What is Article 103 of Indian Constitution – Defination & Meaning

Article 103: Decision on questions as to disqualifications of members (1) If any question arises as to whether a member of either House of Parliament has
📅 Part V – The Union
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Article Number

103

part

Part V – The Union

Status

Active

Bare Acts Text

Article 103: Decision on questions as to disqualifications of members

  • (1) If any question arises as to whether a member of either House of Parliament has become subject to any of the disqualifications
    mentioned in clause (1) of article 102, the question shall be referred for the decision of the President and his decision shall be final.
  • (2) Before giving any decision on any such question, the President shall obtain the opinion of the Election Commission and shall act according to such opinion.

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Full Definition & Explanation

Article 103 of the Indian Constitution deals with the disqualification of members of Parliament. It specifies that if there is a question about whether a member has become disqualified under the conditions mentioned in Article 102, the matter must be referred to the President of India. The President’s decision on such matters is final, meaning there is no further appeal or review process. This provision is necessary for maintaining the integrity and functioning of the Parliament, as it ensures that disqualified members do not continue to serve in the legislature and disrupt its functioning. Before making a decision, the President must seek the opinion of the Election Commission. This step adds a layer of accountability and ensures that the decision is made based on expert advice. The Election Commission is responsible for overseeing elections and maintaining electoral integrity, making its opinion valuable in disqualification matters. The process ensures that the disqualification is not arbitrary and is based on established legal principles and electoral laws. This article affects all members of both Houses of Parliament, which includes the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. It ensures that individuals who may have legal or ethical issues that prevent them from serving do not hold office. For instance, if a member is convicted of a crime or has been declared bankrupt, this provision allows for their disqualification. The real-world impact is major, as it helps to uphold democratic values and public trust in elected representatives, allowing citizens to feel secure in their governance.

Historical Context

It specifies that if there is a question about whether a member has become disqualified under the conditions mentioned in Article 102, the matter must be referred to the President of India. The President’s decision on such matters is final, meaning there is no further appeal or review process. This provision is necessary for maintaining the integrity and functioning of the Parliament, as it ensures that disqualified members do not continue to serve in the legislature and disrupt its functioning. Before making a decision, the President must seek the opinion of the Election Commission.

Key Features

– Article 103 addresses disqualification questions of Parliament members.
– The President of India makes the final decision on disqualifications.
– The President must consult the Election Commission before deciding.
– Disqualification reasons are outlined in Article 102 of the Constitution.
– This article helps maintain integrity within the Parliament.

Importance & Impact

– Ensures disqualified members cannot disrupt parliamentary functions
– Protects the democratic process by upholding legal standards
– Promotes accountability through consultation with the Election Commission
– Maintains public trust in elected representatives and governance
– Provides clarity in handling disqualification issues for members

Sample UPSC Question

Consider the following statements about Article 103: 1. Disqualification questions of MPs are referred to the President for decision. 2. The President decides disqualification questions independently without consulting any body. 3. The Election Commission’s opinion is binding on the President in disqualification matters. 4. The Supreme Court can review the President’s disqualification decision. Which statements are correct? a) 1 and 3 only b) 1, 3 and 4 only c) 2 and 4 only d) 1, 2 and 4 only

Answer

Answer: b) 1, 3 and 4 only Statement 1 is correct per Article 103(1). Statement 2 is wrong — the President must consult the Election Commission per Article 103(2). Statement 3 is correct — the President acts in accordance with the Election Commission’s opinion. Statement 4 is correct — courts have held that finality clauses do not completely bar judicial review on constitutional grounds.

Key Takeaways

✓ Article 103 addresses member disqualifications in Parliament
✓ The President’s decision is final and binding
✓ Consultation with the Election Commission is mandatory
✓ It promotes accountability and integrity in governance
✓ Disqualifications protect the democratic process from unethical members.

FAQs

Article 103 of the Indian Constitution deals with the disqualification of members of Parliament. It specifies that if there is a question about whether a member has become disqualified under the conditions mentioned in Article 102, the matter must be referred to the President of India. The President’s decision on such matters is final, meaning there is no further appeal or review process.

The Election Commission is responsible for overseeing elections and maintaining electoral integrity, making its opinion valuable in disqualification matters. The process ensures that the disqualification is not arbitrary and is based on established legal principles and electoral laws. This article affects all members of both Houses of Parliament, which includes the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

It ensures that individuals who may have legal or ethical issues that prevent them from serving do not hold office. For instance, if a member is convicted of a crime or has been declared bankrupt, this provision allows for their disqualification. The real-world impact is major, as it helps to uphold democratic values and public trust in elected representatives, allowing citizens to feel secure in their governance.

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Pramod is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of StudyHub. He holds a Master's degree and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Geology, alongside more than 7+ years spent building and verifying competitive exam content for Indian aspirants. He leads StudyHub's editorial process across Indian Polity, the Constitution, Indian Economy, History, Geography, Science, and the platform's other subject areas — checking every article against primary sources (bare act text and Gazette notifications for constitutional topics, government and Economic Survey data for economy content, standard reference material elsewhere) and flagging it for re-verification whenever a relevant amendment, policy, or data update makes an earlier version outdated.
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