What is Article 330 of the Indian Constitution?

Article 330 of the Indian Constitution mandates the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the Lok Sabha, which is the House of the People. The number of seats reserved for these communities in any state or Union Territory is determined based on their population proportion in that region. This ensures that their representation in the national legislature is roughly commensurate with their demographic strength, providing them a direct voice in national law-making and policy formulation. This article is a cornerstone of political affirmative action in India.

How are reserved seats allocated in Parliament?

Reserved seats in Parliament (specifically the Lok Sabha) are allocated based on the population ratio of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in each state or Union Territory, as per the latest census figures. The Delimitation Commission, a high-powered body, is responsible for identifying and demarcating these reserved constituencies. While only SC or ST candidates can contest from these seats, all eligible voters in the constituency, irrespective of their caste or tribe, have the right to vote. This system ensures representation without creating separate electorates.

Why is there no reservation in Rajya Sabha?

There is no reservation for Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes in the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) because the Rajya Sabha is designed to represent the states and Union Territories, not specific communities. Its members are indirectly elected by the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies through a system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. The framers of the Constitution envisioned the Rajya Sabha as a body representing the federal character of the Indian Union, where states' interests are paramount, rather than a forum for community-based representation.

When will reservation in legislature end?

The reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies was initially set to expire after ten years from the commencement of the Constitution. However, it has been repeatedly extended through constitutional amendments. The latest extension, via the 104th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019, prolonged this reservation for another ten years, meaning it is currently set to expire on January 25, 2030. Parliament will need to pass another constitutional amendment if it decides to extend it further.

What is the difference between Article 330 and 332?

Article 330 deals with the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the Lok Sabha (House of the People), which is the national legislature. Article 332, on the other hand, provides for the reservation of seats for SCs and STs in the Legislative Assemblies of the States. Both articles operate on the principle of population proportion to determine the number of reserved seats, but Article 330 applies to the Union Parliament, while Article 332 applies to the state legislatures, ensuring representation at both central and state levels.

How does delimitation affect reserved constituencies?

Delimitation is the process of redrawing the boundaries of parliamentary and assembly constituencies to ensure that each constituency has roughly the same population and that the number of reserved seats for SCs and STs aligns with their population proportion. The Delimitation Commission carries out this task after every census. It identifies which constituencies will be reserved for SCs or STs, often rotating them to ensure different areas get the opportunity to elect a general candidate over time. This process directly determines the geographical spread and specific locations of reserved constituencies, impacting electoral outcomes and representation.

What was the significance of the 104th Constitutional Amendment Act regarding reservation?

The 104th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019, had two significant impacts on legislative reservation. Firstly, it extended the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies for another ten years, until January 25, 2030. Secondly, and notably, it discontinued the provision for the nomination of two members from the Anglo-Indian community to the Lok Sabha and one member to State Legislative Assemblies. This marked the end of a long-standing special representational provision, reflecting a parliamentary assessment of the community's integration.

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Reservation in Services

Reservation in Legislature

Social Justice & Welfare

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Article 330: Reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the House of the People. (1) Seats shall be reserved in the House of the People for— (a) the Scheduled Castes; (b) the Scheduled Tribes except the Scheduled Tribes in the autonomous districts of Assam; and (c) the Scheduled Tribes in the autonomous districts of Assam. (2) The number of seats reserved in any State or Uni…

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Reservation in Legislature is a constitutional mechanism in India to ensure political representation for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.

Rooted in the Poona Pact of 1932, this system was adopted by the Constituent Assembly to integrate marginalized communities into the political mainstream without resorting to divisive separate electorates.

Articles 330 and 332 of the Constitution mandate the reservation of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, respectively, based on the population proportion of SCs and STs in each state or Union Territory.

The Delimitation Commission is responsible for demarcating these reserved constituencies after every census. While only SC or ST candidates can contest from these seats, all voters in the constituency participate in the election.

Article 334 initially set a ten-year limit for this reservation, but it has been repeatedly extended, most recently by the 104th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019, until 2030. This amendment also notably ceased the provision for nominated Anglo-Indian representation.

There is no reservation in the Rajya Sabha or State Legislative Councils. The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments extended reservation for SCs, STs, and women to Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies, further deepening democratic inclusion.

This system aims to address historical injustices, ensure diverse voices in law-making, and strengthen India's representative democracy, though it faces ongoing debates regarding its efficacy and potential for perpetuating caste identity.

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Articles 330 (Lok Sabha SC/ST), 332 (State Assembly SC/ST), 334 (Reservation Period).

104th CA (2019): Extended SC/ST reservation till 2030, ended Anglo-Indian nomination.

Lok Sabha Reserved Seats: 84 SC, 47 ST (based on 2001 census).

No reservation in Rajya Sabha.

Delimitation Commission: Redraws constituencies, allocates reserved seats (orders not judicially reviewable).

73rd/74th CAs: Reservation for SC/ST/Women in Local Bodies.

Poona Pact (1932): Joint electorates with reserved seats.

'Sunset Clause': Original 10-year limit in Article 334.

PARS-334: Political-Administrative-Reservation-Safeguards till 334.

P: Political (Articles 330, 332 for Lok Sabha & Assemblies) A: Administrative (Delimitation Commission's role) R: Reservation (for SC/STs) S: Safeguards (ensuring representation) 334: (The Article governing the period/sunset clause)

Reservation in Legislature

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