India, the world largest democracy, has a rich and diverse political landscape. However, one aspect that continues to draw attention in recent times is the minimum age requirement for member of Parliament (MP). India’s 2024 general election resulted in the oldest Lok Sabha (Lower House) ever, with an average MP age of 56 years. This has raised concerns about the age disparity and representation. To address this, several proposals have been made. Aam Admi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha has suggested lowering the minimum age to contest Rajya Sabha (Upper House) elections from 25 to 21. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has proposed reserving 10 Lok Sabha seats for MPs under 35. A Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice, recommended lowering the minimum age for contesting assembly elections from 25 to 18.
Historical Background
Dr B.R. Ambedkar introduced Article 84, which outlines the eligibility criteria for MPs, as an amendment to the Draft Constitution in the Constituent Assembly on May 19, 1949. Ambedkar proposed setting the minimum age for Lok Sabha members at 25 years and Rajya Sabha members at 35 years. He believed that simply having the right to vote, which at the time was 21 years old, was insufficient to qualify for parliamentary service. While the 25-year minimum age for Lok Sabha MPs was accepted, some Constituent Assembly members argued that 35 years was too high a threshold for Rajya Sabha members.
When the amendment to the Draft Constitution in the Constituent Assembly regarding the minimum age was made, Durgabai Deshmukh, a prominent freedom fighter and women’s rights advocate, proposed an amendment to reduce the minimum age for Rajya Sabha membership from 35 to 30. She argued that wisdom is not solely dependent on age, and that younger individuals, educated through a broad-based curriculum, are capable of shouldering civic responsibilities. Supporting her amendment, renowned socialist leader, H.V. Kamath cited the example of William Pitt, who became the prime minister of the United Kingdom at the age 24, and suggested a uniform minimum age of 21 for both Houses of Parliament. The amendment gained support from notable figures like freedom fighter, Shibban Lal Saxena and former Rajya Sabha MP, Tajamul Hussain, and was eventually adopted, becoming Article 84 and Article 173 of the Constitution, setting the minimum age for entry into the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha at 25 and 30 years, respectively.
Ambedkar initially opposed lowering the minimum age for the Rajya Sabha, citing the inconsistency with the 35-year age requirement for the vice-president, who presides over the Rajya Sabha. However, he eventually agreed to a compromise amendment proposed by Durgabai, setting the minimum age at 30 years, which was then adopted by the Constituent Assembly. This age criterion was later applied to state legislatures as well, with 25 years for the Lok Sabha and 30 years for the Rajya Sabha.
Current Age Requirements
At present, in India, there are specific age requirements to contest elections. To be eligible to contest in the Lok Sabha or assembly elections, an individual must be at least 25 years old. For the Rajya Sabha or state legislative council elections, the minimum age requirement is 30 years. These age limits must be met to participate in the electoral process under Article 84 of the Indian Constitution. The age at which a person could register as a voter is 18 years.
Lok Sabha’s Generational Mix
The first Lok Sabha, elected in 1952, had a remarkably young demographic profile, with an average age of 46.5 years, making it the second-youngest in history. Notably, 82 members were under the age of 40, and there were no members above the age of 70, setting a record for the highest proportion of young representatives.
The average age of Lok Sabha MPs has steadily increased since 1952, with a brief dip to 46.4 years in 1998. The 1999 Elections saw the highest average age at 55.5 years. But the 2024 Polls have set a new record with the 18th Lok Sabha having an average age of 56 years, the highest ever.
The current Lok Sabha has a mere 25 MPs under the age of 35, with only 7 being under 30. This is one of the lowest representations of young MPs in history, surpassed only by the 2019 Lok Sabha with 21 MPs under 35 and the 2009 Lok Sabha with 22. The trend shows a steady decline in the number of young MPs since the first Lok Sabha.
The present Lok Sabha has a significant number of older MPs, with 380 members aged 51 or above. This includes 53 MPs over 71 years old, 161 MPs between 61–70 years old, and the largest group of 30.6 per cent comprising of 51–60 years age group. Notably, T.R. Baalu, 82, from the DMK is the oldest sitting MP, representing Tamil Nadu’s Sriperumbudur constituency.
The current Lok Sabha has three members who are just 25 years old. Priya Saroj and Pushpendra Saroj, both from Uttar Pradesh and representing the Samajwadi Party, and Shambhavi Choudhary from Bihar, representing the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas Paswan), make up the youngest cohort in the House. These three MPs have achieved a remarkable feat by entering the Lok Sabha at the earliest possible age, bringing a fresh perspective to the legislative body. In comparison with the MPs, the average age of Indians is around 27.8 years old, as per the 2011 Census.
Need for Bringing Down the Minimum Age of MPs
Demographic dividend and youth representation India is a young country, with more than 65 per cent of its population below the age of 35. This demographic presents an opportunity for growth and development, often referred to as the “demographic dividend.” However, despite this youthful population, the representation of young people in Parliament remains limited. Only 12 per cent of MPs are aged between 25 and 40 years despite the median age of the country being at 28.2 years. Reducing the minimum age for MPs could pave the way for more young individuals to participate in governance and policymaking, ensuring that their perspectives, aspirations, and concerns are adequately represented.
Encouraging political participation and engagement Lowering the age barrier for MPs could encourage greater political engagement among the youth. It can act as an incentive for young individuals to take an active interest in politics, potentially leading to increased voter turnout, youth activism, and grassroots political involvement. A younger Parliament could also serve as a beacon of hope for young people, demonstrating that they have a voice and a role in shaping the future of the nation.
Infusing new ideas and innovation into governance Young people bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and a dynamic approach to problem-solving. In a rapidly changing world, with technological advancements and evolving societal norms, having younger members in Parliament could help in crafting policies that are more attuned to contemporary issues. This could include addressing climate change, digital governance, startup ecosystems, and education reforms in a more nuanced and progressive manner.
Comparative perspective from other democracies Several countries have successfully lowered the minimum age requirement for their MPs, such as the United Kingdom (18 years for both the House of Commons and House of Lords), Canada (18 years for the House of Commons), and Germany (18 years for the Bundestag). These countries have seen positive outcomes in terms of youth engagement, innovative policy-making, and dynamic leadership. India could draw lessons from these experiences to foster a more inclusive and vibrant democratic process.
Potential Benefits of Reducing the Minimum Age for MPs
Bridging the generational gap Reducing the minimum age for MPs could help bridge the generational gap between lawmakers and the general population. This would allow for better communication and understanding of youth-related issues, such as employment, education, mental health, and social justice. Younger representatives are more likely to understand and prioritise the needs and aspirations of the younger demographic.
Empowering marginalised youth Lowering the age requirement could create opportunities for marginalised and underrepresented youth to enter mainstream politics. Youth from diverse backgrounds, including women, minorities, and economically disadvantaged groups, could bring new perspectives to the legislative process and contribute to more inclusive policymaking.
Long-term policy vision Younger politicians are more likely to focus on long-term issues and sustainable development, given that they will live through the outcomes of the policies they enact. Issues like climate change, digital transformation, sustainable urbanisation, and renewable energy could receive more attention, fostering a future-oriented approach to governance.
Boosting civic responsibility and political awareness A reduction in the minimum age requirement for MPs would signal a commitment to youth participation in governance. This could foster a sense of civic responsibility and political awareness among young citizens, encouraging them to actively participate in democratic processes, community development, and nation-building.
Challenges of Reducing the Minimum Age for MPs
Concerns about experience and maturity One of the primary arguments against reducing the minimum age for MPs is the perceived lack of experience and maturity among younger individuals. Critics argue that governance and legislation require a deep understanding of complex socio-economic and political issues, which often comes with age and experience. There is a fear that younger representatives may lack the necessary wisdom and practical knowledge to navigate these complexities effectively.
Risk of populism and short-termism Some experts contend that younger politicians might be more susceptible to populism and short-term decision-making, driven by the desire for quick results rather than sustainable and well-thought-out policies. There is also a concern that younger MPs could be more vulnerable to external influences, given their limited political experience.
Potential for tokenism Lowering the age requirement could lead to tokenism, where young politicians are included to create an appearance of inclusivity without any substantial empowerment. This could result in superficial representation, where young politicians are not given real authority or leadership roles and are instead overshadowed by older and more seasoned colleagues.
Institutional resistance and status quo bias The established political order may resist changes to the minimum age requirement, seeing it as a threat to the status quo. Institutional resistance could hinder meaningful reforms, especially when it comes to sharing power with younger and potentially more dynamic politicians.
Legal and constitutional considerations Reducing the minimum age for MPs would require a constitutional amendment. The age requirement for members of the Lok Sabha (Article 84) and the Rajya Sabha [Article 84(b)] is enshrined in the Constitution of India, and any amendment would need to be passed by a two-thirds majority in both Houses of Parliament. Furthermore, such a proposal would need widespread political consensus, given the potential impact on the country’s political landscape.
Current Developments
In August 2023, a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice in its 132nd report recommended lowering the minimum age to contest elections from 25 to 18, citing global examples like Canada, the UK, and Australia. The move aims to increase youth representation in politics, leveraging their fresh perspectives and diversity. The recommendation is supported by evidence of young people's growing political engagement and consciousness, making them capable and responsible political participants.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is cautious about changing the minimum age for electoral candidacy, stating that constitutional provisions should only be amended with strong reasons. The ECI previously considered aligning the minimum age for voting and contesting elections but decided 18-year-olds may lack necessary experience and maturity for political responsibilities. Therefore, the ECI maintains that the current minimum age requirement is appropriate and does not support reducing it.
The committee had recommended that the ECI and government should focus on implementing comprehensive civic education programmes to empower young people with the necessary knowledge and skills for political participation. It had suggested drawing inspiration from successful international models, such as Finland’s citizenship education programme, and adapting them to suit India’s needs.
Young Indians, aware of their rights and responsibilities, are engaging in political discussions and recognising their agency in promoting sustainable growth, inspired by global movements of Greta Thunberg like “Fridays for Future”. However, they face age-related obstacles in exercising their rights, limiting their potential. A 2018 UN Report highlights their underrepresentation in politics, with less than two per cent of parliamentarians under 30, and notes the mismatch between voting age and candidacy requirements, questioning the true extent of youth representation in decision-making.
India’s university campuses and student politics have evolved significantly since 1979. The adoption of the Lyngdoh Committee’s recommendations in 2012, which set upper age limits for student union elections, has been instrumental in bringing young voices to the forefront. As a result, young voices have been empowered, and the average age of student union leaders in top universities has decreased to 22.5 years, as of 2019.
Way Forward
It is time for India's parliamentary system to inject fresh perspectives by allowing younger individuals to participate in the system. Given that 21-year-olds have already been handling significant responsibilities in various fields, such as civil services, local governance, entrepreneurship, and military service, it is logical to enable them to contribute to the country’s decision-making process as legislative candidates. This would align with their existing voting rights and leverage their energy and ideas for the nation’s benefit.
While there are valid concerns regarding experience, maturity, and the potential risks of populism, the benefits of greater youth representation, innovation, and inclusivity cannot be overlooked. A balanced and gradual approach, combined with robust political education and capacity-building efforts, can help India tap into its demographic dividend and build a more dynamic and future-ready democracy.
As India continues to evolve as a global power, it is essential to ensure that its political institutions reflect the aspirations and diversity of its people. Lowering the age barrier for MPs could be a step toward achieving a more inclusive and participatory democracy, where young voices have a meaningful role in shaping the nation’s destiny.
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