> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.gov.tools/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.gov.tools/cardano-govtool/using-govtool/governance-actions/types-of-governance-actions/hard-fork-initiation.md).

# Hard Fork Initiation

### A non-backward compatible upgrade of the network, which requires a prior software upgrade

This action will have:

* The new (greater) major protocol version

To pass, this Action requires:

<table><thead><tr><th width="278">Constitutional Committee</th><th width="218">DReps</th><th>SPOs</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Pass</td><td>60%</td><td>51%</td></tr></tbody></table>

These values could be changed via a new Government Action. To see the current values at any time, you can view <https://cardanoscan.io/protocolparams>.

Note:

There are many varying definitions of the term "hard fork" in the blockchain industry. Hard forks typically refer to non-backwards compatible updates of a network. In Cardano, we formalise the definition slightly more by calling any upgrade that would lead to *more blocks* being validated a "hard fork" and force nodes to comply with the new protocol version, effectively obsoleting nodes that are unable to handle the upgrade.