As per the Constitution of India (including subsequent amendments), how many Schedules does the Constitution currently contain in total?

Introduction / Context:
The Constitution of India contains not only Parts and Articles but also Schedules, which are tabular or list like attachments that provide additional details on various constitutional matters. Examples include allocation of seats, languages, and provisions relating to states and Union Territories. This question asks you to recall the total number of Schedules after all amendments, which is a basic but frequently tested fact in Indian polity examinations.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The question asks for the current total number of Schedules in the Constitution of India.
Options are 6, 12, 18 and 24.
It is assumed that you are aware that the number of Schedules has changed from the original version, but has been stable for a long time after key amendments.

Concept / Approach:
Originally, the Constitution had eight Schedules. Subsequent amendments added four more Schedules, bringing the total to twelve. For example, the Ninth Schedule was added to protect certain laws from judicial review, and later Schedules addressed issues such as languages, panchayats and municipalities. No amendment has increased the total beyond twelve Schedules. Therefore, the correct approach is to remember that the present Constitution has twelve Schedules in total.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the original Constitution contained eight Schedules at the time of its adoption in 1949. Step 2: Later amendments, notably the First, Fourth, Seventh and subsequent amendments, introduced additional Schedules such as the Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth. Step 3: These additions brought the total number of Schedules to twelve, and this number has remained unchanged for many years. Step 4: Compare with the options: 6 is less than the original eight, so it cannot be correct; 18 and 24 have never been the official count; 12 matches the known current total. Step 5: Therefore, the Constitution of India now has twelve Schedules.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard Indian polity references routinely list the Schedules from the First to the Twelfth, each with its subject matter, such as allocation of seats, languages, anti defection provisions, panchayats and municipalities. Quick reference tables show that the count stops at the Twelfth Schedule, confirming that there are twelve and not more. No commonly used book or constitutional index lists a Thirteenth or later Schedule to the Constitution.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
6: Even the original Constitution had eight Schedules, so six is too low and does not match any historical stage. 18: There has never been a stage when the Constitution had eighteen Schedules; Schedules and Amendments are separate concepts and should not be confused. 24: This number is far beyond the actual count of Schedules and might be confused with the number of Parts or some other statistic, but it is not the correct figure for Schedules.

Common Pitfalls:
A common error is to mix up the number of Schedules with the number of Parts or the total number of Amendments. Another mistake is to remember only the original eight Schedules and forget that more were added later. To avoid confusion, remember a simple progression: original eight Schedules, then additions leading to a final total of twelve, which has remained stable. Many exam guides explicitly state "there are twelve Schedules in the Constitution of India" as a key fact to memorise.

Final Answer:
The Constitution of India currently contains a total of 12 Schedules.