Constitutions and Law

Adult Suffrage in the Indian Constitutional context means every Indian citizen who has attained the age of 18 years or above is entitled to vote. This universal adult franchise, regardless of caste, religion, gender, or economic status, is a fundamental feature of Indian democracy established by Article 326. Option C is the only complete and legally accurate definition.

Article 84 of the Indian Constitution lays down the qualifications for election to Parliament (both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha). These include citizenship, age requirements (25 for Lok Sabha, 30 for Rajya Sabha), and other provisions like voter registration, etc. It is the specific article dealing with parliamentary membership qualifications.

Article 173 of the Indian Constitution specifically defines qualifications for election to State Legislatures (both Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council). It mirrors Article 84 (for Parliament) but applies at the state level. The qualifications include citizenship, age (25 for Assembly, 30 for Council), and voter registration requirements.

Articles 327 and 328 of the Constitution provide that the delimitation of constituencies and the allotment of seats to such constituencies shall not be called into question in any court. This gives Parliament and State Legislatures final authority in these matters, preventing judicial interference in the fundamental structure of electoral representation. The bar protects the autonomy of the delimitation process.

Article 326 of the Indian Constitution lays down the qualifications for becoming a voter - it establishes adult suffrage for citizens 18 years and above who are not disqualified by law. This is the foundational article for voting rights in India. Other articles (327, 328, 329) deal with related matters like delimitation and courts' jurisdiction, but 326 specifically addresses voter qualifications.

Article 326 outlines the qualifications for voting. The disqualifications mentioned (non-resident, unsoundness of mind, criminal/corrupt practice) are NOT requirements - they are things that can DISQUALIFY someone from voting. So all of these are examples of what is NOT required for eligibility.

Article 330 of the Indian Constitution provides for the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the Lok Sabha. This ensures representation for these communities in the lower house of Parliament.

Article 331 of the Indian Constitution provides for the nomination of two members of the Anglo-Indian community to the Lok Sabha by the President if they are not adequately represented. This was a temporary provision that has since lapsed.

Article 333 provides for the nomination of one member of the Anglo-Indian community to the Legislative Assembly of a state by the Governor if they are not adequately represented. This provision has now lapsed.

Article 335 of the Indian Constitution specifically addresses claims of Scheduled Castes and Tribes regarding services and posts under the Union and States, making it the correct answer. Article 336 deals with Anglo-Indian community special provisions, while Article 338 established the National Commission for SCs and STs.

Tenth Schedule

Directive Principles of State Policy

According to the Indian Constitution's Seventh Schedule, only the State Legislature can make laws on subjects enlisted in the State List. The Union List is for Parliament, and the Concurrent List allows both. State Council and State Regional Assembly are not constitutional bodies. This reflects India's federal structure where states have exclusive jurisdiction over certain matters.

Article 79 of the Indian Constitution explicitly defines the Constitution of Parliament, consisting of the President and two Houses - the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and the House of the People (Lok Sabha). Articles 80-81 detail the composition and other aspects, but Article 79 is the foundational definition.

Gandhi's article 'The only way' argued that a Constituent Assembly elected by adult suffrage was the legitimate method for framing India's Constitution, rejecting British offers of domination.