ruled in the landmark
Kesavananda Bharati case (1973), the Parliament cannot amend the "Basic Structure" of the Constitution.
• Let us evaluate the options:
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Option (A) Article 168: Deals with the constitution of state legislatures.
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Option (B) Article 268: Deals with taxes levied by the Union but collected and appropriated by the States.
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Option (C) Article 368: Deals with the power and procedure to amend the Constitution.
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Option (D) Article 208: Deals with rules of procedure in state legislatures.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The Parliament's power to amend the Constitution is provided under Article 368, which corresponds to Option (C).