Which of the following Constitutional Amendment Acts had abolished the privy purse and privileges of the former rulers of the princely states? 

The correct answer is 26th Amendment Act.

Key Points

• The 26th Amendment Act of 1971 abolished the privy purse and privileges of the former rulers of princely states in India.
• It was enacted to remove the special financial and other privileges that were earlier guaranteed under Articles 291 and 362 of the Indian Constitution.
• Privy purses were a form of compensation given to the rulers of princely states at the time of India’s independence for merging their territories with the Indian Union.
• The amendment added a new Article 363A to the Constitution, explicitly terminating the recognition of these rulers and their privileges.
• This act was championed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as part of her efforts to promote equality and eliminate feudal privileges in a democratic India.

Additional Information

• Privy Purse:
  • Privy purses were annual payments made to the rulers of princely states as part of the agreements for their accession to India post-independence.
  • The amounts varied based on the revenue and importance of the princely state.
  • It was intended to help the rulers maintain their standard of living and dignity after losing their sovereign powers.
• Articles 291 and 362:
  • Article 291 guaranteed the payment of privy purses to former rulers.
  • Article 362 ensured that their personal rights, privileges, and dignities were respected.
  • Both articles were abolished by the 26th Amendment Act.
• Article 363A:
  • Introduced by the 26th Amendment, it explicitly ended the recognition of any ruler as a prince and the entitlement to any privileges, rights, or privy purses.
  • It marked a significant step toward achieving equality in the Indian democratic framework.
• Impact of the Abolition:
  • The abolition of privy purses was seen as a move to integrate the former princely states more fully into the Indian Republic.
  • It was also part of Indira Gandhi's broader efforts to reduce inequality and dismantle feudal structures in India.
  • However, it faced opposition from former rulers and some political groups who argued it was a breach of trust.