By which Constitutional Amendment did Delhi become the National Capital Territory with a Legislative Assembly and special status?

Introduction / Context:
Delhi holds a unique constitutional position in India. Initially a Union Territory, it was later given a special status as the National Capital Territory with a Legislative Assembly and Council of Ministers. This evolution was achieved through a specific Constitutional Amendment. The question asks you to identify that amendment, which is important for understanding federal arrangements and governance of the capital region.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The subject is the constitutional status of Delhi.
• We are asked about the amendment that converted Delhi into the National Capital Territory with its own legislature.
• Options list various numbered amendments.
• We assume awareness that this change took place in the early 1990s.

Concept / Approach:
The 69th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1991 inserted Article 239AA into the Constitution. This Article provided for a Legislative Assembly and a Council of Ministers for Delhi and declared it the National Capital Territory. It created a system of partial state like arrangements, while reserving certain key subjects like public order, police, and land for the Union Government. Other amendments listed in the options relate to different issues such as lowering the voting age or adding to the Ninth Schedule.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Delhi received its National Capital Territory status and legislature through Article 239AA. Step 2: Remember that Article 239AA was introduced by the 69th Constitutional Amendment Act. Step 3: Match the amendment number 69 with the options given. Step 4: Eliminate other amendments that correspond to unrelated constitutional changes.

Verification / Alternative check:
Constitutional law references clearly mention that the 69th Amendment created the National Capital Territory of Delhi and laid down the special governance structure. Official government publications also refer to Delhi becoming NCT through this amendment. This repeated mention across authoritative sources confirms that the answer is the 69th Amendment, leaving little room for doubt.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
61st Amendment: Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 years. 71st Amendment: Concerned addition of certain languages like Konkani, Manipuri, and Nepali to the Eighth Schedule. 79th Amendment: Relates to reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. 42nd Amendment: Known as the mini Constitution, it made wide ranging changes but did not specifically grant Delhi its NCT status with a legislature.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes guess 42nd Amendment because it is famous and associated with many changes, even when a question concerns a later, more specific amendment. Another mistake is to forget the link between the new Article 239AA and the 69th Amendment. Memorising a small set of important amendment numbers along with their key effects helps ensure accurate answers in polity questions.

Final Answer:
69th Amendment