Topic Details (Notes format)

Anti-Defection Law (Tenth Schedule)

Subject: Polity

Book: Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth

Added by the 52nd Amendment (1985) to curb political defections undermining legislative stability. Legislators who defect from their party or disobey the party whip risk disqualification. The Speaker or Chairman decides such cases. Exceptions include party mergers or splits with a threshold. The 91st Amendment (2003) tightened the law, removing splits as a defense. While it deters opportunism, critics argue it restricts legitimate dissent and undermines constructive debate. Controversies surface when presiding officers act in a partisan manner. Nonetheless, the law remains central for maintaining stable governments and checking undue horse-trading in Indian legislatures.

Practice Questions

What is the minimum age required to become the President of India?

Who is the head of the government in India?

राज्य सरकारों के अधिकार किस अनुच्छेद में वर्णित हैं?

वरिष्ठ न्यायाधीशों के चयन में किस समिति का योगदान होता है?

Which of the following provisions of the Indian Constitution is related to the financial emergency?

Who is the first woman President of India?

आपातकाल की घोषणा के लिए केंद्रीय सरकार को अतिरिक्त शक्तियाँ किस अनुच्छेद द्वारा दी जाती हैं?

Who was the first woman Speaker of the Lok Sabha?

भारतीय संसद की दो सदनों का नाम क्या है?

न्यायिक समीक्षा का सिद्धांत किसके द्वारा समर्थित है?