Back to Browse
Constitution of India · Section Article 334

4[Reservation of seats and special representation to cease after certain period]

Article 334 — 4[Reservation of seats and special representation to cease after certain period]

  1. 4[Reservation of seats and special representation to cease after certain period].—Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing provisions of this Part, the provisions of this Constitution relating to—
  • (a) the reservation of seats for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in the House of the People and in the Legislative Assemblies of the States; and
  • (b) the representation of the Anglo-Indian community in the House of the People and in the Legislative Assemblies of the States by nomination,
  1. The words "or Rajpramukh" omitted by the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956, s. 29 and Sch. (w.e.f. 1-11-1956). number of members of the community to the Assembly as he considers appropriate" (w.e.f. 23-1-1970).

marginal heading (w.e.f. 25-1-2020).

shall cease to have effect on the expiration of a period of 1[eighty years in respect of clause (a) and seventy years in respect of clause (b)] from the commencement of this Constitution: Provided that nothing in this article shall affect any representation in the House of the People or in the Legislative Assembly of a State until the dissolution of the then existing House or Assembly, as the case may be. 334A. Reservation of seats for women take effect. — (1) Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing provision of this Part or Part VIII, the provisions of the Constitution relating to the reservation of seats for women in the House of the People, the Legislative Assembly of a State and the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi shall come into effect after an exercise of delimitation is undertaken for this purpose after the relevant figures for the first census taken after commencement of the Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, 2023 have been published and shall cease to have effect on the expiration of a period of fifteen years from such commencement. (2) Subject to the provisions of articles 239AA, 330A and 332A, seats reserved for women in the House of the People, the Legislative Assembly of a State and the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi shall continue till such date as the Parliament may by law determine. (3) Rotation of seats reserved for women in the House of the People, the Legislative Assembly of a State and the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi shall take effect after each subsequent exercise of delimitation as the Parliament may by law determine. (4) Nothing in this article shall affect any representation in the House of the People, the Legislative Assembly of a State or the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi until the dissolution of the then existing House of the People, Legislative Assembly of a State or the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi.]

Plain English Summary

This article deals with the time limits for certain reservations in Parliament and State Assemblies. It states that reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and representation for the Anglo-Indian community, will stop after 80 years and 70 years respectively from the Constitution's start. Furthermore, it introduces provisions for women's reservation which depend on delimitation exercises.

Key Points

  • Reservations for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in Parliament and State Assemblies will cease after 80 years from the commencement of the Constitution.
  • Representation for the Anglo-Indian community in Parliament and State Assemblies will cease after 70 years from the commencement of the Constitution.
  • The provisions regarding reservations for women depend on delimitation exercises and will cease after fifteen years from such commencement, subject to parliamentary determination.

Why It Matters

This article sets time limits on specific reservation policies, ensuring that these provisions are reviewed periodically based on the constitutional framework. It also establishes a process for implementing reservations for women through delimitation.

Landmark Judgements

No major landmark judgements.

Related Articles