Delhi got National Capital Territory Status by ______.

Concept

A Constitutional Amendment Act changes the text of the Constitution. To find which amendment granted a particular status, identify the amendment that inserted the specific Article carrying that status. Delhi's status as the National Capital Territory is defined by Article 239AA.

Application

The Constitution (Sixty-ninth Amendment) Act, 1991 inserted Articles 239AA and 239AB. Article 239AA expressly renames the Union Territory of Delhi as the "National Capital Territory of Delhi" and provides it with a Legislative Assembly and a Council of Ministers. Hence the National Capital Territory status flows directly from the 69th Amendment.

Contrast

• 70th Amendment (1992): allowed the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of Delhi and Puducherry to take part in the election of the President — it does not confer NCT status.

• 71st Amendment (1992): added Konkani, Manipuri and Nepali to the Eighth Schedule of languages — unrelated to Delhi.

• 93rd Amendment (2005): enabled reservation for socially and educationally backward classes in educational institutions — unrelated to Delhi.

Therefore Delhi obtained National Capital Territory status by the 69th Amendment.