📜 Article 173 of the Indian Constitution
Title: Qualification for membership of the State Legislature
🔹 Text Summary of Article 173:
Article 173 lays down the eligibility criteria for becoming a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) or Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) in a state.
📌 Key Provisions of Article 173:
To be qualified as a Member of a State Legislature, a person must:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| ✅ Citizenship | Must be a citizen of India |
| ✅ Oath or Affirmation | Must subscribe to an oath or affirmation under the Constitution (as per 3rd Schedule) |
| ✅ Age (MLA) | At least 25 years old for Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) |
| ✅ Age (MLC) | At least 30 years old for Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) |
| ✅ Other qualifications | Must fulfill any other qualifications prescribed by Parliament by law (e.g., Representation of the People Act, 1951) |
❌ Disqualifications Not Included Here:
Disqualifications are dealt with under:
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Article 191 – Office of profit, unsound mind, etc.
-
10th Schedule – Anti-defection law
🧠Key Takeaways:
-
Article 173 is similar to Article 84 (qualifications for MPs).
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It sets minimum eligibility, but disqualifications are listed elsewhere.
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Ensures candidates are mature and legally committed to uphold the Constitution.
⚖️ Related Articles:
| Article | Subject |
|---|---|
| 84 | Qualification for MP (Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha) |
| 191 | Disqualifications for MLAs and MLCs |
| 173 + RPA 1951 | Together form full eligibility and disqualification criteria |
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