The correct answer is None of the above. Explanation & Key Takeaways: • The Amendment Bill can be introduced either by a minister or by a private member and does not require prior permission of the President. Hence the statement is correct. • There is no time limit within which the States should give their consent to the Amendment Bill. Hence the statement is correct. • Hence None of the above statements is incorrect. Related Concepts: • The procedure for the amendment of the Constitution has been laid down under Article 368: • An amendment of the Constitution can be initiated only by the introduction of a bill for the purpose in either House of Parliament and not in the state legislatures. • The bill can be introduced either by a minister or by a private member and does not require prior permission of the president. • The bill must be passed in each House by a special majority, that is, a majority of the total membership of the House and a majority of two-thirds of the members of the House present and voting. • Each House must pass the bill separately. In case of a disagreement between the two Houses, there is no provision for holding a joint sitting of the two Houses for the purpose of deliberation and passage of the bill. • If the bill seeks to amend the federal provisions of the Constitution, it must also be ratified by the legislatures of half of the states by a simple majority. • After duly passed by both the Houses of Parliament and ratified by the state legislatures, where necessary, the bill is presented to the President for assent. • The President must give his assent to the bill. He can neither withhold his assent to the bill nor return the bill to the Parliament for reconsideration. • After the President’s assent, the bill becomes an Act (i.e., a Constitutional Amendment Act) and the Constitution stands amended in accordance with the terms of the Act.