Part XVI - Special Provisions for Certain Classes • Article

Article 333 Simplified: Representation of the Anglo-Indian community in the Legislative Assemblies of the States

Article 333 originally empowered state Governors to nominate one member of the Anglo-Indian community to their State Legislative Assembly if they felt the community was under-represented. However, this nomination provision was officially omitted and ceased to operate starting from January 25, 2020 under the 104th Constitutional Amendment.

Official Text

Notwithstanding anything in article 170, the Governor *** of a State may, if he is of opinion that the Anglo-Indian community needs representation in the Legislative Assembly of the State and is not adequately represented therein, [nominate one member of that community to the Assembly]. 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, 2. The words "or Rajpramukh" omitted by the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956, s. 29 and Sch. (w.e.f. 1-11-1956). 3. Subs. by the Constitution (Twenty-third Amendment) Act, 1969, s. 4, for "nominate such number of members of the community to the Assembly as he considers appropriate" (w.e.f. 23-1-1970) 4. Subs. by the Constitution (One hundred and fourth Amendment) Act, 2019, s. 2, for marginal heading (w.e.f. 25-1-2020). 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.

Simple Meaning

Explain Like Ten

Article 333 used to let state governors pick one Anglo-Indian person to join the state assembly to represent their community. Since 2020, we stopped picking people this way and ended this special rule.

Student Mode

Originally empowered state Governors to nominate one member of the Anglo-Indian community to the State Legislative Assembly (notwithstanding Article 170). The 104th Constitutional Amendment Act (2019) chose not to extend this nomination rule, and it officially ceased to operate on January 25, 2020.

Example

Before 2020, the Governor of Karnataka could nominate an Anglo-Indian representative to the Karnataka State Assembly. Since the 104th Amendment took effect, this nomination is no longer allowed.

Key Takeaway

The 104th Amendment ended the reservation and nomination of Anglo-Indians in both Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.

FAQs

How many Anglo-Indian members could be nominated to a State Assembly by the Governor?

Prior to its abolition, the Governor could nominate a maximum of one member of the Anglo-Indian community to the State Legislative Assembly.

Which amendment discontinued Governor nominations under Article 333?

The 104th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019 discontinued these nominations, effective January 25, 2020.

Quiz

Under Article 333, who had the power to nominate an Anglo-Indian to the State Assembly?

Answer: The Governor of the State

What is the maximum number of Anglo-Indians a Governor could nominate under Article 333?

Answer: One member