Article 81 of the Constitution of India deals with the composition of the House of the People, commonly known as the Lok Sabha. It provides the constitutional framework for the representation of States and Union Territories in the Lower House of Parliament.
- Meaning of Article 81
- Composition of Lok Sabha
- Direct Election
- Territorial Constituencies
- Representation of States
- Population and Representation
- Representation of Union Territories
- Article 81 and Delimitation
- Article 81 and Population Census
- Constitutional Maximum vs Actual Strength
- Anglo-Indian Nomination and Article 81
- Article 81 and Article 79
- Article 81 and Article 80
- Article 81 and Article 82
- Article 81 and Article 83
- Article 81 and Article 84
- Article 81 and Universal Adult Suffrage
- Importance of Article 81
- Article 81 at a Glance
- Common Confusions
- Quick Revision
- Conclusion
The Article also lays down the broad principles governing the allocation of seats in the Lok Sabha based on population.
Meaning of Article 81
Article 81 provides for the composition of the House of the People (Lok Sabha).
It deals primarily with:
- Representation of States;
- Representation of Union Territories;
- Allocation of seats to States and Union Territories; and
- The relationship between representation and population.
Unlike Rajya Sabha, whose members representing States are indirectly elected, members of the Lok Sabha are directly elected by the people from territorial constituencies.
Composition of Lok Sabha
Article 81(1) provides that the House of the People shall consist of:
Representatives of States
Not more than 530 members chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies in the States.
Representatives of Union Territories
Not more than 20 members representing Union Territories, chosen in the manner provided by Parliament by law.
Therefore, the constitutional maximum under Article 81 is:
530 State representatives + 20 Union Territory representatives = 550 members
This does not necessarily represent the actual present strength of the Lok Sabha.
Direct Election
One of the most important features of Article 81 is that representatives of the States are chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies.
This means that eligible voters directly elect their representatives to the Lok Sabha.
This distinguishes Lok Sabha elections from the election of State representatives to Rajya Sabha.
Lok Sabha
People → Directly elect → Lok Sabha members
Rajya Sabha
Elected State MLAs → Elect → State representatives to Rajya Sabha
Territorial Constituencies
Article 81 refers to territorial constituencies.
A State is divided into different parliamentary constituencies, and each constituency generally elects a representative to the Lok Sabha.
The delimitation of these constituencies is governed by constitutional provisions and laws relating to delimitation.
Representation of States
Article 81 provides for a maximum of 530 representatives from the States.
The allocation of seats among States is broadly connected with population.
The Constitution seeks to ensure that, as far as practicable, the ratio between the population of each State and the number of seats allotted to it is broadly maintained.
Population and Representation
Article 81(2) establishes principles relating to the distribution of seats.
The Constitution aims to maintain, as far as practicable, a consistent relationship between:
Population of a State → Number of Lok Sabha seats allotted to that State
Similarly, the population represented by each territorial constituency within a State should be broadly equal.
This reflects the democratic principle of equal representation based on population.
Representation of Union Territories
Article 81 also provides for representation of Union Territories.
Not more than 20 members may represent Union Territories.
Unlike the constitutional framework for State representation, the manner of choosing representatives from Union Territories is determined by Parliament by law.
Article 81 and Delimitation
The allocation of seats and territorial constituencies is connected with the process of delimitation.
Delimitation involves determining or readjusting the boundaries of territorial constituencies.
The Constitution contains special provisions dealing with the readjustment of seats and constituencies, particularly under Article 82.
Article 81 and Population Census
Population figures play an important role in determining representation.
However, the Constitution has imposed specific limitations on the readjustment of seats and constituencies through various constitutional amendments.
These provisions have been designed to balance the principle of population-based representation with broader constitutional and policy considerations.
Constitutional Maximum vs Actual Strength
The expression “not more than” in Article 81 is important.
Article 81 establishes constitutional maximum limits, but the actual number of Lok Sabha members is determined under the applicable constitutional and statutory framework.
The current Lok Sabha has 543 elected seats.
Therefore, the constitutional maximum under Article 81 should not be confused with the actual elected strength of the House.
Anglo-Indian Nomination and Article 81
Historically, Article 331 allowed the President to nominate up to two members of the Anglo-Indian community to the Lok Sabha if the President was of the opinion that the community was not adequately represented.
However, this provision ceased to operate following the 104th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019, which ended the special representation through nomination of Anglo-Indian members in the Lok Sabha.
Therefore, the current constitutional framework does not include nominated Anglo-Indian members in the Lok Sabha.
Article 81 and Article 79
These Articles should be studied together.
Article 79 → Constitution of Parliament
Article 81 → Composition of Lok Sabha
Article 79 establishes Parliament as consisting of the President, Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, while Article 81 deals specifically with the composition of the House of the People.
Article 81 and Article 80
The distinction between the two Houses is important:
| Article 80 | Article 81 |
|---|---|
| Rajya Sabha | Lok Sabha |
| Council of States | House of the People |
| Upper House | Lower House |
| State representatives indirectly elected | State representatives directly elected |
| Up to 12 nominated members | No nominated members under the current framework |
Article 81 and Article 82
Article 82 deals with readjustment after each census.
After each census, Parliament may provide by law for readjustment of:
- Allocation of seats in the Lok Sabha among States; and
- Division of States into territorial constituencies.
However, constitutional amendments have placed limitations on when such readjustments can take effect.
Thus:
Article 81 → Composition and representation
Article 82 → Readjustment after each census
Article 81 and Article 83
Article 83 deals with the duration of the Houses of Parliament.
Article 81 determines the composition of Lok Sabha, while Article 83 deals with how long the House continues.
Article 81 and Article 84
Article 84 deals with qualifications for membership of Parliament.
Therefore:
- Article 81 → Composition of Lok Sabha
- Article 84 → Qualifications for becoming an MP
Article 81 and Universal Adult Suffrage
The direct election of Lok Sabha members operates within India’s system of adult suffrage.
The voting age was reduced from 21 to 18 years by the 61st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1988.
The constitutional basis for elections to the Lok Sabha is connected with Article 326, which provides for elections based on adult suffrage.
Importance of Article 81
1. Establishes Lok Sabha Representation
It provides the constitutional framework for the composition of the House of the People.
2. Provides Direct Representation
Members representing States are directly elected from territorial constituencies.
3. Connects Representation With Population
The Article establishes principles concerning population and seat allocation.
4. Provides Union Territory Representation
It allows representation of Union Territories in the Lok Sabha.
5. Supports Democratic Representation
The provision forms an important constitutional basis for representation of the people in the Union Legislature.
Article 81 at a Glance
| Point | Constitutional Position |
|---|---|
| Article | Article 81 |
| Subject | Composition of House of the People |
| House | Lok Sabha |
| State representatives | Not more than 530 |
| Union Territory representatives | Not more than 20 |
| Constitutional maximum | 550 |
| Election of State representatives | Direct election |
| Basis | Territorial constituencies |
| Representation principle | Population-based representation |
| Delimitation | Connected with Article 82 |
| Current elected strength | 543 |
Common Confusions
What Does Article 81 Deal With?
It deals with the composition of the House of the People (Lok Sabha).
How Are Lok Sabha Members Elected?
Members representing States are elected directly by the people from territorial constituencies.
What Is the Constitutional Maximum Strength of Lok Sabha Under Article 81?
The Article provides for not more than:
- 530 representatives from States, and
- 20 representatives from Union Territories.
Thus, the constitutional maximum is 550.
Does Article 81 Provide for Nominated Members?
Under the current constitutional framework, no nominated Anglo-Indian seats remain. The former provision under Article 331 ceased to operate following the 104th Constitutional Amendment.
Is Every State Given the Same Number of Lok Sabha Seats?
No.
Representation is broadly based on population, subject to constitutional provisions governing allocation and readjustment.
Is Lok Sabha Directly Elected?
Yes.
The representatives of States are chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies.
Quick Revision
- Article 81 → Composition of House of the People (Lok Sabha).
- Not more than 530 members represent the States.
- Not more than 20 members represent Union Territories.
- Constitutional maximum = 550.
- State representatives are chosen by direct election.
- Elections take place from territorial constituencies.
- Representation is broadly connected with population.
- Article 80 → Composition of Rajya Sabha.
- Article 82 → Readjustment after each census.
- Article 83 → Duration of Houses of Parliament.
- Article 84 → Qualifications for membership of Parliament.
- Current Lok Sabha elected strength is 543.
- The former Anglo-Indian nomination provision ceased to operate following the 104th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019.
Conclusion
Article 81 provides the constitutional framework for the composition of the Lok Sabha, India’s directly elected House of Parliament. It provides for representation from States and Union Territories and establishes principles connecting parliamentary representation with population.
The Article is particularly important for understanding direct elections, territorial constituencies, population-based representation and the constitutional structure of the Lok Sabha.
The key point to remember is:
Article 81 → Lok Sabha consists of directly elected representatives from territorial constituencies in the States, along with representatives of Union Territories, subject to the constitutional limits and framework.
