What is Article 84 of Indian Constitution – Defination & Meaning

Article 84: Qualification for membership of Parliament A person shall not be qualified to be chosen to fill a seat in Parliament unless he— (a) is a citizen
📅 Part V – The Union
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Article Number

84

part

Part V – The Union

Status

Active

Bare Acts Text

Article 84: Qualification for membership of Parliament

  • A person shall not be qualified to be chosen to fill a seat in Parliament unless he—
    • (a) is a citizen of India, and makes and subscribes before some person authorised in that behalf by the Election Commission an oath or affirmation according to the form set out for the purpose in the Third Schedule;
    • (b) is, in the case of a seat in the Council of States, not less than thirty years of age and, in the case of a seat in the House of the People, not less than twenty-five years of age; and
    • (c) possesses such other qualifications as may be prescribed in that behalf by or under any law made by Parliament.
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Full Definition & Explanation

Article 84 of the Indian Constitution outlines the qualifications needed for someone to be elected to Parliament. This article is necessary as it sets the basic criteria for membership in both Houses of Parliament: the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and the Lok Sabha (House of the People). Firstly, a person must be a citizen of India. This ensures that only those who are citizens, and thus have a stake in the nation, can represent the people in the Parliament. Additionally, candidates must take an oath or affirmation, demonstrating their commitment to uphold the Constitution and the laws of India. This oath is prescribed in the Third Schedule of the Constitution. Secondly, age is a critical factor in determining eligibility. For the Rajya Sabha, candidates must be at least thirty years old, while for the Lok Sabha, the minimum age is twenty-five years. This age requirement reflects the expectation that members of Parliament should have sufficient life experience and maturity to make informed decisions. Exceptions to these age requirements are not common, making this a straightforward yet impactful aspect of the eligibility criteria. Lastly, Article 84 allows Parliament to set additional qualifications through legislation. This flexibility enables the government to adapt to changing social and political contexts. For instance, laws can be enacted to establish educational qualifications or other criteria that may be deemed necessary for effective governance. This article has a real-world impact as it directly influences who can participate in the political process, shaping the democratic landscape of India and ensuring that elected representatives are accountable to the citizens they serve.

Historical Context

Article 84 was enacted when the Constitution came into effect on January 26, 1950. During the Constituent Assembly debates, members emphasized the need for a representative democracy, ensuring that only qualified individuals could represent the populace. They discussed various aspects of eligibility, including citizenship and age limits, to ensure that elected representatives possess both legitimacy and maturity. It has remained unchanged since then, reflecting the Founding Fathers’ vision for a robust electoral framework. Supreme Court cases like K. Prabhakaran v. P. Jayarajan in 2005 have highlighted the importance of this article in maintaining electoral integrity. The article’s provisions have not required any amendments, showcasing its alignment with the democratic ethos of India.

Key Features

– Candidates must be citizens of India to qualify for Parliament membership.
– The minimum age for Lok Sabha members is twenty-five years old.
– Rajya Sabha candidates must be at least thirty years old to qualify.
– Candidates are required to take an oath affirming loyalty to the Constitution.
– Parliament has the authority to legislate additional qualifications as necessary.

Importance & Impact

– Only Indian citizens are allowed to hold positions in Parliament, ensuring representation.
– Age limits are established to ensure maturity and experience in political representation.
– An oath is mandated to guarantee adherence to constitutional values and duties.
– Parliament can adapt and set further qualifications to match contemporary societal needs.
– The eligibility criteria promote accountability and enhance integrity in the electoral process.

Sample UPSC Question

Consider the following statements about Article 84 of the Constitution: 1. A person must be at least 25 years to be elected to Lok Sabha. 2. A person must be at least 35 years to be elected to Rajya Sabha. 3. A person must be a citizen of India to be a member of Parliament. 4. Parliament can prescribe additional qualifications for membership under Article 84(c). Which statements are correct? a) 1 and 3 only b) 1, 3 and 4 only c) 2 and 3 only d) 1, 2 and 4 only

Answer

The correct answer is B) It allows Parliament to set additional qualifications. Article 84 provides flexibility for Parliament to legislate further qualifications beyond age and citizenship, which helps in adapting to changing societal contexts. Options A and C are incorrect as they misinterpret the age requirements and citizenship criteria. Option D is also incorrect since Article 84 has not undergone any amendments since its enactment.

Key Takeaways

✓ Only Indian citizens can be elected members of Parliament.
✓ Age limits are set to guarantee maturity among elected representatives.
✓ Candidates must take an oath to ensure loyalty to the Constitution.
✓ Parliament can legislate further qualifications to reflect societal needs.
✓ Eligibility criteria are designed to enhance democratic integrity and accountability.

FAQs

The oath in Article 84 is key because it binds elected representatives to uphold the Constitution and laws of India. This affirmation reflects their commitment to serve the nation responsibly. If a member fails to uphold this oath, they can face disqualification or other legal consequences, ensuring that they act in the public’s interest.

For the Rajya Sabha, candidates must be at least thirty years old, while for the Lok Sabha, the minimum age is twenty-five years. This age requirement reflects the expectation that members of Parliament should have sufficient life experience and maturity to make informed decisions. Exceptions to these age requirements are not common, making this a straightforward yet impactful aspect of the eligibility criteria.

To be eligible for the Lok Sabha, candidates must be citizens of India and at least twenty-five years old. They must also take an oath affirming their commitment to the Constitution. These qualifications help ensure that representatives have a stake in the nation and the maturity necessary for responsible 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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