By which Constitutional Amendment Act voting age was reduced from 21 years to 18 years?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 2:

The correct option is the **61st Amendment Act**. This historic amendment, enacted in 1989, specifically amended Article 326 of the Constitution of India. Prior to this amendment, the minimum age required for a citizen to vote in elections to the Lok Sabha and the Legislative Assemblies of the States was 21 years. The 61st Amendment reduced this age qualification to 18 years. This change was crucial for strengthening democracy in India by providing political participation and representation to a vast section of the country's youth. The rationale behind this move was the recognition that young adults, capable of making informed political choices and contributing to society, should not be denied the fundamental right to vote, especially since they were deemed mature enough to enter into contracts, serve in the military, and be held criminally liable. It was a significant step toward greater democratization and youth inclusion, aligning India with many other democracies globally.

The incorrect option is 1:
The **60th Amendment Act**, enacted in 1988, is not related to the voting age. This amendment dealt with the professional tax, specifically amending Article 276 of the Constitution. Its purpose was to raise the limit of professional tax that could be levied by a state on persons engaged in professions, trades, callings, or employments. It increased the ceiling of the tax from two hundred and fifty rupees per annum to two thousand and five hundred rupees per annum. Therefore, while it is a constitutional amendment from a similar time period, its subject matter is entirely fiscal and administrative, having no bearing on electoral rights or the voting age.

The incorrect option is 3:
The **62nd Amendment Act** of 1989 addressed the provisions relating to the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the Lok Sabha and the State Legislative Assemblies. At that time, the reservation period was due to expire, and this amendment extended the reservation period for another ten years. It is an amendment focused on affirmative action and the political empowerment of marginalized communities, ensuring their continued representation in the legislative bodies. It primarily concerns Article 334 of the Constitution and, like the 60th Amendment, does not pertain to the age requirement for franchise.

The incorrect option is 4:
The **63rd Amendment Act** was also passed in 1989. This amendment was specifically related to the emergency powers and the proclamation of President's Rule in Punjab. It aimed to reverse some of the amendments previously made by the 59th Amendment Act regarding the extension of President's Rule in the state. The primary objective was to ensure normal constitutional processes could be restored in Punjab, a state facing exceptional law and order challenges at the time. Its scope was limited to specific provisions concerning the state of Punjab and the power of the central government during emergencies, and it had no impact on the general voting age of Indian citizens.