The Constitution of India
Article 334
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,
shall cease to have effect on the expiration of a period of 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.
Why this exists
The Constitution's framers saw reservation for SC/ST and nomination of Anglo-Indians as temporary measures to ensure fair representation while these communities gained political strength, not as permanent features. The original 1950 text set a 10-year limit, renewable by Parliament. Successive constitutional amendments (8th, 23rd, 45th, 62nd, 79th, 95th, and finally the 104th in 2019) kept extending the SC/ST reservation roughly every decade because the underlying social inequalities persisted, while Parliament eventually decided, through the 104th Amendment, not to extend the Anglo-Indian nomination provision, letting it lapse in January 2020.
Common misconceptions
- Myth: Reservation for SC/ST in legislatures is permanent and unconditional.
Fact: Article 334 makes it time-bound; it has been repeatedly extended by constitutional amendment and currently runs until 2030 unless extended again. - Myth: Anglo-Indians still have nominated representatives in Parliament today.
Fact: That provision was allowed to lapse in January 2020 after the 104th Amendment did not renew it.